Water Security Risks in Key River Basins

A new study published reveals that the Ganges, Indus, and Brahmaputra basins exhibit the lowest levels of governance and environmental performance, heightening water security risks in these regions.

Key Points

India's Governance and Environmental Performance: India ranks moderately in governance but poorly in environmental performance, contributing to high water security hazards.
High-Risk Basins: The Krishna, Ganges, and Indus basins are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on moisture from regions with low to medium governance and environmental standards.
Upwind Perspective: The study introduces the concept of a "precipitationshed," emphasizing the importance of moisture sources upwind, were evaporated water influences rainfall in downwind regions.
Water Security Challenges: Evaporation loss in upwind areas can lead to reduced precipitation, affecting agriculture, hydropower, and water availability in downstream regions.
Global Implications: The study notes that in African and Middle Eastern countries, water security hazards are primarily due to poor governance, while in Asia, environmental performance is the critical factor.
Need for Hydro-Cooperation: Researchers highlight the interconnectedness of water resources between countries, urging for improved hydro-cooperation to ensure regional water security.