Drought in the Yangtze river basin – in pictures

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2011/may/25/drought-yangtze-river-china

China crisis over Yangtze river drought forces drastic dam measures

The Yangtze – Asia’s biggest river – is experiencing its worst drought in 50 years, forcing an unprecedented release of water from the Three Gorges reservoir. The drought is damaging crops, threatening wildlife and raising doubts about the viability of China‘s massive water diversion ambitions.

Between now and 10 June the dam will release 5bn cubic metres of water – equivalent to the volume of Lake Windermere in Britain every day – as engineers sacrifice hydroelectric generation for irrigation, drinking supplies and ecosystem support.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/25/china-drought-crisis-yangtze-dam

Human impact on world’s rivers ‘threatens water security of 5 billion’

The world’s rivers are so badly affected by human activity that the water security of almost 5 billion people, and the survival of thousands of aquatic species, are threatened, scientists warned .

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/sep/29/human-impact-world-rivers-water-security

Water map shows billions at risk of ‘water insecurity’

About 80% of the world’s population lives in areas where the fresh water supply is not secure, according to a new global analysis

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11435522

Water resource

Great interactive resource is here http://www.drinking-water.org/flash/en/water.html?_2_00_00

 

China moves 330,000 in water plan

China has begun to resettle 330,000 people to make way for a project to divert water from the south of the country to the north, state media say. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8314447.stm

Delays block China’s giant water scheme

A multi-billion-dollar project to divert water from southern China to the arid north is already four years behind schedule.

The news comes as parts of northern and central China struggle to cope with severe drought.

Officials recently admitted that water would not flow along the project’s central route – a total of three are planned – until 2014

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7864390.stm

Nile Delta: ‘We are going underwater. The sea will conquer our lands’

The Nile Delta is under threat from rising sea levels. Without the food it produces, Egypt faces catastrophe

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/aug/21/climate-change-nile-flooding-farming