MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Q1. “Mini-cloudbursts are on the rise in India, as per IMD. What are cloudbursts and mini-cloudbursts? Discuss their background, causes, challenges posed, and evaluate India’s policy and institutional response to extreme rainfall events.” (15 marks, 250 words)

Topic – Cloudbursts

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Syllabus: Disaster Management- Cloudbursts

Why was this question asked?

Q. Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples. [2022]

Model Answer:

Introduction

Cloudbursts are among the most devastating weather phenomena affecting India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines a cloudburst as rainfall of 10 centimetres or more within an hour over an area of 20–30 square kilometres. Such events often lead to flash floods, landslides, and large-scale destruction in fragile regions. According to IMD’s recent observation, while large cloudbursts have not shown an increasing trend, “mini-cloudbursts,” defined as rainfall of 5 centimetres or more within an hour, are becoming more frequent. Government reports such as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Guidelines on Urban Flooding (2010) and the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC, 2008) have already highlighted the risks of such extreme rainfall events.

Body

• Background and Concept
• Drivers of Rising Frequency
• Challenges Posed
• Government and Institutional Response
• Way Forward

Conclusion

The IMD’s observation regarding the rise in mini-cloudbursts highlights India’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather events in the era of climate change. While institutional responses are visible in the form of NDMA guidelines, MoES monitoring reports, and IMD forecasting improvements, the gap lies in implementation and local preparedness. Building climate-resilient infrastructure, strengthening early warning systems, and empowering communities are crucial for safeguarding lives and livelihoods in a monsoon-dependent country like India.

Final Answer:

Introduction

Cloudbursts are among the most devastating weather phenomena affecting India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines a cloudburst as rainfall of 10 centimetres or more within an hour over an area of 20–30 square kilometres. Such events often lead to flash floods, landslides, and large-scale destruction in fragile regions. According to IMD’s recent observation, while large cloudbursts have not shown an increasing trend, “mini-cloudbursts,” defined as rainfall of 5 centimetres or more within an hour, are becoming more frequent. Government reports such as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Guidelines on Urban Flooding (2010) and the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC, 2008) have already highlighted the risks of such extreme rainfall events.

Body

Background and Concept

• A cloudburst is a sudden and highly localized rainfall event that is extremely difficult to forecast in advance.
• Mini-cloudbursts, although less intense than cloudbursts, are now more frequent and cause similar destruction in vulnerable areas.
• A study by IMD and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune in 2018 noted that only 28 cloudbursts were reported between 1969 and 2015, but the number of mini-cloudbursts has steadily increased.
• These events are concentrated in Himalayan states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir, as well as in urban coastal regions like Mumbai and Chennai.

Drivers of Rising Frequency

• Climate change has increased the atmosphere’s moisture-holding capacity, making rainfall events more intense, as shown in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Sixth Assessment Report (IPCC AR6).
• The IMD Monsoon Review Report 2024 highlighted that the interaction of Western Disturbances (WDs) with storms from the Bay of Bengal caused prolonged and intense rainfall in North India.
• Rapid urbanisation has led to the creation of urban heat islands, which amplify convection, as flagged in the NITI Aayog Report on Urban Flooding (2021).
• Deforestation and land-use change in hilly terrain have reduced the natural absorptive capacity of soil, intensifying flash floods.

Challenges Posed

• Mini-cloudbursts often result in large-scale loss of human lives and livelihoods, as documented in NDMA’s Disaster Trends Report (2021).
• Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, hydropower projects, and urban drainage systems frequently collapse under sudden extreme rainfall.
• IMD has admitted that precise prediction of cloudbursts remains scientifically impossible despite advances in satellites and radars.
• The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) Annual Report 2021 highlights the lack of dense radar and monitoring stations in the Himalayan belt.
• Regional disparities have emerged, with Northwest India facing rainfall surpluses and the Northeast experiencing deficits, complicating water security planning.

Government and Institutional Response

• The government has deployed Doppler Weather Radars, high-resolution satellites, and “Nowcasting” advisories to improve rainfall monitoring.
• The National Monsoon Mission (2012–present) has improved dynamical prediction models for extreme rainfall.
• NDMA has issued guidelines such as the Urban Flooding Guidelines (2010) and the Landslide Hazard Mitigation Strategy (2019).
• The MoES State of Climate Report (2023) documents the use of mobile-based public alert systems such as Mausam and Damini.
• Policy frameworks such as the NAPCC (2008) and the State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs) provide a roadmap for adaptation.
• Disaster response institutions such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs) carry out rescue and evacuation during such events.

Way Forward

• India needs to expand its network of rain gauges, Doppler radars, and monitoring stations in fragile ecosystems like the Himalayas.
• Urban planning must incorporate recommendations from the NITI Aayog Urban Flood Mitigation Report (2021), including climate-sensitive drainage and zoning.
• Ecosystem-based solutions such as afforestation and slope stabilization, as recommended in the NDMA Landslide Hazard Mitigation Strategy (2019), should be implemented.
• Capacity building of the NDRF and SDRFs through training and community-based disaster preparedness drills is necessary.
• Basin-level cooperation among Himalayan states is essential for river management, dam safety, and coordinated early warning.

Conclusion

The IMD’s observation regarding the rise in mini-cloudbursts highlights India’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather events in the era of climate change. While institutional responses are visible in the form of NDMA guidelines, MoES monitoring reports, and IMD forecasting improvements, the gap lies in implementation and local preparedness. Building climate-resilient infrastructure, strengthening early warning systems, and empowering communities are crucial for safeguarding lives and livelihoods in a monsoon-dependent country like India.

Q 2. Amidst global geopolitical churn, India–Japan relations have maintained stability and growth. Discuss the key areas of cooperation and the challenges ahead, in light of the 15th Annual Summit (2025). (15 marks, 250 words)

Topic – India-Japan Relations

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Syllabus: India-Japan Relations

Why was this question asked?

Q. ‘The time has come for India and Japan to build a strong contemporary relationship, one involving global and strategic partnership that will have a great significance for Asia and the world as a whole.’ Comment. [2019]

Model Answer:

Introduction

India and Japan, two of Asia’s leading democracies, have steadily nurtured a partnership that is simultaneously economic, strategic, and civilisational. The two countries share a history of cultural exchanges rooted in Buddhism, post-war reconstruction cooperation, and a commitment to democratic values and rule of law. Over the years, this partnership has matured into what is termed a “Special Strategic and Global Partnership”. In 2025, when the world witnessed intense trade disputes, regional instability, and shifting power equations, the 15th Annual Summit in Tokyo between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reaffirmed that India–Japan ties remain a pillar of stability. The agreements reached at the summit reflect not just continuity but also a forward-looking vision to equip the relationship for the challenges of a changing world order.

Body

• Background of India–Japan Relations
• Economic and Investment Cooperation
• Technology and Supply Chain Resilience
• Security and Strategic Cooperation
• Grassroots Engagement and Geopolitical Context

Conclusion

The 2025 Summit between India and Japan demonstrated that their bilateral relationship remains both resilient and adaptive in an uncertain world. The deepening of economic linkages, supply chain security, strategic defence dialogues, and grassroots partnerships reflects the multifaceted nature of this engagement. More importantly, the summit underlined that India and Japan are committed to being anchors of a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, even as both face pressures from the United States, China, and regional instability.

Final Answer:

Introduction

India and Japan, two of Asia’s leading democracies, have steadily nurtured a partnership that is simultaneously economic, strategic, and civilisational. The two countries share a history of cultural exchanges rooted in Buddhism, post-war reconstruction cooperation, and a commitment to democratic values and rule of law. Over the years, this partnership has matured into what is termed a “Special Strategic and Global Partnership”. In 2025, when the world witnessed intense trade disputes, regional instability, and shifting power equations, the 15th Annual Summit in Tokyo between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reaffirmed that India–Japan ties remain a pillar of stability. The agreements reached at the summit reflect not just continuity but also a forward-looking vision to equip the relationship for the challenges of a changing world order.

Body

Background of India–Japan Relations

• Diplomatic relations were established in 1952, and Japan was among the first countries to extend post-war development assistance to India.
• The Global Partnership (2000), the Strategic and Global Partnership (2006), and the elevation to a Special Strategic and Global Partnership (2014) have successively deepened bilateral ties.
• Japan is India’s largest source of Official Development Assistance (ODA), supporting flagship infrastructure projects like the Delhi Metro and the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail.
• Regular annual summits since 2005 have institutionalised the relationship, ensuring continuity across leadership changes.

Economic and Investment Cooperation

• At the 2025 Summit, Japan raised its investment target in India to $68 billion, supported by about 170 MoUs with Indian companies.
• A 2035 Vision Statement outlined eight areas of cooperation, including economic security, mobility, and green technology transitions.
• The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project was highlighted as a symbol of enduring infrastructure cooperation.

Technology and Supply Chain Resilience

• Both sides agreed to build resilient supply chains, particularly in semiconductors, supported by Japanese technology in India.
• This initiative is also aimed at overcoming restrictions imposed by China on exports of rare earth magnets and critical minerals.
• Joint initiatives in green hydrogen, electric mobility, and digital technology were identified as areas of future growth.

Security and Strategic Cooperation

• The 2008 Security Partnership was updated to include annual National Security Adviser (NSA)-level dialogues.
• Both countries pledged closer engagement within the Quad, cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and advocacy for UN Security Council reform.
• The joint statement strongly condemned North Korea’s missile programme and acts of cross-border terrorism, reflecting shared regional security concerns.

Grassroots Engagement and Geopolitical Context

• A Next-Gen State–Prefecture Partnership was launched to boost people-to-people ties, supported by new direct flight connectivity.
• The summit occurred amidst U.S. tariffs on India, Japan’s tensions with Washington, and India–China talks after a prolonged standoff.
• By choosing Japan as his first stop before engaging China, India signalled the geopolitical importance of Tokyo in balancing power in Asia.

Conclusion

The 2025 Summit between India and Japan demonstrated that their bilateral relationship remains both resilient and adaptive in an uncertain world. The deepening of economic linkages, supply chain security, strategic defence dialogues, and grassroots partnerships reflects the multifaceted nature of this engagement. More importantly, the summit underlined that India and Japan are committed to being anchors of a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, even as both face pressures from the United States, China, and regional instability.