What is the news? If timely measures to put in place a flood management system are not taken, Chennai could see a rerun of 2015 floods, says Tamil Nadu government. The state additional chief secretary had filed the report on the action taken by the government with regard to measures to prevent recurrence of flooding.… Continue reading Urbanisation to blame for Chennai’s flood woes, integrated system need of the hour: Report
Category: Disaster Management
UKIBC releases Doing Business in India Report 2020
News: UK India Business Council(UKIBC) has released the sixth edition of Doing Business in India Report 2020. Facts: About the report: The report is based on an in-depth survey of 106 UK organisations operating in India spanning manufacturing, services, and higher education sectors. Key Takeaways: Nearly two-thirds of the UK businesses believe it… Continue reading UKIBC releases Doing Business in India Report 2020
Hyderabad Floods
Source: The Hindu Context: Recent Hyderabad Flood has resulted in the death of over 20 people and a property loss estimated more than ₹6,000 crores. More on News: Devastating Floods in the past: In India: Chennai (December 2015), Kochi (August 2018), Mumbai July 2005 Around the world: Sydney (December 2018), New York (October 2019), Hurricane… Continue reading Hyderabad Floods
National Disaster Management (NDMA) Guidelines on Urban Flood Management
In 2010, NDMA had issued guidelines on Urban Flood Management in India Create a National Hydro-meteorological Network. The guidelines say that for providing early warning, the Central Water Commission (CWC) should maximize the real-time hydro-meteorological network to cover all urban centres to effectively deal with the problem of urban flooding Use of Doppler Weather Radarsto… Continue reading National Disaster Management (NDMA) Guidelines on Urban Flood Management
Google partners Central Water Commission for flood forecasting initiative
News: Mumbai will get the country’s second urban flood warning system for evaluation named IFLOWS-Mumbai. Facts: IFLOWS-Mumbai: It is an Integrated Flood Warning system to enhance the resilience of Mumbai by providing early warning for flooding specially during high rainfall events and cyclones. The system also has provisions to capture the urban drainage within the city… Continue reading Google partners Central Water Commission for flood forecasting initiative
CFLOWS-Chennai
Vice President has unveiled the Red Atlas Action Plan Map and Coastal Flood Warning System App(CFLOWS-Chennai). Facts: About Red Atlas Action Plan Map: The Atlas has been prepared by the Ministry of Earth Sciences to aid Tamil Nadu government in effective flood mitigation in Chennai. It was prepared with the help of India Meteorological Department… Continue reading CFLOWS-Chennai
Flood Warning System For Mumbai “IFLOWS-Mumbai”
IFLOWS-Mumbai: It is an Integrated Flood Warning system to enhance the resilience of Mumbai by providing early warning for flooding specially during high rainfall events and cyclones. The system also has provisions to capture the urban drainage within the city and predict the areas of flooding Developed by: Ministry of Earth Sciences using in-house expertise and… Continue reading Flood Warning System For Mumbai “IFLOWS-Mumbai”
Hyderabad urban flooding
Source- The Hindu Syllabus- GS 3- Disaster and disaster management. Context- Ineffective and unplanned hydra-geology of cities and town of India are more responsible for Hyderabad Urban Flooding than monsoon. What is urban flooding? Urban flooding is the inundation of land or property in a built environment, particularly in more densely populated areas, caused by rainfall overwhelming… Continue reading Hyderabad urban flooding
UNDRR releases Human Cost of Disasters 2000-2019 Report
News: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction(UNDRR) has released a report titled “The Human Cost of Disasters 2000-2019”. Facts: Key Highlights from the report: In the period 2000 to 2019, there were 7,348 major recorded disaster events claiming 1.23 million lives, affecting 4.2 billion people resulting in approximately US$2.97 trillion in global economic losses.… Continue reading UNDRR releases Human Cost of Disasters 2000-2019 Report
CAG audit- Improvement in disaster management
Syllabus – GS 2- Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures. Context- The Public Account Committee (PAC) directed the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to conduct a special audit into purchase of COVID-19 equipment. What are the directions… Continue reading CAG audit- Improvement in disaster management
Flood Warning System For Mumbai “IFLOWS-Mumbai”
News: Mumbai will get the country’s second urban flood warning system for evaluation named IFLOWS-Mumbai. Facts: IFLOWS-Mumbai: It is an Integrated Flood Warning system to enhance the resilience of Mumbai by providing early warning for flooding specially during high rainfall events and cyclones. The system also has provisions to capture the urban drainage within the… Continue reading Flood Warning System For Mumbai “IFLOWS-Mumbai”
NDMA issues guidelines for restarting manufacturing units
News:The National Disaster Management Authority(NDMA) has issued guidelines for restarting manufacturing and chemical industries after the lockdown period ends. Facts: Key Features of Guidelines: Test Run Period: The first week of restarting any machinery or chemical unit should be considered as the trial or test period and the industries should not try to achieve high… Continue reading NDMA issues guidelines for restarting manufacturing units
Explained: What are the safeguards against chemical disasters in India?
News:According to the National Disaster Management Authority(NDMA), over 130 significant chemical accidents have been reported in the country. Facts: Chemical Disaster:It is the unintentional release of one or more hazardous substances which could harm human health and the environment.The most dangerous chemical accident was 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy in which more than 3,000 people died… Continue reading Explained: What are the safeguards against chemical disasters in India?
Vizag gas leak: What is styrene gas?
News:Styrene gas leakage at a polymer plant in Visakhapatnam has killed several people and forced the evacuation of thousands of people. Facts: Styrene:It is an organic compound with the formula C8H8.It is a derivative of benzene and is colourless liquid that evaporates easily, Uses: It is the main raw material for synthesis of polystyrene which… Continue reading Vizag gas leak: What is styrene gas?
UK confirmed as first co-chair to India led Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
News:The United Kingdom will be co-chairing the India led CDRI (Global Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure). Facts: About CDRI: Launched by India at the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit in New York,US in 2019. It is an international knowledge and capacity development platform where countries can collaborate to make their existing and new infrastructure strong… Continue reading UK confirmed as first co-chair to India led Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
Explained: What is a notified disaster and how is the SDRF used
News:The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to treat COVID-19 as a notified disaster for the purpose of providing assistance under the State Disaster Response Fund(SDRF). Facts: About Disaster: Disaster is an extreme disruption of the functioning of a society that causes widespread human, material, or environmental losses that exceed the ability of the affected… Continue reading Explained: What is a notified disaster and how is the SDRF used
Conference on Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience(CDRR&R)
News:Union Minister of State for Home Affairs has presided over the session of the 1st ‘National Conference on Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience – 2020’. Facts: About the conference: Organized by the National Institute of Disaster Management(NIDM). Aim:To explore and debate the most recent advances in the discipline, to enhance the understanding of the… Continue reading Conference on Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience(CDRR&R)
Government launches Seismic Hazard Microzonation to minimize earthquake disasters
News:The Ministry of Earth Science has launched Seismic Hazard Microzonation project in major cities of India. Facts: Aim of the project:The project aims to reduce hazards of seismic activities by putting in adequate measures. About Seismic Hazard Microzonation: Seismic Hazard Microzonation is the process of identifying the earthquake prone areas based on its geological and… Continue reading Government launches Seismic Hazard Microzonation to minimize earthquake disasters
National Disaster Response Fund
News: Central government has released calamity relief of ₹5,908 crore to seven states from the National Disaster Relief Fund. Facts: About the National Disaster Response Fund It is a fund managed by the Central Government for meeting the expenses for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation due to any threatening disaster situation or disaster. Background National… Continue reading National Disaster Response Fund
1st International Conference on “Landslides Risk Reduction and Resilience-2019”
News: The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs inaugurated the 1st International Conference on “Landslides Risk Reduction and Resilience” in Delhi. The conference has been organised by the National Institute of Disaster Management. Facts: About the Conference: The conference has been organised by the National Institute of Disaster Management. The aim of the Conference… Continue reading 1st International Conference on “Landslides Risk Reduction and Resilience-2019”
NDRF to train unit to save heritage structures
News: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has decided to come up with a specialized unit in each battalion to help preserve monuments and other heritage structure in pre and post disaster scenarios. Facts: About National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) The NDRF is a specialised force constituted for the purpose of specialist response to a… Continue reading NDRF to train unit to save heritage structures
‘Red Atlas Map’ unveiled for flood mitigation in Chennai
News:Vice President has unveiled the Red Atlas Action Plan Map and Coastal Flood Warning System App(CFLOWS-Chennai). Facts: About Red Atlas Action Plan Map: The Atlas has been prepared by the Ministry of Earth Sciences to aid Tamil Nadu government in effective flood mitigation in Chennai. It was prepared with the help of India Meteorological Department… Continue reading ‘Red Atlas Map’ unveiled for flood mitigation in Chennai
36 million Indians face flood risk: study
News:According to a recent study,36 million people in India would face annual flooding by 2050 and 44 million by 2100 if emissions continue to rise. Facts: About the study: The study was conducted by the Climate Central study.It is a non-profit science and news organisation providing information to help the public and policymakers make sound… Continue reading 36 million Indians face flood risk: study
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
News: While speaking at the UN Secretary General’s Climate Action Summit in New York on September 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the launch of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) Facts: About Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure It is an international knowledge and capacity development platform where countries can collaborate to make… Continue reading Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
Monsoon Forecast in India
News: The Monsoon Mission Coupled Forecast Model, developed under the Monsoon Mission has failed to accurately forecast the excess rainfall in August-September 2019. Facts: Monsoon Forecast in India: The IMD issues operational forecast for the southwest monsoon seasonal (June to September) rainfall for the country as a whole in two stages. The first stage forecast… Continue reading Monsoon Forecast in India
National Crisis Management Committee(NCMC)
News:Cabinet Secretary has chaired a meeting of National Crisis Management Committee to review the prevailing flood situation in Bihar. Facts: About NCMC: Government of India had set up a Standing National Crisis Management Committee for effective implementation of relief measures in the wake of natural calamities. The committee is headed by Cabinet Secretary.It also includes… Continue reading National Crisis Management Committee(NCMC)
Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA)
News:The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) is organizing a National workshop on Post Disaster Needs Assessment(PDNA). Facts: About PDNA: Post-Disaster Needs Assessment(PDNA) is a government-led exercise to assess the full extent of a disaster’s impact. The tool was developed by the UN Development Group, the World Bank and the European Union as one of… Continue reading Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA)
Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS)
News:Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan(NYKS) in collaboration with National Disaster Response Force(NDRF) will train Disaster Response Teams(DRTs) of NYKS Youth Volunteers for Disaster Risk Reduction(DRR). Facts: Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan: Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan(NYKS) was set up in the year 1987-88 as an autonomous organization.It works under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. NYKS is… Continue reading Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS)
Cabinet approves Establishment of an International Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of International Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) along with its supporting Secretariat Office in New Delhi. The CDRI is proposed to be launched at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York, USA on 23rd September 2019. The CDRI will serve as a platform to generate and… Continue reading Cabinet approves Establishment of an International Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
From drones to social media, big data helps mitigate impact of complex disasters in Asia
According to the UNESCAP report,rising global temperatures have increased the frequency and intensity of floods,cyclones and droughts in the Asia pacific region. Since 1970,natural disasters in the Asia-Pacific region have killed two million people which is around 59% of the global death toll for that period. However,technological innovations have helped in reducing some of that… Continue reading From drones to social media, big data helps mitigate impact of complex disasters in Asia
Dam Safety Bill runs into Opposition criticism
Opposition parties have criticised the Dam Safety Bill, 2019. They have opined that the bill would undermine the powers of State governments since Water is a State subject. The Dam Safety Bill aims to put uniform safety measures for dams across India. The Bill provides for the constitution of a National Committee on Dam Safety.… Continue reading Dam Safety Bill runs into Opposition criticism
Dam Safety Bill gets nod from CCEA
Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has cleared the Dam Safety Bill, 2019 The bill aims to put in place a systematic procedure to ensure that dams in India are made and maintained safely. The Bill provides for the constitution of a National Committee on Dam Safety. Functions of the Committee include: a) formulating… Continue reading Dam Safety Bill gets nod from CCEA
Odisha comes up with a flood atlas, aided by satellite imagery
Odisha Chief Minister has released a unique flood hazard atlas which is expected to help the State manage floods more efficiently. The flood hazard atlas system takes into account the flood inundation data captured through satellite imagery over the period from 2001 to 2018. The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of the Indian Space Research… Continue reading Odisha comes up with a flood atlas, aided by satellite imagery
Cyclone Vayu to be very severe: IMD
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has classified Cyclone Vayu as a “very severe” Cyclonic storm and predicted wind speeds of up to 175 km per hour when it makes landfall on the Saurashtra coast, Gujarat. The IMD ranks cyclones on a 5-point scale- a) Cyclonic storm, b) Severe cyclonic storm, c) Very severe cyclonic storm,… Continue reading Cyclone Vayu to be very severe: IMD
Water experts warn of ‘desertification’ of Marathwada
Economists and water experts have warned of “desertification” in the water scarce Marathwada region of Maharashtra. They have further said that the water crisis in the region is a policy induced failure. According to experts, though rainfall in Marathwada is below normal, it is enough to meet the basic drinking water and household needs of… Continue reading Water experts warn of ‘desertification’ of Marathwada
Heat waves to intensify in India from next year: Study
According to a recent study titled “Future Projections of Heat Waves over India from CMIP5 Models”, frequency of heat waves and their duration in India might increase from early 2020. The study has been conducted by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). It has been published in the journal Climate Dynamics. The study examined nine… Continue reading Heat waves to intensify in India from next year: Study
India to co-chair Consultative Group (CG) of Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR)
India has been selected as co-chair of the Consultative Group (CG) of Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery(GFDRR) for the fiscal year 2020.This is the first time that India will be co-chairing the CG meeting of GFDRR. This decision was taken during the meeting of GFDRR held in Geneva, Switzerland on the margins of… Continue reading India to co-chair Consultative Group (CG) of Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR)
Odisha set to introspect post-disaster communication
The post-disaster communication in Odisha had failed after extremely severe cyclone Fani struck the state. State disaster managers have decided to introspect how post-disaster communication failed for the first time since Super Cyclone in 1999. Communication during and immediately after a disaster situation is an important component of response and recovery. It connects affected people,… Continue reading Odisha set to introspect post-disaster communication
New protocols for managing disasters
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has updated standard operating procedures (SOP) and adopted new protocols for disaster management in the State. The updated SOP is known as ‘Orange book of disaster management — Kerala — SOP and emergency support functions plan. It was previously known as the ‘Handbook on disaster management — Volume… Continue reading New protocols for managing disasters
Road accidents still cause most deaths: WHO report
World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Global Status report on Road Safety has stated that road accidents are the leading cause of death among people in the 5-29 age-group worldwide. According to the report, more than 1.35 million lives are lost each year and 50 million sustain injuries due to road accidents.The report has been released during… Continue reading Road accidents still cause most deaths: WHO report
A helping hand in the time of natural calamities
The Ganjam District Disaster Response Forum (GDRF) has been a major relief force during natural calamities, like the recent cyclone Fani, in the Ganjam district of Odisha. GDRF is a joint front of 47 NGOs. The forum assists the administration in making vulnerable and areas in the district disaster resilient. It also helps in carrying… Continue reading A helping hand in the time of natural calamities
Cyclone Fani: Odisha evacuates over 11 lakh
The Odisha government has evacuated over 11 lakh people from low-lying areas in 15 districts as extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani expected to cross the Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali In an ‘extremely severe cyclonic storm’, the wind speed goes up to 170-180 kmph and could touch 195 kmph. The India Meteorological Department said… Continue reading Cyclone Fani: Odisha evacuates over 11 lakh
‘Consent letters of miners’ families filed in SC’
The Meghalaya government has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that the families of the victims, who were trapped inside a rat hole mine in December 2018 and are still untraced, have consented to call off search operations. 16 miners had gone missing in an illegal rat hole mine located at Ksan near… Continue reading ‘Consent letters of miners’ families filed in SC’
Cyclone Fani: INCOIS warns of damage along east coast
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has warned that Cyclone Fani would likely damage to locations even far away along the east coast due to sustained high winds, storm surges and swell waves. INCOIS’s Ocean State Forecast Operations Centre has issued warnings along the east coast – Odisha, West Bengal and Srikakulam,… Continue reading Cyclone Fani: INCOIS warns of damage along east coast
Fani is India’s strongest April cyclone in 43 years, say meteorologists
According to records from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclonic storm Fani is the first severe, cyclonic storm to have formed in April in India’s oceanic neighbourhood since 1976. Severe cyclones generate maximum wind speeds of 89-117 kmph. They generally are concentrated in November, after the monsoon or around May, when the monsoon prepares to… Continue reading Fani is India’s strongest April cyclone in 43 years, say meteorologists
Cyclone Fani gathers force, to hit Odisha
The India Meteorological Department has said that Cyclone ‘Fani’ has intensified into a ‘severe cyclonic storm’ and is headed towards the Odisha coast. Further, it could also develop into ‘extremely severe cyclone’. In an ‘extremely severe cyclonic storm’, the wind speed goes up to 170-180 kmph and could touch 195 kmph. This has prompted the… Continue reading Cyclone Fani gathers force, to hit Odisha
Cyclone Fani won’t hit State’s coast, says IMD
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that Cyclone Fani is unlikely to hit Tamil Nadu’s northern coast. It is likely to curve in the north-east direction towards Bangladesh or Myanmar. IMD has that the cyclone would likely intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during the next 12 hours and into a Very Severe Cyclonic… Continue reading Cyclone Fani won’t hit State’s coast, says IMD
Average rainfall hides weather extremes: report
A report titled ‘The Face of Disasters 2019’, published by Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) has noted that IMD’s normal monsoon prediction gives only a myopic view. It does not give insights on extremes of floods and droughts across India. Recently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said monsoon rains are expected to… Continue reading Average rainfall hides weather extremes: report
Rain, thunderstorm leave over 50 dead in four States
Heavy rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm and lightning has killed more than 50 people across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. The government has approved Rs. 2 lakh PM’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the unseasonal rain in different states. In 1948, Prime Minister’s National Relief… Continue reading Rain, thunderstorm leave over 50 dead in four States
Sunstroke cases on the rise in Andhra Pradesh
There has been a high number of sunstroke/heatstroke cases in Andhra Pradesh which is reeling under heat wave conditions. A heat wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures-more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the summer season. Heat wave is considered if maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or… Continue reading Sunstroke cases on the rise in Andhra Pradesh
