UP PCS Mains-2025

Approach: Briefly define climate change and its link to disasters in India. State the impact of Climate Change on Disasters in India and measures to Address Challenges Conclude by Emphasizing on the need for a proactive and multi-pronged approach.

Introduction

India is the seventh most climate-vulnerable country in the world, with nine of its states among the top 50 most vulnerable regions globally. The country’s cities are at the forefront of the climate crisis with more than 80% of the urban population living in hazard-prone districts.

Extreme heat, unpredictable flooding, and more frequent storms are increasingly straining urban communities. Underprivileged communities face the brunt of these impacts as they have fewer resources to cope with emerging climate hazards.

Five out of six zones in India, i.e., South, North, North-East, West and Central have a low adaptive capacity to extreme hydro-met disasters. However, the Eastern Zone has a medium-range adaptive capacity to extreme hydro met disasters.

Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Bihar are highly vulnerable to extreme climate events such as floods, droughts and cyclones, according to the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI).

Unsustainable landscape, lack of infrastructure planning and human-induced microclimate change are the key drivers of this high vulnerability.

Body

Impact of Climate Change on Disasters in India

• Increased Frequency of Extreme Weather Events: Rising temperatures have amplified the intensity of cyclones, especially over the Arabian Sea. For example, Cyclone Tauktae (2021) and Cyclone Biparjoy (2023) caused extensive damage.
• Intensified Floods and Landslides: Erratic monsoon patterns, glacial melt, and cloudbursts have led to severe floods and landslides in states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Assam.
• Prolonged Droughts: Altered rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures have exacerbated drought conditions in central and southern India, affecting agriculture and water availability.
• Heatwaves: Climate change has intensified heatwaves, with prolonged high temperatures affecting public health, productivity, and energy demand.
• Coastal Vulnerabilities: Rising sea levels and storm surges threaten coastal cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, affecting millions of lives and critical infrastructure.

Strategies to Address Emerging Challenges

• Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Develop infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events, such as flood-resistant buildings and elevated roads.
• Early Warning Systems: Strengthen real-time weather monitoring and forecasting systems to provide timely alerts for disasters.
• Community-Based Adaptation: Empower local communities through education and capacity building for disaster preparedness and sustainable practices.
• Sustainable Urban Planning: Implement measures like green infrastructure, rainwater harvesting, and effective waste management in urban areas.
• Policy Integration: Integrate climate adaptation strategies into national policies like the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and state action plans.
• Afforestation and Ecosystem Restoration: Promote large-scale afforestation and protect ecosystems like mangroves to mitigate disaster risks.

Conclusion

India’s vulnerability to climate-induced disasters requires a multi-faceted approach combining technological innovation, policy integration, and community participation. Building resilience and prioritizing sustainability will be crucial in addressing these escalating challenges.