Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
5. Evaluate the role of government preparedness in mitigating the impact of devastating cyclones in the short-term and long-term. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
That Cyclone Mandous, which had its landfall near Mamallapuram, near Chennai, in the early hours of Saturday, did not cause much damage has come as a huge relief to the people of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. At one stage, it was expected to develop into a “severe cyclonic storm”, but did not gain much strength. Called a “textbook cyclone”, the storm, as predicted by the India Meteorological Department, crossed the coast with all the attendant features, to the satisfaction of professional meteorologists.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the role of government preparedness in cyclone mitigation.
Directive word:
Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence. You must appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming an opinion here.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by providing context and the increasing frequency of cyclones in India.
Body:
In first part, bring out the economic costs and human costs as a result of devastation caused by the severe cyclones.
Next, write about the role of government preparedness – installing a disaster warning system in the coastal districts, and construction of evacuation shelters in cyclone-prone districts etc.
Next, mention long term measures – Embankments that are resilient to storm surges, improved prevention of flooding from swollen rivers and coastal mangrove habitats regeneration etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward as the how the above will help mitigate the impact of devastating cyclones.
