The Roller­coaster that was the 2023 monsoon

Context:

• India’s 2023 monsoon rainfall hit five-year low due to the El Nino weather pattern, affecting the agricultural production.

More about the news: 

• As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rainfall over the country during June to September was 94% of its long period average, the lowest since 2018.

Chart 1: It shows the cumulative departure (in %) of rainfall from the Long Period Average (LPA) in India this monsoon season.

• The LPA is the average rainfall received between 1971 and 2020. 
• Departure of ­20% or lower points to deficient rainfall, departure of +20% or higher points to surplus rainfall, and anything in between is considered normal. 
• There was a severe deficit in the first two weeks of June, which was compensated in July, and a severely dry August was later compensated in September, leading to a “normal” monsoon in the end.

Chart 2:

• The monthly percentage departure of rainfall from the LPA in India was ­9% in June, +13% in July, ­36% in August, and +13% in September.
• Region wise split of the monthly departure:  The northwest region received excess rainfall (>+19% departure) in the first two months of the monsoon, though it ran a deficit in August. 

Map 3:

• It shows the meteorological sub division wise percentage departure of rainfall from the LPA in India at the end of the monsoon season. 
• The sub­divisions — eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, south­interior Karnataka and Kerala — ended with a deficient rainfall. 
• The subdivisions Saurashtra & Kutch, and West Rajasthan ended with a surplus rainfall. The rest of India recorded a normal rainfall (within the +19% and ­19% range).

Chart 4:

• The impact El Nino and La Nina had on the percentage departure of rainfall from the LPA in the southwest monsoons between the 1950s and 2023. 
  • El Nino is a warming of Pacific waters that is typically accompanied by drier conditions over the Indian subcontinent.
  • La Nina is a climate pattern that describes the periodic cooling of sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific that is associated with surplus rain in India. 

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Context

• The Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2023 was shared by three scientists—Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus and Alexei I. Ekimov.

About Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2023

• Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2023 has been awarded for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots.

What are quantum dots?

• Quantum dots are particles that are a few nanometres wide. 
• They exhibit unique optical properties due to their small physical size. 
  • Their structure and atomic composition are the same as bulk materials, but the properties of the latter don’t depend on their size.
• In fact, the properties of quantum dots can be changed by changing their size.

Applications of  Quantum Dots

• Quantum dots have the ability to convert a spectrum of light into different colors.
• They are also used to map biological tissues by biochemists.
• Quantum dots are also used in photovoltaic cells to improve the absorption and efficiency in converting solar light into electricity.
• Certain cancer treatments use quantum dots for targeted drug delivery and other therapeutic measures
• Quantum dots can be used as security markers on currency and documents as an anti-counterfeit measure. Broadly, they can be used as fluorescent markers to tag and track objects.

News Source: The Hindu

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Context:

• Recently, doctors at the Churchill Hospital Oxford, in the U.K., conducted the uterus transplant. 

About Uterus Transplant

• A uterus transplant is a surgical procedure by which a healthy uterus is transplanted in a woman whose uterus is absent or diseased.
• It can help women who lack a uterus fulfill their reproductive needs.
• A new uterus is obtained from a live or deceased donor and fitted into the recipient. 
• India’s first uterine transplant baby,  was delivered through a Cesarean section at Galaxy Care Hospital in  Pune in 2018.
• Approximately 1 in 500 women are estimated to have uterine factor infertility according to the British Medical Bulletin.

Process of Uterus Transplant

• The Uterus Transplant procedure doesn’t connect the uterus to the fallopian tubes – which ensure the ovum from the ovaries moves to the uterus – so the individual can’t become pregnant through natural means. 
• Instead, doctors remove the recipient’s ova, create embryos using in vitro fertilization, and freeze them embryos (a.k.a. cryopreservation). 
• Once the newly transplanted uterus is ‘ready’, the doctors implant the embryos in the uterus.
• To prevent the recipient’s body from rejecting the transplanted uterus, the recipient needs to take drugs that suppress the immune system. 
• These drugs are selected such that they won’t harm fetal development at any stage – from the uterus’s transplant until it is removed after childbirth.

News Source: The Hindu

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Context:

• Three indigenous products from Arunachal Pradesh – Yak Churpi, Khamti rice and Tangsa textile – have been granted the prestigious GI Tag by the GI Registry.

What is a GI Tag?

• A Geographical indication Tag or GI Tag is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. Geographical Indications are covered as a component of intellectual property rights (IPRs) under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
• There is a clear connection between the product and its original place of production because the qualities are dependent on the geographic location of production.
• They are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.
• The first product in India to be accorded with GI tag was Darjeeling tea in the year 2004-05.
• In India, GI Tag registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 which allowed India to join the WTO and sign the convention. 

Benefits of GI Tag

• International Trade: GIs open doors of international trade by protecting products’ names and reputation in foreign markets which in turn increase exports.
• Reputation & Trust: By establishing a reputation for quality and authenticity, GI tagging helps in bringing an instant confidence amongst consumers. The association of a specific region with the product adds value and establishes instant trust, loyalty, and reputation.
• Market Differentiation: Offering valuable opportunities for businesses to differentiate their products in the marketplace, GIs highlight the uniqueness and qualities of the product.
• Legal Protection to the Products: GI Tag prevents unauthorized use of GI tag products by others.

News Source: The Print

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Context:

• The National Action Plan for Green Shipping promotes eco-friendly practices, the Director General of Shipping outlined on the sidelines of  INMEX SMM India 2023 conference.

More on News

• India’s maritime sector will play a pivotal role in achieving a $20 trillion economy by 2047, with a 9% projected growth rate.
• The three-day  INMEX SMM India 2023 conference , which is being hosted in collaboration with German exhibition organizer Hamburg Messe and Congress, will cover several issues concerning the industry, including green shipping and digitalisation, among others.

What is Green Shipping?

• Green shipping is when people or goods are transported through ships using minimum resources and energy as possible, to protect the environment from the pollutants generated by the ships.
• National Centre of Excellence for Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) aims at providing Green solutions to transform Ports & Shipping in India.
• It encompasses a range of strategies and technologies, which all share the common goals of;
  • Reducing carbon emissions
  • Minimizing air and water pollution
  • Promoting ecological balance

How to make shipping more sustainable?

• Embrace alternative fuels: Transitioning to low-carbon or zero-emission fuels is one of the most impactful ways to reduce shipping’s carbon footprint.
• Improve port infrastructure and operations: Allowing ships to connect to onshore electricity instead of using their engines while docked, would reduce emissions and noise pollution.
• Optimize vessel design and efficiency: Advanced hull designs, optimized propulsion systems, and integrated energy-saving technologies could lead to substantial fuel savings and emissions reductions, making vessels more environmentally friendly.

 News Source: Economic times

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Context:

• Construction of a 250-meter-long underground tunnel is being carried out on a war-footing at Mahakaleshwar Ujjain Temple.

About Mahakaleshwar Ujjain Temple

• Mahakaleshwar Ujjain which means the Lord of Time, refers to Lord Shiva, the one among the trinity of Hinduism, i.e. Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara, wherein Lord Shiva is also known as Maheshwara. 
• Located on the banks of Shipra river,, this temple is  one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas in India. 
• Shri Mahakaleshwar of Ujjayini is known among the twelve celebrated Jyotirlingas in India. 
• As per the records, the temple’s Mahakal lingam is believed to be Swayambhu (self-manifested), and that the idol of Mahakaleshwar idol faces south, which is unlike all the other Jyotirlingas in the country. 
• It’s a popular Hindu pilgrimage site, where the Bhasma-Aarti lures tons of devotees from across the country. 
• The temple complex comes with a spacious courtyard that is adorned with finest sculptures that are believed to be influenced by Chalukya, Maratha, and Bhumija styles of structural design. 
• The temple also houses a tank constructed in the sarvatobhadra style.

Significance Of Mahakaleshwar Ujjain Temple’s Location

• Popularly known as the Greenwich of India, Ujjain is geographically located at a spot where the zero meridian of longitude (Madhyarekha) and Tropic of Cancer (Karkavrutta) intersect. 
• Many religious places in the city are somehow connected to time. Ujjain’s connection to astronomy, hence, shows how the Shiva temple here is dedicated to Mahakal, the god of time.

News Source: The Economic Times

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Context:

• This article is based on a news “UAPA case against NewsClick for plot to disrupt sovereignty of India” which was published in the Hindu. Recently, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has been invoked against the news portal “NewsClick”.

More on News

• NewsClick faces allegations of receiving illegal funding from China aimed at propagating Chinese propaganda, routed through the United States.
  • Officials are probing if the foreign funds were being used for information warfare.
• According to NewsClick, all funding had been through the appropriate banking channels and had been reported to the relevant authorities as required by law.
• The Enforcement Directorate had accused the company of money laundering, claiming that the portal received ₹77 crore as foreign remittance between the years 2018-21.

About UAPA

• The UAPA is an anti-terrorism law that was first enacted in 1967 with the primary objective to effectively prevent and deal with activities that pose a threat to the sovereignty and integrity of India.
• Objective: It provides for more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations and for dealing with terrorist activities and other connected matters.
• Unlawful Activity: It refers to any action taken by an individual or association intended to disrupt the territorial integrity and sovereignty in India.
• It extends to the whole of India. The provisions of this Act apply also to
  • Citizens of India outside India.
  • Persons in the service of the Government, wherever they may be.
  • Persons on ships and aircrafts, registered in India, wherever they may be.
• Terrorist Act: Whoever does any act with intent to threaten the unity, integrity, security (including economic security) or sovereignty of India or with intent to strike terror in the people commits a terrorist act.

• Terrorist Organization: Any person who is a member of a terrorist organization shall be sentenced to 10 years in prison under Sections 20 and 38. The UAPA schedule includes a list of prohibited groups. 
• Amendments
  • 2004: Added specific chapter aimed at prosecuting terrorist acts.
  • 2008: Any act “likely to threaten the unity, integrity, security or sovereignty of India” or “likely to strike terror in the people” is also a terrorist act.
  • 2012: Expanded definition of “terrorist act” to include offences that threaten the country’s economic security.
  • 2019: Government can now declare an individual as “terrorist” and append their name in Schedule IV of the Act without any due process. It also empowers the Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) to grant approval of seizure or attachment of property

Also read: FICCI’s Insights On Illicit Trade In India 

Need for UAPA

• Counterterrorism Legislation: UAPA provides law enforcement agencies with enhanced powers to deal with individuals or organizations involved in activities that are detrimental to the country’s security.
• Designation of Terrorist Organizations: This designation empowers authorities to take stringent actions against members and supporters of such organizations. It empowers the government to ban terrorist organizations. 
  • For instance, Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force (JKGF) are designated as terrorist organizations under UAPA.
• International Cooperation: UAPA facilitates cooperation with foreign governments in matters related to counterterrorism. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) requires the States to take action against certain terrorists and terrorist organizations.
• Preventive Detention: This allows law enforcement agencies to take pre-emptive action against individuals who are perceived to be a threat to national security.
• Enhanced Investigative Powers: The law provides law enforcement agencies with enhanced powers of investigation, including the admissibility of confessions made to police officers as evidence in certain circumstances.

Challenges Associated with UAPA

• Curtails Fundamental Rights: An individual may be identified as a terrorist without any judicial scrutiny and even before the commencement of a trial. This is violative of the right to equality (Article 14), free speech (Article 19) and life (Article 21) of the Constitution.
  • Sajal Awasthi v Union of India claims that the right to equality is violated since the provision does not provide any detailed grounds on which one may be categorized as a terrorist.

• Guilty Until Proven Innocent: A presumption of innocence of the accused until they are proven guilty at the end of the judicial process is the basis of most of the criminal justice systems. UAPA takes away this right from individuals because even in the absence of any trial or any judicial scrutiny, the law allows a person to be declared a terrorist.
• Misuse: UAPA is created for extreme and exceptional circumstances, but it is being used routinely to suppress dissent. According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2019, 1,226 cases under UAPA were filed, which indicates a hike of 33% from the year 2016.
  • For instance, Delhi police used UAPA to block websites of non-governmental organisations (including activist Greta Thunberg’s domain) campaigning against the draft Environmental Impact Assessment, 2020. 
• Vague Definitions: The definition of ‘terrorist act’ in UAPA is vague with the usage of words such as unity, integrity, and national security.
  • This allows the Act to be invoked discriminately even against so-called “Urban Naxals” and extremists using literature to propagate hate against the government.
• Impact on Civil Liberties: UAPA may infringe on civil liberties, including the right to a fair trial. 
  • For instance, in Romila Thapar v. Union of India case filed against the arrest of five activists after inter-caste violence in Bhima Koregaon, SC clarified that state cannot infringe upon an individual’s liberty based on speculation.
• Admissibility of Confessions: The Act allows confessions made to police officers to be admissible in certain circumstances which might lead to coerced confessions and undermine the principles of fairness and due process.

Also read: India And UNSC Reform 

Way Forward

• Implementing Constitutional Safeguards: The Constitution provides certain safeguards to restrain the misuse of preventive detention laws: 
  • Grounds of detention has to be informed.
  • A person can be kept in custody for 90 days for the first instance, requiring board approval (consisting of a person qualified for appointment as a High Court judge) for extension.
• Specific Definitions: There is an immediate need to define the terms pertaining to terrorist acts and activities.
  • For instance, UNSC defines terrorism as ‘terrorism would be an overt act of violence that causes death or injury to the public’.
• Recognising Dissent: There is a need to recognise that political dissent is a part of a healthy democratic nation, and laws like UAPA should be constrained to matters affecting the defence of the nation.
• Following Due Process of Law: The state should not seize more power to circumvent restraints under a stringent law.
• • The SC bench headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, underlined that the state using national security as a tool to deny citizens remedies is not compatible with the rule of law. 

Conclusion

The concern for the security of the nation is common for all nations. The principle of liberty exists because of the rule of law. It exists and may cease whenever the state deems it necessary only if the state’s survival is in danger and should not be used in common parlance. It is vital to strike a balance between national security imperatives and the protection of individual rights, fostering a legal framework that is effective, transparent, and accountable.

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Context:

• This article is based on a news “Sikkim Flash Floods Highlights: Death toll rises to 18, nearly 100 people remain missing” which was published in the Mint. Recently, a devastating glacial lake outburst occurred upstream of Chungthang in the Mangan district, Sikkim, causing flash floods in the Teesta River in Lachen Valley.

More on News about Flash flood

• The northern part of West Bengal shares a border with Sikkim, which witnessed a flash flood in the Teesta River,  causing human casulaties.
• A report compiled by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) in 2019 reported that the Lhonak Lake, at the height of 5,245 meters above sea level, was “highly vulnerable” to a GLOF event, which could cause extensive damage to life and property in downstream areas. 

About Flash Floods

• Flash floods refer to a flood situation that occurs in a much shorter period i.e. six hours.
• Flash floods are the most dangerous because they combine a flood’s destructive power with incredible speed. 
• Flash floods occur when heavy rainfall exceeds the ability of the ground to absorb it.
• They can happen within minutes of the causative rainfall, limiting the time available to warn and protect the public.

Causes of Flash Floods

• Exceeds Dam Capacity: Flash floods can be caused by factors other than rainfall. For example, when water exceeds the capacity of a dam, it can lead to flash floods. 
  • The release of water from the Chungthang dam led to a sudden increase in water levels up to 15-20 feet high in the Teesta River, causing Flash floods downstream.

• Cloud Bursts: In India, flash floods are often associated with cloud bursts, which are sudden, intense rainfall events that occur within a short duration.
  • At least 13 were killed as flash floods hit Amarnath Yatra camp (in July 2022)
• Melting Glaciers: Himalayan states face the challenge of overflowing glacial lakes, formed due to the melting of glaciers.
  • Cloud burst and GLOF in Kedarnath in 2013 
• Landslide: Flash floods are accompanied by landslides, which are sudden movements of rock, boulders, earth or debris down a slope.
  • In February 2021, flash floods killed nearly 200 people and washed away houses in Uttarakhand.
• Urbanization and Poor Drainage Systems: Urban areas with extensive concrete surfaces and inadequate drainage systems are prone to flash floods. Impervious surfaces prevent water from infiltrating the ground, resulting in rapid runoff and increased flood risk. 
  • Recent example of  New Delhi Floods (2023).
• Deforestation and Soil Erosion: Removal of vegetation, such as forests or grasslands, can disrupt the natural water absorption capacity of the soil.
• Climate Change: Climate change is caused by human activities, resulting in erratic weather patterns and extreme weather events like hurricanes, etc., increasing flash floods.

ALSO READ: DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN INDIA

How are the Flash floods different from Riverine floods? 

Impacts of Flash Floods

• Loss of life and injuries:  Floodwaters’ sudden and rapid rise can catch people off guard, leading to drowning, injuries, and even fatalities (Refer Graph).
• Property damage: Flash floods can cause extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure, and personal property.
• Displacement and homelessness: When flash floods occur, people may be forced to evacuate their homes, leading to temporary or long-term displacement.
  • 2.5 million internal displacements in India in 2022 (Displacement monitoring center-Geneva).

• Environmental impact: They can erode soil, wash away vegetation, and contaminate water sources. The sudden rush of water can disrupt ecosystems, endangering plant and animal life.
  • Floods can threaten the survival of endangered species such as the Gangetic dolphin and the gharial in the Yamuna River.
• Infrastructure disruption: Flash floods can disrupt critical infrastructure systems such as power supply, water and sanitation facilities, transportation networks, and communication systems. 

Way Forward

Flash floods are, by their characteristics, difficult to manage by traditional flood management approaches. Reducing the hazard requires the best mix of structural measures and non-structural measures to reduce impacts due to flash floods.

• Flash Flood Management: 
  • Before planning a flash flood management program, it is essential to identify risks caused by flash floods. The risks are composed of three elements – hazard, exposure, and vulnerability.
• Flash flood forecasting and warning: It play an essential role in the management of flash floods. However, it is still a challenge at times to give accurate and timely forecast and warning information to users. 
• Geospatial Technologies: Appropriate spatial planning can help to reduce exposures and lessen the magnitude of flash flood hazards.

• Participation of All Stakeholders: Participatory approaches enable local communities to be aware of flash flood risks and this increases the efficiency of flash flood management.
• Legal and institutional framework: Especially when dealing with flash floods, the role of District/ Local disaster management organization is most important. This means local disaster management organizations should be given appropriate powers and responsibilities both legally and institutionally.
• Sustainable Land Management: Encouraging responsible land management practices, such as avoiding excessive excavation and deforestation, can help preserve the natural landscape and prevent soil erosion. 
  • State governments should prohibit the reclamation of the existing wetlands/ natural depressions.

Conclusion

The tragic cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in Sikkim, leading to devastating flash floods, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive disaster management strategies. 

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