India’s tropical cyclone landfalls have grown more intense and unpredictable. Examine the IMD-NDMA-SDMA response chain and the gaps revealed by recent cyclones.
Subtopic: Security · Disaster management
How to structure your answer
Introduction: IMD recorded 8 cyclonic storms in the North Indian Ocean basin in 2023 (above climatological average of ~5); Cyclone Biparjoy (June 2023) had ~14-day track — longest ever recorded over Arabian Sea (IMD).
Body: 1) Response chain — IMD forecast, NDMA SOP, NDRF pre-positioning, SDMA evacuation, ISRO Mausam dissemination. 2) Successes — near-zero casualties in Cyclone Biparjoy. 3) Gaps — compound flood-cyclone events, post-cyclone livelihood restoration.
Way forward: Compound-event modelling; CDRI-led infrastructure resilience; mandatory cyclone shelters under PMAY-G coastal blocks.
Written within the word limit
85 words · target 150 words · 9 min
Introduction: India recorded 8 cyclones in 2023 — Cyclone Biparjoy ran 14 days, the longest Arabian Sea track ever.
Response chain: IMD generates 72-hour Cyclone Genesis Potential; NDMA SOP triggers NDRF pre-positioning; SDMA drives Zero-Casualty Approach evacuation in coastal blocks.
Gaps: Compound flood-cyclone events overwhelm single-hazard SOPs; post-cyclone livelihood (fisheries, salt-pan workers) lacks structured restoration; smaller IMD-untracked tropical lows still kill.
Way forward: Compound-event ensemble modelling at IMD; CDRI-led coastal infrastructure resilience under MoEFCC; mandatory multi-purpose shelters in PMAY-G coastal blocks; ULB-level last-mile communication via AI4Bharat language stack.
What an examiner expects to see
- 8 cyclonic storms in NIO 2023 (IMD)
- Cyclone Biparjoy 14-day track June 2023
- INSAT-3DS launched February 2024 for cyclone tracking
- NDRF 16 battalions
- CDRI launched at UN 2019
- Cyclone Distance Coding under IMD Mumbai
Concrete cases, schemes and judgments
- Cyclone Fani 2019 zero-casualty model
- Cyclone Remal May 2024
- Cyclone Michaung Chennai 2023