TOPIC OF THE DAY:-“Washed Out: On The Floods In Eastern And Western India:”
The floods that have ravaged parts of eastern and western India, leaving at least 600 people dead and displacing thousands, highlight the need for a massive capacity-building programme to deal with frequent, destructive weather events. A monsoon deluge is not an uncommon occurrence in the subcontinent, and there is considerable variability in the duration and frequency of rainfall in different regions. Moreover, there is a clear trend of even drought-prone regions in Gujarat and Rajasthan encountering floods, in addition to the traditional axis covering States along the Brahmaputra and the Ganga. What people in the flood-hit regions expect of governments is speedy relief and rehabilitation. Alleviating financial losses is crucial for a return to normality, and the Centre has announced a solatium for the next of kin of those who have died. But there are other actions people need on the ground: short-term housing, food, safe water, access to health care and protection for women, children and the elderly. Given the weak foundations of social support in policymaking, these factors have an aggravated impact during natural calamities. It is dismaying that some States have not been able to use disaster relief funds as intended, and the Centre has asked them to set off the unutilised portion when making fresh claims. Such a wrangle is unseemly at a time when people need relief. Catastrophic events, such as the Chennai flood of 2015, also necessitate a review of the protocol followed by State governments in controlling flows from dams and reservoirs. Apparently, much of the waters that have inundated parts of Jalore in Rajasthan flowed from a dam that was opened to relieve pressure, catching many by surprise. A review of the deployment of National Disaster Response Force teams near waterbodies and their experience, together with data compiled by the Central Water Commission, is bound to reveal the hotspots where better management and, perhaps, additional reservoirs, can mitigate damage. Such studies should not be delayed, considering that official data put together by the Centre show that even in the past four years, between 1,000 and 2,100 people have died annually, while losses to crops, public utilities and houses touched Rs. 33,000 crore in one of the years. Governments cannot legitimately expect that people with marginal incomes will take calamitous losses in their stride, with neither social support nor financial instruments available to rebuild lives. Sustained economic growth needs action on both fronts. It is essential also to look at the public health dimension: many without the coping capacity develop mental health issues including post-traumatic stress disorder in the wake of such catastrophes, and need counselling. A vigorous monsoon is vital for the economy, but governments should be prepared to deal with the consequences of excess rainfall.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) Unprecedented
Meaning: Never done or known before.
Example: The government took the unprecedented step of releasing confidential correspondence.
Synonyms: Unequalled, Remarkable
Antonyms: Normal, Common
2) Allegations
Meaning: A claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof.
Example: He made allegations of corruption against the administration.
Synonyms: Claim, Assertion
3) Retaliated
Meaning: Make an attack in return for a similar attack.
Example: The blow stung and she retaliated immediately.
Synonyms: Respond, React
4) Irrational
Meaning: Not logical or reasonable.
Example: Irrational feelings of hostility.
Synonyms: Unreasonable, Illogical
Antonyms: Rational, Logical
5) Hostility
Meaning: Hostile behaviour; unfriendliness or opposition.
Example: Their hostility to all outsiders.
Synonyms: Bitterness, Malice
Antonyms: Friendliness, Approval
6) Ravaged
Meaning: Severely damaged; devastated.
Example: He hopes to visit his ravaged homeland.
Synonyms: Destroy, Devastate
Antonyms: Saved, Preserved
7) Destructive
Meaning: Causing great and irreparable damage.
Example: The destructive power of weapons.
Synonyms: Devastating, Disastrous
Antonyms: Creative, Non-violent
8) Rehabilitation
Meaning: To return something to a good condition.
Example: We need to replace or rehabilitate the bridge.
Synonyms: Heal, Redeem
9) Aggravated
Meaning: To make a bad situation worse.
Example: Attempts to restrict parking in the city centre have further aggravated the problem of traffic congestion.
Synonyms: Degrade, Decline
Antonyms: Help, Alleviate
10) Dismaying
Meaning: Cause (someone) to feel concern and distress.
Example: They were dismayed by the U-turn in policy.
Synonyms: Horrify, Shake
Antonyms: Encourage, Please
11) Wrangle
Meaning: A dispute or argument, typically one that is long and complicated.
Example: An insurance wrangle is holding up compensation payments.
Synonyms: Argument, Dispute
Antonyms: Agreement
12) Catastrophic
Meaning: Extremely unfortunate or unsuccessful.
Example: Catastrophic mismanagement of the economy.
Synonyms: Disastrous, Grievous
Antonyms: Fortunate, Beneficial
13) Necessitate
Meaning: Make (something) necessary as a result or consequence.
Example: A cut which necessitated eighteen stitches.
Synonyms: Needed
14) Inundated
Meaning: Overwhelm (someone) with things or people to be dealt with.
Example: We’ve been inundated with complaints from listeners.
Synonyms: Overwhelm, Overpower
Antonyms: Drained
15) Legitimately
Meaning: Reasonable and acceptable.
Example: He claimed that the restaurant bill was a legitimate business expense.
16) Post-traumatic stress disorder
Meaning: A mental condition in which a person suffers severe anxiety and depression after a very frightening or shocking experience, such as an accident or a war.
Example: A combat veteran being treated for post-traumatic stress syndrome.
