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Topic - UTTARAKHAND GLACIER DISASTER1. What : A glacial breakage at the Ron� peak triggered flash floods in Chamoli district on

February 7, in which two dams, 12 km apart, were destroyed within 20 minutes. [Owing

to SNOWBALL EFFECT].

A Reminder!

Kedarnath flash floods, 2013: in which around 6,000 people died and 200,000 pilgrims were

trapped. That �me, too, roads and bridges got washed away in the neighbouring Rudraprayag

district a�er the moraine (a mass of rocks and sediment carried by glaciers) holding the waters of

Chorabari glacial lake exploded following 72 hours of rain and a cloud burst.

2. What was done to ascertain the CAUSE: Agencies conducted field and aerial surveys, analysed

satellite imagery and submi�ed a preliminary report to the government, saying the disaster has

been caused by rock avalanche.

3. What caused the glacial break that triggered the Chamoli flash floods:

A Rock Avalanche That Fell In The Rishiganga Caused The Flash Flood. The Rock Avalanche Was

Caused Due To Breaking Of A Glacier. But There Is No Consensus On What Caused The Glacier To

Break

GEOGRAPHYNEWSLETTERA Fortnightly Ini�a�ve!01

A Point to Note:

Chamoli recorded

no extreme

rainfall before the

flash floods.

According to IMD,

Chamoli received

26 per cent less

rainfall than

normal between

January 1 and

February 7. No

major seismic

ac�vity was

recorded during

the period.

By Himanshu Sir

A Trail of Destruc�on! “Turn of EVENTS”

Some Sta�s�cs to Jus�fy!

Climate change has driven erra�c weather pa�erns like increased snowfall and rainfall,

warmer winters have led to the mel�ng of a lot of snow.

The thermal profile of ice has been

increasing. Earlier, the temperature of ice

ranged from -6°C to -20°C and now it is -2°C,

making it more suscep�ble to mel�ng.

The average temperature in the northwestern

Himalaya has risen by 0.66°C since 1991 (an

increase much higher than the global

average).

The higher Himalaya became even warmer on average in the same period.

Several other studies also indicate that glacial mel�ng are becoming frequent in a warming

world. Climate change has an indirect effect on landslides occurring at high al�tudes by

degrading permafrost and mel�ng glaciers, which may increase magnitude and frequency

of landslides”.

4. View-Points put forward for the GLACIER BREAK-OFF?

Few hypotheses were postulated:

View-Point #1: The hanging glacier was lying over a highly weathered mica (a highly foliated

medium-grade metamorphic rock). Due to temperature fluctua�ons, such rock masses some�mes

go through thawing and refreezing and develop small cracks. Rainwater might have percolated into

these cracks and freezed up, increasing in volume and exer�ng pressure from within. This glacier

rock mass might have gone through such thawing and refreezing in geological �me, eventually

becoming so weak that it fell due to gravity.

View-Point #2: The hanging glacier might have reached a cri�cal stage over a period of �me where

any small factor toppled it over. It could have been wind or even snowfall. Before the event, on

February 3-4, there was some snowfall in the region. It might have accumulated and added weight

to the glacier which was already placed on a highly-weathered rock mass.

View-Point #3: Points at rising temperatures. Just before the event, temperatures in the region

were unusually high. Snow might have melted and percolated through the mica's fractured path,

making the overlaying rock mass slippery.

Such rising temperatures could have played a significant role in the rock avalanche. The glacial ice

could have melted to form liquid water and then destabilise the rock, and even lubricate the

bedrock, thereby contribu�ng to its failure.


For example: The Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment Report (2019): had pointed out that

one-third of the Hindu Kush Himalaya's glaciers would melt by 2100. It may happen even

if all the countries in the region fulfilled their commitments under the Paris Agreement.

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Other View-Points: Ø Experts also opine that massive deforesta�on is a possible reason for the disaster. For

example, in 2014, the Chopra commi�ee established that the haphazard construc�on of dams can cause irreversible damage to the region.

Ø There are also possibili�es that the use of explosives in the construc�on of dams and other infrastructure would have weakened the rock strata.

Are Dams a feasible op�on in Fragile Himalayan Ecological System?

The Himalayan ecosystem is in a constant state of flux and are naturally primed for

calami�es.

According to a study, U�arakhand has faced 27 major landslide events between 1880 and

2015, one-third of which have occurred in just 15 years—between 2001 and 2015.

This can be seen in the valleys in the Garhwal Himalayas that are drained by the Alaknanda

and the Bhagirathi river systems. The snow-clad Chaukhamba range, from where these

rivers emerge, consists of enormous glaciers.


Bank erosion is also extensive

wherever the rivers take a

sinuous course

Highly prone to erosion

Higher Himalayas also do not

have vegeta�on

Due to con�nuous upli�ment of the mountain the region falls in a very high seismic zone (seismic zone V) and its rivers cut the rocks deeply

In higher reaches of catchment areas the ground is made of unconsolidated moraine which greatly helps in the forma�on of landslides. As they move downstream, they hit the corners of the valley and cause a lot more damage to surrounding areas. If the river has a high gradient, the boulders rack up more strength and cause more damage”.

Rainstorms and cloud bursts are

very common

PECULIAR CHARACTERISTICS

Youngest mountain

range

PECULIAR CHARACTERISTICS OF HIMALAYAS

Thus, Hydropower projects must be weighed against their benefits and challenges:

Ø Re-Thinking HydroPower Op�on: IPCC report has assessed that the climate crisis has

altered the frequency and magnitude of the natural hazards in high mountain regions

of the world.In this respect, adherence to the Chopra Commi�ee recommenda�ons, which studied the impact of receding glaciers on hydroelectric power projects (HEPs) and objected to the construc�on of HEPs in paraglacial regions (between 2,200 to 2,500 meters above the sea level) is of utmost importance.

Ø Miscalcula�on of life of dams: There is also some evidence that the life of dams is

o�en exaggerated, and silta�on, which reduces it, is grossly underes�mated: in the

Bhakra dam in Himachal Pradesh, for instance, silta�on was higher by 140% than

calculated. According to the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, a think tank, under construc�on HEPs threaten about 50% of the Dhauliganga's length. The need is to rigorously study the impact of policy on the Himalayas and confine Hydroprojects to those with the least impact, while relying more on low impact run-of-the-river power projects that need no destruc�ve large dams and reservoirs.

Ø Apart from this, other alterna�ves like solar energy, wind energy should be pursued

as the green growth model of development.

Ø Red flags have been raised repeatedly, par�cularly a�er the moderate quake in 1991

in the region where the Tehri dam was built and the 2013 floods that devastated

Kedarnath, poin�ng to the threat from dam-induced microseismicity.


The Chamoli flash floods hove once again fumed the spotlight on the Union government's

ambi�ous Char Dham Na�onal Highway project. Stretching 899-km, the project is to

connect the Hindu pilgrimage sites of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yomunotri in the

Garhwal Himalayas of U�arakhand.

The project will convert the highways into two lanes with 12 bypass roads, 15 big

flyovers, 101 small bridges, 3,596 culverts and two tunnels, it will widen the roads by at

least 10 m and make them all-weather. All this ac�vity will destabilise hill slopes. Felling

of trees and the reverbera�ons from the construc�on will cause disturbance of glaciers

like the one involved in Chamoli flash floods.

Issues in EIA: The exact ecological impact of the Char Dham project is difficult to assess as

there has been no Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project as a whole.

Ghatak says the government got around the EIA process by claiming that the project is

actually a combina�on of 53 smaller projects, each less than 100 km long as such

projects do not require EIA.

Ambi�ous Char Dham Project: Widening the roads can prove detrimental!

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Ever since it became a separate state in 2000, U�arakhand wanted to be “Urja Pradesh” (Electricity

State), says the U�arakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited website. With the neighbouring Himachal

Pradesh—the highest generator of hydro-power in the country—having 9,809 MW installed capacity,

U�arakhand too wanted hydro-electricity to power its economic progress as well as provide

employment. So, the state planned a massive network of around 450 dams.

Till 2013, the state had commissioned 22 projects with a combined capacity of 2,616 MW, while 23

projects with a combined capacity of 4,404 MW were s�ll under construc�on. Of the 45, as many as 30

dams of above 25 MW were in either the Alaknanda or the Bhagirathi valley.

“According to Ministry of Environment & Forests: 80,826.91 ha of forests have been diverted to

non-forest use in U�arakhand since 1980. The diversion for hydropower produc�on is 5312.11 ha:

of about 7,500 football fieldsl.

Most of the diversion for roads and hydropower has been in U�arkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and

Pithoragarh districts, the ones most affected by the June 2013 disaster.

Of the 26 hydroprojects that have been stopped by the Supreme Court in 2014 or by the Group of

Ministers in 2010, the Centre is planning to go ahead with four of them.

In 2009, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, in its report on U�arakhand highlighted:

the distribu�on, the construc�on companies, and the pre-feasibility studies of the projects had

many flaws. “Physical verifica�on of four of the five opera�onal projects showed riverbeds

downstream had almost completely dried up, the water flow was down to a trickle, and extremely

inadequate for the sustenance of ecology and nearby groundwater aquifers.”

A Task Force set up by the erstwhile Planning Commission: found lapses in the Environment

Impact Assessment processes of hydropower projects and recommended strategic environment

assessments for all such projects in Himalayan states.

According to a study: Of the 39 projects proposed between 2000 and 2010, 24 would cause severe

and irreversible damage to the biodiversity of the area and wipe out cri�cal corridors for the

movement of wildlife. It recommended that these 24 projects be scrapped. All of them were within

10 km of Protected Areas like the Valley of Flower Na�onal Park, the Nandadevi Na�onal Park, the

Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary or were within the Gangotri Eco-Sensi�ve Zone.

Also there are a large number of projects which have very small distances between them leaving li�le

space for river to regenerate and revive.

The 2014 Supreme Court-appointed commi�ee report, for instance, says while hydropower

projects emit less greenhouse gases than fossil fuels, they have a huge environmental impact.

Construc�on ac�vi�es like making approach roads, tunnelling and quarrying lead to

deforesta�on, muck dumping and slope destabilisa�on. “Blas�ng with the use of explosives is a

common feature in all these ac�vi�es. Unscien�fic blas�ng creates environmental problems in the

form of ground vibra�ons, air overpressure and flyrock,” it notes.

It is conceivable that such incorrect blas�ng can loosen masses of earth leading to a rock or debris slide,

create fissures or enlarge exis�ng ones, increase slope instabili�es, change underground water

courses, dry up springs and lead to cracks in houses and other structures.”

Why UTTARAKHAND is ambi�ous to be a HYDEL POWERHOUSE?

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Van panchayat or the village forest council is an autonomous local ins�tu�on unique to

U�arakhand and is responsible for managing and protec�ng community forests. The 13 MW

run-of-the-river Rishiganga project is situated within the territory of Raini Van Panchayat, which

spans 24 hectares. “But in 2000, when the government gave forest clearance to the project, no

permission was sought from the van panchayat. In 2019, when construc�on was in full swing,

the project proponents started felling trees in the van panchayat territory. There were

complaints made to the district administra�on. But no one did anything.

That year, some of the residents of Raini also filed a public interest pe��on in the U�arakhand

High Court against the power plant. They alleged that blas�ng and illegal mining and

transporta�on of riverbed materials at the dam site is causing “substan�al damage” to the

area's environment. The court in its order in June 2019 stayed the use of explosive in any form

“in and around Raini village, the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and the Valley of Flowers” and

directed the district magistrate to check any form of illegal mining being carried on in the area.

“But the work con�nued business as usual.

5. What can be Done?

With the increasing frequency of flash floods in the Himalayan region, a broad framework for

robust early warning systems, infrastructure development, construc�on, and excava�on in

vulnerable zones must be evolved.

1. Create a separate department for the Himalayas under the Ministry of Home Affairs to

understand and resolve unique challenges of the region.

2. Undertake a mul�- ins�tu�onal study of the changing nature of glaciers.

3. Set up an eco-development board as men�oned in the 1982 M S Swaminathan task

force set up to study the Himalayas. The aim of the board will be to balance the

challenges posed by climate change and social and economic development of the

region.

4. Create an early warning system involving all the Himalayan countries, to enable

coopera�on in prepara�on.

Can Van panchayat play an effec�ve role!

The Supreme Court, in April 2014, stayed the construc�on of the 24 projects that wii recommended to be scrapped. It also men�oned how the tunnelling for the Tapovan-Vishnugad project in 2010 ruptured an aquifer, which caused a discharge of 60-70 million litres of water daily, enough to sustain 2-3 million people.However, over the past couple of years, the government has started gravita�ng towards hydropower projects again.Thus, the tragedy is a failure to draw a balance between fragile ecosystems & topography and development impera�ves, compounded by climate-change effects. The increased pace of development in the region has also heightened fears about fallout from deforesta�on and other environmental troubles.


There are more than 10,000 glaciers in The Indian Himalayan region.

Research on Glacial Lakes: Detailed Project Analysis should be conducted to understand

which of the 12,000-odd glacial lakes in U�arakhand are prone to flooding. Poten�ally

dangerous lakes can be iden�fied based on field observa�ons, records of past events,

geomorphologic and geotechnical characteris�cs of the lake/dam and surroundings, and

other physical condi�ons.

So, dependence on satellite data or remote-sensing for observa�ons is of utmost importance as

so many things are happening in the Himalayan region, right from tectonic ac�vity to tunnelling,

it is not easy to iden�fy causes of any glacier fall or its breakage without ground data.

Proper monitoring can be done by crea�ng vulnerability map of glaciers, along the line of

seismic zones, with the help of high-resolu�on satellite data, validated by ground

informa�on. Adop�on of early warning technologies is the need of the hour.

The size of glaciers varies from peak summer to winter. Worldwide, such changes in the size

of glaciers have caused earthquakes.

Ø Taiwan have iden�fied landslide-prone areas and placed pressure gauges to receive an early

warning in case of on impending landslide. ln India, we have iden�fied regions that are

prone to landslides, but nowhere will you be able to see pressure gauges.

Also, the government needs centres that exclusively study glaciers, which is now being done

only by a few scien�sts and visi�ng experts from different ins�tu�ons.

Losing Environmentalism of State: Once the crucible of

environmentalism, epitomised by Sunderlal Bahuguna, Gaura

Devi and the Chipko movement, the State's deep gorges and

canyons have a�racted many hydroelectric projects and dams,

with li�le concern for earthquake risk. Thus, it is high �me for

CHIPKO 2.0.

6. What should be done?

1. Coherent research: There are a lot more glaciologists and others who are working in the area and

genera�ng data. Mul�ple scien�fic groups and ins�tu�ons are involved. But there is no coherent

output. Lots of data are being generated but not being put to good use.

2. Monitoring: Glacial lakes and every glacier more ac�vely and regularly. Glaciers in one basin do not

have remarkably different proper�es. It will increase our ability to zoom in on any of them and track the

changes happening year by year.

3. Planning: Construc�on-related ac�vi�es in the state might not have a direct link to Chamoli incident,

but these are not en�rely benign. The en�re catchment areas should be made part of the Environment

Impact Assessment.

4. Mi�ga�on: Several structural and geotechnical measures can be applied for the gradual and regulated

discharge of water from these lakes, which will reduce the pressure on them, and minimise the chances

of a breach.

Case-Study: Satellite imagery, pressure gauges can help monitor glaciers for �mely alerts.

Ø

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Do You Know:

THE GENESIS OF THE CHIPKO MOVEMENT LIES IN A SEVERE FLASH

FLOOD AND LANDSLIDE IN 1970, WHICH WASHED AWAY THE ENTIRE

BELAKUCHI VILLAGE OF THE ALAKNANDA VALLEY.


1. The NDMA guidelines say that the construc�on of any habita�on should be prohibited

in the high hazard zone.

2. NDMA has recommended use of Synthe�c-Aperture Radar imagery to automa�cally

detect changes in water bodies, including new lake forma�ons, during the monsoon

months. It has said methods and protocols could also be developed to allow remote

monitoring of lake bodies from space.

3. To manage lakes structurally, the NDMA recommends reducing the volume of water with

methods such as controlled breaching, pumping or siphoning out water, and making a

tunnel through the moraine barrier or under an ice dam.

4. The NDMA guidelines say that risk reduc�on has to begin with iden�fying and mapping

such lakes, taking structural measures to prevent their sudden breach, and establishing

mechanism to save lives and property in �mes of a breach.

Other Measures to put in Place:

1. Government should Invest in long-term crisis response mechanisms and resilience

solu�ons such as:

Ø Flood preven�on and rapid response.

Ø Road stabiliza�on technologies for fragile road networks, bridges, culverts, and

tunnels.

Ø Strengthening embankments using scien�fic knowledge.

Ø Inves�ng in training and capacity building of local communi�es to prevent and

manage risks effec�vely.

2. Hydropower and other public infrastructure projects need reassessment based on the

sensi�vity of local ecology.

3. Implemen�ng pragma�c policies and regulatory guidelines such as responsible eco and

religious tourism policies. This will restrict detrimental human ac�vi�es.

4. Applying innova�ve and inclusive solu�ons that support nature and marginalized

communi�es, to restore and rebuild a resilient future for U�arakhand.

Adhering to NDMA Guidelines!


#1

#2

Academic Cornor: Ready to Boost your Geography Knowledge!1. Types of Floods


#3

#4


1. Glacial Lake outburst flooding:

A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is a release of meltwater from a moraine or ice-dam glacial

lake due to dam failure. GLOFs o�en result in catastrophic flooding downstream, with major

geomorphic and socioeconomic impacts.

GLOFs have three main features:

Ø They involve sudden (and some�mes cyclic) releases of water.

Ø They tend to be rapid events, las�ng hours to days.

Ø They result in large downstream river discharges (which o�en increase by an order of

magnitude).

2. Glacial Lake outburst flooding:



Calving of ice blocks at the glacier terminus is a common cause for lake water displacement,

seiche wave development, and overtopping of moraine dams.

mmmmm

Mains Ques�on Desk!

1. Formulate a suitable and a proac�ve Flood policy for a topographically diverse

country like India? [15 Marks]

2. Applying regional approach, examine the vulnerability of various parts of the

country towards floods? [15 Marks]

Are these ques�ons difficult. No worries, sir will provide a blueprint to a�empt these

ques�ons in the classes.




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By Himanshu Sir

Geography is unique in bridging the social sciences and the natural sciences. There are two

main branches of geography: human geography and physical geography. Human geography is

concerned with the spa�al aspects of human existence. Physical geographers study pa�erns of

climates, landforms, vegeta�on, soils, and water.

In this context, the issue of COVID-19 Pandemic lies at the intersec�on between these Physical

and Human Aspects of Geography giving birth to Man-Environment Rela�onship and concerns

related to it.

1. What is Zoonoses?

Ø Zoono�c diseases (also known as zoonoses) are caused by germs that spread between animals

and people.

Ø Animals can some�mes carry harmful germs that can spread to people and cause illness –

these are known as zoono�c diseases or zoonoses.

Ø Zoono�c diseases are caused by harmful germs like viruses, bacterial, parasites, and fungi.

#2 Topic: COVID-19 Pandemic & Geography

Factors Influencing Prevalence of Zoonoses:

Ecological changes in man's environment Exploita�on of new territories and natural resources

like harnessing the power of rivers, construc�ng roads and pipelines through thinly populated

areas, clearing, irriga�ng and cul�va�ng new land, deforesta�on lead to entering of humans in

the unaccustomed ecosystem in which poten�al pathogens form part of the bio�c community

(natural focus).

Large scale expansion of agricultural and

engineering resources, construc�on of dams,

ar�ficial lakes, irriga�on schemes, clearing of

forests -all these lead to changing of the bi�ng

habits of the blood sucking vectors and

altera�on in the popula�on of reservoir animals

which has led to the spread of such diseases.

Handling animal by-products and wastes (occupa�onal hazards) For eg-anthrax in carpet

weavers, live stock raisers and workers with animal hair in the tex�le industry, leptospirosis in

rice field workers, listeriosis in agricultural workers etc.

Increased movements of man Land development, engineering project work, pilgrimages,

tourism, etc. expose the people to contaminated food and water.

Increased trade in animal products Wool, bone meal, meat, etc. from an area where some of

the zoonoses are endemic, are likely to introduce the disease into new territories.

Transporta�on of virus infected mosquitoes Eg- Aircra�, ship, train, motor and other vehicles

bring the viruses in to a new area, e.g. yellow fever Chikungunya fever, dengue fever etc.

Cultural anthropological norms For eg- in Kenya, people allow the dogs and hyenas to eat

human dead bodies infected with hyda�dosis. This helps to perpetuate the transmission cycle

of the disease.


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Kyasanur Forest Disease/Monkey Fever

Ø Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) is caused by

Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV), a member

of the virus family Flaviviridae.

Ø KFDV was iden�fied in 1957 when it was isolated

from a sick monkey from the Kyasanur Forest in

Karnataka (formerly Mysore) State. Since then,

between 400-500 humans cases per year have

been reported.

CASE STUDIES:


Ø Hard �cks are the reservoir of the KFD virus and once infected, remain so for life.

Ø Rodents, shrews, and monkeys are common hosts for KFDV a�er being bi�en by an infected

�ck.?

COVID 19

Ø Another example of a zoono�c disease is COVID-19, which broke out in China's Wuhan district

in December 2019.

Ø It was declared a pandemic by WHO in March 2020 with total cases reaching nearly 8 lakh.

Ø COVID-19 is caused by the virus SARS-CoV2 which is believed to have started in Huanan

Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan.

SARS CoV

Ø Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) emerged in 2002-2003 in southern China.

Ø SARS-CoV is thought to be an animal virus from an as-yet-uncertain animal reservoir, perhaps

bats, that spread to other animals (civet cats) and first infected humans in the Guangdong

province of southern China in 2002.

Ø An epidemic of SARS affected 26 countries and resulted in more than 8000 cases in 2003.

MERS CoV

Ø Middle-East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel

coronavirus (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, or MERS-CoV) that was first

iden�fied in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

Ø Current scien�fic evidence suggests that dromedary camels are a major reservoir host for

MERS-CoV and an animal source of MERS infec�on in humans.

Nipah

Ø The classic example of emergence of zoono�c disease is the outbreak of Nipah in Kerala.

Ø The virus can be transmi�ed to humans from animals (bats and pigs), and can also be

transmi�ed directly from human-to-human.

Ø Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the natural host of Nipah virus.

CASE STUDIES:

Zoono�c Diseases and India

Ø India is among the top geographical hotspots where zoono�cs diseases are a major public

health issue causing high burden of morbidity and mortality.

Ø High priority zoono�c diseases like Brucellosis have emerged from Haryana to Goa, incidence

and prevalence of occupa�onal zoono�c disease like Anthrax have affected human health

throughout.

Ø Similarly, Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic disease of ca�le that impacts produc�vity and

represents a major public health threat and is considered endemic in India.


Ø Further, being among the highest bacterial disease burden in the world, an�bio�cs, therefore,

have a cri�cal role in limi�ng morbidity and morality and consequently An�microbial

Resistance (AMR) has huge implica�ons for India.

Ø Major public health zoono�c diseases in India include Rabies, Brucellosis, Toxoplasmosis,

Cys�cercosis, Echinococcosis, Japanese Encephali�s (JE), Plague, Leptospirosis, Scrub typus,

Nipah, Trypanosomiasis, Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic

fever (CCHF).

Ø According to the Na�onal Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), about 75% of emerging and re-

emerging infec�ons are zoono�c, and new pathogens (viruses) con�nue to emerge and spread

across countries.

Challenges to Controlling Zoono�c Diseases in India

Ø Large human popula�on and its frequent interac�ons with animals.

Ø Poverty: Leads to increased dependence on animal rearing as a means of livelihood. The

in�mate human-animal contact puts them at risk for this category of diseases.

Ø Poverty-struck communi�es are primarily dependent on rearing animals as a means of

livelihood and, therefore, the in�mate human-animal contact puts them at risk for this

category of diseases.

Ø Unawareness: Large part of popula�on remains unaware of the basic hygiene rou�ne to be

followed.

Ø Lack of proper vaccina�on programmes, poor sero-surveillance and lack of diagnos�c facili�es

make the preven�ve and precau�onary approach more difficult.

Measures Taken To Control Zoono�c Diseases

Ø Following Programmes have been launched under Na�onal Centre for Disease Control:

Ø Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP)

Ø Na�onal Programme for Containment of An�-Microbial Resistance .

Ø Na�onal Viral Hepa��s Surveillance Programme.

Ø Strengthening Inter-sectoral coordina�on for preven�on and control of Zoono�c Diseases of

Public Health Importance

Ø Na�onal Rabies control programme

Ø Programme for preven�on and control of Leptospirosis

Conclusion

Ø Zoonoses comprise a large percentage of all newly iden�fied infec�ous diseases as well as

exis�ng infec�ous diseases.

Ø Cross-sectoral collabora�on is key to understanding and managing public health risks at the

human-animal-environment interface and improving global health security.


Ø Coordina�on between physicians, veterinarians, and epidemiologists should be strengthened.

Ø Technology should be used effec�vely. Each district and state in the country needs to be linked

through satellite to the designated na�onal headquarters for collec�ng real-�me data on the

ac�vity of pathogens and diseases.

Ø Interna�onal Organisa�ons such as the WHO, Food and Agriculture Organiza�on of the United

Na�ons (FAO) and the World Organisa�on for Animal Health (OIE) should work in close

collabora�on to carry out expansive research in the field to prevent and manage the threats of

such pandemics.

Ø The interna�onal community should also push for more transparency in the working of

organisa�ons such as WHO.

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Geography by its very nature focuses on Human-Environment rela�onship which offers ways to

ascertain the actual reasons behind such Pandemics and how to cope with them.

Dealing with COVID-19 requires:

1. Unravelling the cause of origin:

Outbreak of Covid-19 is result of the changing rela�onship of human-environment. Thus, Geography

guided by its contemporary paradigm of Environmentalism helps in unravelling the cause of its origin.

Since, Geography acts as a bridge between physical & human phenomena and as we know that

COVID-19 is outcome of not only natural factors but also changing cultural factors of humans.

For e.g.: Study of changing Land-Use pa�ern can help us to understand why zoono�c disease like

COVID-19 are on the rise.

2. Mapping the spread, including future spread:

Geography is a Spa�al Science. As a result, Geographers use many tools and techniques in their work,

and geographic technologies are increasingly important for understanding our complex world. They

include Geographic Informa�on Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, Global Posi�oning Systems (GPS),

and online mapping such as Google Earth.

As with the original SARS-CoV epidemic of 2002/2003 and with seasonal influenza, geographic

informa�on systems and methods, including, among other applica�on possibili�es, online real-or

near-real-�me mapping of disease cases and of social media reac�ons to disease spread, predic�ve

risk mapping using popula�on travel data, and tracing and

mapping super-spreader trajectories and contacts across

space and �me, are proving indispensable for �mely and

effec�ve epidemic monitoring and response.

It also helps in predic�on of the vulnerable areas for future

spread based on density, land-use, demography, capacity,

etc.

3. Developing prac�ces where such pandemics can be reduced/stopped in future: Can help in

chan�ng out the strategy to contain its spread by using methods like social distancing,

lockdowns, etc.

By understanding the cause of COVID-19, Geography helps us to find alterna�ve models of human-

environment rela�onship which can effec�vely contain outbreak of such diseases in future. E.g.:

Sustainable urbaniza�on, smart agriculture, etc.

A Note from HIMANSHU Sir:

Do You Know:

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are

ways to organize, present, and analyse

spatial and geographic data. You probably

don't realize it, but Waze or Google Maps,

other publicly available “tracker tools”

fall within the realm of GIS science.


Ø Global spa�al distribu�on pa�ern of the Covid-19 reveals that the popula�on density (urban areas) and human

behavioral pa�ern have become major determining factor for the spread of Coronavirus.

Ø Geography is unique subject which bridging the social sciences and the natural sciences. The loca�on analysis is

core aspect of geographical studies. The spa�al distribu�on and spread of disease is part of medical geography. The

applica�on of Geospa�al Technology i.e. GIS, GPS and Remote Sensing is helpful for cri�cal analysis.

Ø Geography as the study of loca�on and spa�al pa�erns of phenomena is well posi�oned to help in the inves�ga�on

of the physical, social and economic characteris�cs of places where COVID-19 first broke out, why and how it

spread na�onally and interna�onally, and the extent and rate at which it moved from place to place. Researchers

who specialise in this aspect of geography are referred to as medical geographers or spa�al epidemiologists. They

o�en form part of interdisciplinary research teams that include virologists, physicians, ICT and GIS specialists.

Ø For instance, Geographic Informa�on Systems (GIS) could be used to track contagion. Mapping of COVID-19 cases

will help to reduce the spread of the disease. Healthmap can be developed to collect outbreak data from sources

like news media. Having a healthmap's interac�ve map for COVID-19 offer near-real-�me updates from diverse

sources to combat its spread.

Ø We can earmark hotspots of Covid-19 and hotspot analysis can help us in marking Geo-fence of the coronavirus

disease.

Ø In China, gated community proves to be advantageous for quaran�ne purpose.

Ø Specific loca�on is the basic concept of geography, so many loca�ons having less temperature and moist condi�ons

may increase vulnerability of COVID 19, other hand the loca�ons having dry and hot condi�ons may against for

spreading.

Ø To analyse and monitor the migratory pa�erns in space. This will help in efficient policy making to handle forced

migra�on crisis.

Ø To understand the aspect of Popula�on - Resource balance of a region.

Ø To track the rise and re-

emergence of Infec�ous and

parasi�c diseases (IPD's) vis-

a-vis the climate change. This

has led to the phenomenon of

mortality reversals. Thus, the

t o o l o f d e m o g r a p h i c

transi�on model will come

handy in efficient pol icy

making on case to case basis.

Ø To analyse the mortality rates

of a region vis-a-vis the

demographic characteris�cs.

Eg: Higher mortality rate is found in

popula�ons with higher co-

morbidi�es as shown:

Ø Similarly, the country's with high old age popula�on has seen higher casual�es as compared to rela�vely younger

popula�on countries.

In what ways can geography help in dealing with Covid-19 ?


1. Globaliza�on and pandemic: An alterna�ve, more grounded, and integrated debate is required

that acknowledges both the benefits and risks associated with deepening globaliza�on.

2. Changes with respect to workforce employed.

3. Impact on other industries: especially Tourism, pharma industries, automobile insurance

industries.

4. Changing trade pa�erns: Since, the post pandemic world would see new leaders in the market:

e.g. geo-poli�cal aspects, possible de-industrialusa�on of China etc.

5. Pandemic vis a vis: Geographical theories, models and laws changes.

6. Hunger, poverty post covid. Eg. Role of FCI in such situa�ons. Importance of De-centralisa�on

economy.

7. Pandemic vs climate change.

8. Pandemic vs Migra�on trends; both domes�c and interna�onal.

9. The uneven distribu�on of the virus across and within countries raises inherently geographic

ques�ons regarding the poli�cal, economic, financial, socio-cultural and demographic dimensions

of the pandemic.

10. The no�on of 'Bio-geo-poli�cs' to study asylum-related migra�on can be examined.

11. To shed light on the rela�onship between islands, disease and geopoli�cs.

12. To study the exis�ng housing crisis that has intensified and that more ac�on is needed to provide

an alterna�ve to overpriced, commodified and financialized housing.

13. To “explore how humans have understood, used, and changed the surface of Earth.” Topics might

include migra�on pa�erns, popula�on, poli�cal ecology, environmental jus�ce, urbaniza�on, and

more.

14. In recent �mes, the One Health concept gains importance as:

Ø “The concept of One Health can be

effec�vely implemented for reducing

incidence of emerging zoono�c threats

l ike COVID-19. One Health is the

collabora�ve efforts of mul�ple disciplines

working locally, na�onally, and globally, to

a�ain op�mal health for people, animals

and our environment, as defined by the

One Health Ini�a�ve Task Force”

Other THEMES which can be linked to the Geography:


Let's Write an Answer!

Q.1. How does Demographic Changes Make us more Vulnerable to pandemics like

the COVID-19? [10 Marks]

Ans.



Some relevant Ques�ons: (can be asked in the Interview!)

1. What are some common precau�ons that India as a society will need to excercise to ensure

that the next lockdown dose not arise?

2. Define the concept of herd immunity and immunity passport?

3. Comment on the role played by WHO during global pandemic 2020.

4. What would really a good economic s�mulus package be in Covid 19 �mes?

5. Explain the reason behind companies unable to move to India in general? Does the possible

de-industrialisa�on of China in near future is a mirage?

6. Labour law reforms in india is a crying need but to relax labour laws during a pandemic may

be counter produc�ve. Discuss.

7. Explain the various dimensions of the global dynamic debate of 'Lives vs Livelihood'.

8. How can we claim that climate change and covid-19 are the result of humans encroachment

to mother Nature.

9. “Concepts of over-under and op�mum popula�on are rela�ve rather than absolute.”

Comment. How does emergencies like COVID 19 affect rela�onship between popula�on and

resources?

10. COVID 19 has provided boost to the idea that Malthus was indeed right about the concept of

'posi�ve checks'.” Cri�cally evaluate.

11. Illustrate the rela�onship between pandemics and migra�on with special reference to

COVID 19. What are the consequences of such forced migra�on.

12. “There seems to be emergence of demographic fa�gue in some parts of the world.” Analyse

with special focus on emergencies like COVID 19.

13. Examine the role of social capital in dealing with emergencies like COVID 19.

Corona-virus and Geography:

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By Himanshu Sir

1. SEABED 2030 PROJECT:

Why in News?

Recently, it was announced that mapping of nearly one-fi�h of the world's ocean floor had been finished under the Seabed 2030 Project.

About Sea bed 2030 Project:

Ø A collabora�ve project between the Nippon Founda�on of Japan and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO).

Ø Launched at the United Na�ons Ocean Conference in June 2017 and is aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

AIM:

1. To bring together all available bathymetric data to produce the defini�ve map of the world ocean floor by 2030 and make it available to all.

2. To obtain higher quality informa�on that has a minimum resolu�on of 100 metres at all spots, using equipment such as deep water hull-mounted sonar systems, and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs).

General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans:

Ø GEBCO is the only intergovernmental organisa�on with a mandate to map the en�re ocean floor.

Ø It traces its origins to the GEBCO chart series ini�ated in 1903 by Prince Albert I of Monaco.

Ø It aims to provide the most authorita�ve publicly-available bathymetry of the world's oceans.

Ø It operates under the joint auspices of the Interna�onal Hydrographic Organiza�on (IHO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) (of UNESCO).

Interna�onal Hydrographic Organiza�on (IHO):

Ø The IHO is an intergovernmental organiza�on that works to ensure all the world's seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted. It was established in 1921.

Ø India is its member.

Ø The IHO Secretariat is hosted by the Principality of Monaco.

PRELIMS CORNER: 2021

Do You Know:

Bathymetry is the measurement of the

shape and depth of the ocean floor.


.

3. HEATWAVE:

Why in News?

India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a Red Warning for Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Rajasthan.

About Heat wave:

Ø It is a period of abnormally high temperatures more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the summer season in the North-Western and South-Central parts of India.

Ø They typically occur between March and June and in some rare cases even extend �ll July.

Ø The extreme temperatures and resultant atmospheric condi�ons affects people living in these regions as they cause dehydra�on, heat cramps, heat exhaus�on and/or heat stroke.

2. EARTH'S SEISMIC NOISE:

Why in News?

Scien�sts at the Bri�sh Geological Survey (BGS) have reported a change in the Earth's seismic noise and vibra�ons amid the coronavirus lockdown.

It observed a 30-50 per cent fall in levels of ambient seismic noise since schools and businesses were closed in mid-March.

What is seismic noise?

Ø In geology, seismic noise refers to the rela�vely persistent vibra�on of the ground due to a mul�tude of causes.

Ø It is the unwanted component of signals recorded by a seismometer– the scien�fic instrument that records ground mo�ons, such as those caused by earthquakes, volcanic erup�ons, and explosions.

Ø CAUSES: Due to human ac�vity, such as transport and manufacturing and makes it difficult for scien�sts to study seismic data that is more valuable.

Ø Apart from geology, seismic noise is also studied in other fields such as oil explora�on, hydrology, and earthquake engineering.

Significance of reduced noise levels:

Ø The seismic noise vibra�on caused by human ac�vity are of high frequency (between 1-100 Hz), and travel through the Earth's surface layers.

Ø Usually, to measure seismic ac�vity accurately and reduce the effect of seismic noise, geologists place their detectors 100 meters below the Earth's surface.

Ø Due to lower noise levels, scien�sts are now hoping that they would be able to detect smaller earthquakes and tremors that had slipped past their instruments so far.

Do You Know: st

Do you Know: Scien�sts have recorded 1

ever heat wave event in East Antarc�ca

dur ing the 2019-2020 , southern

hemisphere summer.


Criteria for Heat Waves by IMD:

1. Heat Wave need not be considered �ll the maximum temperature of a sta�on reaches at least 40°C for Plains and at least 30°C for Hilly regions.

2. When the actual maximum temperature remains 45°C or more irrespec�ve of normal maximum temperature, heat waves should be declared.

4. RED SNOW IN ANTARCTICA:

Why in News?

Photographs of “Red Snow” off the coast of Antarc�ca's northernmost peninsula were seen recently.

What:

· “Red snow” or “watermelon snow” is due to the presence of Chlamydomonas nivalis, which exists in snow in the polar and glacial regions, and carries a red pigment to keep itself warm.

· It is the algae that give the snow its red �nge, it causes the surrounding ice to melt faster.

· The more the algae packed together, the redder the snow and the darker the �nge, the more the heat absorbed by the snow. Subsequently, the ice melts faster.

· While the melt is good for the microbes that need the liquid water to survive and thrive, it's bad for glaciers that are already mel�ng from a myriad of other causes.

· These algae change the snow's albedo. Changes in albedo lead to more mel�ng.

· It is a phenomenon that has been known since ancient �mes, now it raises concerns about climate change.

Concept: Albedo is the measure of amount of Reflec�vity of any surface.

Do you know:

Aristotle is believed to be one of the first to give a wri�en account of red snow, over 2,000 years ago.


5. ZOMBIE FIRES

Why in News?

'Zombie fires' becoming more frequent in Arc�c in addi�on to fires occurring in the once-frozen tundra.

What: Zombie Fires burn underground and get their name because they con�nue to burn even a�er surface fires are put out.

About:

· It is a fire from a previous growing season that can smoulder under the ground which is made up of carbon-rich peat.

· When the weather warms, the fire can reignite. These are also known as holdover fires.

· Concern: The fires in the Arc�c spreading to areas which were formerly fire-resistant primarily an outcome of increased Global warming and Climate Change. Such a phenomena works in a Feedback loop. [ A vicious Cycle.]

· The tundra — north of the Arc�c Circle — is drying up and vegeta�on there like moss, grass, dwarf shrubs, etc are star�ng to catch fire.

· The fires and record temperatures have the poten�al of turning the carbon sink into a carbon source and increasing global warming.

Forest FireBurns for weeks/months

Burns surfacevegeta�on Visible flames

Peat FireBurns for months/yearsBurns underground peat

Surface smoulderingReleases more carbon.




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1. What are Tropical Cyclones: are Intense low pressure centers formed over tropical seas, which forms a closed air circula�on (whirling mo�on) as a result of rapid upward movement of hot air which is subjected to .Coriolis force

Tropical cyclones are one of the mechanisms by which surface heat energy is redistributed from the equator to the poles.

Direc�ons:

· Storms that form towards the north of the equator rotate counter-clockwise.

· On the other hand, those that form south of the equator spin clockwise because of the rota�on of the Earth on its axis.

These are measured by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Do You Know:Tropical cyclones are known as 'typhoons' in the northwest pacific ocean, hurricanes in the North Atlantic Ocean, Willy-willies in northwestern Australia and Tropical Cyclones in the Indian Ocean Region.

All About Tropical Cyclones: From Prelims Perspec�ve:

https://www.pmfias.com/wind-movement-factors-affecting-winds-coriolis-force/


2. Precondi�ons:

Ø Large sea surface with temperature higher than 27° C.

Ø Presence of the Coriolis force.

Ø Small varia�ons in the ver�cal wind speed.

Ø A pre-exis�ng weak low- pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circula�on.

Ø Upper divergence above the sea level system.

3. How it is Formed?

4. Distribu�on: Cyclones developed in the regions between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, are called tropical cyclones.

Tropical cyclones usually develop in summer season in the vicinity of Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) over warm ocean surface.


5. How are Cyclones named?

(A) What are the bodies responsible for coming with a list of names?

(B) Now coming to our WMO/ESCAP PANEL ON TROPICAL CYCLONES:

· Inter-governmental regional body jointly established by the World Meteorological Organisa�on (WMO) and the United Na�ons Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific (ESCAP) in 1972.

· It is associated with the Tropical Cyclone Programme of WMO that aims at assis�ng Members in monitoring and forecas�ng tropical cyclones. To promote measures to improve tropical cyclone warning systems and dissemina�on of technical informa�on on tropical cyclone research and forecas�ng opera�ons.

In addi�on, the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres (RSMC) are responsible for the distribu�on of informa�on, advisories, warnings, monitoring and predic�on of tropical cyclones over their respec�ve regions. They are also responsible to name the cyclones.In general, tropical cyclones are named according to the rules at a regional level.

(C ) What about names of Cyclones in India & the neighbourhood?

The Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre ( ) of Tropical Cyclones in New Delhi is assigned the RSMCresponsibility of issuing weather outlooks and tropical cyclone advisories for the countries in the WMO/ESCAP Panel region bordering the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. This is also the agency responsible for naming the cyclones in this region.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on 28 April 2020, releasad a new list with the names of 169 tropical cyclones including 13 names each from 13 WMO/ESCAP member countries that are likely to emerge over the north Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.

The RSMC (New Delhi) gives each tropical cyclone an iden�fica�on name from the below name list. The iden�fica�on system covers both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

http://www.rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=153&lang=en


The following have to be noted while understanding the naming in this region.

· The Panel member's name is listed alphabe�cally country wise, star�ng with Bangladesh followed by India, Maldives and so on.

· The names for the cyclones will be used sequen�ally column-wise. (List 1 followed by List 2 and so on)

· The first name will start from the first row of column one and con�nue sequen�ally to the last row in column eight. Example, this will be as Nisarga, Ga�, Nivar, Burevi, Tauktae…………. Samhah.

The lists for the Indian region are used sequen�ally and are not rotated every few years like the Atlan�c and Eastern Pacific lists. Once the lists are exhausted, the panel meets again, to decide on a list of names.

If there is a severe storm that causes a lot of damage/destruc�on & causes many deaths, then its name is considered for re�rement and is not used repeatedly. This is to ensure that the history and record of that cyclone is iden�fied with a unique name.

1. CYCLONE AMPHAN

Why in News?

Amphan formed over the Bay of Bengal as a tropical cyclone and later intensified into a 'Very Severe Cyclonic Storm' (VSCS) to 'Extreme Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS)'.

It is made landfall between Digha (West Bengal) and Hathiya islands (Bangladesh) on May 20.

The regions of East Midnapore, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, and West Midnapore were affected by the heavy rainfall.

North Odisha Coast faced the maximum impact a�er Amphan makes landfall with the wind speed of 110-120 mph.

The range of wind speed of Amphan reached up to 230-265 mph before it weakens in intensity.

Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) at Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) was used to track the cyclone Amphan.

A�er the Phailin cyclone that had hit the Bengal-Odisha coast in 2013, Amphan is said to be the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the coast.

CYCLONES IN NEWS:

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2. Cyclone NISARGA

Why in News?

On the western coast of India, Cyclone Nisarga headed towards the coastline of north Maharashtra and south Gujarat.

The trajectory of Amphan was towards West Bengal and Bangladesh and it made landfall as a severe storm at:

West Bengal – Sagar Island, Bangladesh – Ha�ya Island

Thailand has given the name of the cyclone – Amphan, which is pronounced as 'UM-PUN'.FF

About:

In strength and intensity, Cyclone Nisarga would be much weaker than Cyclone Amphan that struck on May 20 and passed through West Bengal on its way to Bangladesh.

Cyclones formed in the Bay of Bengal side of the north Indian Ocean are more frequent and stronger than those on the Arabian Sea side.

The rela�vely cold waters of the Arabian Sea discourage the kind of very strong cyclones that are formed on the Bay of Bengal side; Odisha and Andhra Pradesh face the brunt of these cyclones every year.

Five cyclones originated in the area in 2019 — Vayu, Hikka, Kyarr, Maha and Pavan

The year 2019 was slightly unusual as the Arabian Sea saw the most frequent and intense cyclonic ac�vity in more than 100 years.

The name 'Nisarga' has been suggested by Bangladesh.

3. CYCLONE NIVAR

Why in News?

The Bay of Bengal will see its second Severe Cyclone of the year, a�er Super Cyclone Amphan formed earlier this year. It has made landfall along the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast.

About:

The IMD has forecasted the development of a cyclone in the Southwest region of the Bay of Bengal, off Tamil Nadu coast.

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F

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It has said that it will strengthen into a cyclone. Once intensified, it would acquire its name 'Nivar', proposed by Iran.

A�er cyclone Gaja in 2018, this will be the second cyclone to cross Tamil Nadu in the last two years.

4. CYCLONE BUREVI

Weak tropical cyclone which made landfall in Sri Lanka, becoming the first to do so since a depression in 2014, and brought minimal impact to Southern India in December 2020. This comes day a�er Cyclone Nivar hit the Puducherry coast.

Named by the Maldives.

5. TYPHOON MOLAVE: VIETNAM

Recently, Typhoon Molave has slammed into central Vietnam and has set off a series of landslides that buried villages and towns.

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1. FUJIWHARA EFFECT

Why in News?

Recently, Two tropical storms named Marco and Laura forming in the western Atlan�c Ocean at nearly the same �me are likely to impact the Gulf of Mexico sparking concerns of the rare Fujiwhara effect.

About:

The effect occurs when two hurricanes spinning in the same direc�on pass close enough to each other, and begin an intense dance around their common center. If one hurricane is a lot stronger than the other, the smaller one will orbit it and eventually come crashing into its vortex to be absorbed.

What happens in the Fujiwhara Effect?

According to the US Na�onal Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra�on(NOAA), one of three things happen when the storms come near each other.

1. If one hurricane is a lot stronger than the other, the smaller one will orbit it and eventually come crashing into its vortex to be absorbed.

2. If the two storms are close to the same size, they can gravitate toward each other un�l they reach a common point where they either merge or they spin each other around for a while before they spin off in different direc�ons.

3. The third possibility is that the two systems come together to form a large storm instead of two smaller ones.

OTHER RELATED TERMS:


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2. Recurving Cyclones:

· On its way to diminish cyclone gets a sort of second wind by deflected right or eastwards is known as re-curving cyclones.

· This is due to air currents in the local atmosphere that push cold air from the poles towards the equator and interfere with cyclone forma�on. E.g. Cyclone—Ockhi.

3. Bomb Cyclones:

· Bomb cyclone is actually used by meteorologists to indicate a mid-la�tude cyclone that intensifies rapidly. It is a massive winter storm hammering the coast, bringing strong winds, flooding, ice and snow. It is a combina�on of rapidly declining pressure and extreme cold.

4. The Cyclone Genesis Poten�al (GPI) to es�mate the number of cyclones that may be born in a season is defined based on the variables that occur during the birth of cyclones. GPI also help project how cyclones will respond to global warming.

Mains Ques�on Desk!

1. Though Nisarga cyclone affected parts of Maharashtra, tropical cyclones usually don't occur along western coast of India. Why? What was then excep�onal about Cyclone Nisarga? [ 10 Marks ]

2. Explain how are Tropical cyclones formed? Discuss why is the Eastern Coast of India is more prone to Tropical cyclones than the western coast of India? [15 Marks]

References:

1. Down to Earth.

2. Yojana.

3. Kurukshetra.

4. The Hindu and Indian Express.

5. Research Gate.

6. Internet.




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