AIR Spotlight is an insightful program featured daily on the All India Radio Newsonair. In this program, many eminent panellists discuss issues of importance which can be quite helpful in IAS exam preparation. This article is about the discussion on the impact and causes of increasing incidents of flash floods and their prevention.
Participants:
- Dr C K Varshney, Environmentalist
- Chetan Chauhan, Journalist
Context:
- Humanity has been witnessing increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events with flash floods being one of the most visible aspects of this trend.
- In India too, the extreme monsoon rainfall has caused extensive flooding including urban flooding.
For a detailed video on urban flooding, check below:
Causes of flash floods:
- Global warming leads to increased temperature. Since warm air has a higher capacity for moisture retention it is leading to a high amount of rainfall.
- Climate change is a reality which is leading to extreme weather events like cloud bursts and extreme rainfalls. This is contributing to flash floods.
- Global warming is leading to glacier melting which is contributing to higher water flows in the rivers leading to flooding.
- Improper land use policy (deforestation, mining activities), encroachment in river catchment areas and unsustainable urbanization is accentuating the effect of flooding.
Impact of flash floods:
- Loss of life and property.
- Socio-economic backwardness of the affected population.
- Damage to physical infrastructure.
- Damage to the ecosystem. Impacts the soil and tree coverage.
- Impacts the economic growth and development in urban areas.
Way forward:
- Building climate change resilience in infrastructure and economic activities.
- Pursuing sustainable development models and policies.
- Ensure proper rehabilitation of the affected population.
- Holding the developed world accountable for their legacy carbon emissions.
Read previous AIR Spotlight articles in the link.
AIR Spotlight: Flash Floods:- Download PDF Here
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