Asadi grew up in Chubayish and he was here when, just after the fall of Saddam's regime, the marsh people took shovels and broke Saddam's embankment, letting the water of the river rush out onto the plain.

NPR: Iraq's Marshlands Face A Second Death By Drought

Some engineers have theorized that removing too much debris from the basement would compromise the wall's support and allow water from the Hudson River to rush in.

CNN: Congressional, world leaders tour Trade Center ruins

Finally, the roar of the Colorado River comes into earshot and a tempestuous rush of mint-green water races through the nadir of the canyon.

BBC: The perfect trip: Southwest USA

Still, regular polar bear swimmers insist they feel better after their dips, describing the invigorating rush they experience when they plunge into icy water.

CNN: Are polar bear plunges good for you?

In the rush among people from the region to stock up on bottled water, tissue and other items, however, total sales in that period actually rose by 20 per cent.

FORBES: Japan's Pulse Beats at 7-Eleven

The idea that shale-gas will become the next gold rush is therefore jeopardized, particularly because its production requires seven times the amount of water as does the extraction of conventional natural gas.

FORBES: Water Shortages May Leave Energy Producers Dying of Thirst