Q. Bihar continues to experience natural disasters like floods and drought on a regular basis. What role can science and technology play in disaster forecastings and management? Explain your answer with practical examples. [65th BPSC-2020]
Ans:
Bihar faces multiple natural disasters for example, floods, droughts, earthquakes, cyclones, heat waves, cold waves, landslides etc. Historically, apart from almost annual occurrence of flood in northern Bihar and drought in southern Bihar, some of the prominent examples of disasters in Bihar includes earthquake of 1934, flood of 2008 (when Kosi changed it’s course for the first time since the 1950s), drought of 1966-67 etc. ©crackingcivilservices.com
Bihar experiences natural disasters like floods and drought on a regular basis:
- Floods:
- The south-west monsoon brings the maximum rainfall in the state, lasting from June to September, and often causes flood-like situation, especially in the northern districts.
- Bihar is India’s most flood-prone state, with 76% population in the North Bihar living under the recurring threat of flood devastation.
- Bihar makes up 16.5% of India’s flood affected area and 22.1% of India’s flood affected population.
- About 73.06% of Bihar’s geographical area, ie 68,800 square kilometres (26,600 sq mi) out of 94,160 square kilometres (36,360 sq mi), is flood affected.
- On an annual basis, they destroy thousands of human lives apart from livestock and assets worth millions.
- North Bihar districts are vulnerable to at least five major flood-causing rivers during monsoon – Mahananda River, Koshi River, Bagmati River , Burhi Gandak River and Gandak – which originate in Nepal.
- Some south Bihar districts have also become vulnerable to floods from Son, Punpun and Phalgu rivers.
- According to data from Economic survey 2019-20, more than 149 lakh population of Bihar was affected by flooding and it resulted in the loss of 300 lives, and crop production loss of 446.6 crore Rs.
- Drought:
- Irregularity and shortage of rainfall as well as uneven spatial distribution of rainfall are the main cause behind the drought condition in Bihar.
- It affect agriculture the most, on which more than 80% of Bihar population is dependent.
- In 2019, Bihar experienced both drought and flood simultaneously.
- A drought-like situation prevails in 24 districts, while 13 districts are affected by floods.
- Four of these districts Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Madhubani and Sitamarhihave been declared both flood- and drought-hit.
- North Bihar is engulfed in a flood, while south Bihar is experiencing severe drought with deficient rainfall.
- A drought-like situation prevails in 24 districts, while 13 districts are affected by floods.
Apart from the floods and drought, Cold wave, heat wave (107 death in 2019-20), Lightning ( 253 death in 2019-20), Fire etc are other disasters which hinders the development process of the state. These disasters not delay in the ongoing development works but are also threat to human and physical capital of the state.
The Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction (2015-2030), also recognises the application of science and technology can help us at the every stage of the disaster management. It recommends that to achieve the disaster risk reduction targets, it is important to enhance the scientific and technical work on disaster risk reduction and its mobilization through the coordination of existing networks and scientific research institutions at all levels and in all regions with the support of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Scientific and Technical Advisory Group.
The role of science and technology in Disaster forecastings and management:
- Early Warning Systems: Depending on the types of disasters, it uses various technologies like space remote sensing technologies, Automatic Weather Stations, Doppler radars, High Wind Speed Recorders, Ocean buoys, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles etc. They provide critical information for tracking and forecasting intensity disasters.
- Space technologies such as Earth observation satellites, communication satellites, meteorological satellites and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) can help in collecting data for prevention and preparedness of the disasters.
- Space technology along with drone technology are also used to for zoning and mapping of the affected areas by the disasters. e.g. India EQ Maps is a mobile app focused on the eathquake disaster.
- Use of space and drone technologies for mapping of affected areas for planning of response measures for different areas.
- Super computing is used to simulate weather as well as to tune forecasts to go beyond just giving rainfall estimates and factor in the potential damage of floods and cyclones.
- Acoustic remote-controlled boats uses ultrasound pulses to collect information about river levels and help predict when flooding may occur.
- The above technologies are already being used for Flood and drought forecasting so that information can be used for the prevention and preparedness of the affected areas on time.
- Latest technologies are also employed in planning and designing the constructions and infrastructure in a way to minimise the risks and impact of the disasters. e.g.
- Water control/conservation technologies can reduced the occurrence flood by capturing the excess water.
- Nanotechnology can be used for the improving the resilience through Building Materials, sensors etc.
- The sediment removal technologies can prevent the flooding due to accumulation of sediments in the water reservoirs.
- Internet and communication technologies are used in warnings, information, data dissemination which helps in effective coordination and seamless communication among different stakeholders to ensure quick, clear, effective dissemination of data and information for decision making.
- The wireless sensors are used to measure crop canopy temperature for indications of water stress in the drought affected regions.
- Indian Metrological Department (IMD) provides information about the weather forecasting using the data from the modern communication technologies.
- Spread of information about the relief programs being taken by the government and civil societies using ICT technologies. In case the communication infrastructure is damaged, satellite internet can be used for the communication in remote areas.
- Bio-technology can also help in mitigating the impact of the the disasters. e.g. GM crops can improve the drought and water tolerance of the crops, Vaccine development for the recent covid-19 pandemic.
- Food fortification can be used to improve the nutritional value of the food supplies being delivered to disaster affected population.
- In case of recent Covid-19 pandemic technologies were used in contact-tracing, testing, and home to home surveillance to minimize and curb the spread of the infection. e.g. Aarogya setu app was launched to stop the spread of infections.
- Internet technologies were used for direct benefit transfer of the relief amounts under Mukhyamantri Vishesh Sahayata scheme as well as spread of information and checking the rumours related to the pandemic.
- The use of technology is seen in building back better to prepare for the of future occurrence of the disaster. e.g. incorporating ductility within the structure makes the building ductile and Earthquake-resistant as the building is able to bend and flex when exposed to the horizontal or vertical shear forces of an earthquake.
- ICT and social media platforms are also used for the training and capacity building to deal with these disasters.
Thus, Science and technology played pivotal role in complete disaster management cycle. Sendai framework has already recognised that Scientific research can help identifying the disaster risk patterns, causes and effects. Even at policy level it helps in informed decision making. Further, under the guidelines of NDMA for different disasters, there are provisions for the application of science and technology.
Bihar government has already taken various initiatives to move towards greater disaster resilience. Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA), together with Disaster Management Department has various initiatives towards awareness generation, structural and non-structural strengthening and capacity building of various stakeholders in which science and technology has been used invariably.
Going forwards, there is need to learn from the best practices from other regions. e.g. Tamil Nadu has built a web GIS based system called TNSMART. This application, which is developed in collaboration with ISRO, has modules related to thresholds, hazard forecast, disaster impact forecast, advisory, response planning, etc. Similarly, Karnataka has a GPS enabled system for near real-time monitoring and communication of disasters in the state. In India, the Government has encouraged the use of digital technologies in ensuring help during disasters. For example, the Digital India Action Group (DIAG) released a whitepaper on using IoT for effective disaster management. ©crackingcivilservices.com
