California earmarks $1bn emergency package to fight drought

California has announced $1bn emergency package to strengthen US state’s drought resiliency and to ensure water supplies for the residents.

The US state is facing severe drought situation for last four years.

California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. said: "This unprecedented drought continues with no signs yet of letting up.

"The programmes funded by the actions announced today will provide direct relief to workers and communities most impacted by these historic dry conditions."

The legislation proposed by the state will assist local communities, will support drought relief and infrastructure projects to strengthen water infrastructure in California.

According to the planned expenses, $128m will be spent to provide direct assistance to workers and communities being affected by drought and to put the state’s Water Action Plan into action.

About $272m has been allotted in Proposition 1 Water Bond funding for safe drinking water and water recycling, while $660m from the Proposition 1E has been directed for flood protection in urban and rural regions.

Assembly Republican Leader Kristin Olsen said: "This emergency drought relief is an important band aid.

"We must move beyond temporary fixes. Projects to increase water supply have been hung up in government red tape for decades."

In addition to the emergency drought package, the state also stresses on promoting water conservation in the state.

California State Water Resources Control Board had recently organised a vote to expand and stretch an emergency regulation which limits certain water usage including washing down of sidewalks, and creation of a minimum standard for outdoor irrigation restrictions by urban water suppliers.

Governor Jerry Brown has also requested the state residents to reduce water usage by 20% and to stop wastage.

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Image: NASA GRACE satellite data showing severity of California’s drought on water resources and trend in water storage betweenSeptember 2011 and September 2014. Photo: courtesy of NASA JPL.