Be Mains Ready

Approach

• Briefly explain the “Zero Casualty Approach” for managing extreme events.
• Elaborate the steps taken in this regard by giving examples from recent events.
• Give Conclusion.

Introduction

India is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events due to monsoon characterised climatic conditions and presence of long coastlines. On its eastern coast, the Bay of Bengal is highly favourable for the formation of cyclones.

To minimise the loss of lives and properties from these extreme events such as cyclones and the resulting storm surges, India has adopted the zero casualty approach. Recently, UN office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) appreciated the success of this approach in tackling Cyclone Fani in Odisha.

Body

India’s zero casualty approach has been successful in managing extreme weather events due to

• Effective Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery system that are in consistence with the guidelines of Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction.
• Accuracy of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)’s Early Warning System in predicting accurate timing of cyclone formation and its landfall enables the state to be disaster ready and minimise loss of lives and properties.
  
  • During Cyclone Fani in Odisha, IMD’s early warning enabled the authorities to conduct a well-targeted evacuation plan that helped more than one million people to move into storm shelters safely.
• Disaster Resilient Relief Infrastructure such as cyclone shelters and Disaster Rapid Action Force, was set up to conduct rescue operation and distribution of relief. Effectiveness of these steps were seen during cyclone Phailin (2013), Hudhud (2014) and Fani (2019).
• Clear Communication Plans (Do and Don’ts)-Roughly 2.6m text messages were sent to locals in clear language before cyclone Fani hit, keeping those potentially affected alert.
• Effective Coordination among government agencies, local community groups and volunteer groups.
• Effective role of National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP): During cyclone Fani, installation of lightning arresters constructed under NCRMP and mounted over cyclone shelters helped in achieving “zero death” from lightning associated with the cyclone.

Conclusion

India has upgraded its disaster reduction capability according to the Sendai Framework For Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, that was adopted during the 3^rd UN World Conference for disaster risk reduction held in Sendai, Japan in 2015. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which is the apex body for disaster management in India, is effectively working towards Capacity Building Measures for better Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery during a natural or man-made disaster.

Still, to build a safer and disaster resilient India, it needs proactive approach of all the stakeholders. Alongwith government-initiated measures, local public participation is necessary. For this, effective and timely awareness programmes are needed. Also, advance technologies such as GIS, Artificial Intelligence and advanced weather forecasting systems must be incorporated for timely and effective predictions of extreme weather events.