UPSC Mains 2015 · GS IV · Q12 · 20 marks · 200 words · Case study

There is a disaster-prone State having frequent landslides, forest fires, cloudbursts, flash floods and earthquakes, etc. Some of these are seasonal and often unpredictable. The magnitude of the disaster is always unanticipated. During one of the seasons, a cloudburst caused devastating floods and landslides leading to high casualties. There was major damage to infrastructure like roads, bridges and power generating units. This led to more than 100000 pilgrims, tourists and other locals trapped across different routes and locations. The people trapped in your area of responsibility included senior citizens, patients in hospitals, women and children, hikers, tourists, ruling party’s regional president along with his family, additional chief secretary of the neighbouring State and prisoners in jail.

As a civil services officer of the State, what would be the order in which you would rescue these people and why? Give justifications.

हिन्दी में

एक आपदा-प्रवण राज्य है, जिसमें अक्सर भूस्खलन, दावानल, मेघ विस्फोट, आकस्मिक बाढ़ और भूकंप आदि आते रहते हैं। इनमें से कुछ मौसमी हैं और अक्सर अननुमेय हैं। आपदा का परिमाण हमेशा अप्रत्याशित होता है। एक मौसम के दौरान, एक मेघ विस्फोट के कारण विनाशकारी बाढ़ और भूस्खलन हुए जिनसे अत्यधिक दुर्घटनाएँ हुईं। सड़कों, पुलों और विद्युत् उत्पादी यूनिटों जैसी बुनियादी संरचना को बृहत् क्षति पहुँची। इसके फलस्वरूप 100000 से ज्यादा तीर्थयात्री, पर्यटक और अन्य स्थानीय निवासी विभिन्न मार्गों और स्थानों पर फँस गए। जिम्मेदारी के आपके क्षेत्र में फँसे हुए लोगों में वरिष्ठ नागरिक, अस्पतालों में मरीज, महिलाएँ और बच्चे, पदयात्री, पर्यटक, शासक पार्टी के प्रादेशिक अध्यक्ष अपने परिवार सहित, पड़ोसी राज्य के अतिरिक्त मुख्य सचिव और जेल में कैदी शामिल थे।

राज्य के एक सिविल सेवा अधिकारी के तौर पर आपका आदेश क्या होगा जिसमें आप इन लोगों को बचाएँगे और क्यों? अपने उत्तर के पक्ष में तर्क दीजिए।

Crisis Decision Making Impartiality and Objectivity Empathy and Compassion

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Sunil has been posted as a DM in a hilly district which is vulnerable to several natural disasters. The district is known for a pilgrimage site and is frequently visited by tourists from all over India. The major occupation of locals therefore lies in the hospitality business. Unfortunately, after a few days of his joining, the district faced a major earthquake. It has led to high casualties and damages to the essential infrastructure such as roads and bridges. Both locals and tourists are trapped at different routes and locations. An international convoy of dignitaries from a neighboring country which has come to pay their obeisance at the pilgrimage site, is also trapped due to the disaster. Because of this, Sunil has to divert most of the available resources in the rescue operation of the foreign dignitaries. People are emotionally distressed due to the disaster, and delayed response from authorities to their needs has led to a law-and-order situation in the district. People from other states whose families are trapped and need immediate assistance are also getting restless and flooding the emergency helplines with complaints and requests. (a) Discuss the issues being faced by Sunil in the given scenario. (b) Mention a course of action that Sunil must take to maintain law-and-order as well as to expediate rescue operations of all concerned.”

Waseem Ahmad BhatAIR 7 · CSE 2022 · 294 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

The above case relates to issues usually faced in Himalayan districts of pilgrimage like Kedarnath etc.

Body · points

Diagram

Media -- Stakeholders -- Local public | Central & State government -- Stakeholders -- Tourists (other states) | Me (as DM) -- Stakeholders -- Foreign dignitaries

(a) Issues faced by Sunil

Loss of lives and public infrastructure due to earthquake (e.g.: Roads, etc)
Stranding of foreign tourists, local tourists and dignitaries.
lack of State capacity to reach all of them by the same time.
Emotionally charged atmosphere → locals angered, calls on emergency. May lead to public disorder.

⊙ Lack of sufficient understanding of the district working because only few days have been there.

⊙ Due to religious site, sentiments may be hurt.

⊙ Livelihood of local people (Hospitality sector) is hampered.

(b) Course of action

As a DM of the district, my duty would be to ensure rescue of all the stranded in less time along with restoration of infrastructure and maintenance of law and order. I will take the following steps :

⊙ Call for help from my neighbouring districts and state government (SDRF)

⊙ Meanwhile I will send my disaster team to rescue foreign dignitaries who need to be rescued fast (Diplomatic necessity)

⊙ I will myself coordinate the operations and with local NGOs help, reach out to the other stranded tourists

⊙ As soon as SDRF/NDRF is available, all the others would be rescued.

⊙ Infrastructure will be cleared & rebuilt in fast time.

⊙ I will ensure all emergency calls are attended (as may save lives)

⊙ I will use media (TV, Radio etc) to reach to all people.

↳ Ask them to stay calm and wait for rescue.

⊙ Food, medical facilities (camps) will be setup to ensure no hunger & ensure hygiene.

This way disasters need holistic outlook along with dynamic humanism to be tackled. Further, Selfless service is required in such times.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2015, General Studies Paper IV, Q12. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.