“82 percent of rural Indian households now have access to tap water, up from just 17 percent in 2019, representing over 125 million new tap water connections,” reports The Doomslayer.
“Access to tap water in developing nations is crucial to eliminate waterborne diseases—like cholera and typhoid—which are leading causes of death for children under 5. It significantly improves public health, boosts economic productivity by saving hours spent collecting water, and promotes gender equality by allowing women and girls to pursue education and work. Contaminated water sources cause 1.2 million premature deaths annually, with 80% of illnesses in developing nations linked to poor water and sanitation. Accessible tap water reduces diarrheal diseases, hepatitis A, and polio,” notes another source. “Cholera is endemic in India, with regular seasonal outbreaks occurring particularly during monsoon and summer months. The country is considered a high-risk area for cholera, contributing significantly to cases in Southeast Asia due to challenges with water sanitation and crowding.Outbreaks are often linked to contaminated water supplies, particularly following flooding or during rainy seasons.”
The Indian water ministry explains, “The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that” giving rural Indians’ access to tap water “will save women 5.5 crore hours daily previously spent collecting water and prevent nearly 400,000 deaths from diarrheal diseases. Nobel laureate Prof. Michael Kremer suggests safe water coverage could reduce under-five child mortality by almost 30%.”
Malaria and tuberculosis have also diminished in India — cases of malaria have fallen by 80%.
Poverty has fallen in most of the world since 2021.
