Extreme Weather Events — Revision Notes
⚡ 30-Second Revision
- Definition: — Weather phenomena at historical extremes, intensified by climate change.
- Types: — Cyclones, Heatwaves, Floods, Droughts, Cold Waves, Hailstorms.
- Key Drivers: — GHG forcing, El Niño/La Niña, IOD, Western Disturbances, Monsoon variability.
- Impacts: — Agriculture, Economy, Health, Infrastructure, Biodiversity.
- India's Framework: — NDMA Act 2005 (NDMA, SDMA, DDMA, NDRF, SDRF).
- Key Policies: — NDMP, Heatwave Action Plans, EWS.
- International: — IPCC AR6, Paris Agreement (Art 7), Sendai Framework, Loss & Damage Fund.
- Recent Events: — Cyclone Biparjoy (2023), 2024 Heatwaves, Cyclone Remal (2024).
- Vyyuha Connect: — Article 21, Climate-Resilient Infrastructure, Climate Diplomacy.
2-Minute Revision
Extreme weather events are increasingly frequent and intense deviations from normal weather patterns, directly linked to anthropogenic climate change. India faces a spectrum of these events, including devastating cyclones (e.
g., Amphan, Yaas), prolonged heatwaves (2022 Northwest India), severe floods (Kerala 2018, Assam), and recurrent droughts (Maharashtra, Karnataka). Scientifically, these are driven by greenhouse gas forcing, altering global atmospheric and oceanic dynamics, including phenomena like El Niño/La Niña, Indian Ocean Dipole, and Western Disturbances, which in turn affect monsoon variability.
The impacts are profound, crippling agriculture, straining the economy, endangering public health, and damaging critical infrastructure. India's response is anchored in the National Disaster Management Act, 2005, which established the NDMA and a comprehensive framework for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response.
Key strategies involve robust Early Warning Systems, specific Heatwave Action Plans, and promoting climate-resilient infrastructure. Internationally, India engages with IPCC findings, the Paris Agreement's adaptation goals, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, actively participating in discussions on climate finance and the critical issue of Loss and Damage.
Understanding this nexus is crucial for UPSC, as it integrates environment, governance, economy, and international relations.
5-Minute Revision
Extreme weather events, defined as statistically rare and severe weather phenomena, are becoming more common and intense globally, with strong scientific consensus linking this trend to human-induced climate change.
For India, a country highly vulnerable due to its geography and socio-economic factors, this translates into escalating risks from tropical cyclones, prolonged heatwaves, intense floods, and severe droughts.
The scientific underpinnings involve greenhouse gas forcing, which warms the planet and energizes weather systems. This warming interacts with natural climate oscillations like the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), influencing the erratic nature of the Indian monsoon.
Additionally, changes in Western Disturbances contribute to unseasonal weather patterns in northern India. The socio-economic impacts are pervasive: agriculture suffers immense crop losses, the economy faces infrastructure damage and productivity declines, public health is threatened by heat stress and water-borne diseases, and vulnerable communities face displacement and amplified poverty.
India's institutional response is spearheaded by the National Disaster Management Act, 2005, which established the NDMA, SDMAs, and DDMAs, alongside the NDRF and SDRF. This framework champions a proactive, holistic approach to disaster management, emphasizing prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation.
Key policy instruments include the National Disaster Management Plan, comprehensive Early Warning Systems for various hazards, and specific Heatwave Action Plans. India also actively participates in international efforts, aligning its strategies with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the adaptation goals of the Paris Agreement.
A critical area of international discussion, particularly relevant for India, is 'Loss and Damage,' focusing on financial support for unavoidable climate impacts, with the operationalization of a dedicated fund at COP28 being a significant development.
From a UPSC perspective, this topic demands an integrated understanding, connecting scientific mechanisms with policy frameworks, socio-economic impacts, and international cooperation, reflecting its multi-faceted relevance across GS papers.
The 'Vyyuha Analysis' highlights the deep nexus between extreme weather and India's development, emphasizing vulnerability, economic burden, equity, and policy trade-offs.
Prelims Revision Notes
- Definition: — Extreme weather = rare, severe weather events (e.g., record heat, heavy rain, strong winds). Intensified by climate change.
- Types in India: — Cyclones (Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea), Heatwaves (North, Central, East India), Floods (river basins, urban), Droughts (rain-fed areas), Cold Waves (North India), Hailstorms.
- Scientific Drivers:
* GHG Forcing: Primary driver, global warming, increased atmospheric energy. * ENSO: El Niño (droughts), La Niña (good monsoon). * IOD: Positive IOD (good monsoon), Negative IOD (suppressed monsoon). * Western Disturbances: Winter precipitation in North India; altered patterns cause unseasonal weather. * Monsoon Variability: Erratic rainfall, intense bursts, prolonged dry spells. * Atmospheric Dynamics: Jet stream changes, 'blocking' patterns.
- Key Institutions:
* IMD: India Meteorological Department (weather forecasts, cyclone/heatwave warnings). * CWC: Central Water Commission (flood forecasting). * ITEWC: Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre. * NDMA: National Disaster Management Authority (PM-headed, apex body). * NDRF/SDRF: National/State Disaster Response Force.
- NDMA Act, 2005: — Shifted to proactive, holistic DRR. Established NDMA, SDMA, DDMA.
- International Frameworks:
* IPCC AR6: Confirmed human link to extreme weather. * Paris Agreement (Art 7): Adaptation, resilience, EWS. * Sendai Framework: DRR targets (2015-2030), 'Build Back Better'. * Loss & Damage: Unavoidable impacts, fund operationalized at COP28.
- India-Specific Examples: — Cyclones Amphan, Yaas, Fani, Biparjoy; 2022 Northwest India Heatwave; Kerala Floods 2018; Assam Floods; Maharashtra/Karnataka Droughts.
- Policy Measures: — Heatwave Action Plans, National Disaster Management Plan, Climate-Resilient Infrastructure, Early Warning Systems.
- Vyyuha Connect: — Article 21 (Right to Life), Climate Diplomacy, Economic Planning (resilient infrastructure).
Mains Revision Notes
- Introduction: — Define extreme weather, link to climate change, highlight India's vulnerability and multi-sectoral impacts.
- Scientific Mechanisms (Why it's happening): — Detail GHG forcing, ENSO, IOD, WDs, and monsoon variability. Explain how these interact to intensify specific events (e.g., warmer oceans -> stronger cyclones; warmer atmosphere -> heavier rainfall).
- Socio-Economic Impacts (What are the consequences):
* Agriculture: Crop failure, food security, farmer distress (e.g., drought, unseasonal rain). * Economy: Infrastructure damage, GDP loss, fiscal burden, supply chain disruption. * Health: Heat stress, vector/water-borne diseases, malnutrition. * Vulnerability & Equity: Disproportionate impact on poor, marginalized communities, migration. * Urban: Urban heat islands, flash floods due to unplanned growth.
- India's Disaster Management Framework (How India responds):
* NDMA Act 2005: Paradigm shift, institutional structure (NDMA, SDMA, DDMA, NDRF). * Strengths: EWS improvement (cyclones), specific action plans (heatwaves), 'Build Back Better' principle. * Challenges: Integration of climate change, last-mile connectivity, funding, capacity building, inter-agency coordination, urban planning gaps.
- Adaptation & Mitigation Strategies (What more can be done):
* Structural: Climate-resilient infrastructure, dam management, embankments. * Non-structural: EWS enhancement, community-based DRR, climate-smart agriculture, urban greening, land-use planning. * Policy: Mainstreaming climate adaptation, innovative financing, R&D.
- International Context:
* IPCC AR6: Scientific basis for action. * Paris Agreement (Art 7): Global adaptation goals. * Sendai Framework: Global DRR targets, 'Build Back Better'. * Loss & Damage: Financial support for unavoidable impacts; significance of COP28 fund.
- Vyyuha Analysis/Conclusion: — Emphasize the 'Extreme Weather-Development Nexus'. Stress the need for a holistic, adaptive, and inclusive approach, integrating science, policy, and community participation. Highlight India's role in climate diplomacy and the importance of international cooperation for a resilient future.
Vyyuha Quick Recall
Vyyuha's HEAT-WAVE Mnemonic for Extreme Weather Events:
H - Heatwaves: Prolonged periods of abnormally high temperatures. (e.g., 2022 Northwest India, 2024 records) E - Extreme Precipitation: Unusually heavy rainfall leading to floods. (e.g.
, Kerala 2018, Himachal Pradesh cloudbursts) A - Atmospheric Rivers: Narrow bands of moisture in the atmosphere, causing heavy rain/snow. (Less direct for India, but a global concept) T - Tropical Cyclones: Intense rotating storms over warm oceans.
(e.g., Amphan, Yaas, Biparjoy, Remal) W - Wildfires: Large, uncontrolled fires, often exacerbated by drought and heat. (Increasing global concern, some instances in India) A - Arctic Changes: Melting ice, altered jet stream influencing global weather patterns.
(Indirectly affects WDs and monsoon) V - Volcanic Impacts: (Not a weather event, but a natural disaster often studied alongside, can cause temporary climate cooling). *Self-correction: The prompt asked for 'Volcanic impacts' in the mnemonic, but it's not an extreme weather event.
I will adjust this to 'Vulnerability & Variability' to fit the theme better, or keep it as requested if it's a fixed mnemonic.* *Re-evaluation: The prompt explicitly states 'Volcanic impacts' as part of the HEAT-WAVE mnemonic.
I must use it as given, even if it's not a weather event, as it's a 'Vyyuha Quick Recall Section' element.* (Can cause temporary climate cooling, but not an extreme weather event itself; included as per prompt's specific instruction for the mnemonic).
E - Ecosystem Disruption: Broad impact on biodiversity, habitats, and natural systems. (e.g.