Days after cyclone Remal (GS Paper 3, Environment)
Introduction
- Cyclone Remal prompts us to consider nature's unpredictability.
- Part of the rise in global temperatures is due to modern lifestyle flaws, negatively impacting the climate.
- This leads to rising sea levels and resulting floods. Scientists warn that if these trends persist, cities such as London, New York, Chennai, and Bangkok could be submerged.
Natural Disasters and Their Impacts
Floods in Mississippi and Hurricane Katrina
Recurring Floods and Hurricanes:
- The Mississippi River areas frequently experience severe hurricanes and subsequent flooding.
- Notable incident: Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which caused 85% of New Orleans to be submerged.
Historical Flood Management (1927):
- In 1927, the Mississippi River's overflow threatened to devastate New Orleans.
- A critical decision was made to use dynamite to create a new drainage path for the river, diverting it into the sea.
- This decision faced strong opposition due to fears of property destruction but was ultimately implemented, saving the town.
Inadequate Infrastructure and Response in the US
Persistent Flood Challenges:
- Despite significant resources and technological advancements, the US struggles to establish effective flood management infrastructure.
- The repeated flood damage remains a source of ongoing sorrow and concern.
Japan's Earthquake Challenges and Technological Responses
Frequent Earthquakes:
- Japan, a highly advanced nation, frequently faces severe earthquakes, accounting for 20% of global quakes of magnitude 6 and above.
- Historical example: The 1923 earthquake devastated Tokyo and Yokohama, destroying over 300,000 houses and killing more than 140,000 people.
Technological Advancements Post-1923:
- Japan has since developed sophisticated mechanisms to mitigate earthquake damage.
- Innovations include quake-resistant structures like the Imperial Hotel, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, which withstood the 1923 quake.
- Modern advancements: Tokyo now has quake-resistant reservoirs providing 10 days of drinking water and comparable food storehouses.
Global Examples of Natural Disasters
Mexico Earthquake (1985):
- A severe earthquake in 1985 impacted Mexico, with tremors felt as far away as Houston, USA (1,200 km).
- Rescue operations highlighted the effectiveness of trained dogs in locating survivors trapped in debris.
Limitations of Disaster Prediction
Unpredictability of Natural Disasters:
- Despite advancements, predicting natural disasters remains challenging.
- Example: The US Parkfield Prediction Experiment, despite using sophisticated technology, illustrates the limitations in accurately forecasting earthquakes.
Conclusion
- In China, Pakistan, India and in several other places, we have faced earthquakes and other natural disasters in which lakhs of people perished and vast areas were laid to waste.
- But we should remember that what we have heard so far was not the roar of the earth but its murmur.
