UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 1 : Questions on Floods and vegetation found in India (Week 75)Sign In to read

UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-1 to check your progress.

Examine the connection between climate change and the rising frequency and severity of flooding events globally. Assess the socio-economic effects of these floods, especially in areas that are particularly vulnerable.

Discuss the various types of vegetation found in India, highlighting the factors that influence their distribution.

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

QUESTION 1: Examine the connection between climate change and the rising frequency and severity of flooding events globally. Assess the socio-economic effects of these floods, especially in areas that are particularly vulnerable.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— Climate change influences the frequency of heavy downpours during storms and unexpected outbursts by altering complicated atmospheric and weather processes.

— Thousands of people have been forced to abandon their homes due to severe floods in Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Spain and Romania.

— Recently on October 30, flash floods caused by the immense deluge have led to the death of at least 64 people in the eastern Spanish region of Valencia.

— The primary cause of the intense rain is likely an annual weather phenomenon known as a “gota fría,” or cold drop. It is also sometimes called a “DANA,” the acronym for “depresión aislada en niveles altos,” or isolated depression at high altitudes.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

— Greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere act like a blanket, trapping heat and boosting global temperatures. This causes water to evaporate faster on land and at sea, resulting in more water to be released when it rains. When a lot of rain falls on Earth in a short period of time, it can produce floods.

— Each 1°C increase in temperature enhances air’s ability to hold moisture by 7%. Since the pre-industrial era, global air temperatures have risen by about 1.3 degrees Celsius.

— As temperatures rise, more precipitation falls as rain rather than snow, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides in high-altitude places.

Impact of floods

— Flooding, among the most widespread natural disasters, is often devastating. Rushing currents can sweep away loved ones, critical infrastructure, wildlife and fertile soil, leaving behind grief and crippling economic damage as the water recedes.

— Since 2000, it is estimated that the proportion of people exposed to floods has increased by 24 percent. Today, 1.8 billion people, or slightly less than a quarter of the world’s population, are directly exposed to one-in-100-year floods, a term used to describe a flood that is predicted to occur or surpass once per century.

— In Europe, Germany has the most people at risk of flooding, followed by France and The Netherlands. In 2023, one-third of the continent’s river network experienced flooding over the ‘high’ flood threshold, with 16% above the “severe” level.

— According to one study, the number of people living in flood-prone areas has increased by 122% since 1985. This tendency is thought to be driven by growing urbanisation, particularly in middle- and low-income countries, with cities often located beside waterways.

(Source: What is DANA, the weather pattern which caused flash floods in Spain? by Alind Chauhan, How is climate change impacting flooding around the world?)

Points to Ponder

Why is there frequent flooding in urban areas?

How river linking can help flood and drought-hit regions?