29 May 2024

GS 1 : [Geography : Imporatant Geographical Phenomena]

Storms and rainfall-induced landslips in the aftermath of cyclone Remal killed at least 31 people and injured several others across three northeastern States.

Causes of Landslides

• Landslides occur when gravity's pull exceeds the strength of the materials making up a slope. These materials can include rocks, sand, silt, and clay. When a slope fails, the resulting landslide can vary greatly in size, from a few cubic meters to millions.
• Natural Triggers:

• Earthquakes: Ground shaking from earthquakes can stress and weaken slopes.
• Rainfall: Heavy rain can saturate the ground, adding weight to the slope and causing it to fail. northeastern States are especially prone to landslides due to its heavy rainfall.

• Water's Role in Landslides:

• Erosion: Constant wave action can erode slopes.
• Groundwater: Water can dissolve rocks within slopes, reducing their stability.

• Human Triggers:

• Deforestation: Removing trees weakens slopes, as tree roots help stabilize the ground and drain water.
• Mining Activities: Blasts from mining can create vibrations similar to small earthquakes, destabilizing nearby slopes.

Challenges in Predicting Landslides

• Multiple Factors: Effective prediction requires knowledge of potential triggers like earthquakes and rainfall, as well as the properties of the slope materials.
• Complex Geomaterials: Slopes often contain varied layers of rock and soil with different strengths. Mapping these materials in three dimensions is currently impossible with existing technology.
• Partial Information: Geologists and engineers work with limited data from a few locations and must extrapolate this to predict slope stability, often missing critical weak points.
• Runout Distance: The larger the landslide, the farther it travels. However, predicting the exact size and impact area remains uncertain.
• Timing: Predicting the precise timing of landslides is as challenging as forecasting the weather or seismic activity.

Landslide Prone Regions in India

Landslide Prone Areas : States & Cities

• Western Himalaya : Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal
• Eastern & North-Eastern Himalaya : West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim
• Naga-Arakan Mountain belts : Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur
• Western Ghat region & Nilgiri : Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa
• Meghalaya Plateau comprising Peninsular India : North-eastern India

Government initiatives to mitigate the risk of landslides

• National Landslide Risk Management Strategy
• Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme (LRMS)
• Flood Risk Mitigation Scheme (FRMS)
• National Guidelines on Landslide and Snow Avalanches (prepared by NDMA)
• Landslide Atlas of India

GS 3 – Science and Technology : Gravity: shaping celestial bodies

• The news explains why planets form spherical shapes.
• The explanation involves the role of gravity, which moulds celestial bodies into spheres due to its equal force in all directions, and the influence of rotational forces, which create oblate spheroids rather than perfect spheres.

Role of gravity and rotational forces in determining the shape of celestial bodies

• Planets are spherical primarily due to the force of gravity. Gravity pulls matter toward the centre, resulting in a shape where all surface points are equidistant from the centre, forming a sphere.
• A sphere is geometrically efficient because it has the lowest surface area for a given volume, making it the most compact three-dimensional shape.
• If celestial bodies had shapes other than spherical, gravity would eventually mould them into spheres.
• Smaller bodies, like comets, asteroids, and humans, do not form spheres because their lower mass means gravity is weaker and less able to overcome the electromagnetic forces between their atoms.
• Stars and planets are not perfect spheres but are actually oblate spheroids. This means they are slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator.
• The oblate shape results from rotational forces, where the centrifugal force caused by spinning pushes mass outward at the equator.
• Due to this bulging, gravity is slightly weaker at the equator and stronger at the poles.
• On Earth, this variation in gravitational force means objects fall slightly faster at the poles compared to the equator.

GS 2 International Relations

Introduction:

Palestine’s Quest for UN Membership

• Historical Attempts: Palestine’s attempts to gain UN membership date back to 2011, when its request was vetoed by the U.S. in the UNSC. Since then, Palestine has held non-member observer status.
• Recent Developments: In April 2024, after the UNSC failed to agree on Palestine’s request due to a U.S. veto, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) voiced support for the Palestinian application.

Norms and Politics in the UN Membership Process:

• Admission Criteria and P5 Veto Power: The UN Charter stipulates that membership seekers must be “peace-loving” and capable of fulfilling the obligations of the Charter. However, the political veto power of the five permanent members (P5) of the UN Security Council (UNSC) plays a decisive role, often hindering the admission process.
• Historical Context and Court Ruling: During the Cold War, the UNSC deadlocked over multiple membership applications. The World Court ruled in 1948 that the UNSC’s recommendation is necessary for the UNGA to approve membership, establishing a precedent that continues to influence membership decisions.

Global Comparisons and India’s Approach:

• Mongolia’s Precedent: The case of Mongolia, whose membership application was similarly stalled but eventually accepted in 1961 after UNGA intervention, parallels Palestine’s situation.
• India’s Support: India supported Palestine’s membership bid, consistent with its historical stance of supporting all state applicants. This position aligns with India’s long-standing policy of non-discrimination in UN membership issues, evidenced by its support for Pakistan’s and China’s admissions despite bilateral conflicts.

Challenges and Potential Outcomes:

• Geopolitical Implications: Bypassing the UNSC for Palestine’s membership could set a precedent affecting Taiwan and Kosovo’s potential applications, making major powers like China and Russia cautious.
• Possible U.S. Abstention: A less likely scenario involves the U.S. abstaining from a vote, influenced by displeasure with Israel’s actions, which could pave the way for UNGA approval.
• UNGA Actions Against Israel: If the UNSC deadlock persists, the UNGA might consider measures like excluding Israel from its deliberations, similar to actions taken against apartheid-era South Africa and the Serb Republic of Yugoslavia..

Way forward:

• Regulatory Framework

• India’s disaster management framework includes the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which mandates the establishment of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs).

• Fire Safety Measures: 

• Implementation of the National Building Code (NBC) and fire safety norms is crucial to prevent fire incidents.
• Regular fire safety audits and inspections of public buildings, commercial establishments, and residential complexes are essential.
• Adequate provision of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and fire alarms in buildings can mitigate fire risks.

• Public Awareness and Education:

• Conducting fire safety awareness campaigns and training programs for the public, especially in schools, colleges, and workplaces, is vital.
• Educating citizens about fire prevention, evacuation procedures, and the proper use of firefighting equipment can save lives during emergencies.

• Infrastructure Development:

• Investing in modern firefighting equipment, such as aerial ladder platforms and high-capacity water tenders, enhances firefighting capabilities.
• Improving urban planning and infrastructure design to include fire-resistant materials and adequate escape routes in buildings can minimise fire hazards.

• Inter-Agency Coordination:

• Strengthening coordination between fire departments, municipal authorities, and disaster management agencies is essential for effective response during fire incidents.
• Conducting joint mock drills and tabletop exercises helps in testing preparedness and response mechanisms.

• Capacity Building:

• Training and equipping firefighters with advanced firefighting techniques and personal protective equipment (PPE) enhance their ability to handle complex fire situations.
• Establishing specialised fire fighting units for industrial areas and high-rise buildings ensures swift response to fire emergencies.

• Policy Reforms:

• Regular review and updating of fire safety regulations and building codes based on evolving risks and technological advancements are necessary.
• Enforcing strict penalties for non-compliance with fire safety norms and ensuring accountability of building owners and authorities can deter negligence.

Challenges that need to be Tackled for Fire Safety

• Lack of Planning & Poor Implementation 
• Informal Settlements 
• Inadequate Enforcement of Safety Norms 
• Lack in Monitoring & Compliance
• Inadequate Infrastructure
• Lack of Emergency Preparedness
• Non-Uniform Safety Legislation