Northeast Monsoon: Agricultural Boon and Disaster Management Challenge
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Geography (Climate - Northeast Monsoon, Cyclones, Cloudbursts); Environment & Ecology (Disaster Management); Indian Economy (Agriculture - Fertilizers like Urea).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1 (Geography): Important Geophysical phenomena such as cyclones, floods; Geographical features and their location (urban flooding in coastal cities).
General Studies Paper 3 (Disaster Management & Economy): Disaster and disaster management (specifically urban flooding); Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, etc.; Issues related to farm subsidies (fertilizers).
Key Highlights from the News
The Northeast Monsoon arrived on time (October 16) this year in the Southern peninsula of India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts "above normal" rainfall this season.
This monsoon accounts for 48% of Tamil Nadu's annual rainfall and over 30% of Andhra Pradesh's.
There is a higher probability of cyclonic disturbances in the Bay of Bengal this season.
Intense rainfall and cloudbursts in coastal cities like Chennai leading to urban flooding are a major concern.
Anticipating this, the Tamil Nadu government is preparing a new real-time flood forecasting system for Chennai.
Poor stormwater drains and people dumping waste in water bodies (dumping yards) worsen the problem, indicating a lack of community ownership.
In the agricultural sector, farmers are facing a shortage of fertilizers like urea.
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