Some predict wars over water, in Mumbai protests have drawn blood

By O.J.George

Water demands have drawn blood, for in Mumbai a youngster among the protesters seeking sufficient amount of drinking water, has been killed during baton charge by the police. A few others were injured as well.

The ordinary folks do not understand why there should be a cut in water supply when there were heavy rainfalls and even largescale flooding.

Naturally they make a beeline to the supply authorities protesting against the 15 per cent cut in water supply. That was what happened in Mumbai.

The UN had identified soft threats emanating from environmental degradation, climate change, twist in patterns of rainfall etc to various nations in addition to direct threats like wars and terrorism.

We have seen largescale flooding in Saudi Arabia now, where desert conditions prevailed almost throughout the year.

Rains are pouring in regions transcending seasons, culminating in great devastations. For cultivations, there should be rains and summers, otherwise there can be no growth of shoots and proper harvesting.

Fisheries also demand seasons of rains and summers. Unsolicited bounty of anything would not contribute to proper amenities for fine living.

We have heard about Tamil Nadu Chief Minister saying he would not agree to a new dam at Mullapperiyar even if lakhs of lives are lost in the breach of a 113 year-old gravity masonry dam. People don’t care anything else than water, whatever is the cost.

There are heavy rains in Kerala, but there is not enough water in various dams to generate sufficien amount of hydro power.
Management of water is going to be a crucial aspect of human existence in the years to come.