">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Act now on floods, drought, says forum
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Search
Search:
Act now on floods, drought, says forum
AFP - Wednesday, March 18
ISTANBUL (AFP) - - Nations should throw themselves into building defences against floods and drought, which may already be multiplying due to climate change, the World Water Forum here heard on Tuesday.
ADVERTISEMENT
The biggest-ever gathering on tackling the world's water crisis was warned that water-related catastrophes are more frequent and more brutal, inflicting a rising toll in lives and damage, and greenhouse gases are fingered as a cause.
"Global warming is intensifying these disasters," said Avinash Tyagi, director of the climate and water department at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
Over the last century, temperatures had risen by 0.74 degrees Celsius (1.3 degrees Fahrenheit) but have accelerated sharply in the last 50 years, he said.
This has coincided with changes in rainfall and snowfall, leading in turn to the now sadly familiar images of parched fields and flooded streets.
Tyagi said scientists were striving to fill gaps in their knowledge, but feared worse is to come when climate change shifts up a gear.
"The projections point to the 21st century as the century of floods or the century of droughts," said Tyagi. "But it could be a century of floods and drought, a mixture of extremes."
"Floods are on the rise. The damage is increasing by five percent per year, while the number of big floods is also increasing," said Chris Zevenbergen, a Dutch expert who is a professor at the UN's Institute for Water Education.
Ministers from Central America and the Caribbean said that they were in the firing line.
"Central America is very vulnerable to the impact of climate change," said Tomas Vaquero, the Honduran minister of natural resources and the environment.
"There is every likelihood of droughts on the Pacific side (of Central America) and floods on the Caribbean side. There are also likely to be changes in the large marine current and salination of our coastal areas" from rising seas.
Experts said strategies for tackling the threat include dams and dikes to collect precious water for parched times; levees to protect cities in river basins; more efficient irrigation; rainwater harvesting; and "climate alert systems" to alert the public of impending weather events.
Authorities should also map vulnerable terrain, develop models of local water drainage, outlaw building in areas at risk and enforce "flood-resilient" building design.
Zevenbergen said only five percent of development in the world's expanding cities was planned. The rest amounted to building in a piecemeal or anarchic fashion.
When the rains come, slum dwellers and homes on flood plains are exposed to inundation and land slips.
Toshio Okazumi, a senior official for water management at Japan's ministry of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, said his country was already drawing up plans for climate-related water disasters.
From 1901 to 1930, Japan averaged 3.5 days per year in which a day's rainfall was more than 200mm (eight inches), he said. From 1978, though, this rose to 5.1 days per year, a 150 percent increase in frequency.
A century from now, rainfall in Japan will increase by between 10 and 30 percent, especially in the north, increasing the risk of floods, according to Japanese simulations.
Han Seung-soo, prime minister of South Korea, whose country has been hit by two major typhoons and a drought since 2002, took part in a panel that recommended six priorities for reducing the toll of such catastrophes through civil preparedness, emergency water supplies and sanitation.
Loic Fauchon, president of the World Water Council, suggested the creation of a cadre of hydrologists, which he called "water blue helmets" in deference to the UN.
These experts could be rushed to a flood-stricken country to provide valuable skills, he argued.
The World Water Forum, held every three years, has drawn registrations from more than 27,000 policymakers, experts, corporate executives and activists. The seven-day conference winds up in Istanbul on Sunday.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Climate Change
Act now on floods, drought, says forumAFP - Wednesday, March 18
INSIDE WASHINGTON: Rivalry stymies wind-power goalAP - Tuesday, March 17
8 Dems oppose quick debate on global warming billAP - Tuesday, March 17
Crisis a chance to tackle climate change, create green jobsAFP - Monday, March 16
Enlarge Photo
A woman wades through flood waters in the town of Juanchito, in the Colombian department of Valle del Cauca, following the overflooding of the Cauca river, in 2008. Nations should throw themselves into building defences against floods and drought, which may already be multiplying due to climate change, the World Water Forum here heard on Tuesday.
Related Full Coverage
climate change
climate change
All Full Coverage
Most Popular – Top Stories
Viewed
AIG storm rages in Washington
Arrest warrant issued for Lindsay Lohan
For sale: nagging wife, very high maintenance
Miniature carnivore dinosaurs roamed North America
Injured actress Richardson flown to US: hospital
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Wednesday, 18 March 2009 Israel to keep pressure on Gaza after talks stall
| International
|
Verdict in Austria incest trial expected Thursday
| International
|
Bashir to be held responsible for aid ouster: U.S.
| International
|
Nations line up to slam big powers' UN veto rights
| International
|
U.S. says Iran increasing activity in Latin America
| International
|
Apple fills some gaps with new iPhone features
| Technology
|
Google to roll out free tool to help save energy
| Technology
|
U.N. advises governments how to stop Internet drug peddling
| Technology
|
Expedia shares gain on Google takeover talk
| Technology
|
Discovery sues Amazon's Kindle
| Technology
|
Bob Dylan's toilet smell blows in the wind
| Entertainment
|
Andy Warhol's Wide World comes to Paris
| Entertainment
|
Opposition leader takes power in Madagascar
| International
|
Israeli PM says Hamas price for soldier too high
S.Korea warns of action if North blocks border again
| International
|
Iraq govt calls for death sentences to be ratified
U.N. official says U.S. demonizes Iranian leader
| International
|
Olmert: Israel rejects Hamas demands for soldier
Case packed with TNT found in Tibet capital: report
| International
|
AIG storm rages in Washington
Iraq Qaeda group slams Obama withdrawal as ploy
Japan to ready defense against North Korea rocket: Kyodo
| International
|
Injured actress Richardson flown to US: hospital
Israel-Hamas prisoner swap talks sink
Pope in Africa reaffirms no condoms against AIDS
| International
|
Act now on floods, drought, says forum
Israel says Gaza blockade goes on until soldier freed
Chavez readying artillery for Americas summit
| International
|
Iran: Leading candidate vows Islamic-based reform
Colombian FARC rebels free Swedish kidnap victim
| International
|
Blind Iraqi girl struggles despite offers of help
U.S. increases pressure on Sudan after expulsions
| International
|
Theory combats accepted wisdom on Dead Sea Scrolls
Iraq urges execution of Saddam-era officials
Act now on floods, drought, says forum
Apple unveils App options in iPhone software peek
| Technology
|
Top UN official says US demonizing Iran leader
Google updates Chrome Web browser to boost speeds
| Technology
|
Obama to name Sudan special envoy: official
Sun Micro takes on Amazon in cloud computing
| Technology
|
Seattle Post-Intelligencer dies, reborn online
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 591
Group asks U.S. FTC to probe Google privacy safety
Chavez preparing 'artillery' for Americas summit
Discovery sues Amazon's Kindle
Beshir 'responsible' for deaths in Darfur: Clinton
New iPhone software has copy-paste, no Flash
Group asks U.S. FTC to probe Google privacy safety
| Technology
|
Apple unveils App options in iPhone software peek
St. Patrick's revelers in US fete all things Irish
Google News, EPA members in partnership agreement
Colombian rebels free Swedish hostage: official
Correction: Liberians-Waiting Game
U.N. advises governments how to stop Internet drug peddling
Moscow court refuses to stop Khodorkovsky trial
Study cautions against relying on Arab kingdom
McCain gives "Twitterview" to ABC
Google to roll out free tool to help save energy
Man held in China for posting conflict rumours: report
Nokia to cut another 1,700 jobs worldwide
Indonesia cleric detained for marrying 12-year-old
First sighting of humpback whale in Hong Kong
Lion shot after escaping Australian zoo enclosure
Natasha Richardson seriously hurt in ski fall
| Entertainment
|
SKorea to beef up security at overseas missions
Stacy Keach hospitalized
| Entertainment
|
8 foreign skiers rescued from Japanese slope
Official's pro-China claim causes uproar in Taiwan
Transformers 3 director corrects release date
| Entertainment
|
Chinese Premier Wen to meet NKorean premier
Stacy Keach hospitalized
DeGeneres to play Mother Nature in comedy
| Entertainment
|
US warns of drink-spiking in Tokyo bars
'Sopranos' creator David Chase returning to HBO
NKorea refuses US food amid missile standoff
Man held at Beijing airport with 87kg of marijuana
Huiyuan shares halted amid doubts about Coke deal
South Korea unemployment rises to 3.9 pct: govt
Richardson's family gathers near injured actress
China forex reserves drop 30 bln dlrs
Anoop Desai goes country, wows Cowell and company
SKorea expected to initial EU trade pact in May
DeGeneres to play Mother Nature in comedy
China Mobile profit expected to grow strongly
Natasha Richardson seriously hurt in ski fall
Coca-Cola may abandon China juice acquisition: FT
Venezuela rethinks cheap gasoline
Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Stacy Keach hospitalized
Japan holds rates steady, boosts bond purchases
'Schooling Giacomo' teaches life-affirming lessons
S.Korea KAMCO to buy $876 mln savings banks debt
Review: Roberts and Owen crackle in `Duplicity'
SKorea says it will respond if North blocks border
LA dance company gets $20 million gift
Broadway theaters to dim lights for Ron Silver
NATO says 4,000 extra troops needed for Afghan poll
| International
|
NATO recommits troops for Afghan polls
Lebanese president rules out direct Israel talks
| International
|
Russia to decide on air defence for Iran: report
Austria's Fritzl admits murder and enslavement
| International
|
Pakistan dismisses report US may widen covert war
CORRECTED: Vatican defends pope condoms stand, criticism mounts
| International
|
British unemployment hits 12-year high
Israeli army uses PIs to spy on suspect dodgers
Man blows himself up in failed Yemen attack: source
| International
|
Green tea, mushrooms cut breast cancer risk: study
Iran's reformist challenger to Ahmadinejad
Fritzl changes plea to guilty to all charges
Sri Lanka war rages, more than 640 make boat escape
| International
|
Kabul bomb wounds three, 33 rebels killed
Kuwait to name crown prince as premier: reports
| International
|
Sudan's Bashir rallies Arab tribesmen in Darfur
| International
|
IBM in talks to buy Sun Microsystems
| Technology
|
Obama may visit Russia in July: report
In spite of hunger, NKorea refuses US food aid
Marvel, startup ink online gaming deal
Marvel, startup ink online gaming deal
| Technology
|
IBM in talks to buy Sun Micro: report
Maxis commits $10 billion to India mobile unit
| Technology
|
Sun Micro takes on Amazon in cloud computing
Ontario to help emerging tech firms raise capital
| Technology
|
Seoul rules out closing economic zone in North
Afghan leader warns against international meddling
China PM talks nuclear with NKorea premier
China cans Coca-Cola bid for juice-maker
Moderate quake hits off Indonesia: officials
Thai PM vows to slow drug trade within 6 months
Pakistan records c/a surplus of $146 mln in Feb
Japan steps up fight against economic downturn
Eni to double Pakistan output in 5-6 years
US urges citizens to avoid Tokyo nightlife area
Taiwan to conduct study on capital gains tax
Four bombs found in Thai govt stronghold: police
Thailand's exports slide for fourth month
Japan court rules nuke plant is quake-proof
China shares rise on commodity gains
Made-to-order magazine lets readers choose
40,000 Philippine seamen could lose jobs: official
Author Pat Conroy entering SC Hall of Fame
Asia, Europe markets edge higher after US rally
First celebrity cast off of `Dancing'
Pakistan's NBP says '08 net profit falls 18.8 pct
Mystery shrouds Patagonia sinking of gold laden ship
Sri Lankan economic growth cools in 4th quarter
Fredo Viola: from internet buzz to music stores
WRAPUP 2-S.Korea sheds most jobs in 5 yrs as slump deepens
Humble Dutch clog stands the test of time
'Slumdog Millionaire' to hit Chinese screens
"Transformers 3" director corrects release date
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights