Growing Vulnerability to Extreme Weather Events in India
India has been facing increasing vulnerability to extreme weather events, including floods, landslides, cloudbursts, and mudslides. These events result in significant loss of lives, damages to infrastructure, and adverse impacts on ecology and public health.
Recent Trends and Statistics
- According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), intensified summer monsoons, increased heavy rainfall, more frequent floods, and prolonged heatwaves are projected for India.
- The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report shows extreme weather events occurred on 322 days in 2024, 318 days in 2023, and 314 days in 2022.
- In 2024, extreme weather events caused 3,472 fatalities, affected 4.07 million hectares of cropped land, and damaged 2.9 lakh houses.
Spatial Distribution and Impact
The spatial distribution of these events varies due to interactions between topography, atmospheric patterns, and climate drivers.
- Monsoon season witnessed catastrophic events like the Wayanad landslide and floods in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu.
- Severe floods occurred in Punjab, Bihar, and Assam; urban areas like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru faced waterlogging.
Challenges in Monitoring and Mitigation
- Inconsistent standards for reporting extreme weather events and fragmented information complicate assessment efforts.
- Limited weather monitoring stations and high-resolution satellite data hinder accurate disaster assessment.
Role of Modern Technologies
Remote Sensing (RS)
- RS involves acquiring information about Earth's surface via satellites, drones, or aircraft-based sensors, capturing data in various spectral bands.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- GIS organises, stores, interprets, and analyses spatial data, integrating historical data from satellites for tracking environmental changes.
RS and GIS together facilitate real-time locational intelligence crucial for monitoring efforts.
Technological Integration for Disaster Management
- Initiatives like Mission Mausam and the launch of the NISAR satellite enhance real-time data dissemination, aiding in disaster prediction and response.
Need for a Shift in Disaster Management Approach
India's policy response needs to move from reactive disaster response to proactive risk reduction and community resilience-building, aligning with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030).
Comprehensive Adaptation Plan
- Implementing a comprehensive and inclusive adaptation plan is essential to manage climate change impacts across all regions and sectors.
Integration of RS, GIS, and AI technologies can transform climate adaptation and disaster resilience planning.