17 Apr Spain, Morocco, India and Iraq Are Facing Massive ‘Day Zero’ Water Crisis
Spain, Morocco, India and Iraq Are Facing Massive ‘Day Zero’ Water Crisis –
South Africa is not the only country facing a water crisis where taps could completely dry up, ultimately leaving citizens in a terrible state that could lead to widespread death. The latest report claims Morocco, India, Iraq, and Spain could face the next “Day Zero” water crisis in the distant future.
The report says Al Massira, Morocco’s second largest reservoir, is running low on water. In the last three years, the reservoir has shrunk by a whopping 60 percent, and this has a lot to do with recurring drought, the water needs of nearby cities, and irrigation.
We understand that despite recent rainfalls, water in Morocco has reached its lowest level in 10 years, and there’s no apparent end in sight.
The World Resources Institute (WRI) says the last time Morocco suffered from water shortage, the production of gran fell by half, and over 700,000 citizens of the country were affected.
Bigger problems are in the pipeline since a new water transfer project is in the works to deliver the precious commodity to the city of Marrakech.
What’s Going On in Spain?
Spain is no different as droughts have caused its Buendia dam to shrink by 60 percent in over five years. A bad situation for Spain since the issue has caused for increased electricity cost, but the same can’t be said on the agriculture front.
You see, Spain is not too reliant on agriculture, therefore, the current water situation shouldn’t yet become a major problem where ground food is concerned.
Tensions Rising in India
Here’s the thing. Two reservoirs connected by the Narmada river have been suffering from shortages due to poor rainfalls back in 2017. Now, because the Indira Sagar is a third below its average, the government had to place some of the burdens on the Sardar Sarovar reservoir.
Doing this caused an uproar since the Sardar Sarovar reservoir holds drinking water for over 30 million citizens.
Things are so bad to the point where the Gujarat government has asked farmers not to sow crops.
Iraq’s Situation is Also Dire
Interestingly enough, the country’s Mosul Dam is also down by 60 percent, but in this case, the number is being compared to its peak rise in the 1990s. Competing demand for water from Turkey via the Tigris and Euphrates waters is also a major problem.
The water problem could lead to an even greater humanitarian issue as it may cause conflicts; not only in Iraq but also in Syria.
AS it stands, all of four dams from the above-mentioned countries are located in mid-latitudes where climate change will likely allow for more droughts
“These four could be a harbinger of things to come,” said Charles Iceland of the WRI. “There are lots of potential Cape Towns in the making. Things will only get worse globally, as water demands increase and the effects of climate change begin to be felt.”
April 16th, 2018 – Sanvada – by Vamien McKalin
