Model Answer

Steps Taken by Littoral States

The littoral states of the Bay of Bengal—India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand—have made considerable progress in disaster preparedness, focusing on key strategies to mitigate natural disaster impacts.

1. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): The region has seen significant collaboration in HADR, with India playing a pivotal role through its “five-fold framework for maritime engagement” to support regional disaster management efforts.
2. Enhanced Disaster Preparedness: The establishment of early warning systems (EWS), strengthening of coastal defences, and disaster management exercises have improved the region’s preparedness. For example, the BIMSTEC Centre on Weather and Climate (BCWC) has been instrumental in addressing weather-related challenges.
3. Improved Coordination: Regional cooperation has been fostered, with India hosting two disaster management exercises under BIMSTEC to improve response strategies among member countries.

Challenges Limiting Effectiveness

Despite these efforts, the disaster preparedness in the Bay of Bengal region remains limited due to several constraints.

1. Lack of a Regional Security Agenda: There is no dedicated security agenda focusing on shared natural disaster vulnerabilities, which hinders a unified approach to disaster management.
2. Fragmented Approaches: While individual countries have made strides, the regional coordination and integration of efforts remain weak. The primary regional organization, BIMSTEC, struggles with financial constraints and limited operational capacity.
3. Inadequate Infrastructure: Many regions in the Bay of Bengal suffer from poor infrastructure, such as fragile housing and high population density, which exacerbates the effects of disasters. For instance, the lack of robust infrastructure contributes to significant casualties during disasters.
4. Limited Inter-State Knowledge Sharing: There is insufficient exchange of best practices among the littoral states. While Bangladesh has a renowned Cyclone Preparedness Programme, and Thailand has efficient last-mile tsunami warnings, these practices are not systematically adopted across the region.
5. Environmental and Climate Challenges: Environmental degradation, such as mangrove loss and coastal erosion, reduces the natural defences of the region, making it more vulnerable to disasters.

Conclusion

Despite substantial progress, a comprehensive, multi-state disaster relief authority could strengthen the region’s ability to effectively manage and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters.

Model Answer

Introduction

India is highly vulnerable to flood-related hazards due to several natural and human-induced factors. Over 40 million hectares (mha) of India’s total 329 mha geographical area are flood-prone. On average, floods affect 75 lakh hectares annually, resulting in the loss of 1600 lives and damages worth Rs. 1805 crores. Below are the key factors contributing to India’s flood vulnerability:

1. Monsoon Rainfall

India receives 70%-90% of its annual rainfall during the monsoon season, leading to excessive rainfall and flooding in many regions. This intense rainfall often overwhelms existing drainage systems and causes river systems to overflow.

2. Himalayan River Systems

The Ganges, Brahmaputra, and their tributaries frequently experience extensive flooding due to factors like heavy sediment load, glacial melt, and monsoon rainfall. These rivers carry a massive volume of water during the rainy season, leading to floods in the lowland areas.

3. Long Coastline

With a 7500 km coastline, India is highly susceptible to tropical cyclones originating from the North Indian Ocean. The Chennai floods in December 2023, triggered by Cyclone Michaung, highlight the vulnerability of coastal cities to storm surges and heavy rains.

4. Climate Change

Climate change has caused increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, exacerbating the risk of floods. In regions like the Himalayas, there is a noticeable increase in the intensity of rainfall within shorter periods, which leads to flash floods.

Causes of Flood-Related Disasters in India

1. Unregulated Development

Poor adherence to building and environmental regulations, particularly in hilly terrains, has contributed to flood disasters. For instance, unregulated construction on the Song riverbed led to the Dehradun floods in 2022.

2. Unplanned Urbanization

Unplanned construction on floodplains and wetlands has reduced the natural absorption capacity of the land, aggravating flood risks. The 2023 Delhi floods were a direct consequence of encroachment on the Yamuna floodplains.

3. Deforestation

Deforestation for mining, roads, and tourism increases soil erosion and runoff, contributing to flooding. The floods in Karnataka and Kerala in 2019 were partly caused by deforestation in the Western Ghats.

4. Dam Construction

The construction of hydropower projects in the Himalayan region has intensified floods. The Uttarakhand floods in 2013 and the Sikkim floods in 2023 were aggravated by dam-related issues, including the release of excess water and poor planning.

Conclusion

Addressing India’s vulnerability to floods requires a multifaceted approach, including better urban planning, reforestation, improved drainage infrastructure, and effective river management. Steps to mitigate climate change effects are also crucial in reducing future flood risks.

Model Answer

Introduction

Flash droughts are rapid and intense dry spells that emerge with little warning, resulting in severe consequences for agriculture, water resources, and the environment. With climate change amplifying the frequency of these events, it is essential to implement measures to mitigate their impact.

1. Early-Warning Systems
The unpredictability of flash droughts makes early detection crucial. Establishing systems to monitor changes in soil moisture and evapotranspiration can help forecast the onset of droughts. This would provide stakeholders, especially farmers, with valuable lead time to take precautionary actions. For example, monitoring these parameters could serve as an early indicator for regions facing imminent drought conditionsmproved Forecasting
Better integration of short-term weather predictions with long-term climatic models is necessary to predict flash droughts more accurately. Enhanced meteorological and climatic forecasting can bridge the gap, helping local governments, agricultural zones, and water management agencies prepare in advance .

2. Segment and Conservation

Developing local water storage infrastructure, promoting the use of drought-resistant crops, and implementing strict water-use policies are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of flash droughts. These measures will ensure that water resources are conserved efficiently and can be accessed during dry periods .

3. Research tion
Investing in research to understand the underlying causes and solutions for flash droughts is critical. The United States Drought Monitor, for example, tracks and labels drought areas by intensity, improving forecasting accuracy and helping with proactive decision-making .

4. Awareness and Prep
Raising awareness among communities, especially in agriculture, is crucial. Educating farmers about potential signs of flash droughts—such as unusual heat patterns and low rainfall—can help them take early action to safeguard crops and mitigate yield losses .

Conclusion

Addressing fla a multi-pronged approach that includes better forecasting, early warning systems, efficient water management, and continuous research. Combining these efforts with global climate change mitigation strategies will ensure resilience against this growing climate threat.

Model Answer

India is highly vulnerable to natural disasters due to its diverse geographical and climatic conditions. Historically, the country’s disaster management has been relief-centric, focusing on responding to disasters after they occur. However, this approach has proven to be inefficient and costly, emphasizing the need for a shift towards a more comprehensive, proactive disaster management strategy.

Issues with the Current Relief-Centric Approach

1. Increased Loss of Life and Property: The reactive approach often leads to higher fatalities and damage because preventive measures are overlooked. For instance, during the Odisha Super Cyclone in 1999 and the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004, the emphasis was on relief rather than mitigation, resulting in substantial losses.
2. Higher Cost of Rehabilitation: Rebuilding infrastructure, homes, and restoring communities is more expensive and time-consuming when done post-disaster. This cost could be significantly reduced through proactive measures, such as building resilient infrastructure before disasters strike.
3. Inefficiency: The relief-centric approach doesn’t strengthen communities’ ability to cope with disasters. It lacks focus on training, sensitization, and capacity-building. As a result, logistical challenges often hinder the timely delivery of aid to the most affected areas.
4. Lack of Preparedness: The absence of adequate early warning systems and proactive preparedness leaves communities vulnerable. Without timely and accurate information, the effectiveness of response efforts is compromised.

Benefits of a Proactive Disaster Management Approach

1. Holistic Disaster Management: A proactive approach incorporates prevention, mitigation, and preparedness, addressing risks at the grassroots level, rather than focusing solely on post-disaster response.
2. Effective Early Warning Systems: For example, the successful evacuation during Cyclone Fani in Odisha in 2019 demonstrated the life-saving potential of early warnings.
3. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): A proactive strategy involves hazard assessment, vulnerability mapping, and the formulation of risk reduction strategies to anticipate and reduce the impacts of disasters.
4. Capacity Building and Community Participation: Empowering local communities through training, vulnerability analysis, and participation ensures better resilience against future disasters.

Conclusion

A shift towards a more proactive approach to disaster management would minimize risks, reduce losses, and ensure more sustainable, resilient development. It would prioritize foresight, pre-emptive planning, and community engagement to build stronger defenses against future disasters.