CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Launched the Flash Flood Guidance Services was launched this year, the first of its kind for South Asian countries namely India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Detailed explanation-2: -i) States in the flood prone areas in India are West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Kerala, Haryana, Assam and Uttar Pradesh. ii) Flood prone areas in India are in the areas beside the major rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Mahanadi, Teesta, Brahmaputra etc.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Southeast Asia region alone makes up more than two-thirds of the global population exposed to flooding risk at 1.24 billion people. China and India account for 395 million and 390 million people, respectively, with both nations at the top in terms of the absolute number of people at risk of rising water levels.

Detailed explanation-4: -The severe floods in Himachal Pradesh in August 2000 and June 2005, and in Arunachal Pradesh in 2000 are a few examples of flash floods caused by breaches in landslide dams. Floods in Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh are generally caused by breaches in embankments.

Detailed explanation-5: -India is highly vulnerable to floods. Out of the total geographical area of 329 million hectares (mha), more than 40 mha is flood prone.