7 major countries running out of water
South Africa
The South Africa is expecting ‘Day Zero’ when taps will be switched off in homes and residents will have to go to collection points for rationed water Experts have long been warning about water scarcity. The United Nations World Water Development Report warned that the global demand for fresh water would exceed supply by 40% in 2030. A 2014 study of the world’s 500 largest cities has also estimated that one in four are experiencing a strain on water supplies.Due to a combination of climate change, human action and population growth, water shortages are predicted to become increasingly common in major cities as well as rural nations. Here are six other major countries across the world at risk of running out of water.
Mexico
Mexico City’s 21 million residents already experience limited access to drinking water. Many only have running water for part of the day, while one in five get just a few hours from their taps a week. At more than 2,000 meters above sea level, the city’s aging water system struggles to meet demands and loses more than 980 liters a second due to leaks.
Brazil
Brazil’s financial capital went through a similar crisis to Cape Town in 2015 when its main reservoir fell below 4% capacity. At the height of the crisis, emergency water trucks were looted and the taps in many homes were cut to just a few hours twice a week. In January 2017 the main water reserves were below 15% — putting the city’s water supply once again at risk.
Egypt
97% of Egypt’s water comes from the Nile River, but it is increasingly becoming contaminated with untreated agricultural and residential waste. The UN estimates critical water shortages in Egypt by 2025.
India
The south Indian city’s water and sewer systems have struggled to keep up since with a population boom and the rise of new property developments since the Bangalore’s rise as a technological hub. The city loses more than half its drinking water due to its antiquated plumbing system. Like Egypt, India also struggles with water pollution.
Iran
This country has an area of over 1.6 million kilometers and a population of more than 80 million people. Although Iran has a gulf with the connection to Indian Ocean in south and Caspian Sea in north, but it’s one of four country that facing with water crisis and more than two-thirds of this country is arid desert. However, water consumption in Iran is more than 3 times the global average, and according to NASA’s 2013 report, the water crisis in Iran is very serious and this country will experience the worst water crisis by 2030.
The United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is one of the richest countries in the Middle East, with 83000 km2 extent. Only 19% of the population is endemic, in term of tourism and immigrant this country is the fifth country in the world (with over 800 thousand immigrants per year) The Emirates is a desert country with very limited drinking water resources. According to the weather forecast Emirates will experience the hottest world situation by 20 years, the water crisis is so serious that the United Arab Emirates is planning to tow an iceberg from Antarctica to the shores of the Middle Eastern nation, the U.K. Express reported Friday. The iceberg would be used to provide drinking water to residents.
