Do you think that the plan to link India's rivers will be grand, or a disaster?
Ken-Betwa Plan, India
The Chief Ministers of the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and the Union Water Resources Minister of India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a plan to link the Ken and Betwa rivers. This is the first stage in a national Inter Linking of River (ILR) programme, resulting from the Ministry of Water Resources' National Perspective Plan (NPP) for Water Resources Development of 1980. Ken-Betwa was chosen because it is the shortest link, involving displacement of the fewest people. It involves a 231 km (145 mile) long link canal from Dodha dam to Prichha Vaer and the 287 metres Dandhan dam almost 2.5 kms above the Gangau dam on the Ken river. The aim is to divert surplus water from the Ken river basin to the Betwa basin as required. The Ken is the last tributary of the Yamuna river before it joins the Ganga. Betwa rises in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh and flows towards the Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh; it is also a tributary of the Yamuna.
The Ken-Betwa is one of 30 links identified by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA), and the first to reach this stage. There are 16 links in the Peninsular area and 14 in the Himalayan area. The NWDA has completed 14 feasibility reports, and 4 of these are ready to be discussed by states, for example the Chambal and Parvati rivers link.
The Ken-Betwa project would involve the displacement of ten villages. About 900 families would be affected; about 8,500 farmers and villagers for the dam and an unknown number for the canal.
The Ken-Betwa project would also affect forest land in Madhya Pradesh. 8,650 hectares would be submerged, of which 6,400 hectare is forest land and 2,170 hectare cultivatable land. About 46 out of 533 square kilometres of the Panna National Park, a tiger reserve, would be submerged. The feasibility report says that as only 9% of the Park will be submerged, the wildlife, including tigers, leopards, panthers and 153 species of birds, will be able to move out of the way so there will be no impact.
According to the office of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, the Link Project would ensure availability of enough water for irrigation for both the states. It would also increase the production of cash crops and reduce the danger of flood and drought. The Chief Minister said that the project would benefit both states through fisheries, tourism, plantation and environment reform programmes. He cited the success of the 100-year-old Parichha reservoir and the Gangau, Jamaani, Matatila, Rangawan and Urmil dams and other projects. The new dam would also provide hydroelectricity. The project is expected to help irrigation and water supply in Chatarpur, Panna, Raisen, Tikamgarh and Vidisha districts of Madhya Pradesh and Banda, Hamirpur and Jhansi districts of Uttar Pradesh.
There was concern that Madhya Pradesh had proposed four projects above Betwa and Rajghat which would need water from the new canal. If the Parichha reservoir was short of water, then irrigation in the districts of Jhansi, Jalaun and Hamirpur would suffer. Additionally, power output from the Rajghat and Matatila dams would be reduced and Madhya Pradesh would need to compensate Uttar Pradesh for this.
The next stage is a detailed project report (DPR). Uttar Pradesh has concerns about the environment, relief and rehabilitation in the Jhansi area and these will be addressed then.
Environmentalists object to the Ken-Betwa link and the other links in the ILR programme. Dr. Vandana Shiva, of the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology which she founded in Uttar Pradesh in 1982 is opposed to the project. She is opposed to such projects which are driven by big money and tend to lead to production of more cash crops for export rather than for food for the people. She also believes that since the two rivers rise in the same mountains, they will be high or low at the same times and that it will therefore not be feasible to divert water from one to another in times of shortage. She says that there is already an ancient system of man made lakes and water tanks under the control of local committees.
Civil unrest seems likely with so many forced off out of their homes and off their fields. Protest marches have already been staged.
Critics also say it could be an ecological disaster. Dr. Shiva said, "The dam inside the Panna park will wipe out the core of the park". (See here for some of the effects that dams can have).
At the heart of the arguments over this project, as with so many large projects such as dams, are the questions:
It seems unlikely that the ones who depend on the water and the land - those who live near where the dam or canal are going to be - will be winners. Nor will those who cannot afford to but food at crash crop prices. If all the links were built, they would provide pathways for invasive species to spread throughout the waterways. More irrigation could mean more salinization and more pesticides, and polluting run-off such as phosphates, etc. Of course, it would be wonderful if everyone could benefit from access to drinking water year-round and reduced flooding during the monsoons, and they could all get and afford the electricity.
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India moves on river plan, critics warn of disaster
Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh states in India have agreed to building a 230 km (145 mile) canal to divert water from the Ken river to the Betwa river, building a dam and small hydroelectric plant along the way. This would be the first step in a plan to link many of India's rivers and provide irrigation, more drinking water, more hydroelectric power and alleviate flooding. Opponents say it would be an ecological disaster and cause a great deal of opposition by those affected. For example, the dam and small hydroelectric plant would be built in the middle of the Panna tiger reserve, and more than 8,500 farmers and villagers would be evicted for the dam alone. They also say it would be bad science, with the 2 rivers being high and low at the same times, and there is already a locally-managed system of lakes and tanks for retaining water. The newly irrigated land would probably be used to produce export crops rather than to feed India's population.
Other stories
Bush declares disasters in Louisiana, Mississippi, FEMA Prepares for Katrina's Aftermath, Katrina Relief Info Available on the Web, Hurricane Katrina's Effects, at a Glance, Katrina Floods New Orleans, Gulf Coast, Hurricane Tears Holes in Superdome Roof, Damage to US oil platforms feared in storm's wake, Katrina dropped to Category 3 storm, New Orleans rocked by Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Facing Environmental Disaster, 15 Costliest Hurricanes or Tropical Storms, Deadliest Hurricanes in U.S. Since 1900
President Bush has declared Louisiana and Mississippi to be disaster areas as a result of Hurricane Katrina, allowing federal money to be used to help.
Katrina was a Category 4 storm with wind of 145 mph when she made landfall, down from a Category 5. Power was out for most, including those who took shelter in the Superdome in New Orleans where part of the roof was stripped off. Much of the city was flooded, many houses up to the roofs. Much of New Orleans is 6 to 10 feet below sea level and protected by pumps and levees, some of which have failed. As well as sewage in the waters, which will not drain away, chemicals and petroleum from refineries are a possibility. The levees and pumps will need to be repaired.
Katrina pounded Mississippi, doing extensive damage in Gulfport and Biloxi. A 22 foot storm surge destroyed houses and swamped floating casinos. Boats were thrown at buildings. People were reminded of hurricane Camille.
There was major damage along the coast in Alabama, and many are without power.
Florida is still clearing up after the earlier strike there, which killed 9 people. Many were still without power.
Katrina forced the closure of many oil rigs and 8 refineries and the terminal at New Orleans, causing a spike in oil prices. It will be some time before the extent of damage is known. The refineries are the most critical as without them the crude oil reserves cannot be refined for fuel.
Katrina was expected to head through Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Ontario and possibly western New York state, weakening along the way but spawning tornadoes in some areas.
Baby formula, communications equipment, food, generators, ice, medical teams, rescue teams and water are among the things being provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies, but getting them where they are needed will be a logistical nightmare. Some were already in a semicircle around the city. The EPA also has emergency crews to deal with oil and chemical spills. Many other organisations are also prepared to help. There is a lot of information available on the web.
Airports were closed in Baton Rouge, Biloxi, Mobile, New Orleans, Pensacola, and at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
Katrina will be the costliest hurricane to date, exceeding hurricane Andrew in 1992 and hurricanes Charley and Ivan in 2004. She will also be one of the more deadly, though she is unlikely to exceed the 8,000 who died in the Galveston, Texas area in 1900. The next deadliest was at Lake Okeechobee in 1928, when at lest 2,500 died. Thanks to modern warnings, construction standards and the speed of travel for evacuations, hurricanes are not as deadly as they used to be. Only one hurricane in the past 30 years has made the top 20; hurricane Floyd in 1999 with 57 deaths.
Calif. Wildfire Thrives in Erratic Winds
Erratic winds and temperatures in the 100s were fuelling a 5,000-acre wildfire west of Palm Springs in California, but many residents have been able to return to their homes and no homes were destroyed.
Almanac Warns of Temperature Fluctuations
The Farmers' Almanac is predicting wide temperature fluctuations in the USA this winter with lots of snow. It also has advice on what to do with pumpkins.
Unsecured Asian radioactive waste risks dirty bomb, Unsecured Radioactive Material Discovered
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) experts say that unsecured sources of radioactive waste such as cobalt in medical centres in Southeast Asia could be used by terrorists to build dirty bombs.
Afghan opium growing falls by 21 pct-U.N, U.N.: Opium Yield Falls in Afghanistan
According to the United Nations, there has been a 21% drop in opium cultivation in Afghanistan this year. However, there is a good crop this year so the actual crop is only down 2.4 percent. Prices are lower, and the government has been persuading farmers not to plant.
Jellyfish Cause Reactor Shutdown in Sweden
A nuclear reactor in Sweden had to be shut down temporarily because too may jellyfish were clogging up the cooling system.
New test may spot mad cow-type disease in blood
University of Texas medical scientists in Galveston are working on a test to detect prion particles in the blood. Prion particles are responsible for scrapie in sheep, mad cow disease, and similar diseases in other animals. They are also responsible for variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease in humans. It can be several years before symptoms show.
Encephalitis Death Toll in India at 250
The northern India encephalitis outbreak death toll has now passed 250, and there are hundreds more cases.
Bat Droppings Spoil Maryland Barn Dance
For years, town employees went in and cleaned up large piles of bat droppings before an annual barn dance at the Springfield Farm Barn in Md. Now a councilman has discovered that they are toxic and can cause a fungal disease, and has put a stop to the practice.
Geese Honked Off About Not Crossing Road
A new town ordinance in Amherst N.M. has stopped some pet geese from crossing the road to the park. Many are sad about this, but not those who have been followed or bitten by geese.
Coffee top antioxidant source for Americans
There are a variety of sources of antioxidants, including fruit and vegetables. Europeans get plenty in red wine, Asians in green tea, but Americans get most of theirs from coffee, followed by black tea. Fruit and vegetables have other benefits, though, and Americans are not eating enough of them.
Walking to, from school good for teen health
A study has found that teens who walk to and from school are more likely to get other exercise during the day.
Evacuations Ordered Around Rail Car Leak
A leak from a railroad car near Lunken Airport, Cincinnati, Ohio prompted evacuations from the area. The tanker contained more than 20,000 gallons of styrene, which is used to make plastics, rubber and resins. It is a highly flammable liquid. The fumes are dangerous to breathe; firefighters used an unmanned nozzle to keep the tanker cool.
Index of topics in this series.
[Views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of CompuServe, Netscape, any government, agency, or news organization. External Websites are "At Your Own Risk," and no endorsement is expressed or implied.]
Here's the part of FEMA's National Situation Update for Monday, August 29, 2005 relating to hurricane Katrina:
A hurricane warning is in effect for the north central gulf coast from Morgan City Louisiana eastward to the Alabama/Florida border including the city of New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain. Preparations to protect life and property should be completed this evening.
A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch are in effect from east of the Alabama/Florida border to Destin Florida and from west of Morgan City to Intracoastal City Louisiana.
A tropical storm warning is also in effect from Destin Florida eastward to Indian Pass Florida and from Intracoastal City Louisiana westward to Cameron Louisiana.
At 5 am edt (0900z) the center of hurricane Katrina was located near latitude 28.8 north longitude 89.6 west or about 90 miles south-southeast of New Orleans Louisiana and about 120 miles south-southwest of Biloxi Mississippi.
Katrina is moving toward the north near 15 mph and this motion is forecast to continue today. A gradual turn toward the north-northeast at a slightly faster forward speed is expected later tonight and tomorrow. On the forecast track Katrina will move onshore the southeastern Louisiana coast just east of Grand Isle this morning and reach the Louisiana/Mississippi border area this afternoon. Conditions will continue to steadily deteriorate over central and southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, and southern Alabama throughout the day.
Maximum sustained winds are near 150 mph (240 km/hr) with higher gusts. Katrina is a strong category four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Some fluctuations in strength are likely prior to landfall but Katrina is expected to make landfall as a category four hurricane. Winds affecting the upper floors of high-rise buildings will be significantly stronger than those near ground level.
Katrina remains a very large hurricane. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 230 miles. Recently, a sustained wind of 53 mph with gust to 91 mph was reported at Grand Isle Louisiana, and a wind gust to 71 mph was reported in New Orleans.
The minimum central pressure recently reported by an Air Force Reserve unit reconnaissance aircraft was 915 mb (27.02 inches).
Coastal storm surge flooding of 18 to 22 feet above normal tide levels, locally as high as 28 feet, along with large and dangerous battering waves can be expected near and to the east of where the center makes landfall. Some levees in the greater New Orleans area could be overtopped. Significant storm surge flooding will occur elsewhere along the central and northeastern Gulf of Mexico coast. NOAA buoy 42040, located about 50 miles east of the mouth of the Mississippi river recently reported waves heights of at least 46 feet.
Rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches are possible along the path of Katrina across the gulf coast and the Tennessee Valley. Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are possible across the Ohio Valley into the eastern Great Lakes region tomorrow and Wednesday.
The tornado threat ahead of Katrina continues to increase and scattered tornadoes will be possible today over southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, and over the Florida panhandle. (NWS National Hurricane Center)
South Hurricane Katrina should make landfall in eastern Louisiana or Mississippi during the morning hours. Katrina reached category 5 status yesterday morning and remains a powerful hurricane. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible prior to landfall, but Katrina is expected to remain a major hurricane as it impacts the Gulf Coast. A storm surge of 20 to 25 feet is possible along and to the east of the center of Katrina. On top of the water level rise (surge), waves of 20 to 40 feet are possible. West of the center, impacts should be less. Katrina is forecast to move north through eastern Mississippi/western Alabama tonight and early tomorrow. If Katrina maintains its current intensity and forward speed hurricane force winds could be felt up to 150 miles inland. Another concern inland will be the torrential rainfall, possibly 5 to 10 inches worth. The heavy rain in a short period of time could lead to fresh water flooding. Outside of Katrina other rainfall across the South is possible over Texas due to a decaying cold front.
Northeast A stalled frontal boundary should bring scattered showers and thunderstorms to the eastern Ohio Valley and the Northeast today. Rainfall could be locally heavy from the thunderstorms. Temperatures should range from the 70s in northern New England to the mid 80s over the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic states. Moisture surging northward from Hurricane Katrina should enter the eastern Ohio Valley tonight and spread into the Northeast tomorrow and Wednesday. Rainfall from the remnants of Katrina could be locally heavy and lead to flooding.
Midwest Much of the Midwest should avoid the bad weather that Hurricane Katrina brings to the eastern part of the country. The exception will be rain in the Ohio Valley. The rest of the region should enjoy a sunny and warm today and tomorrow. Scattered showers should hold temperatures cooler in the northern Great Lakes. The next cold front arrives Wednesday or Thursday with showers and thunderstorms along it.
West High pressure should keep most of the western part of the country quiet. A weakening cold front will bring scattered showers and cooler temperatures to the Northwest. The remainder of the region should have mostly sunny skies with temperatures ranging from the 70s along the California coast to the 110s over the deserts. Thunderstorm activity should be at a minimum through tomorrow, but is forecast to increase later in the week. (NWS, Media Sources)
The ports of Gulfport, and Pascagoula, MS, Mobile, AL, and Pensacola and Panama City, FL are in Port Readiness Condition “X-ray”, meaning open; however, vessels are only being allowed to leave. No vessels are being allowed to enter. (USCG HSOC Liaison)
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State Actions:
Alabama EOC is at full activation. Florida EOC is at Level 1 (full activation). Georgia EOC is at Level 1 operations. Mississippi EOC activated, State of Emergency has been declared. Louisiana EOC is fully activated, with mandatory evacuation orders issued.
Federal Actions:
FEMA Headquarters: The FEMA National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) Red Team is activated at Level I (Full Activation). FEMA headquarters is conducting daily video-teleconferences at noon EDT with FEMA Region IV, the National Hurricane Center and the potentially affected States. The Logistics Readiness Center is operational 24/7. MERS Teams have been deployed to Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, and Texas to support Hurricane Katrina response operations. 32 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams have been sent to staging areas in Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee in preparation for responding to Hurricane Katrina. Seven Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Forces have been deployed to Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi in preparation for responding to Hurricane Katrina. The ERT-N Blue is deployed to the Louisiana State Emergency Operations Center in Baton Rogue. FEMA Region IV RRCC in Atlanta activated at Level I (full activation). Four ERT-As are operational in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. FEMA Region VI RRCC in Denton, TX activated at Level I (full activation). (FEMA HQ)
FEMA Headquarters: The FEMA National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) Red Team is activated at Level I (Full Activation). FEMA headquarters is conducting daily video-teleconferences at noon EDT with FEMA Region IV, the National Hurricane Center and the potentially affected States.
The Logistics Readiness Center is operational 24/7.
MERS Teams have been deployed to Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, and Texas to support Hurricane Katrina response operations.
32 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams have been sent to staging areas in Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee in preparation for responding to Hurricane Katrina.
Seven Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Forces have been deployed to Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi in preparation for responding to Hurricane Katrina.
The ERT-N Blue is deployed to the Louisiana State Emergency Operations Center in Baton Rogue.
FEMA Region IV RRCC in Atlanta activated at Level I (full activation).
Four ERT-As are operational in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi.
FEMA Region VI RRCC in Denton, TX activated at Level I (full activation). (FEMA HQ)
PDAs are ongoing in Florida as a result of Hurricane Katrina. (FEMA HQ)
FEMA-1602-DR-FL was declared on August 28, 2005 for Hurricane Katrina. It provides Public Assistance to Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.
FEMA-3213-EM-MS was declared on August 28, 2005 for Hurricane Katrina. It provides Public Assistance for 11 counties in Mississippi.
FEMA-3214-EM-AL was declared on August 28, 2005 for Hurricane Katrina. It provides Public Assistance for six counties in Alabama. (FEMA HQ)
Here's the EPA's Spill Notification reminder for Monday, August 29, 2005 relating to hurricane Katrina:
Aug 29 - As business and industry officials return to their facilities in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the EPA reminds them to report spills to the National Response Center. The Center is integral to these facilities’ long-established procedures in preparedness and planning for natural disasters like hurricanes. The Center serves as the sole point of contact for reporting all oil, chemical, radiological and biological releases in the United States.
Industries and businesses that encounter spills or discharges in the hurricane’s aftermath should contact the Center immediately at (800) 424-8802 or (202) 267-2675. The Center is available to take calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The Center supplies EPA’s response personnel with incident reports of oil discharges and chemical releases. This information helps EPA determine the Agency’s next steps in responding to the natural disaster. The information from the Center’s reports, coupled with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Rapid Needs Assessment, will help EPA ensure the protection of public health and the environment. EPA also coordinates with state and local agencies to support the affected communities.
An additional emergency response tool is the ASPECT plane, which was developed through a partnership between EPA and the U.S. Department of Defense. ASPECT, or Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology, is operated by EPA and provides emergency responders with information on possible chemical releases. The ASPECT plane provides near-real-time data to first reponders on the ground. EPA anticipates deploying the plane as soon as conditions allow.
EPA will continue to provide information as it becomes available. Reporters should contact the EPA Press Office at (214) 665-2200 for interviews and additional information.
Here's the EPA's Managing Fuel Supplies reminder for Monday, August 29, 2005 relating to hurricane Katrina:
As of August 29, 3:00 p.m., Florida has been the only state to send a formal request to EPA for assistance in managing fuel supplies in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.
In response to a request from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Florida DEP) last week, EPA notified Florida DEP that EPA will exercise its enforcement discretion to allow regulated parties to supply gasoline with a Reid Vapor Pressure up to 9.0 psi through midnight Tuesday, August 30, 2005. Additionally, EPA will exercise its enforcement discretion to allow regulated parties to supply motor vehicle diesel fuel meeting the 500 ppm sulfur standard through Friday, September 2, 2005, in counties affected by Katrina.
EPA will continue to monitor Hurricane Katrina and to work closely with the states impacted by the hurricane.
