The Stream, January 19: Thailand Braces For Possible Water Shortage

The Global Rundown

Thailand could experience water shortages by April if it does not take water conservation measures. The United Nations is launching a $50 million plan to combat food insecurity in drought-hit Ethiopia, while technical studies of the country’s Grand Renaissance dam are expected to be released by the end of the month. Jordan released a new plan to increase its water resources, small towns in Australia’s Outback are running out of traditional water supplies, and winter storms shattered records for rainfall and stream flows in England last month.

“We’ll see a lot more communities struggle with water. Without water, nothing happens. From an economic prosperity point of view, it’s exceptionally important.”–Wincen Cuy, mayor of Broken Hill, Australia, on the more frequent and severe droughts expected in southern Australia. Some towns in the Outback, including Broken Hill, are already running out of traditional water supplies. (Bloomberg)

By The Numbers

$50 million Amount the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations plans to spend in its emergency response to a growing food crisis in Ethiopia, where drought conditions have pushed more than 10.2 million people into food insecurity. FAO

20 percent Increase in water consumption in Jordan since the arrival of thousands of Syrian refugees. Jordan just released a new 10-year plan to expand the country’s water supplies. The Jordan Times

Science, Studies, And Reports

Winter storms in England last month broke numerous records for rainfall and river flows, according to the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. The storms created “some of the most widespread and severe flooding ever witnessed in the UK,” said the head of CEH’s national hydrological monitoring program. Guardian

On The Radar

Findings of the technical studies of Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance hydropower dam are expected to be released by the end of the month. The dam, which has been the subject of negotiations between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan, is already more than half completed. Daily News Egypt

The primary reservoirs in Thailand’s Chao Phraya River basin are half as full as they were at this time last year. The country could face water shortages due to saltwater intrusion by mid-April, according to analysts. Bangkok Post

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