Disasters & Disaster Management

Glacial Lake outburst Flood (GLOF)

Context: With the monsoon setting in, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Department (USDMA) will do a vulnerability study of 13 glacial lakes, five of them in “high-risk zone”. The study aims to provide data to help avoid calamities such as lake outbursts.

Glacial Lake 

  • A glacial lake is a body of water that originates from a glacier. It typically forms at the foot of a glacier but may form on, in, or under it.
  • Types - Lakes form when meltwater ponds and this can happen on the ice surface (supraglacial lakes), in front of the ice (proglacial lakes), or even underneath the ice (subglacial lakes).

Glacial Lake outburst Flood (GLOF)

  • GLOFs are disaster events caused by the abrupt discharge of water from glacial lakes — large bodies of water that sit in front of, on top of, or beneath a melting glacier. 
  • As a glacier withdraws, it leaves behind a depression that gets filled with meltwater, thereby forming a lake.
  • The more the glacier recedes, the bigger and more dangerous the lake becomes.
  • Such lakes are mostly dammed by unstable ice or sediment composed of loose rock and debris. In case the boundary around them breaks, huge amounts of water rush down the side of the mountains, which could cause flooding in the downstream areas — this is referred to as a GLOF event.
  • Experts often attribute GLOFs to climate change and the increase of anthropogenic footprints on glaciers.

Reasons for GLOF

Reasons for GLOF
  • GLOFs can be triggered by various reasons, including glacial calving, where sizable ice chunks detach from the glacier into the lake, inducing sudden water displacement. 
  • Incidents such as avalanches or landslides can also impact the stability of the boundary around a glacial lake, leading to its failure, and the rapid discharge of water.
  • GLOFs can unleash large volumes of water, sediment, and debris downstream with formidable force and velocity. The floodwaters can submerge valleys, obliterate infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings, and result in significant loss of life and livelihoods.

Impact

When a glacial lake bursts, its water flows into downstream areas at extreme speed. This causes massive damage to the infrastructure. GLOFs remain a persistent threat to downstream communities and infrastructure, besides flora and fauna.

In June 2013, Uttarakhand received an unusual amount of rainfall leading to the melting of the Chorabari glacier and the eruption of the Mandakini river. The floods affected large parts of Uttarakhand. Reportedly, the worst hit was the Kedarnath valley in Uttarakhand, as the flood left behind a death toll of more than 5,000.

Guidelines on Risk Reduction

  • Identifying Potentially Dangerous Lakes:

Potentially dangerous lakes can be identified based on field observations, records of past events, geomorphologic and geotechnical characteristics of the lake/dam and surroundings, and other physical conditions.

  • Use of Technology:

Promoting use of Synthetic-Aperture Radar imagery (a form of radar that is used to create two-dimensional images) to automatically detect changes in water bodies, including new lake formations, during the monsoon months. Methods and protocols could also be developed to allow remote monitoring of lake bodies from space.

  • Channeling potential floods:

To manage lakes structurally, the NDMA recommends reducing the volume of water with methods such as controlled breaching, pumping or siphoning out water and making a tunnel through the moraine barrier or under an ice dam.

  • Uniform Codes for Construction Activity:

Developing a broad framework for infrastructure development, construction and excavation in vulnerable zones. There is a need to accept procedures for land use planning in the GLOF-prone areas.

  • Enhancing Early Warning Systems (EWS):

The number of implemented and operational GLOF EWS is very small, even at the global scale. In the Himalayan region, there are three reported instances (two in Nepal and one in China) of implementation of sensor- and monitoring-based technical systems for GLOF early warning.

  • Training Local Manpower:

Apart from pressing specialized forces such as National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), ITBP and the Army, NDMA has emphasized the need for trained local manpower. It has been observed that over 80% of search and rescue is carried out by the local community before the intervention of the state machinery and specialized search and rescue teams. The local teams could also assist in planning and setting up emergency shelters, distributing relief packages, identifying missing people, and addressing the needs for food, healthcare, water supply etc.

  • Comprehensive Alarm Systems:

Besides classical alarm infrastructure consisting of acoustic alarms by sirens, modern communication technology using cells and smartphones can complement or even replace traditional alarm infrastructure.

  • In 2020, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued detailed guidelines on how to reduce and deal with disasters caused by GLOFs/Glacial Bursts. 
  • NDMA guidelines suggest that risk reduction can be done by identifying and mapping potentially dangerous lakes, taking structural measures to prevent their sudden breach, and establishing mechanisms to save lives and property in times of a breach.

Vulnerable glacial lakes in Uttarakhand:

  • The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which operates under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, has identified 188 glacial lakes in the Himalayan states that can potentially be breached because of heavy rainfall. 
  • Thirteen of them are in Uttarakhand.
  • Five highly sensitive glacial lakes fall into the ‘A’ category. These include Vasudhara Tal in the Dhauliganga basin in Chamoli district, and four lakes in Pithoragarh district — Maban Lake in Lassar Yangti Valley, Pyungru Lake in the Darma basin, an unclassified lake in the Darma basin, and another unclassified lake in Kuthi Yangti Valley.

Carrying capacity and Himalayan vulnerability

Context: Last month, a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud had suggested that an expert committee conduct a “complete and comprehensive” study on the carrying capacity of the Himalayan region.

What is the concept of “carrying capacity”?

  • Carrying capacity of a biological species in a particular habitat refers to the maximum number of individuals (of that species) that the environment can carry and sustain, considering its geography or physical features.
  • The physical features present in the environment act as limiting factors (e.g. food, water, competition, etc.). Thus, the population limit can be expected to depend on these factors. 
  • In essence, food availability is an important variable as it affects the population size of the species. 
  • It does so in such a way that if food demand is not met over a given period of time the population size will eventually decrease until the resources become adequate. 
  • By contrast, when food supply exceeds demand then the population size will soon increase and will stop increasing when the source is consequently depleted.
image 16
  • A population may grow at a faster rate and follow a J-shaped curve. When the birth rate surpasses the death rate of the species, this results in exponential growth. However, this trend soon changes as resources become limited. The growth rate slows down.
  • Soon, it reaches a stable equilibrium where biomass in the given area seems unchanged over a certain period of time. At this point, the death rate appears to be compensated by the birth rate within a population. This means the per capita birth rate equals the per capita death rate. 
  • By contrast, when deaths appear to outgrow births, this indicates that the carrying capacity has been exceeded. This is a case of overshoot. The population may go below the carrying capacity. This can occur, for instance, during disease and parasitic outbreaks.

Factors affecting the carrying capacity of an ecosystem:

  • Food and water supply
  • Habitat space, 
  • Competition (intraspecific and interspecific), 
  • Physical factors (e.g. extreme heat, drought, etc.), 
  • Chemical factors (e.g. pH, mineral deficiency, etc.)
  • Anthropogenic factors. 
  • Note - The sum of these factors that end up restricting the biotic potential of a species is referred to as environmental resistance.

Why Himalayan ecosystem is unique?

  • These systems, with their steep slopes and sharp gradients, are heterogeneous and exhibit sharp and most often systemic changes in climatic variables over very short distances. 
  • These features consequently result into enhanced changes in hydrological processes, with accelerated direct runoff and erosion. 
  • Major rivers of the region have their origin from these mountains and are the source of water for a large proportion of the human population within and outside the mountain region. 
  • Many of the world’s crops originate in mountains, a crucial resource that should be conserved for sustaining modern agriculture. 
  • Natural wealth in the region, including geological assets, forms an important part of the Himalayan eco-system. 
  • All this has contributed to a whole range of diversity in indigenous human habitations, cultures and knowledge systems. The region is largely inhabited by indigenous societies. 

Therefore, sustaining biodiversity in the region also means protecting the interests of the people. The region serves as a rich repository of plant and animal wealth in diverse ecological systems. These ecosystems reflect a mosaic of biotic communities at various spatial and organizational levels.

Recognition of the Himalaya as one among 34 global biodiversity hotspots aptly reflects its’ wide ranging ecological significance.

The vulnerability of the biological and physical features of the Himalayan Ecosystem towards natural and human induced disturbances is well recognized. Immediate actions are required to ensure sustenance of the ecosystem.

Infrastructure effect on Himalayan region:

Infrastructure like dams, roads, hotels, industries etc are increasing the vulnerability of the Himalayan ecosystem in multiple ways. Joshimath crisis is one such example.

Following are the various impacts: 

Slope destabilization - Large scale construction of roads, hotels, powerhouses etc. involves blasting, quarrying, deforestation and muck disposal which loosens slopes and destabilizes them.

Floods - Altered river flows reduce flood absorption, risks flash floods downstream (Uttarakhand disaster, 2013). 

Landslides - By disrupting underground streams and aquifers, tunnels can weaken slope stability leading to landslides (Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh 2022)

Earthquakes – Huge pressure is exerted by the large structures of the dams which in turn create fractures and faults in the rocks below generating earthquakes. For e.g – Koyna dam.

Erosion and desertification - Siltation in dams devoid the rivers of natural sediments. Soil downstream does not get enough nutrients and thus issues of soil erosion, desertification etc rises. Forced displacement - This destroys livelihood sources of indigenous communities further increasing their vulnerabilities. 

How Climate Change is impacting Himalayas?

  • Variability in the volumetric flow of water in the rivers
  • Loss in biodiversity
  • Unsustainable changes in ecology
  • Glacier recession
  • Deforestation and degradation
  • Conditions for impending natural disasters 
  • Dislocation of traditional societies dependent on the Himalayan ecosystem.

Proposed actions under National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem:

  • Continuous Monitoring of the Eco-system and Data Generation 
  • Promoting research especially in Glacial areas
  • Ecological modelling and predicting climate change scenarios
  • Vulnerability assessment
  • Promoting sustainable forestry, sustainable agriculture and food security
  • Promoting regional cooperation involving domestic states as well as neighbouring countries.
  • Sustainable urbanization by waste management, traffic control, town planning and regulating tourism. 
  • Building environmental awareness among the citizens

Resisting Landslides 

Context: Severe monsoon floods in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have claimed over 60 lives, with heavy rains triggering landslides and causing widespread devastation.

Landslide is rapid movement of rock, soil and vegetation down the slope under the influence of gravity. These materials may move downwards by falling, toppling, sliding, spreading or flowing. Such movements may occur gradually, but sudden sliding can also occur without warning. They often take place in conjunction with earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions. The extent and Intensity of landslide depends upon number of factors- Steepness of the slope, amount of vegetation cover, tectonic activity, bedding plane of the rocks etc. 

Types of Landslides

  • Falls: Abrupt movements of materials that become detached from steep slopes or cliffs, moving by free-fall, bouncing, and rolling. 
  • Creep: Slow, steady downslope movement of soil or rock
  • Debris flow: Rapid mass movement in which loose soils, rocks, and organic matter combine with water to form slurry that then flows down slope. Usually associated with steep gullies
  • Mudflow: Rapidly flowing mass of wet material that contains at least 50% sand-, silt-, and clay-sized particles
  • Flows: General term including many types of mass movement, such as creep, debris flow, mudflow etc. 

Causes of Landslides

  • Geological causes: Weak, sensitive and weathered material, presence of joints and fissures, variation in physical properties such as permeability.
  • Morphological causes: Tectonic or volcanic uplift, erosion due to wind and water, higher deposition of load on the slope or its crest, removal of vegetation. 
  • Physical causes: Intense rainfall, earthquake/volcanic eruption, rapid snow melt/freeze 
  • Anthropogenic causes: Excavation of the slope or its toe, deposition of load on the slope, drawdown of reservoir, deforestation, mining, irrigation and artificial vibration. 

Landslide Prone areas in India

As per Geological Survey of India, about 0.42 million sq.km covering nearly 12.6% of land area of India is prone to landslide. Major landslide prone areas in India:

  1. Western Ghats and Konkan Hills (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra)
  2. Eastern Ghats (Araku region in Andhra Pradesh)
  3. North-East Himalayas (Darjeeling and Sikkim)
  4. Northwest Himalayas (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, J&K).

Himalayan mountain ranges and hilly tracts of North-Eastern region are highly susceptible to slope instability due to the immature and rugged topography, fragile rock conditions, high seismicity resulting from proximity to the plate margins, and high rainfall. Extensive anthropogenic interference, as part of developmental activities, is another significant factor.

image 106

Similarly, the Western Ghats, though located in a relatively stable domain, experiences landslides due to number of factors- steep hill slopes, high intensity rainfall and anthropogenic activities. The Nilgiris hills located at the convergence zone of the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats experiences a number of landslides due to high intensity and protracted rainfall.

Impact of Landslides

Short run: Loss and damage to property, loss of lives, Destruction to agricultural crops, Damages to Vegetation, Obstruction of vehicular movement leading to Traffic jam, temporary loss of livelihood for the poor people etc.

Long-run: 

  • Increase in the sediment load of the river which can lead to floods.
  • Reduce the effective life of hydroelectric and multipurpose projects by adding an enormous amount of silt load to the reservoirs.
  • Loss of cultivable land and infrastructure.
  • Environmental impact in terms of erosion and soil loss
  • Demographic impact in terms of relocation of population towards other areas.
  • Frequent disruption of transportation networks leads to geographical isolation and hence perpetuates under-development.
  • Challenges of responding to landslide disasters: 

a) Majority of landslide prone habitations are in remote locations in hinterlands of Himalayas, North-Eastern and on Western and Eastern Ghats. Thus, it becomes a difficult for district administration and NDRF and SDRF teams to reach locations in short span. 

b) Most landslides occur during rainy season when weather conditions coupled with poor visibility makes it difficult for relief operations to continue using helicopters.

NDMA Guidelines for Landslide Disaster Management 

  • Landslide hazard, vulnerability & risk assessment: Delineating areas susceptible to landslide hazards and to assess the resources at risk.
  • Early warning systems for landslides: Continuous monitoring of movements, development of stresses and the transmission of this data at regular time intervals.
  • Investigations for Landslide risk assessment: multi-disciplinary investigations of landslide risk assessment leading to formulation of Standards to mitigate impact of landslides.

Landslide Risk Mitigation and Remediation

  • Restricting development in landslide-prone areas through land use planning.
  • Laying down standards to be followed for excavation and construction.
  • Protecting existing developments through restraining walls and rock anchors.
  • Slope Stabilization measures: Generally, include works involving modification of the natural landslide conditions such as topography, geology, ground water, and other conditions that indirectly control portions of the entire landslide movement. These include drainage improvement works, soil/debris removal works etc.
  • Landslide insurance and compensation for losses

Regulation & Enforcement: State governments/SDMAs will adopt the model techno-legal framework for ensuring compliance with land use zoning and landslide safety issues in all development activities and plans.
Awareness and Preparedness: Comprehensive awareness campaigns targeting different groups of people living in landslide prone areas should be conducted systematically.
Capacity Development (Including Education, Training and Documentation):

  • Introduction of curriculum related to Disaster Management, including Landslides in the Schools
  • Training of the Administrators to plan, respond and mitigate the impact of Landslides
  • Technical institutes located in vulnerable areas should develop adequate technical expertise on the various subjects related to landslide management.

Immediate Response: Put in place Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) which should ensure coordinated and sustained action from various agencies in the aftermath of landslides
R&D: Government should encourage, promote, and support R&D activities to address current challenges, offer solutions, and develop new investigation techniques, with the application of the latest developments in remote sensing, communications, and instrumentation technologies.

Karnataka CM urges Centre to make amendments to drought manual

Context: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written to the Union government to bring changes to the Manual for Drought Management, 2016 (updated in 2020) for the declaration of drought by the States. 

Rationale and objectives: Drought declaration’ signifies the beginning of Government response to conditions representing a drought situation.

Indices & Parameters

Five categories of indices are recommended for developing a monitoring matrix for drought. The five categories of indices are Rainfall, Vegetation, Water, Crop and others.

  • The first step is to look at two mandatory indicators — rainfall deviation and dry spell. Depending on these, the manual specifies various situations that may or may not be considered a drought trigger.
  • The second step is to look at four impact indicators — agriculture, vegetation indices based on remote sensing, soil moisture, and hydrology. The manual States that States may consider any three of the four types of the Impact Indicators for assessment of drought and make a judgement. If all three chosen indicators are in the ‘severe’ category, it amounts to severe drought; and if two of the three chosen impact indicators are in the ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’ class, it amounts to moderate drought.
  • The third step comes in after both previous triggers have been set off. In that event, “States will conduct sample survey for ground truthing in order to make a final determination of drought. The finding of field verification exercise will be the final basis for judging the intensity of drought as ‘severe’ or ‘moderate’.”
  • Once a drought is determined, the state government needs to issue a notification specifying the geographical extent. The notification is valid for six months, unless de-notified earlier.

Challenges in Drought declaration:

  • Strict parameters – Various experts have opined that the parameters are so strict that it becomes very difficult to implement them and declare droughts.
  • One size fits all approach – There indices do not take regional variations into account. It is important to develop region specific criteria that consider local ecological factors, water availability, and agricultural practices.
  • Traditional practices - Many States still continue to rely on the traditional practice such as the annewari/ paisewari/ girdawari systems of eye estimation and crop cutting experiments.
  • Time taken to declare droughts – To estimate the losses in crops one has to wiat till the season end. For e.g, estimates for kharif crops are generally available by December or after, whereas those for rabi crops are available not before March. This delays the timely intervention.
  • Support from centre - Moderate drought is no longer eligible for relief funds from the Centre. The 2016 manual makes it clear that only if the calamity is of “severe nature” can the state governments submit a memorandum for financial assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund. For mild and moderate droughts, the states have to shell out their own funds. 

What are sponge cities ?

Context: China has been hit by devastating floods in July, inundating cities and causing deaths and infrastructural damage, as well as raising questions about the effectiveness of its 2015 sponge city initiative to reduce urban flood risks.

sponge cities

About Sponge Cities

  • It describes urban areas with abundant natural areas such as trees, lakes, and parks or other good designs intended to absorb rain and prevent flooding.
  • It can alleviate urban flooding, water resources shortage, and the urban heat island effect and improve the ecological environment and biodiversity by absorbing and capturing rainwater and utilizing it to reduce floods.
  • There are three main facets to developing such systems: protecting the original urban ecosystem, ecological restoration, and low-impact development.
  • It is part of a worldwide movement that goes by various names: green infrastructure in Europe, low-impact development in the United States, water-sensitive urban design in Australia, natural infrastructure in Peru, and nature-based solutions in Canada.
  • Associated techniques include permeable roads, rooftop gardens, rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, green space and blue space such as ponds and lakes. 

Need for Sponge Cities

  • A growing number of urban areas are experiencing devastating floods as climate change brings heavier rainfall and growing flood risk.
  • A recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report said 700 million people already live in areas where rainfall extremes have increased, a number expected to grow as global temperatures rise.
  • They can hold more water in rivers, greenery, and soil instead of losing it to evaporation, meaning they are more resilient to drought.
  • Natural ways to absorb urban water are about 50% more affordable than man-made solutions and are 28% more effective.

Significance of Sponge Cities

  • In the long run, it will reduce carbon emissions and help fight climate change. 
  • It can reduce the frequency and severity of floods and improve water quality.
  • Helps in preventing beach pollution by capturing stormwater
  • Associated strategies like green space can improve quality of life, improve air quality and reduce urban heat islands.

China's Sponge Cities

  • A sponge city is a new urban construction model for flood management, strengthening ecological infrastructure and drainage systems, proposed by Chinese researchers in early 2000 and accepted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the State Council as urbanism policy in 2014
  • The "sponge city initiative" undertaken by the Chinese government involves the construction of water-absorbent infrastructure in 30 different urban centers. This initiative aims to effectively manage and utilize 60% of the rainfall in these cities. 
  • The strategy includes creating ponds, wetlands, and installing permeable surfaces on roads and public areas, facilitating the natural infiltration of stormwater into the earth. 
  • China's goal is for 80% of its urban regions to have the capacity to absorb and recycle a minimum of 70% of rainwater by the year 2020.

With rapid urbanisation in India and increasing urban floods, it is time for India to move towards sponge cities.

Rain triggers flash floods, landslips in J&K; 1 killed

Context: Recently several regions of India including J&K have been marred by cascading effect of natural disasters. This makes it important to understand the relevance of Early Warning System.

image 83

Early warning systems (EWS) can improve resilience against climate-related hazards by providing information for early action. However, to be effective, EWS must incorporate aspects of resilient systems.
Components:

  • Disaster risk knowledge based on the systematic collection of data and disaster risk assessments.
  • Detection, monitoring, analysis and forecasting of the hazards and possible consequences.
  • Dissemination and communication, by an official source, of authoritative, timely, accurate and actionable warnings and associated information on likelihood and impact.
  • Preparedness at all levels to respond to the warnings received.

Multi Hazard Early Warning System

Multi-hazard early warning systems address several hazards and/or impacts of similar or different type in contexts where hazardous events may occur alone, simultaneously, cascadingly or cumulatively over time, and taking into account the potential interrelated effects. A multi-hazard early warning system with the ability to warn of one or more hazards increases the efficiency and consistency of warnings through coordinated and compatible mechanisms and capacities, involving multiple disciplines for updated and accurate hazards identification and monitoring for multiple hazards. 

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretariat, along with other international and national agencies, established the International Network for Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (IN-MHEWS). 

This multi-stakeholder partnership will facilitate the sharing of expertise and good practice on strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems as an integral component of national strategies for disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and building resilience. In doing so, it will support the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, especially the achievement of its global target G on multi-hazard early warning systems, and the United Nations Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 – the successor instrument to the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters – recognizes the benefits of multi-hazard early warnings systems and enshrines them in one of its seven global targets:

substantial reductions

Read also:

Urban FloodingForest fire in India
Floods - Causes & ImpactDisaster management Notes

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

Context: Fifth edition of International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure was organised under the aegis of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

About Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 

  • CDRI is a global partnership that aims to promote resilience of infrastructure systems to climate & disaster risks, thereby ensuring sustainable development.
  • Prime Minister of India launched CDRI during his speech at the UN Climate Action Summit on 23 September 2019.
  • Objectives of CDRI: CDRI seeks to rapidly expand the development & retrofit of resilient infrastructure towards expanding universal access to basic services, enabling prosperity and decent work.

Functions of CDRI

  • Raising awareness of the benefits of resilient infrastructure and building linkages with other relevant initiatives to achieve this.
  • Serving as a platform for knowledge generation and exchange on disaster & climate resilient infrastructure.
  • Enhancing national and regional standards, codes and guidelines for planning, design, operation & maintenance of infrastructure systems
  • Enhancing practices and capacities to reduce infrastructure damages and losses from disasters and climate change.
  • Enabling technological and institutional innovation for resilient infrastructure systems
  • Making available technical expertise to assist countries to develop resilient infrastructure
  • Advocating for financial arrangements, including risk transfer, supporting development of resilient infrastructure
  • Assisting countries to adopt appropriate risk governance arrangements & strategies for resilient infrastructure.
  • Governance of CDRI: Secretariat of CDRI is located in New Delhi and has three principal bodies: (i) Governing Council (ii) Executive Council (iii) Secretariat.
    • Governing Council: Governing Council is the highest policy-making body of CDRI and will have representation from all members of CDRI such that at least two-thirds of the members of the Governing Council represent national governments. Members of. Governing Council shall be co-chaired by representatives of two national governments with India being the permanent co-chair of Governing Council. The other co-chair shall be nominated by rotation by the members of Governing Council, every two years. 
    • Executive Committee: Managerial body of CDRI that oversees implementation of decisions of Governing Council. It is a 10 member body with Director General being one of the members.
    • Secretariat: Secretariat of the CDRI shall be headed by a Director-General appointed by the Governing Council.
  • Membership: Membership of CDRI is open to national governments, UN Agencies & multilateral banks, private sector, academic & knowledge institutions. Currently, there are 31 member countries of CDRI and 8 member organisations. 
  • Funding: A large share of the estimated fund requirements to cover the core costs over the first five years has been invested by India. There are no obligations on the part of members to make financial contributions to CDRI.

Initiatives under CDRI 

  • Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund (IRAF):
    • A US $50 million multi-donor trust fund created by CDRI to support global action on disaster resilience of infrastructure systems, especially in developing countries and small island developing countries. 
    • IRAF will play a critical role in equipping the Coalition to deliver on improved infrastructure governance, inclusive infrastructure services and diversified knowledge and financing for resilient infrastructure globally. 
    • IRAF has been established with the support of UNDP & UNDRR and will be managed by UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office. IRAF was launched COP 27 of UNFCCC at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. 
    • One of the first initiatives to be supported by IRAF is the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS).
  • Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS):
    • A dedicated initiative co-curated by Small Developing Island States (SIDS) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) partners to promote resilient, sustainable, and inclusive infrastructure development in SIDS. IRIS will cater to all SIDS. 
    • IRIS will design and implement projects considering the demands and absorptive capacities of SIDS and strive to foster SIDS ownership and leadership in the development of resilient, sustainable and inclusive infrastructure.
    • In the initial phase, IRIS will prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable SIDS.It was launched during COP 26 of UNFCCC at Glasgow. 
    • Focus areas of IRIS are:
      • Improved resilience of SIDS infrastructure to climate change & disaster risks.
      • Strengthened knowledge & partnerships for integrating resilience in SIDS infrastructure.
      • Gender equality and disability inclusion promoted through SIDS infrastructure.
  • Biennial Report on Global Infrastructure Resilience: Flagship report of CDRI focusing on critical challenges faced by infrastructure due to disaster and climate risks. The report will develop a Global Infrastructure Risk Model & Global Infrastructure Resilience Index (GIRI) and advocate pathways for nature based solutions for disaster resilient infrastructure, conduct review of global goals and targets for resilient infrastructure and finance for disaster & climate resilient infrastructure. 
  • International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI): Annual conference of CDRI bring together experts and participants from member countries, institutions and organisations to discuss challenges and identify good practices on disaster & climate resilient infrastructure.
  • DRI Connect: An online platform to connect, learn and collaborate towards improved practices, processes and policies for resilient infrastructure systems. 

Cool Roof Policy in Telangana

Context: Telangana has become the first state to notify a Cool Roof Policy to effectively address the issue of heat waves and urban heat island. IPCC reports have highlighted that incumbent climate change will intensify heat & humidity in India. Under the policy, Telangana plans to achieve around 300 sq. km of cool roof area by 2028.

Cool Roofs

  • A Cool roof takes in less heat from sun than regular roofs. It stays relatively cool in the sun by reflecting (minimize solar absorption) and emitting thermal radiation (to help dissipate solar heat gain). 
  • Cool roofs reflect around 80% of sunlight while regular roofs reflect only about 20%, keeping buildings significantly cooler. 

Cool Roof techniques

  • Cool roof techniques can be broadly divided into three categories:
  • Coated Cool Roofs: These roofs involve the coating of a material or paint with high reflectivity on top of a conventional roof material to increase the roof surface's Solar Reflective Index (SRI). These are liquid applied coatings made of simple materials white in colour. Ex. Lime wash, Acrylic polymer, Plastic technology.
  • Membrane Cool Roofs: These roofs involve using pre-fabricated materials like membranes or sheeting to cover an existing roof to increase the roof surface's solar reflectance and thermal emittance. Ex. Polyvinyl chloride, bitumen based.
  • Tiled Cool Roofs: These roofs involve the application of high albedo, ceramic mosaic tiles or shingles on top of an existing roof or to a new roof. 
  • Green roofs and rooftop solar systems: Policy also supports application of Green Roofs and Rooftop Solar Systems. Green Roofs make use of vegetation to help the roof absorb less solar energy by providing a thermal mass layer to reduce flow of heat into a building. Vegetation is especially helpful in reflecting infrared radiation. 
  • Minimum Requirements Cool Roof Materials: For qualifying as a cool roof, roofs with slopes less than 20o shall have an initial solar reflectance of no less than 0.70 and initial emittance no less than 0.75. 
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Application of Policy

Mandatory cool roofing: Government, Non-residential & Commercial Buildings, Residential buildings with plot area more than 600 sq yards and Government assisted housing constructions.

Optional cool roofing: All other buildings

Benefits of Cool Roofs

  • Increased thermal comfort: Cool roofs can help keep indoor temperatures 2.1-4.3oC lower than households with traditional roofs. 
  • Climate freindly cooling solution: Cool roofs are estimated to reduce air conditioning costs by 20% of the building leading to saving of cost and electricity and lower greenhouse gas emissions. 
  • Limited maintenance and costs: Cool roofs need minimal maintenance and a cool protective coating can be reapplied periodically. Often initial material costs for cool roofs are comparable with traditional roofing materials and can also be applied on existing buildings. 
  • Longevity of roof: Application of cool roof increases the longevity of roof beneath it, by acting as a protective layer. 
  • Address Urban Heat Island Effect: City-wide installations of highly reflective roofs and pavements along with planting shade trees, has potential to reduce city’s ambient air temperature by 2oC in summer month. Thus, reducing urban heat island effect. 
  • Equitable solution to heat stress for poor and low-income households: Heats stress hits the poor the hardest due to lack of access to cooling and their houses are often made of heat-trapping materials such as tin sheets, asbestos, plastic or tarpaulin without sufficient ventilation leading to health hazards and reduced productivity. Cool roofs are especially relevant to provide thermal comfort to poor & low-income households. 

Other Initiatives for Cool Roofs

Million Cool Roofs Challenge: It is an initiative launched by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll) and NESTA Challenges in 2019 which awarded $125,000 in grants to 10 finalist teams based in South Africa, Bangladesh, Ivory Coast, Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Niger, Rwanda & Senegal. In less than two years, collectevily the 10 countries managed to apply more than 1.1 million sq. m. of cool roofs.

Cool Roof Challenge: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had launched inviting cities to announce targets and implement cool roofs in 2021.

Heat Wave Vulnerability In India

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Heatwave

  • A heatwave is an extended period of hot weather relative to expected conditions of the area at that time of year. 
  • Heat wave has emerged as one of the deadliest natural hazards often causing more deaths than all other natural hazards. 
  • Heat waves have a slow onset and are silent killers unlike other disasters. 
  • Greenhouse has emissions led Climate change has increased Earth’s temperatures by close to 1.10oC. Each year earth’s temperature cross previous limits. 
  • Meteorological events like La Nina and El Nino also cause localised warming and cooling of planet. In the Indian context, El-Nino particularly increases chances of heat waves in the Indian subcontinent. 
  • Urban Heat Island effect: This is a phenomena under which urban and suburban areas experience elevated temperatures compared to their outlying rural surroundings. The annual mean air temperature of a city with one million or more people can be 1 to 3°C warmer than its surroundings, and on a clear, calm night, this temperature difference can be as much as 12°C. Heat Island effect leads to increased heat risk in cities. Reasons for Heat Island effect are: Air Pollution which traps heat, concretisation & blackening of surfaces which traps heat. 
  • Large and informal workforce of India makes India particularly vulnerable to heat waves who often work in less ventilated buildings or in the outdoors. 

IMD Criteria for Heatwaves: IMD declares a heatwave when:

  • Temperature of a place crosses 40oC in the plains, 37oC in coastal areas and 30oC in the hills.
  • Temperature of a place is 4.5-6.4oC more than the normal temperature for the region on that day.
  • Temperature of a place crosses 4.5oC.

Way forward for Heat Wave

  • All States to formulate & implement Heat Action Plans in line with NDMA’s guidelines on Heat Wave. 
  • Need to strengthen existing Early Warning Systems.
  • Need for understanding the local thresholds of Heat Wave.
  • Data on Heat: Automatic Weather Stations networks needs to be expanded in cities and states. 
  • Vulnerability analysis: A comprehensive, country-wide assessment of heat vulnerability and hyper-local heat action plans is required. 
  • Heat waves should be notified as disasters at the national level under existing disaster relief policies. Currently, several states have declared heat waves as a local disaster. Ex. Odisha, Maharashtra etc. 
  • Land use change: Promoting Urban forests/farms, community gardens, rejuvenation of wetlands and shading of areas with trees.
  • Building materials: Promoting Green roofs and other materials that increase albedo, LEED compliant green building architecture, Home insulation. These solutions should be made part of building codes and effectively enforced. 
  • Heat related work standards should be notified by Ministry of Labour and public health institutes to make workers work easily in high heat situations.
  • Provisions for Emergency: First Aid Kits, Drills for Heat Waves, Heat Wards in Hospitals etc. 
  • Long Term solutions: Green Transition, Limiting Emissions and controlling climate change. 

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