UPPSC Batch
DAILY
CLASS NOTES
Disaster Management
Lecture – 08
Man Made Disaster-3 and
Solutions-2
Man Made Disaster-3 and Solutions-2
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recognizes drought situations:
❖ Agricultural Drought: In India, it is defined as a period of four consecutive weeks (of severe meteorological
drought) with a rainfall deficiency of more than 50 % of the long-term average or with a weekly rainfall of 5
cm or less from mid-May to mid-October (the kharif season) when 80% of India’s total crop is planted or six
such consecutive weeks during the rest of the year.
❖ Drought Year: Annual rainfall deficient by 20 percent or more of the normal.
Types of Droughts:
❖ Meteorological Drought is based on the degree of dryness or rainfall deficit and the length of the dry period.
❖ Hydrological Drought is based on the impact of rainfall deficits on the water supply such as stream flow,
reservoir and lake levels, and ground water table decline.
❖ Agricultural Drought refers to the impacts on agriculture by factors such as rainfall deficits, soil water deficits,
reduced groundwater, or reservoir levels needed for irrigation.
❖ Socioeconomic Drought considers the impact of drought conditions (meteorological, agricultural, or
hydrological drought) on supply and demand of some economic goods such as fruits, vegetables, grains and
meat. Socioeconomic drought occurs when the demand for an economic good exceeds supply as a result of a
weather-related deficit in water supply.
Impacts of Drought:
The impacts of drought can be severe, affecting both the environment and socio-economic aspects:
Environmental Impacts:
❖ Moisture stress on vegetation.
❖ Drinking water shortages.
❖ Damage to natural vegetation and various ecosystems.
❖ Increased air and water pollution.
Socio-Economic Impacts:
❖ Malnutrition due to food scarcity.
❖ Poor hygiene and sanitation.
❖ Health issues such as water-borne diseases.
❖ Migration of people from affected areas.
❖ Increased stress and morbidity among the population.
❖ Social strife due to resource scarcity.
To manage drought effectively, India has established a comprehensive framework:
❖ National Disaster Management Cell: Monitors drought situations in different states and assesses resource
availability.
❖ Drought-Prone Area Development Programme and Desert Development Programme: Aim to mitigate the
impact of drought through targeted developmental interventions in vulnerable regions.
❖ By implementing these measures and programs, India seeks to enhance resilience and minimize the adverse
effects of drought on communities and ecosystems.
Water Resources in India
❖ Surface water resources
❖ Groundwater resources
Surface Water Resources:
❖ Usage: 70% of India's usable water is from surface water resources.
❖ Sources: Rivers, lakes, and ponds.
❖ Importance: Rivers are the most important sources of surface water.
❖ Significant Rivers: Include both Himalayan and Peninsular rivers.
Groundwater Resources:
❖ Definition: Ground water is the water that seeps through rocks and soil and is stored below the ground.
❖ Formation: Rainwater or river water percolates through soil pores and cracks to reach aquifers.
❖ Aquifer: The rocks in which groundwater is stored are called aquifers.
❖ Usage: Groundwater resources account for over 50% of irrigated areas with 20 million tube wells installed.
❖ Infrastructure: Nearly 5,000 major or medium dams and barrages have been built to store river waters and
enhance groundwater recharging.
Key Facts:
❖ Sand or permeable rocks like sandstone are good aquifers.
❖ When all the pores are filled, it is known as the saturated zone.
❖ The upper layer of the saturated zone is the water-table.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)
❖ Role: Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), a subordinate office of the Ministry of Water Resources,
Government of India, is the National Apex Agency entrusted with the responsibilities of providing scientific
inputs for management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, augmentation and regulation of ground water
resources of the country.
❖ Establishment: Central Ground Water Board was established in 1970 by renaming the Exploratory Tube
wells Organization under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. It was merged with the
GroundWater Wing of the Geological Survey of India during 1972.
❖ Functions: Providing scientific inputs for groundwater resource management.
❖ Agricultural Usage:
➢ Agriculture accounts for 89% of surface water utilization.
➢ Agriculture accounts for 92% of groundwater utilization.
Types of Pollution Sources
Point Source Pollution:
❖ Definition: Pollution where the source can be identified.
❖ Examples:
➢ Domestic wastewater
➢ Industrial wastewater
Non-Point Source Pollution:
❖ Definition: Pollution where the source cannot be easily identified.
❖ Examples:
➢ Rural and slum pollution, open defecation, garbage, etc.
➢ Agricultural runoff
➢ Stormwater
➢ Deposition of air pollutants
➢ Heavy metals
➢ Flooding during monsoon
Water Stress Indicator: Falkenmark Indicator
❖ Definition: It defines water scarcity in terms of the total water resources that are available to the population
of a region; measuring scarcity as the amount of renewable freshwater that is available for each person each
year.
Mitigation and Response Strategies:
❖ Geospatial Technology: It is utilized for flood vulnerability mapping.
❖ Maintenance of Natural Water Bodies: Desilt and maintain natural water bodies to ensure the free flow of
excess water.
❖ Public Awareness and Education: Increase awareness and educate residents about the risks and
responsibilities of living in flood-prone areas.
❖ Mangroves and Wetlands: Use mangroves and wetlands for effective flood management.
❖ Pollution Control and Drainage Maintenance: Ensure water bodies are free from pollution and
encroachment. Regularly maintain drainage systems.
❖ Flood-Resilient Infrastructure: Construct infrastructure that can withstand flooding.
❖ Rainwater Harvesting: Implement rainwater harvesting systems to save water.
❖ Rain Gardens: Create rain gardens, as seen in New York, which has 2,300 rain gardens.
❖ Modern Architectural Infrastructure: Develop and incorporate modern architectural designs that enhance
water conservation and flood resilience.
Solutions to Water Crises
❖ Invent new water conservation technologies.
❖ Recycle wastewater.
1. Solar-Powered Water Purifiers: Implement solar-powered water purifiers, especially in hot climates prone
to water shortages.
2. Improve Irrigation and Agricultural Practices:
➢ Utilize efficient irrigation methods such as drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation to conserve water.
➢ Promote sustainable agricultural practices to reduce water consumption.
3. Community-Based Governance and Partnerships: Foster community-based governance and partnerships
to ensure equitable distribution and management of water resources.
4. Improve Distribution Infrastructure: Upgrade distribution infrastructure to minimize water loss during
transportation and delivery.
5. Address Pollution: Implement measures to address pollution sources, such as treating industrial and domestic
wastewater, and controlling agricultural runoff.
6. R&D / Innovation: Invest in research and development for innovative water management technologies and
solutions.
7. Develop Energy-Efficient Desalination Plants: Develop energy-efficient desalination plants to convert
seawater into freshwater, especially in coastal areas facing water scarcity.
8. Improve Water Catchment and Harvesting: Promote rainwater harvesting techniques to increase water
availability, recharge groundwater, prevent soil erosion, and mitigate flooding.
Rainwater harvesting:
Rainwater harvesting is a method to capture and store rainwater for various uses. It is also used to recharge
groundwater aquifers.
Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting:
❖ Low Cost and Eco-Friendly: A sustainable technique for preserving water by directing rainwater to bore
wells, pits, and wells.
❖ Increases Water availability: Enhances the availability of water resources.
❖ Checks Declining Groundwater Table: It helps in maintaining and restoring groundwater levels.
❖ Improves Groundwater Quality: Dilutes contaminants such as fluoride and nitrates, improving overall
groundwater quality.
❖ Prevents Soil Erosion and Flooding: Reduces soil erosion and mitigates the risk of flooding.
❖ Arrests Saltwater Intrusion: Prevents saltwater intrusion in coastal areas when used to recharge aquifers.
Groundwater Usage and Management
Groundwater Usage:
❖ Currently, 50% of groundwater is already used, with over 90% usage in rural households and around
60% in urban households.
❖ Unplanned urban expansion and unreliable municipal water supply contribute to groundwater depletion.
❖ Groundwater is often preferred due to its affordability and lack of infrastructure requirements.
Tube Well Revolution:
❖ Approximately 60% of India's irrigation is now done through dug-wells and tube-wells, with high usage in
regions like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.
❖ However, over-extraction is leading to a decline in the water table, and aquifers are drying up.
Present Availability of Groundwater:
❖ The rate of groundwater usage exceeds the rate of replenishment, leading to a significant decline in
groundwater levels, especially in urban areas.
❖ Destruction of aquifers and over-dependence on groundwater exacerbate the problem.
Groundwater Pollution:
❖ Groundwater pollution is a significant issue, with contaminants like fluoride, arsenic, and nitrates found in
various regions across the country.
❖ Fluoride contamination is prevalent in the northern plains and Telangana, while arsenic contamination
is linked to industries in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
❖ Nitrate pollution, primarily from fertilizers, is widespread across the country.
Issues Related to Water
Current Water Availability:
❖ 2000 cum/person/year available as of now.
❖ By 2050, water demand will be 3500 cum/person/year, but actual availability will drop to 1200
cum/person/year.
❖ Potential for a severe water crisis in the future.
Mihir Shah Committee Report
❖ An Expert Committee (Chair: Dr. Mihir Shah) submitted its report on restructuring the Central Water
Commission (CWC) and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in July 2016. The CWC is
responsible for coordinating with states for the implementation of schemes for the conservation and utilisation
of water resources. The CGWB is responsible for assessment of ground water resources and implementation
of policies for its sustainable management.
❖ The Committee recommended that the CWC and CGWB should be restructured and unified to form a new
National Water Commission (NWC).
Measures Taken by Government to Address Water Crisis
Ministry of Jal Shakti Initiatives:
❖ Jal Shakti Abhiyan: A campaign to conserve water and improve water availability.
❖ Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Focuses on improving water use efficiency through
"Har khet ko pani" and "More Crop per Drop".
❖ Atal Bhujal Yojana: Promotes sustainable groundwater management with community participation in over-
exploited and water-stressed areas.
❖ Restructured National Rural Drinking Water Programme: Aims to improve coverage of piped drinking
water in rural areas, increase service delivery, and focus on water quality-affected habitations.
Other Government Efforts:
❖ National Water Mission
❖ Dam Improvement and Rehabilitation (DRIP) Programme
❖ National Mission for Clean Ganga
❖ Groundwater Management
❖ Flood Control and Forecasting
❖ Biodiversity Conservation
❖ Wetland Conservation
❖ Green India Mission
❖ Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)
❖ Jal Kranti Abhiyan: Techniques for conservation and management of water resources.
New Ministry Formation:
❖ The government has launched a new unified ‘Jal Shakti’ ministry that is aimed at providing clean drinking
water as well as fight India's water woes.
❖ Merging the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation with the Ministry of
Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Interlinking of Rivers Project
Key Projects:
❖ Ken-Betwa Link Project (Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh)
❖ Damanganga-Pinjal Link Project (Maharashtra and Gujarat)
❖ Par-Tapi-Narmada Link Project (Maharashtra and Gujarat)
❖ Godavari-Cauvery Link Project (Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu)
Arguments in Favor:
❖ Judicious Use of Water Resources
❖ Addressing Water Stress
❖ Potential for Improved Irrigation Coverage
❖ Power Generation
Arguments Against:
❖ Artificial Change of Course
❖ Bypassing Crucial Dryland Areas
❖ Environmental Impact
❖ Impact on Monsoons
❖ Increased Disaster Vulnerability
Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)
❖ The Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) is undertaken with the assistance of the World
Bank to rehabilitate and improve approximately 223 dam projects initially across seven states in India.
❖ The project initially focuses on seven states, namely Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh,
Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand.
❖ Rehabilitation and Improvement: It aimed at enhancing the safety, functionality, and performance of dams
through rehabilitation and modernization measures.
❖ Institutional Strengthening: Focuses on strengthening the capacity and capabilities of institutions involved
in dam management and project implementation, including the Central Water Commission (CWC) and other
implementing agencies.
The project consists of three components:
❖ Rehabilitation and Improvement of dams and associated appurtenances
❖ Dam Safety Institutional Strengthening in participating States and CWC
❖ Project Management
Day Zero Instances
❖ Day Zero is when taps in a region start running dry.
Historical Instances:
❖ Cape Town, South Africa: Countdown to Day Zero due to a three-year drought.
❖ São Paulo, Brazil (2015): Water supply turned off for 12 hours a day.
❖ Barcelona, Spain (2008): In 2008, Barcelona, Spain, had to import fresh water from France due to a severe
water shortage.
National Water Mission:
❖ The Government of India has established the National Water Mission as one of the eight National Missions
under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.
❖ The main objective of NWM is “conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable
distribution both across and within States through integrated water resources development and management”.
NWM has identified five goals as under:-
❖ Comprehensive water data base in public domain and assessment of the impact of climate change on water
resource;
❖ Promotion of citizen and state actions for water conservation, augmentation and preservation;
❖ Focused attention to vulnerable areas including over-exploited areas;
❖ Increasing water use efficiency by 20%; and
❖ Promotion of basin-level integrated water resources management.
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UPPSC Batch
Disaster Management DMP–08
Man Made Disaster-3 and Solutions-2 – Practice Questions
1. What are the major impacts and management priorities associated with urban flooding?
(12 Marks, 200 Words)
How to approach the question:
❖ Introduction: Provide an overview of urban flooding in India within 20-30 words.
❖ Main Body: Discuss Major impacts and management priorities associated with urban flooding within
130-140 words.
❖ Conclusion: Emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach to address urban flooding,
including collaboration and innovative strategies for sustainable urban development within 20-30 words.
Answer:
Introduction:
Urban flooding refers to the inundation of urban areas due to excessive rainfall or inadequate drainage
systems. It occurs when paved surfaces and infrastructure prevent water absorption into the ground, leading
to water accumulation on streets, buildings, and public spaces.
Main Body:
Impacts of Urban Flooding:
❖ Human Suffering: Densely populated urban areas are vulnerable, leading to loss of life and livelihoods.
❖ Secondary Effects: Exposure to infection in floodwaters escalates human suffering, posing health
crises.
❖ Infrastructure Damage: Vital infrastructure sustaining economic activities is at risk, disrupting
services, transport, and power.
❖ Economic Losses: Significant financial losses occur due to damage to property and disruptions in
economic activities.
❖ Public Health Risks: Post-flooding, there's a surge in waterborne diseases, endangering public health.
❖ Civic Disruption: Disruption of civic amenities and deterioration of water quality exacerbate the
impact.
❖ Temporary Relocation: In severe cases, populations may need temporary relocation.
Management Priorities:
❖ Top Priority: Urgent attention must be given to managing urban flooding due to its severe impacts on
human life and infrastructure.
❖ Urban Planning: Effective urban planning is crucial to mitigate risks and impacts associated with urban
flooding.
❖ Infrastructure Protection: Protecting vital infrastructure is essential for sustaining economic activities
and ensuring urban resilience.
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❖ Public Health Measures: Post-flooding, measures to address public health risks are vital to safeguard
community well-being.
❖ Collaborative Efforts: Addressing urban flooding requires coordinated efforts involving urban
planners, policymakers, emergency responders, and communities.
Conclusion:
Addressing urban flooding in India requires a multifaceted approach, including effective urban planning,
infrastructure protection, public health measures, and collaborative efforts. Embracing innovative concepts
like sponge cities can pave the way for sustainable urban development and resilient cities in the face of
increasing urbanization and climate change impacts.
