Floods have now started occurring everywhere including hills, plains and river valleys, urban agglomerations and even the deserts of Rajasthan. Barely could the subcontinent overcome the shock and grief of the Uttarakhand floods (2013) when a massive flood inundated a large part of the Chennai metropolis in 2015 killing 470 people and affecting the lives […]
Continue Reading
Kerala, with its magnificent natural landscapes and fertile valleys, is often described as ‘God’s own country’. During June to August 2018, unusually heavy summer monsoon rains caused disastrous floods across the state dashing this idyllic image. These were the worst floods Kerala had witnessed since 1924 resulting in the death of more than 324 people […]
Continue Reading
Every year, millions of people around the world are affected by natural or human-made disasters. With the advancement of science and technology, and better management, the number of deaths due to natural disasters is decreasing over the years. However, disasters like earthquake, cyclone, drought and flood are posing serious threats (Below, 2017; Guo, 2010) to […]
Continue Reading
Why landslide mitigation is important The monsoons may bring life and prosperity to our agrarian societies, but it also has harmful consequences, especially for hilly regions. The monsoons have already begun to wreak havoc this year with persistent heavy rains leading to floods and landslides in many parts of Northeastern India that have claimed more […]
Continue Reading
Natural phenomena are largely benevolent and are beneficial to society. However, at times these are of severe intensity and thus become hazardous. When societies fail to cope with hazards they turn into disasters. It is ironical that on one hand improved hazard monitoring, early warning system and disaster management practices have helped in mitigating adverse […]
Continue Reading
Nothing beats alertness. Here are a few earthquake safety tips which will maximise your chances of survival. You can begin by finding out all you can about the earthquake risk in your area. Back that up by contacting the state geological survey offices, or other local disaster management offices. Be a leader in mapping the safest […]
Continue Reading
Cyclones, especially on the eastern seaboard of India, have always been a major cause of loss to lives and property. The accurate prediction of the path and landfall of a cyclone can bring a huge relief to coastal populations that are in its path. The analysis and prediction of tropical cyclones (TCs) involves the process […]
Continue Reading
Seismology research is the scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of elastic waves through the earth or through other planet-like bodies. The research also includes studies of the environmental effects of earthquakes, such as tsunamis and other seismic phenomena such as volcanic, tectonic, oceanic, and atmospheric explosions. A related field that uses geology to infer […]
Continue Reading
Extreme rain and cities of the world A study at the University of New South Wales, Australia have determined that cities face harsher and more concentrated rainfall as climate change not only intensifies storms, but draws them into narrower bands of more intense downpours. The findings have major implications for existing storm water infrastructure, particularly […]
Continue Reading
The disastrous earthquake-triggered tsunami that occurred 11 years ago on the morning after Christmas was huge by any contemporary standards. The epicenter of magnitude 9.3 quake was located in the Indian Ocean near the west coast of Sumatra and it ruptured the 1000 km long Andaman plate boundary, moving the seafloor 20-10 m vertically upwards, […]
Continue Reading