ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 19 April. Click Here for more information.
ForumIAS Answer Writing Focus Group (AWFG) for Mains 2024 commencing from 24th June 2024. The Entrance Test for the program will be held on 28th April 2024 at 9 AM. To know more about the program visit: https://forumias.com/blog/awfg2024
Disaster and Disaster Management
News:
- Recent extreme weather event in North India has highlighted the need for better disaster management system.
Important facts:
- According to the UN Environment Programme, globally major dust producing region releases 1000-3000 teragrams of particles into the atmosphere. Sahara Desert contributes the highest with one-third of the total dust
- In India, presence of dust particles is 3 times higher than the global average due to the abundance of mineral dust
- Research points out that altered climatic patterns due to accumulation of dust particles affect the Himalayan glaciers
- Every year in pre-monsoon season, North Indian States experience storms carrying natural dust clouds from the Thar Desert and further west.
- However, some scientists have reported reduction in dust volumes in pre-monsoon season due to pattern of increased rainfall
- The recent storm was highly destructive as it combined hot western winds and moisture from the east. Extremely hot April temperature in parts of Pakistan added to the intensity of the storm.
- Problems with disaster management in India:
- Lack of coordination among various stakeholders which affects disaster preparedness
- Poor public infrastructure
- Measures to be taken:
- Develop accurate forecasting methods
- Strong public infrastructure
- Capacity development among administrators and personnel
- Protocols to mitigate impact and ensure rescue and rehabilitation
