About The Kallakkadal
Context: Recent high sea waves, commonly referred to as swell waves or Kallakkadal in Malayalam, have caused extensive flooding in coastal areas of Kerala. Hundreds of houses in regions like Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram districts have been affected by these swell surges. The flooding highlights the vulnerability of Kerala’s coastal communities to natural events and […]
Floods and a ‘Preventive Measure’ that Needs Review
Context: Many days have passed since Cyclone Michuang swept through, yet the residents of Chennai continue to grapple with the repercussions of a series of decisions made for them or on their behalf by a multitude of individuals. It is imperative to scrutinize these decisions as they have yielded various consequences, some readily apparent while others remain […]
India’s Preparedness is Exemplary
Context: Cyclone Michaung struck Southern India, specifically Andhra Pradesh near Bapatla, on December 4, 2023, with winds reaching 100 kmph. Before making landfall, intense rainfall led to destructive flooding in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, resulting in at least nine fatalities. Relevance: Mains Question: From Tsunami of 2004 to the recent Cyclone Biparjoy, India has made remarkable progress […]
Emergency Alert Systems in India
Context: A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on November 3, 2023, accompanied by aftershocks, revealing notable deficiencies in emergency alert systems in and around Delhi. Relevance: GS III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: Emergency Alert Systems in India Google’s Android Earthquake Early Warning System Cell Broadcast Alert System (CBAS) Ministry of Earth Science’s National Centre […]
Interconnected Disaster Risks Report 2023
Context: Recently, the release of the Interconnected Disaster Risks Report 2023 has thrust the world’s interdependence into the spotlight, warning of impending global tipping points and underlining the critical need for immediate action to prevent potential catastrophic consequences. Relevance: GS III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: Major Findings of the Interconnected Disaster Risks Report 2023 About the Report Risk […]
Temple Crisis In Uttarakhand
Context: The year commenced with a disastrous event, as reports surfaced about the temple town of Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district facing a crisis. The town was said to be ‘sinking,’ and signs of structural damage appeared on both residential and commercial buildings. This led to a humanitarian emergency, with people evacuating and seeking shelter in tents […]
Himachal Pradesh Appeals for National Disaster Declaration Following Monsoon Devastation
Context: Himachal Pradesh has urgently appealed to the Indian Prime Minister for the declaration of the extensive damage caused by heavy rains in the state as a National Disaster. The region has incurred losses amounting to Rs 10,000 crore, and there have been unfortunate casualties with around 418 people losing their lives in rain-related incidents […]
About A Morocco Earthquake
Context: A significant seismic event (magnitude 6.8) occurred in Morocco, impacting regions that encompassed the Atlas Mountains and the renowned city of Marrakech. Earthquakes are infrequent in North Africa, and this particular one was characterized as the most powerful ever documented in the mountainous area. Relevance: Dimensions of the article: Location of Morocco: Morocco is […]
Before The Waters Rise
Context: Intense rainfall and flooding have been documented across various north Indian states in recent months, shedding light on a concerning situation. Although India has established a robust early warning system (EWS) for cyclones, there are significant deficiencies in our capacity to issue flood alerts. As we confront the rising challenges of climate extremes, EWS […]
National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)
Context: The Central Government recently approved the release of Rs 200 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund as advance assistance to Himachal Pradesh. Relevance: GS III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) Definition and Purpose: Funding and Management: Eligibility Criteria: Claiming Assistance: Decision Authority: Sources of Financing: Significance: National […]