New Delhi: The water crisis is becoming more acute in several parts of the world due to climate change and global warming. While the melting of glaciers is increasing the sea levels, there is a shortage of drinking water in many places. And this water problem is expected to increase if we don’t start to effectively combat climate change. In this article, we will take a look at the countries which are facing the highest water crisis.
10 countries with the highest water scarcity
1. Qatar
Qatar is suffering from an acute water crisis. While there is a high water demand, its availability is scarce. To make matters worse, the desert country in the Middle East does not have any rivers to help sustain the population. Between 2006 and 2013, water usage almost doubled in the country due to the growing population.
2. Lebanon
According to UNICEF, over 71 per cent of the country’s population faced critical water shortages in 2023. The economic crisis and poorly managed water systems have deteriorated the condition. Prices of water have skyrocketed and the country’s large refugee communities are the worst sufferers.
3. Israel
Since 2013, Israel has been battling water scarcity due to severe climate change and droughts. According to the government, water sources like rivers and lakes were at 100-year lows.
4. Pakistan
According to the International Monetary Fund, Pakistan is suffering from acute water scarcity. The United Nations Development Programme has warned that by 2025, the country could face tremendous water scarcity, a fact echoed by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources.
5. Kuwait
The country has very little source of natural water. About 99 per cent of the freshwater in the country comes from desalination plants which help sustain households and agriculture.
6. Afghanistan
Afghanistan has been hit hard by water scarcity. According to UNICEF, 8 out of every 10 people in the country drink unsafe water, and 93 per cent of the children live in places where water scarcity is very high.
7. Jordan
Jordan is facing acute water scarcity, so much so that its major cities get running water only for 12 to 24 hours per week. Schools in the country teach water conservation.
8. Syria
Water scarcity in Syria has been amplified by the internal conflicts which have pushed the country to extreme poverty. By the end of 2021, the country’s northern part was going through its worst drought in 70 years due to low water levels in the Euphrates River.
9. Sudan
Sudan is a poverty-stricken country where 97 per cent of the water goes into agriculture. The high amount of farming activity has resulted in the country’s added desertification and more than 40 per cent of families do not have access to basic water services.
10. Libya
The country in North Africa is covered by deserts and rainfall is scarce there. On top of that, political instability in the country means that most of the people do not have access to clean water.
While the melting of glaciers is increasing the sea levels, there is a shortage of drinking water in many places. And this water problem is expected to increase if we don’t start to effectively combat the climate change. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
