Topper’s Copy

GS3

Disaster Management

10 marks

Discuss the role of disaster preparedness and inter-state coordination in mitigating the impact of cyclones like Montha on coastal regions of India.

Student’s Answer

Evaluation by SuperKalam

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Score:

6.5/10

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3
6
10

Demand of the Question

  • Role of disaster preparedness in cyclone mitigation
  • Role of inter-state coordination in cyclone mitigation
  • Contextual focus on cyclones like Mantha affecting coastal regions
  • Mitigation strategies specific to coastal vulnerability

What you wrote:

Cyclone Mantha (October 2025), which devastated 87,000 hectares across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, underscores India's recurring coastal cyclone vulnerability and the vital role of disaster preparedness and inter-state coordination in reducing impacts.

[DRAWING: A flowchart titled 'Cycle of Cyclone Management' is shown. It illustrates a cyclical process with four main stages. 'Early warning' points to 'Evaluation & preparedness', which points to 'Response & Coordination'. This, in turn, points to 'Relief & recovery', which then points back to 'Early warning', completing the cycle.]

Cyclone Mantha (October 2025), which devastated 87,000 hectares across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, underscores India's recurring coastal cyclone vulnerability and the vital role of disaster preparedness and inter-state coordination in reducing impacts.

[DRAWING: A flowchart titled 'Cycle of Cyclone Management' is shown. It illustrates a cyclical process with four main stages. 'Early warning' points to 'Evaluation & preparedness', which points to 'Response & Coordination'. This, in turn, points to 'Relief & recovery', which then points back to 'Early warning', completing the cycle.]

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could briefly specify why coastal regions face unique cyclone vulnerabilities (e.g., high population density in coastal districts, fragile ecosystems like mangroves, socio-economic dependence on fishing)

What you wrote:

Disaster preparedness: Building coastal resilience
1) Early warning systems: IMD's 72-hour alert enables pre-emptive evacuation of coastal population. Eg Odisha-2024 INDAlert.
2) Resilient infrastructure: Cyclone shelters, embankments, and resilient housing. Eg Gujarat Biparjoy shelters.
3) Community participation: Local volunteers enhance quick response. Eg Volunteers in Odisha's cyclone Fani, 2024.
4) Evacuation protocols: Pre-defined routes and transport mobilisation minimize casualties. Eg Cyclone Yaas model.

Disaster preparedness: Building coastal resilience
1) Early warning systems: IMD's 72-hour alert enables pre-emptive evacuation of coastal population. Eg Odisha-2024 INDAlert.
2) Resilient infrastructure: Cyclone shelters, embankments, and resilient housing. Eg Gujarat Biparjoy shelters.
3) Community participation: Local volunteers enhance quick response. Eg Volunteers in Odisha's cyclone Fani, 2024.
4) Evacuation protocols: Pre-defined routes and transport mobilisation minimize casualties. Eg Cyclone Yaas model.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Can add nature-based mitigation: Mangrove restoration programs (e.g., Odisha's mangrove cover increased to 251 sq km, acting as natural buffers reducing storm surge impact)
  • Could include building code enforcement: Cyclone-resistant construction standards under NDMA guidelines for coastal structures
  • Can mention capacity building: Mock drills and training programs (e.g., Aapda Mitra volunteers trained in first response across 30 coastal districts)

What you wrote:

Inter-state coordination: Unified response mechanism
1) Joint operations: NDRF & SDRF coordinate deployment across states. Eg Andhra-Odisha teams.
2) Data and information sharing: IMD-SOMA collaboration ensures synchronized actions. Eg DAD real-time alerts.
3) Joint command centres: National crisis management Committee coordinates effort. Eg NCMC integration.
4) Resource pooling: States share expertise and logistics for faster recovery. Eg Odisha training support.

Inter-state coordination: Unified response mechanism
1) Joint operations: NDRF & SDRF coordinate deployment across states. Eg Andhra-Odisha teams.
2) Data and information sharing: IMD-SOMA collaboration ensures synchronized actions. Eg DAD real-time alerts.
3) Joint command centres: National crisis management Committee coordinates effort. Eg NCMC integration.
4) Resource pooling: States share expertise and logistics for faster recovery. Eg Odisha training support.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Can cite specific coordination during recent cyclones: Joint evacuation of 3 lakh people from border districts during Cyclone Yaas through synchronized AP-Odisha command centers
  • Could mention resource-sharing protocols: West Bengal-Odisha sharing SDRF teams and equipment during Cyclone Amphan (2020)
  • Can add challenges addressed: Unified standard operating procedures (SOPs) under NDMA framework resolving response time gaps between states

What you wrote:

Recovery and future resilience
1) Post-disaster rehabilitation: Eg PM relief package.
2) Technological integration: Eg ISRO's tracking tools.
3) Policy framework: Eg DM act 2005, NDMA coastal guide-lines. Eg Sendai alignment in all states.
4) Community livelihood support: Eg Andhra SHG model.

Recovery and future resilience
1) Post-disaster rehabilitation: Eg PM relief package.
2) Technological integration: Eg ISRO's tracking tools.
3) Policy framework: Eg DM act 2005, NDMA coastal guide-lines. Eg Sendai alignment in all states.
4) Community livelihood support: Eg Andhra SHG model.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Can integrate these points into earlier sections—e.g., ISRO's SCATSAT-1 satellite providing real-time cyclone tracking data to both AP and Odisha meteorological centers, enabling coordinated warnings
  • Could emphasize preventive coordination: Joint vulnerability mapping by neighboring states identifying high-risk coastal zones for targeted preparedness

What you wrote:

"Preparedness saves lives." Strengthening coastal infrastructure, inter-state coordination, and community based adaptation align with SDG-13 (Climate action) and SDG-11 (Sustainable cities)- transforming India’s cyclone response into a model of resilience and cooperation to fastrack road to Viksit Bharat - 2047.

"Preparedness saves lives." Strengthening coastal infrastructure, inter-state coordination, and community based adaptation align with SDG-13 (Climate action) and SDG-11 (Sustainable cities)- transforming India’s cyclone response into a model of resilience and cooperation to fastrack road to Viksit Bharat - 2047.

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could emphasize synergy: "Effective cyclone mitigation requires both robust state-level preparedness AND seamless inter-state coordination—as demonstrated by the Odisha model's success in reducing casualties through these twin pillars"
  • Can reference way forward: Institutionalizing regional coordination mechanisms like East Coast Cyclone Coordination Forum for sustained collaboration

You've structured the answer well with relevant examples and covered preparedness-coordination dimensions. However, the answer misses mitigation-specific measures (nature-based solutions, structural mitigation) and lacks depth in explaining how coordination actually functions during cyclones. Integrating these with concrete inter-state collaboration instances during recent cyclones would significantly strengthen your response.

Marks: 6.5/10

Demand of the Question

  • Role of disaster preparedness in cyclone mitigation
  • Role of inter-state coordination in cyclone mitigation
  • Contextual focus on cyclones like Mantha affecting coastal regions
  • Mitigation strategies specific to coastal vulnerability

What you wrote:

Cyclone Mantha (October 2025), which devastated 87,000 hectares across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, underscores India's recurring coastal cyclone vulnerability and the vital role of disaster preparedness and inter-state coordination in reducing impacts.

[DRAWING: A flowchart titled 'Cycle of Cyclone Management' is shown. It illustrates a cyclical process with four main stages. 'Early warning' points to 'Evaluation & preparedness', which points to 'Response & Coordination'. This, in turn, points to 'Relief & recovery', which then points back to 'Early warning', completing the cycle.]

Cyclone Mantha (October 2025), which devastated 87,000 hectares across Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, underscores India's recurring coastal cyclone vulnerability and the vital role of disaster preparedness and inter-state coordination in reducing impacts.

[DRAWING: A flowchart titled 'Cycle of Cyclone Management' is shown. It illustrates a cyclical process with four main stages. 'Early warning' points to 'Evaluation & preparedness', which points to 'Response & Coordination'. This, in turn, points to 'Relief & recovery', which then points back to 'Early warning', completing the cycle.]

Suggestions to improve:

  • Could briefly specify why coastal regions face unique cyclone vulnerabilities (e.g., high population density in coastal districts, fragile ecosystems like mangroves, socio-economic dependence on fishing)

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