TEN CRITICAL QUESTIONS ON CURRENT GEOPLOITICAL AND NATIONAL ISSUES – 130

PRERNA FOR IAS

(ASSOCIATE OF SAMKALP)

TEN CRITICAL QUESTIONS ON CURRENT GEOPLOITICAL AND NATIONAL ISSUES – 130

1. What does the Kerala extreme-rainfall episode tell us about India’s disaster-management model?

Answer: The Kerala floods and landslides show that disaster management cannot depend only on rescue and compensation after an event. Extreme rainfall is becoming more intense and localised, while settlement on unstable slopes and ecological pressure increase vulnerability. India needs better local weather sensors, landslide-risk mapping, resilient housing, evacuation plans and strict control over unsafe construction. Dam management should also be transparent and coordinated. In my view, climate adaptation must become part of normal development planning. The real shift should be from reacting to disasters to reducing risk before disasters occur.

2. Why is a distress-sharing formula important in the Cauvery dispute?

Answer: Normal water-sharing arrangements work better when rainfall is adequate. The real challenge arises during drought years, when both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu face genuine needs. A distress-sharing formula can distribute scarcity in a predictable and proportionate manner. It should be based on reservoir levels, rainfall, drinking-water needs and agricultural requirements. Real-time data sharing is also essential to reduce mistrust. In my view, river disputes should not depend on political pressure or seasonal luck. Cooperative federalism requires clear rules for both normal and deficit years, along with crop planning and efficient irrigation.