Lok Sabha Passes Bill to Amend the Disaster Management Act of 2005
Background: The Disaster Management Act of 2005 established a comprehensive legal framework for disaster management in India. Relevance: GS 3( Disaster Management) Bill Approval: Purpose of the Bill: Addressing State Concerns: Criticism from the Opposition: Amendments Rejected:
Enhanced Disaster Monitoring in Wayanad with X-band Radar Installation
Context: Following catastrophic floods and landslides that resulted in over 200 fatalities in Kerala’s Wayanad district in July 2024, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has approved the installation of an X-band radar in the district. This decision was prompted by a severe landslide above Punchirimattom, near the Mundakkai region, where a torrential downpour led […]
Over 85% of Indian Districts Face Severe Climate Risks
Context: More than 85% of districts in India are exposed to extreme climate events such as floods, droughts and cyclones, according to a new study. Relevance: GS III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: Overview of India’s Climate Crisis Intensifying Climate Disruptions Evolving Climate Risk Profile Emerging Patterns of Climate Variability Enhancing Resilience through Advanced […]
Debate Over Proposed Changes to India’s Disaster Management Framework
Context: The central government has recently introduced the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha. This bill seeks to revise the existing Disaster Management Act of 2005. The amendments proposed by the bill have ignited a debate concerning the growing centralization of disaster management processes in India. Critics argue that these changes may […]
Landslide in Wayanad
Context: At least 144 persons were killed and 197 injured after multiple landslides flattened some three villages in Vythiri taluk of the hilly Wayanad district of Kerala early on July 30. Relevance: GS III- Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: Landslide in Wayanad: Key Details and Causes Incident Overview Causes of the Wayanad Landslide Environmental […]
Tragic Stampede in Hathras District Highlights Need for Improved Safety
Context: Recently, a tragic stampede in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district claimed over 100 lives. This devastating incident adds to a long list of similar tragedies that have occurred during religious gatherings and festivals across India over the past two decades. These events underscore the ongoing challenges of managing large crowds in confined spaces and highlight […]
Classifying a Prolonged Summer as a Natural Disaster
Context: Northern India has been enduring the longest series of heatwaves in the past 15 years. In some states, daytime temperatures have consistently exceeded 45°C, while in relatively cooler states, temperatures have been 3°-6°C higher than usual for this time of year. Night temperatures have also remained 3°-6°C above normal, due to the near-absence of moisture and […]
About Notified Disasters
Context: The ongoing spell of extreme heat in many parts of the country has once again reopened discussions on the inclusion of heatwaves as one of the notified disasters under the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005. Relevance: GS III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: About Notified Disasters: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Disaster Management […]
Cyclone Remal Triggers Fatal Incidents and Landslides in Northeast India
Context: Cyclone Remal recently struck the West Bengal coastline, leading to the deaths of six people in related incidents. In the Northeast, heavy rainfall caused by the cyclone triggered landslides in Meghalaya, Mizoram, Assam, and Nagaland, resulting in at least 30 fatalities. The entire region, including Sikkim and northern West Bengal, is prone to landslides. […]
The Threat of Building Fires
Context: The catastrophic fires at a gaming center in Rajkot, Gujarat, and a newborn nursing clinic in Delhi, occurring within 24 hours of each other and resulting in over 30 fatalities, highlight a persistent issue in India: widespread negligence regarding building fire safety by various stakeholders, including builders, owners, and regulatory authorities. Relevance: Mains Question: […]