Severe water scarcity in the country: India ranks 13th in 189 countries, 17 countries on the verge of day zero
India is facing severe water scarcity and is on the verge of ‘Day Zero’. In the case of ‘Day Zero’, water also dries in the taps. This has been claimed in a US report released on Tuesday.
The World Resources Institute’s ‘Aqued Water Risk Atlas’ has a ranking of 189 countries and their provinces-states based on water hazard, drought and rivers flooding.
India ranks 13th in this. 17 countries, including India, are standing in a dangerous condition, in which a quarter of the world’s population lives.
According to the report, the groundwater level in North India has come down drastically.
The report quoted former water resources secretary of India Shashi Shekhar as saying that the recent cascade of Chennai caught the attention of the world but such is the situation in many parts of the country.
He was told that with the help of reliable data of rainfall, surface, and groundwater, India can formulate a strategy for the future.
Shekhar says that the ‘aqueduct’ can help identify and prioritize water hazards worldwide.
In the new hydrological model of ‘Aqueduct’, the water crisis is more accurately displayed through maps. 13 indicators have been used to illustrate this.
80% of surface and groundwater exploitation The
report says that on average, 80% of surface and groundwater is being exploited annually in agriculture, industry and urban bodies in 17 more crisis countries.
World Resources Association president Andrew Steer says the water crisis is the biggest threat. This can result in food security, human conflict, migration, and financial instability.