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Water resources

Malaysia’s rice bowl is thirsting for water as heat bakes in, and El Nino isn’t even here yet

Photos posted online on March 25 by Datuk Ismail Salleh, who chairs the Muda river basin’s agricultural development board, showed receding water levels and parched ground on the banks
Photos posted online on March 25 by Datuk Ismail Salleh, who chairs the Muda river basin’s agricultural development board, showed receding water levels and parched ground on the banks

Phuket’s water supply will last till June if current dry weather persists, say authorities

Phuket faces structural limitations in water storage as it is an island with mostly mountainous terrain, making it difficult to retain water. Rainwater also runs off quickly into the sea.
Phuket faces structural limitations in water storage as it is an island with mostly mountainous terrain, making it difficult to retain water. Rainwater also runs off quickly into the sea.

Tehran points at tit for tat retaliation if its power plants are targeted in Iran war

Symbolic mock-ups of Iranian missiles are displayed on a street, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 22, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
Symbolic mock-ups of Iranian missiles are displayed on a street, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 22, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Why water has emerged as a dangerous new war target

Iran has threatened to target desalination plants after it said its own water infrastructure had sustained damage in the war with Israel and the US.
Iran has threatened to target desalination plants after it said its own water infrastructure had sustained damage in the war with Israel and the US.

US-Israeli strikes have caused ‘heavy damage’ to water, energy infrastructure: Iran minister

Smoke billows from fuel storage and energy complexes after US-Israeli air strikes in Tehran on March 7. US and Israeli strikes have hit tens of thousands of civilian sites in Iran, said officials.
Smoke billows from fuel storage and energy complexes after US-Israeli air strikes in Tehran on March 7. US and Israeli strikes have hit tens of thousands of civilian sites in Iran, said officials.

Iran crisis lifts India bottled water prices, erasing Modi tax cut gains

A boy sits next to packed water bottles outside a shop in Kolkata, India on March 12, 2026.
A boy sits next to packed water bottles outside a shop in Kolkata, India on March 12, 2026.

Clean, sustainable energy can also help solve S’pore’s water challenge: Chan Chun Sing

Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing (left) and PUB chief executive Mr Ong Tze-Ch’in touring booths at Singapore World Water Day 2026 on March 17.
Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing (left) and PUB chief executive Mr Ong Tze-Ch’in touring booths at Singapore World Water Day 2026 on March 17.

War is pushing Iran’s water supply to the brink of collapse

The Middle East conflict is unfolding in the world’s most water-stressed region and in one of those most affected by climate change.
The Middle East conflict is unfolding in the world’s most water-stressed region and in one of those most affected by climate change.

Water emerges as a dangerous new war target

Pigeons sitting on a decorative water fountain in Qatar's capital, Doha, on March 4.
Pigeons sitting on a decorative water fountain in Qatar's capital, Doha, on March 4.

An Iranian attack on desalination plants is a nightmare for Gulf states

Desalination plants make it possible for Gulf  kingdoms to sustain thriving cities and attractions such as golf courses and the Dubai Fountain (above)
Desalination plants make it possible for Gulf  kingdoms to sustain thriving cities and attractions such as golf courses and the Dubai Fountain (above)

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.