UPSC-Relevant News Items

1. Climate Change and Deforestation Magnify Cyclone Impact in Southeast Asia

Page: 4

Summary:

• • Cyclones Ditwah and Senyar caused unprecedented flooding, resulting in over 1,600 deaths across Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
• • The devastation was worsened by 1.3°C global warming, which increased extreme rainfall intensity due to warmer sea surface temperatures.
• • Deforestation and rapid urbanisation exacerbated runoff and placed critical infrastructure in high-risk zones, leading to billions in economic losses.
• • The crises underscore the urgent need for transboundary cooperation and accelerated investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and ecosystem-based mitigation strategies.

Additional Facts:

• • National Disaster Management Authorities (NDMAs) in these nations operate under specific Disaster Management Acts to implement early warning systems (EWS) and coordinate inter-agency responses to cyclonic events and extreme rainfall.
• • Governments enforce rigorous Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) policies to restrict deforestation, unsustainable urban development, and infrastructure placement in vulnerable coastal areas, mitigating magnified flood risks.

Linkage with UPSC course:

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