By 2040, South, Central Asia to be Among the Most Water-Stressed Countries in World

CLIMATE CHANGE: By 2040, South, Central Asia to be Among the Most Water-Stressed Countries in World

WASHINGTON, VOW Desk: The outlook of global water crisis can be gauged by fact that by 2040, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will be among the most water-stressed countries in the world, according to a White House report “US Action Plan on Global Water Security launched on Thursday by Vice President Harris.

Highlighting the inter-state water disputes in South Asia report claimed water dispute were increasing.

The report also noted that Indo-Pak Indus Waters Treaty “has withstood six decades and four Indo-Pakistan wars”, it is now “facing pressure due to regional population growth and disagreement over hydropower use”.

On climate Change, the report noted “Climate change is already impacting the region, with rising temperature, reduced precipitation, and retreating glaciers further stressing water supplies,” it adds.

Climate Change is causing loss of livestock, reduced agricultural production and decreased groundwater, it was pointed out in reported adding that recent increase in air temperatures and decrease in rain and snow at higher elevations in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia have led to severe and prolonged droughts, resulting in a loss of livestock, reduced agricultural production and decreased groundwater.

All of these threaten “water supplies, food security, energy grids, political stability and the habitability of some regions”, the report claimed.