Reasons for Frequent Flash Floods in India

• Climate Change: Rising global temperatures have increased the intensity of monsoons. In 2023, India recorded 10% higher-than-normal rainfall, causing sudden deluges in many states.
• Urbanization: Rapid urban expansion has reduced natural drainage systems, leading to waterlogging and flash floods, as seen in Bengaluru’s tech corridors recently.
• Deforestation: Unregulated deforestation for agriculture and construction disrupts natural water absorption, exacerbating floods.
• Poor Infrastructure: Inadequate drainage and lack of flood-resilient urban planning heighten the impact of sudden rains.

Impacts of Flash Floods

• Health: Contaminated water leads to outbreaks of diseases like cholera and leptospirosis. According to WHO, floods significantly increase the risk of waterborne diseases.
• Economic Loss: India suffers annual flood-related losses of ₹30,000 crores. In 2023, Himachal Pradesh faced ₹12,000 crores in damage due to flash floods.
• Environmental Damage: Soil erosion, destruction of vegetation, and loss of biodiversity are common outcomes.
• Displacement: Flash floods displace thousands, leaving them homeless. Assam witnessed the displacement of over 4 lakh people during monsoons in 2023.

Conclusion

Flash floods in India stem from a mix of natural and human-induced factors. Mitigating their impacts requires robust disaster management, sustainable urban planning, and investment in climate resilience strategies.

Conditions for the Formation of Tropical Cyclones

Tropical cyclones require the following conditions to develop:

• Warm Ocean Surface: Sea surface temperatures above 26.5°C to provide energy.
• Coriolis Effect: Minimum 5° latitude from the equator to enable cyclonic rotation.
• Low Pressure Zone: A disturbance in the atmosphere creates the low-pressure center.
• Moisture: High humidity in the mid-troposphere for sustained convection.
• Weak Vertical Wind Shear: Allows the cyclone structure to remain intact.

Differences between Tropical and Temperate Cyclones

Illustration:

• Cyclone Yaas (2021) impacted eastern India due to warm Bay of Bengal waters.
• Temperate cyclones often affect Europe and the U.S., bringing winter snowstorms.

Conclusion

While tropical cyclones form in warm, moist conditions, temperate cyclones thrive on air mass contrasts. Understanding their mechanisms aids in disaster preparedness.

The Theory of Continental Drift

The theory of continental drift, proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912, suggests that the continents were once joined together in a supercontinent called Pangaea. Over millions of years, Pangaea broke apart, and the continents drifted to their current positions. This concept was groundbreaking at the time, but lacked a clear mechanism to explain how such massive landmasses could move across the Earth’s surface.

Key Evidence Supporting Continental Drift

1. Fossil Evidence: Identical fossils of plants and animals found on continents that are now separated by oceans, such as South America and Africa, strongly suggest that these continents were once connected​.
2. Geological Evidence: Similar rock formations and mountain ranges, like the Appalachians in North America and the Caledonian mountains in Scotland, indicate these continents were once part of the same landmass​.
3. Paleoclimatic Evidence: Evidence of glacial activity in regions that are now tropical, such as the evidence of glaciation in India and South Africa, points to continents shifting over time​.
4. Seafloor Spreading: In the 1960s, further evidence emerged from the magnetic stripes on the seafloor, confirming that the ocean floor was spreading apart at mid-ocean ridges, providing a mechanism for continental movement​.

These pieces of evidence collectively support the idea of drifting continents and laid the foundation for the modern theory of plate tectonics, which explains how Earth’s crust moves due to convection currents beneath it.

India’s Response to COVID-19 and the Role of “Make in India” Concept

1. Overview of the COVID-19 Situation in India

• India, being the second-worst affected nation globally during the COVID-19 pandemic, faced tremendous challenges in managing the spread of the virus. A fast vaccination process, coupled with strict social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines, became the primary strategy to control the outbreak.

2. Role of “Make in India” in Tackling COVID-19

• Boosting Domestic Vaccine Production: The “Make in India” initiative played a crucial role by enabling India to rapidly scale up vaccine production. India became one of the largest producers of vaccines, with companies like Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech manufacturing millions of doses, ensuring that both domestic and international needs were met.
• Supporting Local PPE Manufacturing: The pandemic triggered a surge in demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), masks, and ventilators. The government quickly ramped up domestic manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative, reducing dependency on imports and ensuring timely availability.

Example: The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) developed and produced critical medical supplies such as ventilators and face shields, contributing to India’s self-reliance during the crisis.

3. Fast Vaccination Process

• The vaccination drive was launched with the goal of covering a significant portion of the population in a short time frame. India’s vaccination drive, one of the largest globally, was powered by CoWIN technology to efficiently manage registrations, appointments, and monitoring.
• India’s Contribution to Global Vaccine Supply: Through the COVAX initiative, India also supplied vaccines to over 100 countries, underscoring its leadership in global health diplomacy.

Example: As of 2021, India had administered over a billion vaccine doses, marking a significant achievement in public health.

4. Social Distancing and Mask-Wearing Campaign

• The government enforced lockdowns and curfews, along with widespread campaigns to promote mask-wearing and social distancing. This was critical in curbing the virus’s spread, especially in densely populated areas.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: The government used multiple platforms, including radio, television, and social media, to educate citizens on hygiene practices, ensuring compliance with safety protocols.

5. Conclusion

India’s response to COVID-19 showcased a combination of “Make in India” principles and quick action to manage a public health emergency. The nation not only focused on internal solutions, like domestic vaccine production and medical equipment manufacturing but also played a pivotal role in aiding the global fight against the pandemic. With these strategies, India showed resilience and self-reliance, which were crucial in overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Understanding Demographic Dividend and Its Significance for India and Bihar

1. What is Demographic Dividend?

• Definition: Demographic dividend refers to the economic benefit a country gains when it has a large working-age population (15-64 years), which leads to increased productivity and economic growth. This demographic shift occurs when the dependency ratio (the number of dependents per working-age person) is low.
• Opportunity for Growth: A youthful population can drive economic development, provided there are adequate investments in education, healthcare, and employment.

2. India’s Demographic Dividend

• According to the UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), India will continue to have a demographic dividend until around 2041, after which the working-age population will begin to decline.
• Bihar’s Perspective: Bihar, one of India’s youngest states, has a significant opportunity to capitalize on this demographic shift. The working-age population is expected to remain high for several decades, offering potential for economic growth.

3. Steps Taken by Bihar

• Education and Skill Development: The state has focused on improving education and skill training programs to prepare the youth for the job market. Initiatives like Bihar Skill Development Mission aim to provide skills training to youth in various sectors.
• Infrastructure Development: Bihar has invested in infrastructure, including roads, railways, and power supply, to create a conducive environment for industries that can employ the growing workforce.
• Attracting Investments: The Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy promotes investment in sectors like food processing and manufacturing, providing jobs to the youth.
• Healthcare Improvements: Bihar has been improving its healthcare services, focusing on maternal and child health, which directly influences the state’s workforce productivity.