To what extent are natural dangers natural? Explain in relation to disaster preparedness taking into account its onset, intensity, capacity for control, and character of the studied region.
India recently witnessed invasion of vast swathes of land by swarms of desert locusts, which entered India from the western side via Pakistan's Sindh province. The desert locusts usually breed in areas in the countries along the eastern coast of Africa in a region known as the Horn of Africa. The reRead more
India recently witnessed invasion of vast swathes of land by swarms of desert locusts, which entered India from the western side via Pakistan’s Sindh province. The desert locusts usually breed in areas in the countries along the eastern coast of Africa in a region known as the Horn of Africa.
The reasons for these locust attacks are
- Indian Ocean Dipole: Positive Indian Ocean dipole made the western Indian Ocean particularly warm and consequently led to greater precipitation.
- Heavy rain (wettest rainfall season in over four decades in East Africa) triggered the growth of vegetation in arid areas where desert locusts could grow and breed.
- Cyclones: The cyclonic storms Mekunu and Luban that struck Oman and Yemen in 2018 respectively transformed the empty desert tracts into large lakes providing damp soils where the locust swarms bred.
- Wind Movement: Locusts generally are known to be passive flyers, who generally follow the wind. The low-pressure area created by Cyclone Amphan in the Bay of Bengal strengthened the westerly winds, which aided the movement of the locusts into South Asia.
Threat posed by the locust attacks
- Crop damage: One square km swarm can eat as much food as 35000 people in a day. The recent desert locust attack has wiped out crops spread over 5,00,000 hectares in Rajasthan. It poses a serious threat to India’s food security in the recent future. They also destroy forest and urban vegetation areas if they are unable to find crops to feed.
- Allergies: Locust swarms often create allergens that aggravate allergies.
- Air travel: Generally, locusts are found at lower levels and therefore pose a threat to aircrafts especially in the critical landing and take-off phase of the flight.
- Pollution and Human Health: Use of pesticides such as Malathion 96 and Chlorpyrifos to thwart the probem of locust contributes to soil and water pollution.
Both are extremely toxic and a high level of exposure to the pesticides may cause nausea, dizziness and even death. In India, Locust Warning Organisation (LWO), under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, is responsible for monitoring, survey and control of Desert Locust in Scheduled Desert Areas mainly in the States of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The steps taken by India to tackle the threat of locust attack include:
- Several Locust Circle Offices and temporary camps have been established to control and monitor the attack in coordination with District Administration and agriculture field machinery of affected states.
- Drones are used to spray pesticides on tall trees and inaccessible places for effective control of locusts.
- The Centre has compensated some of the farmers who suffered losses from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Fund.
- Hindustan Insecticides Limited is now in the process of production and supply of 25MT Malathion for supply to locust control programme to Iran under Government to Government arrangement.
As the recent locust attack has shown that India’s food security remains vulnerable to such events, India needs to deeply engage with other regional countries like Pakistan and Iran to effectively tackle such future locust attacks by taking mitigating steps in the breeding grounds of these locusts itself.
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Natural hazards, while inherently linked to natural processes, are influenced by various factors that can amplify or mitigate their impacts. To understand how natural these hazards are, it’s crucial to analyze their onset, severity, controlling capacity, and the nature of the study area, especiallyRead more
Natural hazards, while inherently linked to natural processes, are influenced by various factors that can amplify or mitigate their impacts. To understand how natural these hazards are, it’s crucial to analyze their onset, severity, controlling capacity, and the nature of the study area, especially in the context of disaster preparedness.
Onset:
– Sudden Onset: Earthquakes, tsunamis, and flash floods occur with little to no warning. These hazards are purely natural in their occurrence, though human activities such as mining or reservoir-induced seismicity can sometimes trigger them.
– Slow Onset: Droughts and sea-level rise develop over extended periods, often exacerbated by human activities like deforestation, groundwater depletion, and climate change. These slow-onset hazards provide more opportunities for preparedness and mitigation.
Severity:
– Natural Factors: The severity of natural hazards is influenced by natural variables such as topography, climate, and geological conditions. For instance, the severity of an earthquake is determined by the fault lines and geological characteristics of the region.
– Human Factors: Human activities can increase the severity of natural hazards. Urbanization in floodplains, poor land-use practices, and inadequate infrastructure can amplify the impacts of floods and landslides. Climate change, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, intensifies weather-related hazards.
Controlling Capacity:
– Human Intervention: Advances in technology and infrastructure development can control and mitigate the impacts of natural hazards. Early warning systems, flood defenses, and earthquake-resistant buildings are examples of how human intervention can reduce vulnerability and enhance preparedness.
– Natural Control: Ecosystems like wetlands, mangroves, and forests naturally mitigate the impacts of hazards by absorbing floodwaters, stabilizing shorelines, and reducing erosion. Preserving these natural barriers is crucial for disaster risk reduction.
Nature of the Study Area:
– Geographical Characteristics: The susceptibility to natural hazards is significantly influenced by the geographical characteristics of the area. Coastal areas are more prone to hurricanes and tsunamis, while mountainous regions are vulnerable to landslides and avalanches.
– Socioeconomic Factors: The capacity of a community to prepare for and respond to natural hazards is shaped by socioeconomic factors. Wealthier regions with better infrastructure, education, and governance are typically more resilient. In contrast, poorer areas often suffer more due to inadequate resources and preparedness measures.
Connection with Disaster Preparedness:
– Holistic Approach: Effective disaster preparedness requires a holistic understanding of both natural and human-induced factors that contribute to hazards. This includes scientific research to predict natural events, land-use planning to avoid high-risk areas, and community engagement to build resilience.
– Integrating Science and Policy: Combining scientific insights with policy measures can significantly enhance disaster preparedness. This involves not only monitoring natural processes but also addressing human behaviors that exacerbate risks. For instance, implementing strict building codes in earthquake-prone areas or managing water resources sustainably in drought-prone regions.
Conclusion:
See lessNatural hazards are influenced by a complex interplay of natural processes and human activities. Their onset, severity, and impacts can be significantly controlled through proactive measures, informed by a comprehensive understanding of the study area’s characteristics. Effective disaster preparedness hinges on integrating scientific knowledge, technological advances, and robust policy frameworks to mitigate risks and build resilient communities.