Topic of the day:-“Drowning In Dust: Dealing With Extreme Weather”
A wave of extreme weather over northern States in India has killed at least 124 people and caused much misery, mostly in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The residents of this ‘weather hotspot’ region is used to annual storms carrying natural dust clouds in the pre-monsoon season, from the Thar desert and further west. But they have been hit by a particularly destructive version this year, one that combined hot western winds and moisture from the east. Record April temperatures in parts of Pakistan, at one place exceeding 50°C, are thought to have added to the ferocity of the dust-laden winds. This could be a recurring feature, and there is a need to develop accurate forecasting methods and protocols to mitigate the impact. Many of the casualties in the recent storms were caused by collapsing infrastructure, such as electricity transmission lines that were not built to withstand such weather. Good housing could have saved many. India’s vulnerability to such storms has always been underscored by scientific estimates of the flow of aerosols, or dust particles. Their presence in the country is three times the global average due to sheer abundance of mineral dust. There is also a body of research that points to altered climate patterns due to accumulation of dust particles, which affect even the Himalayan glaciers. Considering the large population in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, where the impact of weather on public health and agriculture is massive, the Central and State governments should do everything possible to cut loss of life and property. Globally, the major dust-producing regions pump 1,000-3,000 tera grams of particles into the atmosphere annually, with the Sahara alone responsible for a third of this, according to the UN Environment Programme. India is at the receiving end of winds from West Asia, although some scientists reported recently an overall reduction in dust volumes in the pre-monsoon season due to a pattern of increased rainfall. Even if that were to be true, unexpected surges such as the recent one pose a challenge. The Centre has to raise its game in forecasting, and broadcast early warnings. In fact, as the World Meteorological Organisation points out, clarity and frequency of warnings are key to saving lives. In the wake of the storm on May 2, State governments have blamed the India Meteorological Department for not providing clear warnings, while the IMD claims to have conveyed the forecast of the coming storm to the Centre several days ahead. This clearly points to lack of coordination, that affects disaster-preparedness. Millions of people who are in the path of extreme weather each year expect better from official agencies. On the ground, strong public infrastructure and adequate capacity among administrators and personnel to handle rescue and rehabilitation must be ensured.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) Unilaterally
Meaning: Used to indicate that something is done by only one person, group, or country involved in a situation, without the agreement of others.
Example: “in 1996 the region unilaterally declared independence”
2) Setback
Meaning: A reversal or check in progress.
Example: “a serious setback for the peace process”
Synonyms: Problem, Difficulty
Antonyms: Breakthrough
3) Curtailed
Meaning: Reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on.
Example: “civil liberties were further curtailed”
Synonyms: Reduce, Cut
Antonyms: Increase, Lengthen
4) Withdrawing
Meaning: Remove or take away (something) from a particular place or position.
Example: “Ruth withdrew her hand from his”
Synonyms: Remove, Extract
Antonyms: Insert
5) Negotiations
Meaning: Discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.
Example: “a worldwide ban is currently under negotiation”
Synonyms: Conference, Debate
6) Enriched
Meaning: Improve or enhance the quality or value of.
Example: “her exposure to museums enriched her life in France”
Synonyms: Enhance, Reinforce
Antonyms: Spoil, Devalue
7) Shipped out
Meaning: To send something away from somewhere to somewhere else.
Example: The timber is shipped out of the stockyard by truck.
8) Rendered
Meaning: Provide or give (a service, help, etc.).
Example: “money serves as a reward for services rendered”
Synonyms: Provide, Give
9) Hardliners
Meaning: A member of a group, typically a political group, who adheres uncompromisingly to a set of ideas or policies.
Example: “neither hardliners nor reformers would be likely to want him as their leader”
10) Wrecked
Meaning: Spoil completely.
Example: “an eye injury wrecked his chances of a professional career”
Synonyms: Ruin, Spoil
Antonyms: Facilitate
11) Comply
Meaning: Act in accordance with a wish or command.
Example: “we are unable to comply with your request”
Synonyms: Observe, Obey
Antonyms: Ignore, Disobey
12) Bad faith
Meaning: Intent to deceive.
Example: “the Republicans accused the Democrats of negotiating in bad faith”
13) Acquiring
Meaning: Buy or obtain (an asset or object) for oneself.
Example: “I managed to acquire all the books I needed”
Synonyms: Obtain, Receive
Antonyms: Lose
14) Allies
Meaning: A person or organization that cooperates with or helps another in a particular activity.
Example: “he was forced to dismiss his closest political ally”
Synonyms: Associate, Friend
Antonyms: Enemy, Opponent
15) Embolden
Meaning: Give (someone) the courage or confidence to do something.
Example: “emboldened by the claret, he pressed his knee against hers”
Synonyms: Encourage, Hearten
Antonyms: Dishearten, Discourage
16) Posing
Meaning: Present or constitute (a problem or danger).
Example: “the sheer number of visitors is posing a threat to the area”
Synonyms: Constitute, Present
17) Goodwill
Meaning: Friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude.
Example: “the scheme is dependent on goodwill between the two sides”
Synonyms: Compassion, Consideration
Antonyms: Hostility
18) Pulling out
Meaning: To stop being involved in an activity.
Example: Lack of funding leaves us with no choice but to pull out.
19) Tumultuous
Meaning: Excited, confused, or disorderly.
Example: “a tumultuous crowd”
Synonyms: Tempestuous, Stormy
Antonyms: Peaceful, Uneventful
20) Engage
Meaning: Participate or become involved in.
Example: “organizations engage in a variety of activities”
Synonyms: Undertake, Involved
21) Signatories
Meaning: A party that has signed an agreement, especially a state that has signed a treaty.
Example: “Britain is a signatory to the convention”
22) Stick
Meaning: Accept or tolerate (an unpleasant or unwelcome person or situation).
Example: “I can’t stick Geoffrey—he’s a real old misery”
Synonyms: Tolerate, Take
23) Buckle Under
Meaning: To be defeated by a difficult situation.
Example: But these were difficult times and a lesser man would have buckled under the strain.
24) Cave in
Meaning: Capitulate or submit under pressure.
Example: “the manager caved in to his demands”
Synonyms: Yield, Surrender
25) Misery
Meaning: A state or feeling of great physical or mental distress or discomfort.
Example: “a man who had brought her nothing but misery”
Synonyms: Unhappiness, Distress
Antonyms: Contentment, Pleasure
26) Destructive
Meaning: Causing great and irreparable damage.
Example: “the destructive power of weapons”
Synonyms: Devastating, Ruinous
Antonyms: Non-violent, Creative
27) Ferocity
Meaning: The state or quality of being ferocious.
Example: “the ferocity of the storm caught them by surprise”
Synonyms: Savagery, Brutality
Antonyms: Gentleness
28) Recurring
Meaning: Occur again periodically or repeatedly.
Example: “when the symptoms recurred, the doctor diagnosed something different”
Synonyms: Reoccur, Return
29) Mitigate
Meaning: Make (something bad) less severe, serious, or painful.
Example: “drainage schemes have helped to mitigate this problem”
Synonyms: Alleviate, Reduce
Antonyms: Aggravate, Increase
30) Collapsing
Meaning: (of a structure) suddenly fall down or give way.
Example: “the roof collapsed on top of me”
Synonyms: Crumple, Subside