| Introduction: Describe the causes leading to heavy rain. Body: What is its impact on socio-economic factors and how can India be prepared to mitigate these impacts? Conclusion: Way forward |
Recently, North India witnesses heavy rains causing flash floods which led to the destruction of property, infrastructure, and communication networks. Such intense downpours in the region and the Himalayas can be caused by three main sources. First, a strong monsoon is active and carries moisture from the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal into the area. Secondly, there is a significant atmospheric forcing on a huge scale that manifests as outflows in the upper atmosphere that move through mid-latitude troughs and go eastward. Third, the Himalayan mountains’ steep terrain paired with orographic uplift causes deep convection.
What is the impact of such heavy rain on the socio-economic fabric of the region?
- Loss of life: Heavy rain and resulting floods can cause the displacement of people from their homes. It often results in the loss of life and poses significant challenges for governments in providing relief and rehabilitation.
- Infrastructure: Heavy rainfall can cause significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, buildings, and public utilities leading to the disruption of transportation networks, communication systems, and power supply which affects the daily lives of people but also hampers trade, commerce, and industrial activities, leading to economic losses.
- Agriculture: Heavy rain and flash floods adversely affect agriculture as it leads to crop damage, soil erosion, and waterlogging.
- Public Health: Heavy rain is responsible for the outbreak of waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea. This puts strain on public resources, reduces the disposable income of citizens, and has long-term socio-economic effects.
How can India prepare better to mitigate these impacts?
- Early warning system: It can alert people about the weather update, giving real-time information about possible flash floods.
- Monitoring of rainfall/river level patterns: The use of Doppler weather radar (DWR) and a high-resolution numerical weather prediction model can help monitor and forecast data.
- Mapping of various factors: Flood risk mapping should take into account factors such as topography, historical flood data, and hydrological modeling to assess vulnerability.
- Planned Infrastructure: Improved and climate-resilient infrastructure like drainage systems, channels & proper implementation of land use planning, and zoning regulations can help prevent waterlogging.
- Conservation of the ecosystem: Conservation of forests and wetlands acts as a natural buffer, absorbing rainfall and reducing runoff which reduces the intensity of flash floods.
Conclusion:
The focus of the government should be to help citizens on issues ranging from providing first aid, arranging evacuation, and providing information regarding the latest weather information. These proactive efforts would go a long way in providing relief to the affected people.
