The Stream, January 6: Groundwater Declining in India’s Uttar Pradesh

The Global Rundown

Groundwater is under increasing stress in India’s Uttar Pradesh state, and water levels continue to drop in the Dead Sea. Researchers in Belize found more evidence that severe droughts brought down the Maya civilization, while researchers at NASA will launch a satellite this month to see how soil moisture affects weather. Thailand is spending billions on water projects this year, the Chesapeake Bay is still unhealthy, and a winter storm threatens Gaza.

“No electricity, no drinkable water, no reconstruction, and now a storm. Our people need the help of the entire world.”–Samir Ali, taxi driver in Gaza city, on an approaching winter storm that could exacerbate poor conditions in the damaged city. (Reuters)

By The Numbers

$1.7 billion Amount Thailand has approved in its 2015 budget for water projects to address floods and water shortages. Bangkok Post

1 meter Amount water levels in the Dead Sea are dropping each year, largely due to declining inflows of fresh water from the Jordan River. Daily Mail

Science, Studies, And Reports

Groundwater resources in Uttar Pradesh are increasingly stressed, with 111 blocks listed as over-exploited in 2011—the most recent data—compared to 37 blocks in 2004, according to a report released by the Uttar Pradesh Ground Water Department. The Indian Express

Chesapeake Bay received a D-plus grade in the biennial assessment of its health released by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Despite ongoing restoration efforts and improvements in water quality, the bay suffered major declines in blue crab and rockfish populations. Associated Press

In Belize, researchers from Rice University have found evidence of two severe droughts that lasted more than 100 years, which they believe led to the fall of the ancient Maya civilization. Science Times

On The Radar

NASA’s new SMAP instrument, designed to measure how the moisture in soil affects local weather, will be launched on a satellite on January 29. NASA

Codi Kozacek

A news correspondent for Circle of Blue based out of Hawaii. She writes The Stream, Circle of Blue’s daily digest of international water news trends. Her interests include food security, ecology and the Great Lakes.
Contact Codi Kozacek