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Blood for Water
June 15, 2009 9:49 AM
ABC's Karen Russo reports from New Delhi, India:
Fighting over water has turned deadly in India’s central state of Madhya Pradesh where residents are suffering from a year-long draught.
At least five people have been beaten to death and more injured as residents fought for water in 17 of the state’s districts, according to the Bhopal Superintendent of Police.
A father, mother and their son were killed in the city of Bhopal on May 13 in what is believed to have been a violent dispute when they attempted to take water from a leaky municipal pipeline.
“The water problem is a huge crisis,” said Babulala Gaur, Minister of Urban Administration and Development. Gaur said volunteers are helping to organize the water distribution. He blames impatient people for the violent outbursts.
“It’s the nature of people fighting over water tank because they want the water first,” he said.
Officials estimate that 70 percent of the state's 65 million residents are affected. The crisis comes from a lack of rainfall, shifts in monsoon and mismanagement of water supplies.
“This year, everyone is struggling for water,” said Maria Fernandez, regional director for WaterAid India.
Every year is difficult, but Fernandez says, she has never heard of people being killed for water.
“This is the worst I have ever seen,” she said.
Farmers barely have drinking water for themselves and as a result, their animals and crops, like wheat, are dying. With no water, there is no cultivation and no income.
Over the past year, there has been zero rainfall in some parts of India. The government has made arrangement to bring water to cities, towns and villages via water pipelines and trucks, but some residents receive a shipment of water just once a week.
Bhopal Mayor’s Sunil Sood said the water crisis is the worst in his area’s history.
“It's of an unimaginable magnitude. In fact, it's unprecedented,” he said.
Still, he said his city is doing better than some and they are able to supply water with tankers on alternate days. About 250 police officers are working to “to discipline the crowd and prevent water loss.”
“Police is not there to beat people and stop them from taking water. It only ensures that all people get water,” he said. “When our water tankers reach a particular locality, people rush to collect as much water as possible. And this results in scuffle and fights. We are trying to ensure that all of them get equal or fair share.”
India’s annual monsoon is expected to arrive in the region in the next few weeks.
“Water crisis is nothing new in Bhopal but this year it's really bad,” said Sood. “We hope that the situation improves in a month with the onset of monsoon.”
June 15, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (4)
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This is NEWS! These people need HELP immediately - to install water pipes to train water conservation, to bring fresh water. The could happen to US; and someday beyond our life-times, probably will, because most people take water for granted, letting it run down the street by over-watering their grass! Not to mention staying the daily shower more than 10 minutes! Unless US takes water conservation seriously, the same problem will occur here. This is a world-wide problem which must be addressed TODAY !!! Do we wait until our Government instructs US to conserve water or are we intelligent enuff to do it without being told when it becomes a crisis ???
Posted by: sprowlindak | Jun 15, 2009 6:14:30 PM
Tennessee and Georgia argued over water rights during the last drought. The next one will be worse, not because of waste but because of population growth. Our society and our government promote and encourage large families and increased population. More people create more pollution and need more of everything, including water. When the water runs out you can blame Al Gore and everyone else who raises a large family. The only way to save the planet is to lower the birth rate and that won’t happen.
Posted by: Oonogil | Jun 15, 2009 10:59:04 PM
Send the Dali Bama, he's here to save the planet and is India's only hope. Teh One will make water pour forth from the earth after he apologizes to India for the US using too much water.
Posted by: Red Ruffansore | Jun 16, 2009 10:40:47 AM
I'm glad to see ABCNews picking up this story. I hope it will make it higher up in the news cycle (of course, Iran and domestic issues are tough to compete with). The problem is not just in India, but in Australia, China, Argentina and right here in the good 'ole USA that we're seeing historic drought.
Of course, health care, even political freedom doesn't mean anything if there's no fresh water. So, perhaps the busy news cycle can find some time to bring up the problem of water scarcity and those organizations, companies and governments who are finding solutions and call out those who are not.
Posted by: Robin | Jun 21, 2009 4:48:10 PM
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