Danger from above: On the Nepal flood
Distilled Policy Brief
- A flash flood struck Nepal following a glacier collapse or ice-rock avalanche in Tibet, causing extensive damage along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors and washing away settlements and infrastructure.
- The Indian Himalayas contain nearly 7,500 glacial lakes and about 15,000 glaciers, which face increasing risks of outbursts due to global warming, highlighting the need for improved tracking of glacier health and enforcement of construction codes in vulnerable zones.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
What is the primary cause attributed to the recent flash floods in the Himalayas involving satellite imagery analysis by ISRO?
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Discuss the vulnerability of Himalayan ecosystems to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and suggest measures for long-term disaster planning and mitigation.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the bilateral research and industrial cooperation engagements between India and Germany, consider the following statements: 1. Roundtables held with German research organizations, such as the Fraunhofer Institutes, prioritized key fields including microelectronics, power electronics, and smart manufacturing. 2. Expanding industry-academia innovation networks and collaboration in battery technologies form key components of the enhanced strategic cooperation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- [A] 1 only
- [B] 2 only
- [C] Both 1 and 2
- [D] Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Both statements are correct. High-level roundtables with German research institutes, including Fraunhofer Institutes, focused on microelectronics, power electronics, smart manufacturing, battery technologies, and logistics. Furthermore, the engagement emphasized strengthening industry-academia innovation networks, science and technology cooperation, and advanced manufacturing capabilities between India and Germany.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.