Disaster Management
Natural Disasters
Natural Disasters represent severe, sudden events caused by natural processes of the Earth, leading to widespread loss of life, property damage, and significant disruption to economic and social systems. Unlike man
21 articles in this topic
Articles on Natural Disasters
India Loses 0.4% of its GDP Every Year to Natural Disasters: Report
Context The Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India: Enhancing Disaster Risk Financing report 2025 was released recently. About It is a regular publication on Asia’s regional economic growth and development processes. Releasing Body: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
India’s Updated Seismic Zonation Map (2025)
In News India has released an updated seismic zonation map under the new Earthquake Design Code (2025). Need For Upgradation Earlier Maps Underestimated Himalayan Risk: Previous zonation divided the Himalaya into Zones IV and V, despite the belt sharing one of the world’s most active tectonic systems. Outdated Methodology: Older models relied heavily on known past earthquake locations, magnitudes, broad geology, soil types historical damage patterns.
River Bank Erosion
Context The Brahmaputra, Teesta, and Dharla rivers have become unpredictable, eroding land faster than ever before. About Riverbank Erosion Riverbank erosion is the wearing away of the banks of a river due to the continuous action of flowing water. It is a natural geomorphological process but can be accelerated by human activities or environmental changes.
Land Subsidence Threat in India’s Megacities
Context A recent study titled “Building Damage Risk in Sinking Indian Megacities” has revealed that approximately 878 km² of land across five major Indian cities—Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru—is subsiding. What is Land Subsidence? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Land subsidence refers to the gradual sinking, lowering, or collapse of the Earth’s surface due to the removal or loss of subsurface materials, such as soil, groundwater, or miner
Cyclone Montha
Context Severe cyclonic storm Montha created destruction in Andhra Pradesh. What are Cyclones? The word Cyclone is derived from the Greek word Cyclos meaning the coils of a snake.
The UN’s Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Initiative
In News The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) at its Extraordinary Congress in Geneva, rallied its 193 Member States to commit to universal early warning coverage by 2027 under the UN’s Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative. UN’s Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Initiative The UN-backed EW4All initiative was launched in 2022 by Secretary-General António Guterres, co-led by WMO, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the I
Strengthening and Safeguarding Dams in India
Context Recently, the Supreme Court of India issued notices to various stakeholders calling for urgent directions to reinforce the aging structure of the 130-year-old Mullaperiyar dam. Mullaperiyar Dam It is a gravity dam built on the Periyar River in the Idukki district of Kerala that was constructed between 1887 and 1895. The dam is operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu, under a 999-year lease agreement signed in 1886 between the Maharaja of Travancore and the British government.
Rampant Development, Not Climate, Pushing Himalayas to the Edge
Recent disasters across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu Kashmir suggest that the real accelerant is man-made disruption, while global warming certainly exacerbates environmental stress.
Earthquake in Afghanistan
Context The recent earthquake in Afghanistan, with a 6.0 magnitude, resulted in over 800 deaths and 2,000 injuries due to shallow depth and poor building structures. What is an Earthquake? An earthquake is the shaking of the ground caused by movement beneath the earths surface when two blocks slip past each other along a fault.
Cloudburst Triggers Flash Floods in Dharali, Uttarakhand
In News A cloudburst over the Kheer Ganga River (a tributary of Alaknanda River) led to flash floods in the high altitude villages of Dharali in Uttarakhands Uttarkashi district. What is Cloudburst? A cloudburst is a localized, extremely intense rainfall event where more than 100 mm of rain falls within an hour over a small area (typically about 10 km²).
Impact of Flash Floods in India
Context A new study by researchers at IIT Gandhinagar has warned that flash floods are becoming more frequent and severe across India. What Are Flash Floods? Flash floods are sudden, intense floods that occur within six hours of a heavy rainfall event, usually in regions with steep slopes, poor drainage, or saturated/dry soil.
India’s preparation against Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) events
In News Recently ,Nepal faced a severe Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) on July 8, causing flash floods along the Lende river, destroying a China-built bridge and disabling hydro plants that supplied 8% of Nepal’s power. What is Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)? It is the sudden, catastrophic release of water from a glacier-formed lake, often dammed by ice, debris, or bedrock.
Assessment of Earthquake for GNIP
Context The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study carried out for the Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project (GNIP) downplays the risk of future earthquakes that could trigger tsunamis on the scale that was seen in 2004. About The GNIP envisages a trans-shipment port, an international airport, township development, and a 450 Megavolt-Amperes (MVA) gas and solar-based power plant in the GNI. It was accorded an environment and preliminary forest clearance by the Centre.
Himachal Flash Floods
In News Heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh over the past 24 hours triggered cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides, resulting in five deaths and one injury. What is a flash flood? It is a sudden surge of water in a stream or low-lying urban area, typically developing within six hours of heavy rainfall.
Tech Platforms for Better Disaster Management
In News Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched three major technology platforms to improve the speed and precision of disaster management. About Platforms The Integrated Control Room for Emergency Response (ICR-ER), National Database for Emergency Management Lite 2.0 (NDEM Lite 2.0), and the Flood Hazard Zonation Atlas of Assam. These tools aim to improve real-time disaster response, coordination, and flood preparedness using satellite data and digital mapping.
Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad
Context The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated a formal investigation into the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. About An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into a college hostel in Ahmedabad, causing more than 200 casualties. The two black boxes will help in revealing what triggered the tragic crash of the Air India plane.
International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2025
In News The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2025. International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2025 It brings together governments, organizations, institutions, the media, and infrastructure stakeholders to strengthen the global discourse on disaster and climate-resilient infrastructure. It is being hosted in Europe for the very first time.
Stampede In Bengaluru
In Context A tragic stampede outside Bengalurus M. Chinnaswamy Stadium resulted in the loss of several lives and significant damage to property. About Stampede A stampede is a sudden, uncontrolled rush of people, typically caused by panic, excitement, or fear, leading to trampling and crushing injuries or deaths.
Urban Flooding
Context Bengaluru rain has led to widespread waterlogging, severe damages and traffic disruptions. Types of Floods Flash floods are caused by rapid and excessive rainfall that raises water heights quickly, and rivers, streams, channels or roads may be overtaken. River floods are caused when consistent rain or snow melt forces a river to exceed capacity.
Over 160 Killed by Lightning in March-April 2025
Context Around 162 people were killed by lightning strikes across 12 Indian states between March 2025 and mid-April 2025. What is Lightning? Lightning is an electrical discharge between charged particles in a cloud and the ground.