The Stream, July 6: Hoping to Conserve Water, Iraq Bans Planting of Summer Crops

The Global Rundown

Iraq bans farmers from planting summer crops in an effort to preserve water. A heatwave in the midwestern U.S. causes temperatures in the Great Lakes to soar. “Historic” rains lash western Japan, killing one and forcing thousands to evacuate. Drought forces millions of farmers to migrate out of India’s parched Bundelkhand region. Officials say a burst water main in central Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, could take months to repair.

“I feel as though my very existence has been shaken.” –Akeel Kamil, a farmer near the Iraqi town of Mishkhab, speaking on the devastating drought that has parched the country’s rice belt. Iraqi farmers have been ordered not to plant rice, corn, and other crops in order to combat Iraq’s increasing water shortages. The Seattle Times

Latest WaterNews from Circle of Blue

Water Access In Lima Complicated by Inequality and Climate Uncertainty – With a population of 10 million, the world’s second-largest desert city receives a paltry 0.3 inches of rain each year.

What’s Up With Water – July 2, 2018 – “What’s Up With Water” condenses the need-to-know news on the world’s water into a weekly snapshot. Coverage this week includes: Deadly water-related quarrels in India, military takeover of water points in Venezuela, and the Florida-Georgia water dispute.

HotSpots H2O, July 2: Tensions Simmer Across India as Water Supply Falters – Hot temperatures and dwindling water supplies sparked conflict across India in recent months as the country suffers its “worst-ever” water crisis.

By The Numbers

160,000 People who were advised to evacuate their homes in western Japan as heavy rains threaten flash flooding. As of Thursday afternoon, 18 inches of rain had fallen in some areas, with another 16 inches expected in the next 24 hours. Reuters

2 million Estimated number of farmers who have temporarily or permanently migrated out of India’s Bundelkhand region. Rains in the area have halved in the past six to seven years, devastating agriculture and forcing farmers to migrate to urban areas in search of work. Reuters

Science, Studies, And Reports

Sweltering temperatures in the Midwest U.S. sent surface water temperatures in the Great Lakes soaring above long-term averages. Compared with long-term averages, Lake Ontario is the warmest, at 7.5 degrees hotter than average. MLive

In context: Record heat in 2016 broke lake temperatures too

On The Radar

A water main break in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, could take several months to repair, according to city officials. The water main bust on Tuesday, flooding nearby streets with 15 million gallons of water. The New York Times

Kayla Ritter

Kayla Ritter is a recent graduate of Michigan State University, where she studied International Relations and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She is currently based in Manton, Michigan. Kayla enjoys running, writing, and traveling. Contact Kayla Ritter