World

Interactive map: The flow of water and conflict

McClatchy News Network
A vegetable seller carries water from river Brahmaputra before spraying them on vegetables on World Water Day in Gauhati, India, Sunday, March 22, 2015. The U.N. warns that the world could suffer a 40 percent shortfall in water by 2030 unless countries dramatically change their use of the resource.
A vegetable seller carries water from river Brahmaputra before spraying them on vegetables on World Water Day in Gauhati, India, Sunday, March 22, 2015. The U.N. warns that the world could suffer a 40 percent shortfall in water by 2030 unless countries dramatically change their use of the resource. Anupam Nath AP

Conflict. Crisis. And a vital resource.

Sunday is World Water Day, a United Nations initiative to draw attention to issues of water scarcity and sanitation.

Ahead of World Water Day, the UN released a report warning of looming global shortages - exacerbated by population growth and global warming - that could lead to castrophes of many types.

Among the potential problems with more frequent and severe water shortages is the heightened potential for violent conflict between peoples and nations.

Explore our interactive map, highlighting some of the areas where water disputes could cause conflict in the future, as well as some areas where water is already the cause of violence.

This story was originally published March 22, 2015 at 2:11 PM with the headline "Interactive map: The flow of water and conflict."

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