The Stream, August 25, 2020: Water in India’s Dams are Reaching Full Capacity

The Global Rundown

Water storage in Indian cities is rising. Thousands evacuated their homes in Brazil because of a water pipe rupture. Massachusetts’s North Shore is facing crippling damage due to climate change. Two storms are expected to wreak havoc along the U.S. Gulf Coast. China said it would release water flow data on its third largest river.

“China stressed that it is ready to share information with us in a clear, meaningful and transparent way throughout the year. Information will be shared seamlessly.” – Nikorndej Balankura, a senior foreign ministry official in Thailand. China said over the weekend that they were ready to share data on water flows into the Mekong River, a longstanding request of downstream Southeast Asian countries. Lower Mekong countries already share water data through the Mekong River Commission (MRC), who called for better data-sharing between countries and companies that operate hydropower dams along the river this month as flows hit record lows for the second year in a row. Reuters

 In context: HotSpots H2O: Lower Mekong Nations Seek Greater Cooperation from China Following Recent Study

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By The Numbers

2000 The number of people who fled their homes in Brazil last weekend after a water pipe ruptured, damaging a dam and flooding a water diversion project’s power plant. Residents were expected to be able to return to their homes within 72 hours. The dam is part of an enormous project to divert water from the Sao Francisco, the most important river in northeastern Brazil, to supply arid regions in three states. AP

93.78 percent The collective water storage in four city dams in India as a result of incessant rains this month. In 24 hours over the weekend, the city of Temghar received 60mm (2.4in) of rain, while the cities of Khadakwasla, Panshet and Warasgoan received 4mm (.16in), 45mm (1.8in) and 36mm (1.4in), respectively. Other dams in the Pune district are now at 100 percent storage capacity. Hindustan Times

Science, Studies, and Reports

A report published last week by Trustees of Reservations, Massachusetts’s largest private coastal landowner and conservation organization, painted a grim future for the states. North Shore unless action is taken soon. Increased tidal flooding, beach erosion and aging sea barriers are among climate-related concerns threatening Massachusetts’s North Shore. The group’s annual “State of the Coast” report said that more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) of seawalls and other hard coast barriers in the region aren’t currently aren’t adequate to withstand increased tidal flooding, beach erosion, aging sea barriers and other climate-related risks. Remediating the area could cost almost $100 million, however the report found that future storms could put some $100 billion worth of coastal real estate in Essex County at risk. On the Coast

On the Radar

Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura ravaged the U.S. Gulf Coast on Sunday, forcing thousands of coastal residents in Louisiana and Cuba to flee their homes. Roads in Haiti were also flooded after the dueling storms tore through the region and damage is expected to worsen in the region throughout the week. Hurricane Marco is expected to make landfall along the Louisiana coast, while Tropical Storm Laura is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before hitting Texas or Louisiana on Thursday. Reuters

Jane Johnston

Jane is a Communications Associate for Circle of Blue. She writes The Stream and has covered domestic and international water issues for Circle of Blue. She is a recent graduate of Grand Valley State University, where she studied Multimedia Journalism and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. During her time at Grand Valley, she was the host of the Community Service Learning Center podcast Be the Change. Currently based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jane enjoys listening to music, reading and spending time outdoors.