The global cost of disasters is growing: The economic burden of disasters is intensifying. While the direct costs of disasters averaged $70–80 billion a year between 1970 and 2000, between 2001 and 2020 these annual costs grew significantly to $180–200 billion. But the real cost is far higher. Disaster costs …
In theory, rainwater harvesting can drought-proof every village in India. In theory, drought-proofing requires strong and functioning village-level institutions. Travelling through Chattisgarh state
Bathing daily is now a punishable offence in three gram panchayats of Andhra Pradesh. The village bodies in Mellacheruvu mandal of Nalgonda district have ruled that villagers will bathe once in four days and wash clothes once every 10 days to save water. Those who defy the diktat will be …
indian scientists have embarked on a programme to study clouds from close range. This was revealed at the recently concluded 90th Indian Science Congress session in Bangalore. Space Commission member Roddam Narasimha said that the satellite would help understand how the water cycle affects atmospheric climate processes over the tropics. …
a survey currently underway in states to calculate the number of below poverty line (bpl) households is being opposed tooth and nail by civil society groups under the 'right to food' campaign. They are objecting to the exercise on two counts: firstly, the criteria used for poverty estimation are incorrect; …
With a severe drought hitting the region, it seems residents of southern Australia are willing to go to any length for relief. Hundreds of women in Victoria state are planning to bare themselves to the heavens to ensure more rain in this drought-ravaged region. Taking their inspiration from a Nepalese …
which was the cruellest month of the year 2002? April, pace T S Eliot but also the unnaturally high temperature. June, or July, or August, if you thought the rains would come. November, when it was announced that India is in the grip of a full-country drought. Even December, with …
who would have thought that bacterium genes could one day make rice hardy? Biologists from New York-based Cornell University have made this possible. To make a rice strain resistant to drought, cold and salt water, they have fused two genes from the Escherichia coli bacterium, and then inserted them into …
Using genes from mangrove plants, scientists from the Chennai-based M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MMSRF) are developing transgenic varieties of rice, mustard and black gram that can withstand salinity and drought conditions. The scientists have isolated and characterised the salt-resistant genes from two mangrove species
It is five o'clock in the morning. I am inside Jharkhand's Khellari forest, on assignment. In the first light of morning, the forest looks lush and dark green. Suddenly, a frail frame
What if Phulmai did not exist. You can meet her in the forest; follow her for a day; listen to what she says and so complete half an assignment. The other half lies in accounting for her, and all those like her who spend their lives headloading. Step out of …
Five districts in Sindh province of Pakistan and 3000 human settlements are reeling under a prolonged drought. According to Sindh's additional chief secretary (development), Shahzado Shaikh, 194,798 families living in the districts of Thar, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Dadu and Thatta have borne the brunt of the dry spell. The total population …
true, everybody loves a good drought. But the latest mantra is the interlinking of the country's rivers. Everybody loves it too. So much so, that it seems to be a favoured jingle with most political parties. It is an old virus. The first sign of its new mutation showed up …
For the first time in two decades, Australia is reeling under a water crunch. Restrictions on water use have been imposed on Melbourne residents. Environment minister Sherryl Garbutt has directed the people to use watering systems sparingly during the day and reduce washing their cars with hoses. Empty pools and …
Environmental disasters, including drought and flood, cost the world more than us $70 billion in 2002, reveals United Nations Environment Programme (unep). This year floods ravaged Europe, China, India, Nepal and Bangladesh killing thousands of people and leaving millions homeless. "Natural catastrophes, a vast majority of which have been weather-related, …
I travel in drought-hit Rajasthan. I want to see, and record. What does really happen when an area is hit by drought? It doesn't rain over Rajasthan the way it used to. Less rainfall has led to a drop in groundwater levels. This year, Rajasthan got 208 mm rain. That's …
large amounts of soot particles and other pollutants are causing adverse changes in precipitation and temperatures over China, indicates a new research done by Washington dc-based National Aeronautical Space Administration (nasa). The soot is partially responsible for the increased incidences of floods and droughts witnessed by China during the last …
all herders and livestock, who had intruded into the 392-square-kilometre (sq km) Ranthambhore National Park in Sawai Madhopur district, Rajasthan, have been driven out ending one month of drama. The tension between 100-odd villages around the park and the forest department, however, can spark more trouble in the future. There …
• Part I: Untapped data • Part II: Lessons learnt How long have you been driving an auto in Ahmedabad? Just about a fortnight now. I came about 25 days ago from Lucknow. You live in Lucknow city? No. Who lives in the cities? People come to the cities to …
Part I: Untapped data Four consecutive years of drought have brought home a lesson that the people of Hamirpur district and its neighbouring districts in Himachal Pradesh have learnt well. These areas had started receiving piped water supply from the government and gave up on their traditional water harvesting structures. …
