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The issue of <keyword id="19895037" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bengaluru" source="keywords">Bengaluru</keyword>'s <keyword id="6355836" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="water-crisis" source="Orion">water crisis</keyword> is currently dominating various news platforms, highlighting the challenges faced by residents and the efforts made by the Karnataka government to address the situation. This problem is indicative of the widespread water scarcity across South India. With the world recently having commemorated Water Day 2024, it's pertinent to acknowledge our recurring failure in addressing this crisis whenever there's a shortfall in rainfall. The changing climate, leading to erratic weather patterns, exacerbates this collective failure, posing potential irreparable damages to socio-economic and ecological systems. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="A worsening crisis" comment="subhead" text="A worsening crisis">A worsening crisis</cmsannotation> This year, the southwest monsoon season (June to September), crucial for rainfall in southern states, experienced a significant 8% deficit compared to the long-term average in 2023. Additionally, the winter monsoon season (October to December) also saw a 13% rainfall deficit in the region. These consecutive deficits, along with insufficient rainfall this year, have adversely affected reservoir levels across South India. Urban centers in the region, including Bengaluru and Hyderabad, face the consequences, exacerbated by the closure of lake networks and excessive groundwater pumping in recent years <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Dipping water stores" comment="subhead" text="Dipping water stores">Dipping water stores</cmsannotation> According to the latest weekly report by the <keyword id="19912241" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="central-water-commission" source="keywords">Central Water Commission</keyword> (CWC), the combined storage capacity of 42 reservoirs in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, <keyword id="19896018" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kerala" source="keywords">Kerala</keyword>, and <keyword id="19896558" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tamil-nadu" source="keywords">Tamil Nadu</keyword> stands at 23% of their total live storage capacity, significantly lower than last year's levels (39%) and the ten-year average (32%). State-wise reservoir levels this week indicate a severe shortage, with Andhra Pradesh at 69% below normal, and Tamil Nadu (30%), Karnataka (24%), and Telangana (12%) also below normal. Kerala is the only state maintaining slightly above normal reservoir levels at 1%. Rivers such as the Krishna and Cauvery exhibit deficient storage levels, reflecting the widespread shortage in various regions. North India (33%), West India (45%), and Central India (46%) also face storage levels much lower than the ten-year average. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The road ahead" comment="subhead" text="The road ahead">The road ahead</cmsannotation> Looking ahead, despite current shortages, many state governments assure the public of sufficient water until June, with expectations of pre-monsoon and monsoon rains to replenish water resources. Reports of El Niño transitioning to neutral and a forthcoming La Niña event suggest normal to above-normal monsoon rainfall. In Bengaluru, residents are advised against using Cauvery and borewell water for festivities like Holi, although no additional water use restrictions have been imposed by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (<keyword id="19927086" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bwssb" source="keywords">BWSSB</keyword>) for the festival. Given the nation's reservoir levels, celebrating a dry Holi seems prudent not only in Bengaluru but across the country.

Dipping reservoir stores in South India raise alarms on possible water shortages ahead

Union Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> highlighted India's significant progress in electrification, <keyword id="23692737" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="water-accessibility" source="keywords">water accessibility</keyword>, and <keyword id="20879840" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-empowerment" source="keywords">economic empowerment</keyword> during a fireside chat with John J Hamre, President and CEO of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), in Washington, DC. Highlighting the progress made in <keyword id="23003732" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rural-electrification" source="keywords">rural electrification</keyword>, <keyword id="19916494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sitharaman" source="keywords">Sitharaman</keyword> highlighted that every village in India now has access to electricity. She noted that in 2014, many villages across India, including those near state capitals, lacked even basic infrastructure for electrification. She said "I don't think any village in India is unelectrified today. Households have received the connections. So, if I remember the situation in 2014, there were still many villages in many parts of India, some even very close to the state capital, provincial headquarters, without even a pole to receive the electric wires. Now, all that has been overcome. Houses have got their electricity." The Finance Minister also discussed the <keyword id="19971121" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jal-Jeevan-Mission" source="keywords">Jal Jeevan Mission</keyword>, a program initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide tap water connections to every household. She explained, "Earlier, one tap water connection was provided to a village, from where everyone would take water to their home. But under the 'Jal Jeevan Mission,' each and every house gets a tap water connection." Sitharaman emphasized the positive impact of this initiative on health, sanitation, and convenience for millions of Indian families. Turning to the economic empowerment of <keyword id="20101496" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="municipalities" source="keywords">municipalities</keyword> and urban centers, Sitharaman noted that these local governments are receiving increased autonomy and financial support. She explained that municipalities receive a portion of taxes collected by the central government, along with additional funds based on the Finance Commission's recommendations. "Over and above, today, we are enhancing their capacities to raise resources from the market. Municipalities are a very powerful instrument of economic development and they, on their own, are raising a lot of resources," she added. Sitharaman also expressed confidence in India's economic growth and its appeal to <keyword id="20632552" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-investors" source="keywords">global investors</keyword>. "The policies are working, reforms are happening, and they shall continue to happen," she stated, adding that "greater liberalisation of the economy will be there and, in a way, we are accessing newer markets and speaking about the <keyword id="19948184" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-economy" source="keywords">Indian economy</keyword> in more avenues and platforms that will attract more investors." With ongoing reforms and increased global engagement, Sitharaman noted, India is solidifying its position as a significant player on the world stage, expanding its economic reach and inviting foreign investment.

No village in India left without access to electricity, claims FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Taipei [<keyword id="19909762" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="taiwan" source="keywords">Taiwan</keyword>], April 4 (ANI): The search for the missing continues following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake centered in Hualien that struck Taiwan on Wednesday morning, Central News Agency Focus Taiwan reported. As per Central Emergency Operation Center, as of 7 am Thursday, the number of deaths has reached nine, with 1,038 injured, 96 trapped, and 52 missing, reported CNA. Relief efforts are concentrated on Hualien, along the rugged and scenic east coast, where numerous buildings were left precarious with collapsed lower floors. <keyword id="20270996" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bridges" source="keywords">Bridges</keyword> and tunnels were destroyed, while roads suffered damage from rocks and landslides. Workers start demolishing buildings and rescuing individuals trapped inside, visuals coming from Taiwan. The casualties, all reported in Hualien, encompass four victims in Taroko Gorge, two near the Dachingshui and Huide tunnels, one in a residential building in Hualien City, and one in the Hejen mining area, with most resulting from rockfalls, as per CNA Emergency crews are rushing to free people trapped by the earthquake and ensuing landslides. Among those trapped are three people in a mine in Hualien's Heren Mining Area, 64 people in <keyword id="21190928" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heping" source="keywords">Heping</keyword> Mine, five employees of <keyword id="21190931" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="silks-place-hotel" source="keywords">Silks Place Hotel</keyword>, and 24 tourists in Taroko Gorge's Tunnel of Nine Turns. Taipower has reported that power has been returned to 70 per cent of all households and businesses that experienced power outages. <keyword id="21190932" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="taiwan-water" source="keywords">Taiwan Water</keyword> also said that water supply is normal in all districts and has dispatched personnel to conduct pipeline inspections and inspections at 13 reservoirs, per CNA. According to CNA, Taiwan's Nuclear Safety Commission said all nuclear power plants are operating normally and will pay attention to subsequent aftershocks. It will also continue to carry out inspections and monitoring of plants. <keyword id="21190929" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="taoyuan-international-airport-corporation" source="keywords">Taoyuan International Airport Corporation</keyword> said it has set up a response center and that operations are normal. However, parts of ceilings, walls, and sprinkler heads fell in the terminal, and two outbound and one Vietnamese passenger were slightly injured. On Wednesday, out of 143, seven people were trapped in the Renhe mining area, 47 hotel employees and 24 tourists at Jiuqudong, 64 individuals in the Heping mining area, and one on the Jhu-ilu Trekking and Hiking trail, as per the National Fire Agency Chen Cheng-chi, Deputy Commander of the Central Emergency Operation Centre (CEOC) and Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs highlighted that current rescue efforts are primarily concentrated on Provincial Highway No-8. He emphasised the importance of rescue personnel prioritising their safety, particularly during nighttime operations. Regarding water and electricity supply, the Ministry of Economic Affairs reported that 371,869 households experienced power outages nationwide, with 1,073 households still without power late Wednesday. Among them, 660 are expected to have power restored later in the evening. Additionally, 125,675 households initially suffered water stoppages across Taiwan, with 14,718 households still facing water shortages, including 14,500 in Hualien. Restoration efforts are expected to be completed by midnight Thursday, with water trucks dispatched to affected areas in the interim. Furthermore, the ministry noted that 20 of the 80 damaged cell phone base stations had been repaired by late Wednesday. The <keyword id="21190933" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-communications-commission" source="keywords">National Communications Commission</keyword> aims to gradually restore the remaining stations by Friday. (ANI)

Taiwan earthquake: 9 dead, 1,038 injured, rescue underway

<ul><li>Water levels in India’s reservoirs have been dipping consistently over the years.</li><li><keyword id="6357283" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="central-water-commission" source="Orion">Central Water Commission</keyword> (<keyword id="54702" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cwc" source="Orion">CWC</keyword>), which monitors the storage levels in 143 major reservoirs spread all over the country, reported Indus, Mahi and Sabarmati as highly deficient reservoirs on June 30.</li><li>As per the report, available live storage in the country’s 143 reservoirs monitored was at <a href="http://www.cwc.gov.in/sites/default/files/30062022-bulletin.pdf">only 28%</a> of their capacity.</li></ul>Due to <keyword id="181724" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delayed-monsoon" source="Orion">delayed monsoon</keyword> and an extended summer ridden with <keyword id="644986" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heatwaves" source="Orion">heatwaves</keyword>, India’s water reservoir level has been dipping. Over<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/30-large-reservoirs-in-india-dip-to-a-decadal-low-after-erratic-rains-in-june/articleshow/92665877.cms"> 30 large reservoirs </a>across India don’t just have less water compared to last year, but far less compared to the average of the last 10 years. This directly affects the daily water needs of cities and the ongoing Kharif sowing season. A drop in water reservoir level could also worsen India’s power cuts as 45 of 143 reservoirs aid hydropower generation. While the southwest <keyword id="6358301" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="monsoon" source="Orion">monsoon</keyword> has finally descended into northwest India, the water level in India’s key reservoirs has not improved. Central Water Commission (CWC), which monitors the storage levels in 143 major reservoirs spread all over the country, reported that Indus, Mahi and Sabarmati have highly deficient reservoirs as of June 30. Ganga basin has reported a decline of 3% storage capacity from last month; Narmada, Godavari and Krishna are only at 20%, 29% and 26% of their capacity levels. As per the report, available live storage in the country’s 143 reservoirs monitored was at <a href="http://www.cwc.gov.in/sites/default/files/30062022-bulletin.pdf">only 28%</a> of their capacity. 101 of the 143 monitored reservoirs were at <a href="http://www.cwc.gov.in/sites/default/files/30062022-bulletin.pdf">40% capacity or less</a>. The highest gaps in Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand, as these states also reported the highest departures in cumulative rainfall. India is highly dependent on rainfall for its drinking water and agricultural output India’s monsoon not only provides relief from the sweltering heat but is the backbone of the agriculture industry. Timely and sufficient rainfall ensures sustenance for Indian farmers. However, the monsoon season has become increasingly erratic in India and some regions have been hit harder by the change in rainfall patterns. Parts of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Chhattisgarh have seen a significant <a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/india/the-roots-of-india-s-deepening-rural-water-crisis-1564323444810.html">shortfall </a>in rains over the last decade compared to historical averages. After a particularly hot summer this year, India’s reservoirs have lost most of their water to evaporation. Shailendra Singh Rao, founder of climate change and carbon asset firm Creduce said that water conservation, preservation and storage is a huge problem in India. “India’s drinking water comes from reservoirs, which are highly dependent on the monsoons. From November to June, all the water reservoirs are mostly exhausted and the water is mostly used. There is a lack of system wherein, the reservoirs are either technically not equipped enough or well connected to the other water channels, so there is no continuous flow of water in most of the reservoirs in the country,” said Rao. A slight delay in monsoon, therefore, has a ripple effect on the entire agricultural cycle and on India’s overall drinking water supply. “If it doesn't rain, there is no proper channel of natural currents or other sources to fill up the reservoir throughout the year. That is a major impact due to the delayed monsoon. Jaisalmer lake Udaipur, which is considered to be the biggest reservoir for drinking water in India, is almost exhausted and dried up. If the monsoon is delayed, the surrounding ecosystem of that reservoir will also get impacted drastically,” said Rao. Due to this, sowing windows have been altered and it has been a weak start to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/kharif-sowing-is-off-to-a-weak-start-with-extended-dry-spells-and-floods/articleshow/92435771.cms">Kharif sowing</a>. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/slow-sowing-wary-global-buyers-can-take-rice-prices-on-the-same-path-as-wheat/articleshow/92489067.cms">Rice</a>, maize, pulses such as urad, moong dal and millets are among the key Kharif crops.

Heatwave followed by a delayed monsoon is drying up India’s reservoirs that provide drinking water

With the month of June witnessing erratic rainfall resulting in many states receiving deficit rains from the <keyword id="164166" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="southwest-monsoon" source="Orion">southwest monsoon</keyword>, over 30 large reservoirs across India have not just lesser water compared to last year, but far less compared to the average of last 10 years. The <keyword id="6357283" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Central-Water-Commission" source="Orion">Central Water Commission</keyword> (CWC) monitors 143 reservoirs on a weekly basis. The total live storage as on June 30 was 48.951 billion cubic metres (BCM), which is 86 per cent of last year's storage and 118 per cent of the average of the last 10 years at the corresponding time. There are six reservoirs that have no live storage. "The rainfall in June was erratic and the progress was slow. Twice there was a break when there was no advance in the monsoon. However, the last week of June more than compensated with heavy rainfall in the the catchments of most of the reservoirs," said an official from the agency under the Jal Shakti Ministry. Data from <keyword id="6355166" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India-Meteorological-Department" source="Orion">India Meteorological Department</keyword> (<keyword id="6366970" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IMD" source="Orion">IMD</keyword>) showed that Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and the UTs of Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands, Dadra, Nagar Haveli and Daman &amp; Diu and Ladakh, received deficit rainfall. As per the CWC, in the northern region, three reservoirs in Himachal Pradesh have more water compared to last year but as much as minus 38 per cent compared to the average of last 10 years. Punjab's lone reservoir too has a similar story, almost the same quantity of water compared to last year but as much as 37 per cent less compared to the last 10 years' average. In the eastern region, six reservoirs in Jharkhand have minus 19 per cent of last 10 years' average while 10 reservoirs in Odisha have minus 39 per cent of last 10 years' average water quantity. In the Central region, Uttarakhand's three reservoirs have minus 21 per cent less water compared to last 10 years' average while for eight reservoirs in Uttar Pradesh and four in Chhattisgarh, it is minus 8 per cent of the last 10 years' average. Surprisingly, Gujarat and Maharashtra, which were in red (minus 30 and minus 54 per cent deficit) when it came to rainfall for the month of June, had only slightly less water compared to last year but far more than the average of the last 10 years. None of the reservoirs in the southern region are showing any deficit, not even Kerala that had minus 52 per cent deficit as on June 30. "Rangawan in Uttar Pradesh, Nanak Sagar in Uttarakhand, Mulshi and Bheema in Maharashtra, Watrak in Gujarat and Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh are the reservoirs that had no live storage as of June 30," said an official of the CWC. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/how-indian-auto-companies-like-bajaj-auto-tata-motors-hero-tvs-kia-performed-in-june-2022/slidelist/92657725.cms">Bajaj in top gear, Hero flat while Maruti declines – here’s how Indian auto cos performed in June 2022</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sustainability/news/bengaluru-delhi-hyderabad-and-mumbai-[%E2%80%A6]stainable-commercial-real-estate/articleshow/92656994.cmshttps://www.businessinsider.in/sustainability/news/bengaluru-delhi-hyderabad-and-mumbai-[%E2%80%A6]stainable-commercial-real-estate/articleshow/92656994.cms">Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai among top-20 cities in Asia-Pacific for sustainable commercial real estate</a>

30 large reservoirs in India dip to a decadal low after erratic rains in June

Bengaluru, As monsoon rains continue to lash Maharashtra and <keyword id="6354780" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Karnataka">Karnataka</keyword>, <keyword id="4528506" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-central-water-commission">the Central Water Commission</keyword> (CWC) on Wednesday issued <keyword id="431736" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Flood-warning">flood warning</keyword> to areas in <keyword id="9786496" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-krishna-river-basin">the Krishna river basin</keyword> across the state's northwest region. "As heavy rainfall in the catchment areas will lead to more inflow of water into the reservoirs across the Krishna river basin, flood warning has been given to the authorities in the state's border districts to prevent loss of life and damage to property," a CWC official told IANS here. Authorities in Belagavi and Bagalkot districts have been advised to shift people living in villages on the river banks and low-lying areas to higher and safer places to avoid them being flooded, as the river and its tributaries are in spate due to incessant rains over the last week. "As dams in both states across <keyword id="9646208" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-river-basin">the river basin</keyword> are filling up to their capacity, discharge of excess water will flood farmlands and villages in the region," said the official. With the river at Gokak Falls in Belagavi district flowing above the danger mark, hundreds of people in the nearby villages have been shifted to rescue and relief centres at higher places. "As the river is rising after water from the Narayanpur dam in Raichur district was released on Tuesday, flood threat has been issued to the people living in Huvinahedgi village," said the official. With forecast of heavy rains in central and south Maharashtra, release of excess water from its reservoirs will flow into the upper Krishna basin and the Almatti dam in its upstream. Water inflow into the state from Rajapur barrage in Maharashtra at Kallol in Chikkodi increased to 2,18,963 cusecs, with 1,85,875 cusecs from Krishna and 33,038 cusecs from its tributary river Doodhganga. "Residents from flood-prone villages in Chikkodi taluk have been asked to move to higher places along the Krishna banks with their livestock for their safety," said the official. Over 54,600 cusecs of water was discharged from Koyna dam in Maharashtra into Krishna by opening six of its 10 crest gates. Water level in the Hidkal dam increased to 2,173 feet with 34.308 cusecs inflow and 40,245 cusecs outflow. Water level in Malaprabha dam also reached 2,076.90 feet with 17,719 cusecs inflow and 17,164 cusecs outflow. --IANS fb/rt

Central Water Commission issues flood warning in Karnataka's Krishna river basin

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The US is considering sending a second aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean, reports say.</li><li>USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is set to pass through the area but could be tasked to waters near Israel.</li></ul>After sending its newest and most advanced aircraft carrier and the accompanying warships in its strike group to the eastern Mediterranean in a show of strength and support for Israel amid its war with Hamas, the US is considering sending a second aircraft carrier into the area, multiple reports say.The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its escorts could join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in waters near Israel in the coming weeks, US defense officials <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-hamas-war-gaza/card/u-s-weighs-deploying-second-aircraft-carrier-group-i4fMGkmj7mGmlQCNqW1W?mod=e2twp">told The Wall Street Journal</a> on Tuesday. <a href="https://x.com/LMartinezABC/status/1711793581462003980?s=20">ABC News also reported</a> the discussions.The Eisenhower is already set to head to the Middle East, reportedly via the Meditteranean, this week for a deployment that was planned months ago, but officials are now apparently debating whether the carrier should join the Ford or replace it. The Ford, which has been operating in the Mediterranean as part of its first full deployment, arrived in the eastern part of the waterway Tuesday. "The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation," said Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, the commander of US Central Command. The US Department of Defense declined to comment to Insider on whether there were conversations on tasking the Eisenhower with a mission outside its original deployment plans.If the Eisenhower does join the Ford, it'll be the first time two carriers have been deployed in the area since March 2020, when rocket attacks aimed at Camp Taji, an Iraqi military installation north of Baghdad, killed two American soldiers and one British soldier.The retasking of the Ford and reported considerations surrounding the Eisenhower speak to growing concerns about the crisis unfolding in Israel after surprise attacks by Hamas on Saturday were said to have left more than 800 civilians dead and injured significantly more. Israel responded by officially declaring war on Hamas and conducting devastating airstrikes on Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip. There are also expectations that an Israeli ground assault could be coming, which could wreak havoc on the densely populated area where many have already been killed or injured in the retaliatory strikes.In response to the attacks by Hamas, the US pledged full support for Israel — overall the largest receiver of US military aid — and moved its <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-navy-newest-supercarrier-deployment-unexpected-turn-israel-crisis-2023-10">newest and most advanced aircraft carrier</a>, USS Gerald R. Ford, into waters near Israel. It was an unexpected change in the carrier's first full deployment, which the Ford spent mostly conducting exercises with partners and calls in friendly ports. <div type="image" title="A large ship with a helicopter hovering above it." height="3527" width="5300" msid="104324599" hostid="261"></div>The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is a nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carrier that was commissioned in 1977. Unlike the younger first-in-class Ford, the Eisenhower has seen action with deployments during the Gulf War in the 1990s and the later wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.Were the US to move the Eisenhower into position near Israel, it would be a flex of US naval might in a hostile area, providing both logistics and humanitarian support while also unnerving enemy forces."Often the presence of an aircraft carrier has deterred potential adversaries from striking against US interests," the Navy says on its website. "Aircraft carriers support and operate aircraft that engage in attacks on airborne, afloat and ashore targets that threaten free use of the sea and engage in sustained power projection operations in support of US and coalition forces."That's especially noteworthy in Israel right now, as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-gearing-up-ground-invasion-war-with-hamas-risks-expanding-2023-10">fighting has broken out</a> along the country's border with Lebanon, and Hezbollah — an Iran-backed independent group that, like Hamas, is designated as a terrorist organization by the US State Department — has been exchanging fire with Israeli forces. There has also been troubling rhetoric from Tehran.

The US is thinking about sending another aircraft carrier into waters near Israel, possibly to back up the Ford strike group: reports

New Delhi, The Centre on Saturday said that all states except Tamil Nadu have availed benefits of "Special Assistance to States for <keyword id="112324" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="capital-expenditure">Capital Expenditure</keyword>". The scheme is aimed at boosting capital expenditure by the state governments, who are facing a difficult financial environment this year due to the shortfall in tax revenue arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. According to <keyword id="9291953" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-ministry-of-finance">the Ministry of Finance</keyword>, capital expenditure has a <keyword id="10421981" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="higher-multiplier-effect">higher multiplier effect</keyword>, enhancing the future productive capacity of the economy, and results in a higher rate of economic growth. "Therefore, despite the adverse financial position of the <keyword id="6357307" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Central-Government">central government</keyword>, it was decided to extend a special assistant to the state governments in respect of capital expenditure, in the financial year 2020-21," "The scheme has got very warm response from the state governments. So far capital expenditure proposals of Rs 9,879.61 crore of 27 States have been approved by the Ministry of Finance." As per the statement, an amount of Rs 4,939.81 crore has already been released to the states as the first instalment under the scheme. "The capital expenditure projects have been approved in diverse sectors of economy like, 'Health, Rural Development, Water Supply, Irrigation, Power, Transport, Education, <keyword id="111319" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Urban-development">Urban Development</keyword>'." Besides, the scheme has three parts of which the first covers the north-eastern region. "Under this part, Rs 200 crores is allocated to seven north-eastern states. In view of higher population and geographical area, Assam has been allocated Rs 450 crores under the scheme," The second part of the scheme for all other states that are not included in part-I. "An amount of Rs 7,500 crores is earmarked for this part. This amount has been allocated amongst these states in proportion to their share of central tax as per the interim award of <keyword id="9256069" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-15th-finance-commission">the 15th Finance Commission</keyword> for the year 2020-21," In addition, the third part of the scheme is aimed at pushing various citizen-centric reforms in the states. "Under this part, an amount of Rs 2,000 crores is earmarked. This amount will be available only to those states who carry out at least 3 out of the 4 reforms specified by the Ministry of Finance in its letter dated 17th May, 2020 regarding reform linked additional borrowing permissions." Accordingly, the four reforms are - 'One Nation One Ration Card, Ease of doing Business Reform, Urban Local Body pr Utility Reform and Power Sector Reform'. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/top-stocks-to-watch-irctc-hdfc-bank-tcs-tvs-motor-dalmia-bharat-ultratech-acc-ambuja-and-others/articleshow/79672813.cms">Top stocks to watch — IRCTC, HDFC Bank, TCS, TVS Motor, Dalmia Bharat, UltraTech, ACC, Ambuja, and others</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/best-smartphones-of-2020-in-india/slidelist/79675101.cms">Best smartphones of 2020 in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/reports-suggest-that-tata-adani-and-hinduja-group-are-interested-in-air-india-divestment-plan/articleshow/79675955.cms">Last date for Air India divestment plan nears — reports suggest that Tata, Adani and Hinduja Group are interested</a>

All states except Tamil Nadu availed special capital expenditure scheme: Centre

(Image: BCCL) 
 <keyword id="6354780" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Karnataka">Karnataka</keyword> is going through a rough phase. There has been curfew, deaths, protests and crores of rupees loss of public property over last 24 hours. 
 
It’s been more than hundred years and yet the distribution of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/The-Drought-Series-Nearly-3-1-crore-people-in-Karnataka-are-hit-by-the-drought-and-migration-is-intensifying/articleshow/51979749.cms">Cauvery River’s</a> water is in a mess. Given the present situations, it’s far from getting resolved. It’s not the first time that two states are fighting over a river. The history has seen it all. The war of water between <keyword id="6354759" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bangladesh">Bangladesh</keyword> and <keyword id="6357783" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="West-Bengal">West Bengal</keyword> over Farakka barrage and now the <keyword id="763269" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Teesta-river">Teesta River</keyword> and the Punjab- <keyword id="41646" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Haryana">Haryana</keyword> conflict over Sutlej-Yamuna link are similar in nature as the <keyword id="6354543" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cauvery">Cauvery</keyword> issue.<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/The-Drought-Series-Nearly-3-1-crore-people-in-Karnataka-are-hit-by-the-drought-and-migration-is-intensifying/articleshow/51979749.cms"> Agriculture</a> of both Karnataka and <keyword id="20154" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="tamil-nadu">Tamil Nadu</keyword> are dependent on the river that originates at <keyword id="65856" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kodagu">Kodagu</keyword> in Karnataka and flows for 765 km before meeting the <keyword id="55869" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bay-of-Bengal">Bay of Bengal</keyword> in Tamil Nadu. The strategic course that the river takes during its flow has made it a villain for many years on the distribution of water issue. 
 
Current scenario If Karnataka decides to distribute water to Tamil Nadu as per their demand, the former wont have much left. According to the data provided by <keyword id="6357283" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Central-Water-Commission">Central Water Commission</keyword> (<keyword id="54702" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="CWC">CWC</keyword>), Karnataka’s reservoirs this year were 30% below the normal water level compared to Tamil Nadu’s shortage of 49%. 
 The main reservoirs in the two states’ catchment areas include <keyword id="864488" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Krishna-Raja-Sagara">Krishna Raja Sagara</keyword> dam in <keyword id="6355147" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mandya">Mandya</keyword> district, <keyword id="891106" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kabini">Kabini</keyword> in Mysore, Harangi in Kodagu and <keyword id="279522" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hemavathi">Hemavathi</keyword> in Hassan; Mettur dam in <keyword id="6357470" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Salem">Salem</keyword> and <keyword id="3003304" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhavanisagar-dam">Bhavanisagar Dam</keyword> in Erode. All these reservoirs have reportedly 46% less water than normal and 27% lesser water than last year. In short, the situation is quite grim for both states, as per the CWC report. 
 
A third party needs to intervene 
No matter how much these two states fight, there would be no solid solution ever. There needs to be a third party intervention to resolve this issue. A third party can solve things like nobody else. A good example of third party intervention can be the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan. This was brokered by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/The-Drought-Series-Nearly-3-1-crore-people-in-Karnataka-are-hit-by-the-drought-and-migration-is-intensifying/articleshow/51979749.cms">World Bank</a>, which was signed on September 19, 1960 by Indian Prime Minister <keyword id="6360386" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jawaharlal-Nehru">Jawaharlal Nehru</keyword> and President of Pakistan <keyword id="27721" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="ayub-khan">Ayub Khan</keyword>. 
 
Since the ratification of the treaty in 1960, India and Pakistan have not engaged in any water wars. Most disagreements and disputes have been settled via legal procedures, provided for within the framework of the treaty. The treaty is considered to be one of the most successful water-sharing endeavours in the world today even though analysts acknowledge the need to update certain technical specifications and expand the scope of the document to include climate change. As per the provisions in the treaty, India can use only 20% of the total water carried by the Indus River. 
 
Weapon of politics 
As things get murkier the in Karnataka, it’s a hint that the issue wouldn’t get settled as easily as expected. When a crisis becomes a weapon of politics, it is no longer an issue to be solved. Rather it becomes more of a chance for the political parties to milk the situation. In this political game, the crisis has surpassed the actual need of water, the need of the agriculture and become a war of egos between the two states. It’s a motive of victory than a solution that matters to the common people caught in the crossfire. The threat of not sharing a drop of water would gain more brownies for the parties in both the states rather than finding a lighted avenue to the dead end. 
 
It’s a murderous rage 
If media reports are to be believed, Tamil channels and movies have been unofficially banned in Karnataka. This gives proof to the fact that the fight over Cauvery’s water has actually delineated to become a war between two states. Even if the situation can be solved by the two ruling parties of the states through dialogue, there is no indication for the public rage incited by these parties subsiding anytime soon. 
 
Where lies the solution? <keyword id="2262165" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sanjeev-Kumar-Balyan">Sanjeev Kumar Balyan</keyword>, Minister of State for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/The-Drought-Series-Nearly-3-1-crore-people-in-Karnataka-are-hit-by-the-drought-and-migration-is-intensifying/articleshow/51979749.cms">Water Resources</a> has proposed that issue of river water distribution needs to be scrapped from the State list of constitution and added to the Concurrent List so that the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/The-Drought-Series-Nearly-3-1-crore-people-in-Karnataka-are-hit-by-the-drought-and-migration-is-intensifying/articleshow/51979749.cms">Centre </a>has its say as well. 
 The <keyword id="155317" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Republican">republican</keyword> set up of India has often been blamed for the centre hijacking power from the states to use it to dictate its own benefit. That is definitely something not so praiseworthy. However in the water distribution issue, the centre needs to have a say. 
 
The Cauvery issue keeps on recurring. 70 odd years have passed and the states couldn’t come up with a solution. Both the states are well aware of the fact that being adamant and sticking to illogical reasoning wouldn’t fetch any result. But for the game to be played in a gentleman’s way, the rules call for a quick change of perspective.

Hey Karnataka, why so angry?

In the 275 rivers that were examined based on bio-chemical oxygen demand levels, 302 river stretches have been identified. These levels are key indicator of organic pollution, as told by Environment Minister <keyword id="119642" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Prakash-Javadekar">Prakash Javadekar</keyword> said today. 
 Javadekar said that the <keyword id="3163265" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Water-Resources-Information-System">Water Resources Information System</keyword> database, which has been developed by <keyword id="6357283" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Central-Water-Commission">Central Water Commission</keyword> along with Indian Space Research Organisation, includes 15,615 identified rivers and streams in India. 
 
He further added that it is a collective responsibility of the state governments and concerned local bodies to set up proper facilities so that sewage can be collected, transported and treated, to make sure that untreated sewage does not reach the rivers and pollute them. 
 "The Ministry has been supplementing the efforts of the state governments in abatement of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers under <keyword id="190086" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="National-River-Conservation-Plan">National River Conservation Plan</keyword> and <keyword id="76373" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="National-Ganga-River-Basin-Authority">National Ganga River Basin Authority</keyword> programme," the minister added. 
 
<a href="http://www.haaretz.com/polopoly_fs/1.666847.1437376727!/image/2576495055.jpg_gen/derivatives/headline_609x343/2576495055.jpg">Image source</a>

302 filthy river stretches in India, says central pollution body

The mercury has soared all across India, because of which the water storage availability at India's 91 major reservoirs has dipped to mere 37.92 billion cubic metres, and this might come as a shock to everyone, but this is just 24% of the total storage capacity of these reservoirs. 
 In its latest bulletin, the <keyword id="6357283" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Central-Water-Commission">Central Water Commission</keyword> has noted that as on April 7, the storage status of these reservoirs was even less than the corresponding period last year. 
 
It is during the monsoon period of June to September that the reservoirs usually get their share of water; however, because of less rainfall in 2014 and 2015, they have seen heavy decline in water availability. This is also directly hampering the irrigation scene of India. 
 
As a ray of hope, the India Meteorological Department has predicted abundant rainfall this year, because of which these reservoirs are supposed to get enough water during this monsoon. 
 
Indian states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Bengal, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, UP, Uttarakhand, MP, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala are facing lesser storage than last year’s corresponding period. 
 
On the other hand, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura, only two states have reported better storage as compared to the previous year. 
 
<a href="http://rack.1.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDE0LzAxLzMxLzE4L2NhbGlmb3JuaWEuMGU3YjUuanBnCnAJdGh1bWIJMTQ0MHgxMDAwPgplCWpwZw/4d99367d/853/california_drought_4.jpg">Image source</a> (Image for representational purpose only)

91 Key reservoirs in India have less than a quarter of their full capacities left

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A handful of the cryptocurrency industry's biggest executives are going to testify before US lawmakers on Wednesday, Dec. 8.</li><li>The roster includes <keyword id="11930688" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ftx" source="Orion">FTX</keyword> CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, <keyword id="11895315" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="coinbase" source="Orion">Coinbase</keyword> CFO Alesia Haas, and <keyword id="11931192" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="circle" source="Orion">Circle</keyword> CEO Jeremy Allaire.</li></ul>Some of the cryptocurrency industry's biggest names are going to have something different on their agenda next week.A heavyweights roster including FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried and Coinbase CFO Alesia Haas are set to meet with US lawmakers on Wednesday, Dec. 8, as Congress seeks to ramp up its regulatory oversight over the rapidly growing space. The <a href="https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408856">list</a> of witnesses was released by Congresswoman <keyword id="12300413" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="maxine-waters" source="Orion">Maxine Waters</keyword>, Chair of the House Committee on Financial Services ahead of her <a href="https://financialservices.house.gov/events/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=408705">hearing</a> next week entitled "Digital Assets and the Future of Finance: Understanding the Challenges and Benefits of Financial Innovation in the United States." Other executives expected to attend include Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire, Bitfury CEO Brian Brooks, Paxos CEO Chad Cascarilla, and Stellar CEO Denelle Dixon.Since she became chair, Waters has executed on a stated mission to protect consumers and investors by holding big technology firms accountable. Her committee has held multiple hearings, including one on central bank digital currencies in <a href="https://financialservices.house.gov/events/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=408111">July 2021</a> and another on the ongoing <keyword id="11893898" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="crypto" source="Orion">crypto</keyword> frenzy in <a href="https://financialservices.house.gov/events/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=407958">June 2021</a>.The committee also announced the <a href="https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408014">formation</a> of the Digital Assets Working Group of Democratic Members in June, which seeks to meet "regularly with experts and government officials to learn about the challenges and promise of digital assets."Generally speaking, Democrats, with Senator Elizabeth Warren as among the most outspoken, want stricter oversight as opposed to Republicans. Also on Wednesday, US Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler once again <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-01/crypto-exchanges-focus-for-gensler-as-sec-cracks-down-on-tokens?srnd=cryptocurrencies">reiterated his view</a> that crypto exchanges <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/sec-crypto-gary-gensler-regulation-trading-platforms-rules-oversight-2021-9">should be regulated</a>.

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