Mains Marathon

• Provide a brief background on the issue of cyclones in India, and their frequency, intensity, and impact.
• Elaborate on the contrast between India’s reactive emergency response system and its lack of a cyclone resilient environment.
• Conclude suitably

Answer:

Cyclones are large-scale air masses characterized by low atmospheric pressure at their center, creating a violent whirl in the atmosphere that moves from the ocean towards the coasts.

• India, with its extensive coastline of about 7,500 km, faces the challenge of cyclones, which can cause significant destruction to life, property, and infrastructure. India is one of the most vulnerable countries to tropical cyclones in the world, as it receives about 10% of the global share of cyclones.

Cyclones are becoming more frequent and intense due to global climate change, as warmer sea surface temperatures provide more energy and moisture for cyclone formation and intensification.

India’s Reactive emergency response system:

India has developed a robust and effective system for cyclone preparedness and response, which has saved many lives and reduced casualties. The system involves various components such as:

• Early warning and forecasting: India has a network of satellites, radars, buoys, and other instruments that monitor and track cyclone activity and provide timely alerts and updates to authorities and the public.
  • The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is responsible for issuing cyclone warnings and advisories based on scientific criteria and international standards.
• Evacuation and relief and Shelter Infrastructure: India has a well-trained and equipped disaster management force that coordinates with state and local authorities to evacuate people from vulnerable areas and provide relief and assistance to affected communities.
  • The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is the specialized agency for disaster response, which works with other forces.
  • NDRF evacuated over 37,000 people due to Cyclone Biparjoy with only 3 fatalities.
• Communication and awareness: India has a comprehensive communication system that disseminates cyclone information and instructions to various stakeholders and media platforms. The system uses multiple channels such as radio, television, mobile phones, social media, etc. to reach out to people in different languages and formats.

Lack of cyclone resilient environment:

Despite having a strong reactive emergency response system, India lacks a cyclone resilient environment that can prevent or minimize the damage caused by cyclones. A cyclone resilient environment refers to the physical, social, economic, and institutional aspects that enhance the capacity of a system to withstand, adapt to, and recover from cyclone shocks. Some of the gaps in India’s cyclone resilience are:

• Physical resilience: India’s coastal infrastructure such as buildings, roads, bridges, ports, power lines, etc. are often not designed or maintained to withstand high wind speeds and storm surges caused by cyclones. This leads to widespread damage and disruption of essential services during and after cyclones. Moreover, India’s coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs, wetlands, etc. are degraded or destroyed due to human activities such as deforestation, pollution, overexploitation, etc. These ecosystems act as natural barriers that reduce the impact of cyclones by absorbing wave energy and preventing erosion.
  • Visakhapatnam airport was almost submerged by the rain caused by Cyclone Gulab in 2021.
• Social resilience: India’s coastal population is highly vulnerable to cyclone hazards due to factors such as poverty, inequality, illiteracy, lack of access to basic amenities, health care, social security, etc. These factors limit their ability to cope with or recover from cyclone shocks and increase their exposure to risks.
• Economic resilience: India’s coastal economy is highly dependent on sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, industry, etc. that are sensitive to cyclone impacts. Cyclones can cause huge losses to these sectors by damaging crops, livestock, boats, equipment, infrastructure, etc. This affects the livelihoods and incomes of millions of people who depend on these sectors for their survival. Moreover, cyclones also hamper the growth and development of these sectors by disrupting supply chains, markets, investments, etc.

India's robust reactive emergency response system during cyclones is undoubtedly commendable and has saved countless lives. However, the lack of a cyclone resilient environment remains a critical challenge. To address this issue, there is a need for enhanced infrastructure planning, investment in ecosystem conservation, proactive community participation, and awareness programs. By combining the strengths of a reactive emergency response system with a comprehensive approach to resilience-building, India can effectively tackle the increasing frequency and intensity of cyclones, ensuring the safety and well-being of its coastal communities.