India Faces Drought and Swine Flu

vIndianz.com (Aug. 15, 2009) — The country is facing twin challenges of drought and swine flu these days.

The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) warn against depletion of groundwater in northern India.

According to NASA, Groundwater levels in Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi are falling dramatically — by one foot a year.

According to a study published in Nature, “If measures are not taken soon to ensure sustainable groundwater usage, the consequences may include a reduction of agricultural output and shortages of potable water, leading to extensive socio-economic stresses.”

NASA blamed excessive use of ground water for irrigation purposes and other human activities for the depletion of ground water which is being pumped out faster than replenishment.

The arrival of swine flu in India has caused panic in the country. India has seen over 40 confirmed cases of Swine Flu. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the pandemic disease “unstoppable”. The WHO has also raised the Influenza Pandemic Alert to the highest level which is 6.

So far 1,293 people have been tested across India, among whom 251 have tested positive for Influenza A (H1N1). Of these positive cases, 141 have been discharged and the remaining 110 are admitted to identified health facilities, according to the union health ministry.

The WHO said that nearly 1,150 people had died since swine flu first emerged in Mexico and the United States in April, while there were more than 177,000 confirmed infections.

• Unusual overflow of groundwater causes concern in Gujarat town – The Hindu
• Unusual overflow of groundwater causes concern in Gujarat town – The Hindu
• Unusual overflow of groundwater causes concern in Gujarat town – The Hindu
• HHS Funds New Vaccine Technology – MedPage Today
• H1N1 Flu Is Raging in Britain. Could U.S. Be Next? – BusinessWeek
• Ordinance mulled to conserve water – Times of India
• WHO: Genetic link to swine flu vaccine narcolepsy – BusinessWeek
• Swine flu narcolepsy ‘link’ probed by WHO – BBC News
• Swine flu narcolepsy ‘link’ probed by WHO – BBC News
• One Flu Over the Health Care Nest

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