NEW DELHI // India plans to increase spending on flood forecasting and river management five-fold to 33.69 billion rupees (Dh2bn) over the next five years.
"We are revisiting our assessment of water resources and basin-wise data across the nation," Rajesh Kumar, chairman of the Central Water Commission, said in an interview in New Delhi. "Competing demands for water and climate-change concerns are the triggers that are pushing us to improve our systems."
The Central Water Commission, which collects India's water data and advises federal and state governments on dam, irrigation and hydro projects, is investing in satellite-linked sensors to improve flood forecasting, Mr Kumar said.
The agency will more than double the current 445 stations that use sensors to monitor river basins and coastal areas, he said.
The commission was criticised for poor forecasting after rains last month caused flash floods and landslides in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand that borders China, killing at least 1,000 people. About 10,000 more were stranded.
"Climate-change monitoring in the Himalayan areas and in the north-eastern states will be our priority," Mr Kumar said. The agency has sought increased budgets to reassess water levels across 20 major river basins in India, he said.
He said the country, which accounts for 4 per cent of the world's water resources and 18 per cent of its population, needs to update its two-decades-old hydrological data. Climate change and increasing demand from people and industries is expected to cut water availability by 28 per cent in 2050 from 1,704 cubic metres in 2010, India's farm ministry said.
India spent 6.45 billion rupees on flood forecasting in the five years up to April 2012, and plans to spend 33.69 billion rupees in the next five years that end in 2017.
Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Company%20profile
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)