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The monsoon on the Indian subcontinent remains a seasonal occurrence that all inhabitants of the subcontinent desire. Modern scientific knowledge of methods of rain forecasting has originated recently. However, traditional indigenous wisdom is peculiar to our country. In the past, India had a magnificent scientific and technical legacy. Even today, it is common that village astrologers (pandits) are right in a surprisingly high percentage of their rain predictions. Scientists and local traditional farmers have a long history of astronomical research and treatises that predict rainfall. They use different methods to forecast rainfall conditions based on numerous panchangs, almanac bio-indicators (Bhoum method), non-bio-indicators (Antariksh method), and predict the likely behavior of climate in the planting season. Rainfall forecasting also aids in the planning of operations by agriculturists, builders, water supply engineers, and others. All mortals from the subcontinent have looked at it from their own perspective, and it continues to be the subject of intense multi-dimensional engagement. The monsoon has provided a means of life for numerous civilizations while also shaping the drainages and palaeo-geography of the subcontinent. The objective of this article is to document some indigenous knowledge for forecasting climate and environmental dynamics towards community resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Large-scale inter-basin water transfer (IBWT) projects are commonly proposed as solutions to water distribution and supply problems. These problems are likely to intensify under future population growth and climate change scenarios. Scarce data on the distribution of freshwater fishes frequently limits the ability to assess the potential implications of an IBWT project on freshwater fish communities. Because connectivity in habitat networks is expected to be critical to species' biogeography, consideration of changes in the relative isolation of riverine networks may provide a strategy for controlling impacts of IBWTs on freshwater fish communities. Methods/Principal Findings: Using empirical data on the current patterns of freshwater fish biodiversity for rivers of peninsular India, we show here how the spatial changes alone under an archetypal IBWT project will (1) reduce freshwater fish biodiversity system-wide, (2) alter patterns of local species richness, (3) expand distributions of widespread species throughout peninsular rivers, and (4) decrease community richness by increasing inter-basin similarity (a mechanism for the observed decrease in biodiversity). Given the complexity of the IBWT, many paths to partial or full completion of the project are possible. We evaluate two strategies for step-wise implementation of the 11 canals, based on economic or ecological considerations. We find that for each step in the project, the impacts on freshwater fish communities are sensitive to which canal is added to the network. Conclusions/Significance: Importantly, ecological impacts can be reduced by associating the sequence in which canals are added to characteristics of the links, except for the case when all 11 canals are implemented simultaneously (at which point the sequence of canal addition is inconsequential). By identifying the fundamental relationship between the geometry of riverine networks and freshwater fish biodiversity, our results will aid in assessing impacts of IBWT projects and balancing ecosystem and societal demands for freshwater, even in cases where biodiversity data are limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inverted pendulum-like structures such as elevated tanks are not only subjected to overturning moments from lateral seismic forces, but also from P-Δ effect which originates due to gradual shifting of line of actions of gravity loads due to largely increasing inelastic displacements, causing progressive increase in the tendency of overturning in the inelastic range. The response reduction factors are prescribed in the code to limit the inelastic displacement demands of the structures depending on their ductility capacities. In this context, the present study investigates the influence of P-Δ effect on elevated tanks. The study attempts to propose a simple enough mathematical model to assess the comparative difference in lateral displacement and overturning moment due to consideration of progressive P-Δ effect with and without computed through nonlinear response history analysis. Two typical hysteresis behaviors, namely, elastoplastic and strength and stiffness degrading ones, are chosen to represent the seismic behavior of typical steel frame and reinforced concrete frame structures. The study may provide useful input towards developing refined guidelines for performance-based seismic design of elevated tanks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An important aspect of urban water systems is the interactions that take place between different components of the system (e.g. foul water from leaky sewers entering into a drinking water distribution network). It is widely recognised that it is important to consider these interactions in order to maintain effective, efficient and safe water and sanitation services. Hence, an integrated approach to urban water management (IUWM) is necessary. This paper begins by presenting a case study in India that highlights the important interactions that takes place between different components of the urban water system. The case study highlights the need to recognise these interactions in order to provide safe and sustainable urban water services. The paper then presents ongoing research on development of integrated urban water modelling tool that allows an integrated approach to urban water services. By applying an IUWMapproach it is possible to satisfy the water and sanitation needs of a community at the lowest cost to society whilst minimising environmental and social impacts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Globalization is compressing the sequential spatial experience of environmental burdens in developing country cities through a process of space-time telescoping. With the introduction of neoliberal reform policies, Indian cities have also begun experiencing the effects of telescoped environmental burdens. A compelling theoretical perspective in this tradition suggests that large Indian cities now display a "degenerated peripheralization" whereby the experience of environmental burdens is becoming increasingly uneven between the urban core and its peripheries as a result of policy neglect. However, reliance on this theory overlooks how place-specific historical, social, and technical processes in the urban context often support a dynamic of active appropriation of resources from the periphery and core. Drawing on the histories of urban politicalization and the institutionalization of water supply infrastructure, this article will contextualize the process of peripheralization in the Indian metropolitan city of Chennai as an appropriative and exploitative one rather than a degenerated one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In developing countries, water distribution systems are designed for continuous water supply (CWS) with peak factor between 2.0 and 3.0. While in practice, water is supplied for restricted hours in the morning and evening hours for various reasons. One of the assumption is that under intermittent water supply (IWS), water consumption in residential areas is less compared to CWS. A study was conducted in four Indian cities to evaluate influence of IWS and CWS on domestic water consumption. The selected water distribution system (WDS) represents specific situation in each city. Water consumption data was repeatedly collected through water meter readings in all the cities. The same WDS was switched over to CWS for few months with prior information to the residents. Water consumption was again measured under CWS mode of operation. Statistical analysis of water consumption was done for all the four cities under both modes of operation. The study indicates that domestic water consumption depends on adequacy of water supply, under IWS mode of operation. Water consumption do not change appreciably under CWS, if consumers water demand is satisfied under IWS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the two-dimensional (2-D) physically based finite element runoff numerical model for small agricultural watersheds, known as ROMO2D, applied to Shiwalik foothills in Northern India. It focuses on the development of the watershed hydrology model, which is designed to simulate erosion from small agricultural watersheds on an event basis, as well as notes its components. It offers information on the ROMO2D computer program. Various flow-governing equations are also presented.

The article details a study on the testing and field application of two-dimensional physically based finite element runoff model, also known as the RunOff Model 2-Dimensional (ROMO2D), applied to an agricultural watershed at the Shiwalik foothills in India. ROMO2D had undergone various testing procedures, including multi-objective calibration procedure, with the use of observed field data and sensitivity analysis. The results showed the ability of the model to simulate runoff from small agricultural drainage system in an event basis with significant accuracy.

Natural resource management perceived as a search for institutions that can ensure simultaneous fulfilment of three goals: productivity (or efficiency), sustainability and equity. In this article, we study the implications of pursuing the goal of equity in the management of surface water resources for irrigation with a heuristic model incorporating a Leontief-type fixed production function. The analysis has been carried out in the backdrop of the Baliraja water distribution experiment in India. One suggestion is that the allocating tradable water rights over water, a common property natural resource, can be used as an instrument to improve equity. Unfortunately, advocating the use of water distribution as an instrument of poverty alleviation is fraught with implicit assumptions about the rural economy and uncertain outcomes. It is important for planners to understand that the concepts of equity and equality are applicable to inputs and outputs or outcomes. We attempt to understand the implications of equality in water distribution on social welfare with a simple heuristic analysis. Theoretical analysis shows the possible outcomes of such a policy and also intended to raise pertinent questions and hypotheses in studying the effectiveness of irrigation and watershed initiatives where rights over water have been redistributed equally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important area in the discourse on gender and water is water supply where women are seen as the key actors and beneficiaries. A human rights approach to development has been adopted with access to safe water explicitly recognized as a basic human right. This right places a legal obligation upon governments to translate the international norms into practice. But does explicitly acknowledging the human right to water make a practical difference in women's lives? Using an actor-oriented perspective, this paper analyzes how the international legal norms for realization of the right get reconstructed in local communities where women are the right holders. The empirical data for the analysis will be drawn from a first-hand qualitative study in rural India. The findings of the study show how the socio-cultural matrix provides the environment for implementing the right and determines its equitable and effective exercise by women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shortages of surface water supplies necessitate development of groundwater in many canal commands. Groundwater can be used optimally in conjunction with surface supplies in a conjunctive use system. In the present study potential and feasibility of conjunctive use planning for one of the proposed link canal, Krishna (Nagarjunasagar)–Pennar (Somasila) canal, under peninsular rivers development as a part of India''s ambitious river linking program, has been explored. This link canal has been proposed considering only surface water supplies, neglecting the groundwater potential. Further, water demand and available water resources of the area are evaluated considering both the surface and groundwater resources. A simple economic-engineering optimization model is presented, to explore the potential of conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources using linear programming with various hydrological and management constraints, and to arrive at an optimal cropping pattern for optimal use of water resources for maximization of net benefits. The LINDO 6.1, optimization package has been used to arrive at optimal allocation plan of surface water and groundwater. The results substantiated that conjunctive use planning is beneficial and feasible for the proposed canal command. A considerable quantity of surface water (i.e. 43,189ham) can be saved for the other needy area as a part of inter-basin water transfer by implementing the proposed conjunctive use of surface and groundwater. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The contamination of water distribution systems is widely recognised in the case of intermittent water supplies, where pipes are empty for many hours each day and thus under negligible or zero pressure. This allows contaminants from pollution sources such as sewers, open drains and surface water bodies to enter into the water distribution pipes through leaks and cracks during non-supply hours. In developing countries, where water supply is intermittent, contamination frequently occurs to the distribution network at unacceptably high levels, posing a threat to public health. The urban poor suffer most from contaminated water supplies and also suffer a far greater health burden, related in part to the consumption of poor quality water. There are no tools currently available to assist engineers in identifying the risks associated with contaminant intrusion into intermittent water distribution systems. This paper introduces a new tool called integrated risk assessment of water distribution systems (IRA-WDS). It is anticipated that the application of such tools will enable engineers to manage water quality more effectively by developing appropriate control measures to minimise the risks of contaminant intrusion. This paper summarises details of the mathematical models that form the basis of IRA-WDS and also describes the application of the tool to a real case study in India. The outputs from IRA-WDS are risk maps showing the risk of contaminant intrusion into the various parts of the water distribution system and an understanding of the main factors that contribute to risk. These risk maps will be invaluable to decision makers in that they can provide a guide to prioritise the operation and maintenance strategy in order to improve water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses obstacles to the use of technology in India. Insufficient combustible material for New Delhi's first waste incineration plant; Impact of the country's social and cultural diversity; Objections to efforts to pipe water in Tamilnadu; Resistance to an improved rickshaw and a hand loom; Effects of pollution on the Taj Mahal in Agra.