The article talks about the South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System (South Asia FFGS) which has been launched recently. The topic holds relevance for various competitive exams under the current affairs and general awareness section.
South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System – Why in News?
The India Meteorological Department has launched the South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System for India and other South Asian countries.
Aspirants must read the SAsiaFFG carefully as general awareness is an imperative part of most of the competitive exams.
Those preparing for Government exams can check the linked page for relevant details on upcoming examinations.
South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System – Overview
- The India Meteorological Department – IMD launched the SAsiaFFG.
- India has launched first of its kind Flash Flood Guidance services for India and other South Asian countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
- The aim of the South Asian Flash flood System is helping disaster management teams and governments make timely evacuation plans ahead of the actual event of flooding.
- A dedicated FFGS centre will be established in New Delhi, where weather modelling and analysis of rainfall data observations from member countries will be done.
- IMD will issue impact-based forecasting at the watershed and also city level, of floods which are very sudden and of short duration.
- The warning mechanism will function as follows – Based on the rainfall and potential flooding scenario, flash flood warnings will be issued to respective nations. Flash flood threat warning will be issued six hours in advance, whereas flood risk warning will be issued 24 hours in advance. Warnings about watershed level will be issued 12 hours in advance.
Go through the Disaster Management in India on the linked page.
South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System
SAisaFFG was developed by US-based Hydrologic Research Center (HRC) was shut down after one and half years of operation because of lack of regional collaboration and cooperation to make progress in the regional implementation of the system. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and few South Asian countries expressed the importance of the project, put forth their views and the urgent need for such a warning system.
What are Flash Floods?
Flash floods are sudden surges in water levels during or following an intense spell of rain. They are highly localised events of short duration with a very high peak and usually have less than six hours between the occurrence of the rainfall and peak flood. The flood situation worsens in the presence of choked drainage lines or encroachments obstructing the natural flow of water.
Aspirants can check information on Flood control and management in the given link.
Other related links:
| Cyclones | AMPHAN cyclone | Nisarga Cyclone |
What is IMD? India Meteorological Department is a government agency that deals with everything related to meteorology and other associated fields of study. Further information on the Indian Meteorological Department can be found on the linked page.
Why Indian Meteorological Department for SAsiaFFG?
Recognizing that flash floods have a particularly disastrous impact on lives and properties of the affected populations, the Fifteenth WMO Congress had approved the implementation of a Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) project with global coverage. South Asia FFGS was developed by the WMO Commission for Hydrology jointly with some others. Further, WMO has entrusted India with the responsibility of Regional Centre of South Asia Flash Flood Guidance System for coordination, development, and its implementation. For information on the World Meteorological Organisation visit the link provided here.
| Gear up your preparation for various competitive exams! Refer the links below to gain an edge over competitors – |
Coverage – South Asia FFGS
- Frequency of extreme rainfall events has increased due to climate change and south Asia is highly prone to flash floods.
- Forecasting flash floods is very difficult as an event can occur within three to six hours and the water run-off quantity is very high.
- Data suggests that about 5,000 people die annually across the world due to flash floods. Despite such high mortality, there was no robust forecasting or warning system for flash floods.
Role of India in South Asia Flash Flood Guidance System
India’s National Disaster Management Authority – NDMA and the Central Water Commission – CWC partnered in developing the SAsiaFFG system.
Candidates can read the articles linked below for further details-
| National Disaster Management Authority | Central Water Commission |
| National Disaster Response Force | National Disaster Management Plan |
India is the leading representative of nations, including Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, in sharing hydrological and meteorological data towards preparing flash flood forecasts.
Candidates preparing for UPSC exam must also upkeep with the SAsiaFFG information. Questions on the South Asia Flash Flood Guidance System can be asked in the prelims exam. Check the important links for UPSC preparation-
Aspirants preparing for various government exams can follow the links given below for assistance in their preparation.
Candidates can go through the preparation strategies for competitive exams for the systematic approach for their exam prep.
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