Search

This paper studies the differences and determinants of handwashing practices in India and identifies sections of the population with poor handwashing practices who are relatively more vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have used the data from the recent National Sample Survey (NSS, 76th round) for India (2018). Bivariate and logistic regression analyses have been performed to predict the determinants of handwashing practices across states and socio-economic groups. Levels of education of the household head, Usual Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (UMPCE) of the household, access to water (other than drinking water) resources and sanitation facilities, and the availability of water with soap in and around latrines are major socio-economic and demographic factors that impact handwashing practices. Higher access to principal sources of water for drinking and other purposes, access to bathrooms and latrines with soap, and the availability of water in or around latrines increase the likelihood of handwashing among the people. Universal handwashing across different sections of the population will be effective to prevent further infection. The available data help us to identify the vulnerable sections of the population which are towards the lower end of the handwashing compliance spectrum. The policymakers can outline specific planning and strategy implementation for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eastern Indian Gangetic Plains are characterized by a primarily nature-dependent region blessed with an enormous supply of mineral resources. The region is witnessing a rapid transition in its demographic structure because of rapid industrialization. The region provides a classic example of an area which shows a trend reverse to that observed globally, as far as the frequency of extreme precipitation events is concerned. This paper provides a risk characterization of the entire region, based on the empirical behavior shown by data available so far, in addition to predictions based on theory of extreme values. The long-term behavior prediction is made with an aim to provide policy makers ample time and direction to develop suitable disaster prevention measures. The focus is primarily on extremely high rainfall events, their frequency, trend and estimated long-term behavior. The study corroborates the stability assumption behind the Indian monsoon, and also provides an indication of the expected long-term as well as short-term threats. This study provides a unique application of the extreme value theory to help in developing a threat map for a region whose population is known to be highly impacted by any significant deviations from a normal monsoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides updated status of the arsenic affected rural habitations in India, summarizes the policy initiatives of the Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation (Government of India), reviews the technologies for arsenic treatment and analyses the progress made by states in tackling arsenic problems in rural habitations. It also provides a list of constraints based on experiences and recommends suggested measures to tackle arsenic problems in an holistic manner. It is expected that the paper would be useful for policy formulators in states, non-government organizations, researchers of academic and scientific institutions and programme managers working in the area of arsenic mitigation in drinking water, especially in developing countries, as it provides better insights compared to other available information in India on mitigating arsenic problems in drinking water in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snow- and glacier melt are important contributors to river discharge in high-elevated areas of the Himalayan region. Thus, it is important that the key processes controlling snow and glacier accumulation and melting, are well represented in hydrological models. In this study, the sensitivity of modelled discharge to different snowmelt parameterizations was evaluated. A distributed hydrological model that operated on a 1 × 1 km2 grid at a daily time resolution was applied to a high-elevated mountainous basin, the Upper Beas basin in Indian Himalaya, including several sub-basins with a varying degree of glacier covered areas. The snowmelt was calculated using (i) a temperature-index method, (ii) an enhanced temperature-index method including a shortwave radiation term, and (iii) an energy balance method. All model configurations showed similar performance at daily, seasonal, and annual timescales and a lower performance for the validation period than for the calibration period; a main reason being the failure to capture the observed negative trend in annual discharge in the validation period. The results suggest that model performance is more sensitive to the precipitation input, i.e. interpolation method than to the choice of snowmelt routine. The paper highlights the challenges related to the lack of high quality data sets in mountainous regions, which are those areas globally with most water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roorkee, a sub-tropical urban town in India, has shown a rapid unplanned growth in the past. This paper presents the findings of a study of characteristics of urban soil, rainwater, and runoff emanating from different sources areas and the stormwater flows in the drains. Urban soil showed significant increase in the concentration of all constituents in comparison to the nearby rural soil. Soil metal pollution index suggested multi-element contamination. The traffic and transportation system emerged as the major source of metals and organics. Concentration of rainwater ions was observed to follow the pattern Ca2+> HCO3-> Cl-> NO3-> Na+ >Mg2+>SO42- >K+. Runoff results indicated a significant enhancement in the concentration of most measured constituents over their rainfall levels. The values of runoff coefficient varied between 0.05 and 0.58, with the high values displayed by the paved areas. Multiple regression equations were developed relating event mean concentration to various storm characteristics. The total load of all measured constituents was observed to vary considerably among the study sites, the direct runoff loads being much higher than the dry weather loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]