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Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Between devotion and drought: Karbala braces for Arbaeen under strain
Shafaq News Karbala, one of Iraq's most sacred cities, is struggling with intensifying shortages in water and electricity as it prepares to host millions of pilgrims for the Arbaeen commemoration next month. With temperatures soaring and infrastructure under strain, both residents and officials have raised concerns about the city's readiness to accommodate the massive influx. Home to around 1.3 million people and covering nearly 5,000 square kilometers, Karbala annually becomes the focal point of one of the world's largest religious gatherings. The Arbaeen pilgrimage, which falls on Friday, August 15 this year, marks the 40th day after Ashura and commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein Ibn Ali, the third Iman for Shia Islam. In 2023, the city received more than 22 million pilgrims; last year, close to 21 million arrived, many traveling on foot for days. Similar figures are expected this year. But as preparations move forward, the city is reeling under basic service disruptions. 'Karbala is going through one of its worst periods due to electricity shortages and water scarcity,' warned MP Jawad al-Yasiri, who represents the province, in a briefing with Shafaq News. He explained that while a parliamentary committee had been formed to improve services during Arbaeen, no tangible progress has been made. The most recent crisis stemmed from a malfunction in a pipeline linked to a major water project, triggering a sharp drop in supply. The situation was further exacerbated by diminishing water levels in both the Al-Husseiniya River and the Euphrates—Karbala's primary water sources—combined with high evaporation and increasing demand during the summer heat. MP Zuhair al-Fatlawi, also from Karbala, emphasized to Shafaq News the national scale of the issue. 'The electricity crisis is not limited to Karbala; it affects most provinces.' With Iranian electricity imports decreasing and domestic demand spiking, the system has come under enormous stress. 'In Karbala, efforts are underway to boost supply by connecting additional power lines through the Middle Euphrates Distribution Directorate,' he continued. Water scarcity, meanwhile, mirrors a deeper national challenge. Iraq's reserves have shrunk to 90 billion cubic meters, down from more than 350 billion in previous decades. The Ministry of Water Resources is currently releasing around 740 cubic meters per second, while inflows from upstream countries are less than 300. 'Iran has halted releases completely, while inflows from Turkiye and Syria are insufficient,' al-Fatlawi elaborated, warning that 'Without capable negotiators and long-term agreements, Iraq might one day need to offer oil in exchange for water.' Public Discontent Across Karbala, residents have begun to voice frustration. In one district, Umm Ali described to our agency how essential services have ground to a halt. 'There has been a complete water outage in our area for two days,' she reported, highlighting that 'With continuous power cuts and extreme heat, people are now buying drinking water just to get by.' She also accused local authorities of neglecting peripheral areas, stating that 'We keep hearing promises of better services, but nothing changes.'' 'The local government is absent and does not respond to our complaints,' she added, warning that growing discontent could soon boil over into protest. However, officials have sought to reassure the public. Mohammed al-Masoudi, a member of Karbala's Provincial Council, clarified to Shafaq News that recent power outages are temporary and tied to infrastructure upgrades. 'These cuts are linked to new electricity projects being finalized in preparation for the Arbaeen pilgrimage,' he noted, pointing out that Karbala's water share has been officially increased. 'The enhanced releases began yesterday and will continue rising from 1 Safar (Sunday, July 27), reaching their peak by 7 Safar (Saturday, August 2). We expect no water shortage during Arbaeen.' While local authorities insist that services will stabilize before the pilgrimage, pressure is mounting. Welcoming millions of pilgrims demands coordination across transport, health, security, and essential utilities—yet even water and electricity remain uncertain.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Climate
- Hans India
China issues yellow alert for Typhoon Wipha
Beijing: China's national observatory on Saturday issued a yellow alert for Typhoon Wipha as the sixth typhoon of the year is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the southern coastal regions of the country. The typhoon, observed at 19.9 degrees north latitude and 120.2 degrees east longitude at 5 am. Saturday, is moving northwestward at a speed of 15-20 km per hour, according to the National Meteorological Centre. It is anticipated to make landfall along the coastal areas from Shenzhen City in south China's Guangdong Province to Wenchang City in Hainan Province during the afternoon or evening on Sunday, the meteorological centre said. China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system for typhoons, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow, and blue, Xinhua news agency reported. Authorities have mobilised a comprehensive emergency response, deploying rescue vessels, anti-pollution ships, and helicopters on standby, with all efforts focused on safeguarding coastal communities and ensuring the safety of nearby residents. Earlier on July 9, Typhoon Danas — the fourth typhoon of the year — made its third landfall in the coastal area of Ruian City, in east China's Zhejiang Province. This landfall followed Danas' initial strike in Taiwan early on July 7, and its second landfall in Dongtou District of Wenzhou, also in Zhejiang, on July 8. Last month, multiple Chinese authorities had convened to implement precautionary measures in anticipation of Typhoon Wutip, which was expected to bring heavy rainfall to the southern regions of the country. Wutip—the first typhoon of the year—made its first landfall in Dongfang City in south China's island province of Hainan on June 13. Due to the heavy rainfall triggered by the typhoon, the Ministry of Water Resources had activated a Level-IV emergency response to flooding in Zhejiang Province along China's eastern coast. The ministry had also urged local authorities to closely monitor weather conditions and effectively utilise water conservancy infrastructure to protect lives and property.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Telangana irrigation expert is now water resources adviser to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis
Vedire Sriram, an irrigation expert from Telangana, has been appointed as the water resources advisor to Maharashtra's Chief Minister, holding cabinet rank. He will spearhead the creation of a comprehensive water management plan under Vision 2047, focusing on river interlinking, water conservation, and potable water supply. HYDERABAD: Irrigation expert from Telangana, Vedire Sriram, has been appointed as the water resources adviser to the chief minister of Maharashtra, with cabinet rank. The state is currently developing a long-term water policy under its Vision 2047 initiative. As part of this strategy, Sriram will lead the formulation of a comprehensive plan focusing on river interlinking projects, water conservation, groundwater management, and planning potable water supply schemes. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad He will also recommend reforms and implementation strategies across various aspects of water management, including policy development and reuse strategies. Additionally, he will work to promote the development of minor water resources to improve irrigation efficiency. Sriram previously served as an adviser to the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation. Prior to that, he worked as a software engineer in the United States for 15 years before returning to India in 2009. He has authored several publications on irrigation and is a member of the Task Force Committee on River Interlinking. He also continues to serve as Chairman of the Rajasthan River Board. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2 BHK homes starting at ₹ 72.6 Lakh at Mahindra Happinest Tathawade . Mahindra Happinest Tathawade Get Quote Undo In Maharashtra, he will be responsible for integrating satellite imagery, groundwater databases, and Internet of Things (IoT)-based sensors into water management systems, and for developing a real-time tracking system for water resources. Sriram will also liaise with national bodies such as the Central Water Commission, Ministry of Jal Shakti, NITI Aayog, the National Water Mission, and inter-party/state dispute resolution mechanisms. He will work closely with departments including water resources and agriculture.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sriram Vedire appointed Adviser (Water Resources) to Maharashtra CM
Sriram Vedire has been appointed as the Adviser (Water Resources) to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for a term co-terminus with the present Chief Minister (Devendra Fadnavis). A native of Nalgonda, Mr. Sriram functioned as the Adviser to the Ministry of Water Resources or Jal Shakti, Government of India, from 2014 to 2024 and also as the Chairman of Task Force on Interlinking of River, GoI, in 2019-24. Prior to that, he was associated with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources and advised it on various aspects of water management such as Ground Water Recharge, National Water Policy 2012 and others. He was also a member of the team set up by then Union Minister of Water Resources Uma Bharti to study and suggest measures to maintain 'Aviral (un-interrupted and continuous) flow of River Ganga at Tehri Dam' and other such dams obstructing the river's flow. Before taking over as the Adviser to the MoWR/MoJS in 2014, he was also a member of the Task Force set up by the Government of Rajasthan on Integrated Command and Catchment Area Development and submitted a report on the revival of River Saraswati in Rajasthan. He authored several books, including 'Gujarat's Success Story in Water Management', 'Water Grid for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh using Rivers Godavari and Krishna' and 'Innovative Water Management Practices Indispensable for India'. Before returning to India in 2009, he worked as an engineer in the USA.
Shafaq News
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Shafaq News
Critical water shortage: Mosul Dam reserves hit an alarming low
Shafaq News – Mosul Iraq's Mosul Dam is facing an unprecedented and critical decline in water storage due to prolonged drought and a sharp drop in inflows, a weather expert warned on Friday. Speaking to Shafaq News Agency, meteorologist Sadeq Al-Attiyah stated that the dam has lost over half of its water reserves within just one year, plunging from 8 billion cubic meters to around 3 billion. 'This sharp decline reflects the gravity of the current situation,' he cautioned. Al-Attiyah pointed to a recently published animated graphic that clearly illustrates the dramatic loss in the dam's upper reservoir, underscoring the speed and scale of the drop in storage levels. While Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources recently announced that Turkiye has increased water releases into Iraq to 130 cubic meters per second—up from 60—the ministry acknowledged that the current volume remains insufficient to meet the country's actual river needs. Earlier, Ramadan Hamza, an expert in water resource policy and strategy, told Shafaq News that Iraq is unlikely to benefit substantially from the increased Turkish releases.
