Mudit Foujdar214 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
IMD (Indian Meteorological Department) defines a Cloudburst as rainfall exceeding 4 inches within 1 hour. It is an extreme weather event leading to micro-flooding of a region leading to huge loss of life & property. Eg. Cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand (Chamoli)
Body · points and prose
- Reasons for high vulnerability of Mountainous Regions:
- Rapid Condensation facilitated by lifting up of air along the slope.
- Water moves into the valley → not dispersed.
- Houses & structures of temporary nature → not as stable.
- Lack of medical, quick evacuation facilities.
WAYS TO MITIGATE ITS ILL-EFFECTS
- Capacity building of locals, administration.
- Devising SOPs & Early Warning Systems (through SMS, WhatsApp).
- Monitoring of vulnerable areas through satellite imagery, weather balloons.
- Accessing footage from drones. Can be operated remotely.
- Comprehensive Risk Assessment through geospatial data.
- Developing mathematical models using AI & Big Data - to predict such events in advance.
- Construction of helipads for evacuation & relief.
- Stationing NDRF teams near vulnerable locations.
- Using border armed forces personnel -> have knowledge of terrain.
- Sustainable development in hilly areas & use of traditional knowledge. Eg. Houses on stilts less affected.
Close · a framework
A comprehensive approach as espoused by 2nd ARC report on Crisis Management & Sendai Framework should be employed.
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