INDIA’S INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT TO UNITE NATIONS

STUDY GUIDE
COMMITTEE: PRIME MINISTER’S SPECIAL SUMMIT
(Crisis Committee)
AGENDA: NORTH INDIA FLOODS 2023
 MANDATE
The Prime Minister’s Special Summit, popularly known as the PMSS, is a committee
exclusively set up for the delegations of the Union Ministers and other members of the
Parliament. The committee is privileged to discuss any issue on which the Prime Minister
needs advice. The issue may have national or international concerns. It also lies in the Prime
Minister’s hands to decide when and on which agenda a special summit should be called to
deliberate. This committee provides a platform for the Members of Parliament to directly
advise and deliberate with the Prime Minister through this council, showcasing the
democratic spirit of our political system.

INTRODUCTION
Heavy rainfalls occurred in the monsoon of 2023 resulting in a severe flood across Northern
India, especially affecting the states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Kashmir, Haryana,
Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. States in the Northwest have been receiving incessant
rainfall since early July of 2023. Furthermore, these climatic conditions are a result of a
combination of a western disturbance and monsoonal winds. According to the Department of
Meteorology (IMD), Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab have received rainfall that is 112%,
70% and 100% above the average, respectively from the start of June. IMD forecasted
high-intensity rainfall which persisted over most of the parts of north India. Although, it was
expected to subside post-mid-July eastwards heavy rainfalls continued for weeks giving rise to
serious flooding.

Monsoon Patterns in Northern India

Two types of monsoons prevail in India: The Southwest monsoon and The Retreating monsoon.
The former occurs between June and September due to several factors and as these monsoon
winds approach the land, their direction diverts over Northwest India due to relief and thermal
low pressure. The later monsoon also known as ‘October heat’ occurs during October-November
when the land is still moist and there is high temperature and humidity.

There has been a shift in the rainfall patterns over Northwest India since 2000. According to
experts, the human-caused climate crisis could be a major factor in the consistent change in
monsoon trends in India. In 2023, monsoon arrived around the same time in Mumbai and Delhi
(usually it is a fortnight apart) which has happened for the first time in six decades. The trend is
one of many such instances where monsoon has become more irregular, as a result, some regions
have witnessed more rainfall while others have received very less. Monsoon patterns shifting
from the Bay of Bengal is another reason for such intense rainfall in the north. There has been a
low-pressure system that has increased the flow of moisture from the Arabian Sea. This is a very
uncommon phenomenon that has resulted in rainfall beyond 10 cm in Delhi for the first time after
almost 40 years.

Root Causes of Frequent Floods

● Two Weather systems interacting, namely the Monsoon troughs (winds) and Western
disturbances are the primary reason for intense rainfalls and floods in northern India. This
coincides with simultaneous strong monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal.

● Sudden flash floods caused by Cloudburst are another reason for these floods.
Cloudbursts occur when an extreme amount of precipitation happens in a short duration.
They are challenging to predict and are more severe due to changing infrastructure and
developments.

● Climate change is causing water level rise due to the melting of glaciers and it is
increasing the frequency of short-duration heavy rainfall leading to higher water run-off.
Climate change has changed the distribution and the timing of precipitation, provoking
the incidences of floods in landlocked regions of North India.

● Several Rivers surround the northern states. Rivers like Beas, Satluj, Ravi, Chenab and
their tributaries like Parvati, Uhl and Sainj experience overflow when heavy rainfalls
happen. Other rivers like Markandam Ghaggar And Yamuna impact the states of Punjab,
Haryana and Delhi.

Atmospheric Rivers (ARs)

A recent study by scientists from various IITs and also in institutes overseas like the University of
Washington found that 70% of India’s floods between 1985 and 2020 are due to Atmospheric
rivers. The 2013 Uttarakhand floods and the 2018 Kerala floods are recent examples of it. The
ARs are long, thin streams of water vapour carried from the very moist tropical latitudes toward
the much drier high latitudes. ARs are narrower and carry more moisture, hence, their
precipitation causes extreme rainfall. The main reason behind such rapid ARs is the warming of
climate. It is predicted that in coming years with rising temperatures as the evaporation will
increase, flooding due to AR could worsen.

HISTORY
Heavy rainfall and flooding are nothing new to the northern states of India, at least for the last
two decades. Delhi has experienced unprecedented six major floods in the past since 1900,
including in 1924, 1947, 1976, 1978, 1988 and 1995. In 1988 Punjab experienced floods for the
first time when all its rivers overflowed.

2013 Uttarakhand floods

In June 2013, a cloudburst in Uttarakhand caused devastating landslides and flooding. This
became one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the country wiping more than 2000
houses, collapsing 147 bridges, destroying 1307 roads, displacing lakhs of people and taking
thousands of lives and livelihoods. Between 13 and 17 June, the state received an unusual amount
of rainfall leading to the melting of the Chorabari glacier and the overflow of the Mandakini
River. This resulted in massive flash floods, and landslides and affected Kedarnath valley in the
worst way possible.

2023 Delhi floods

The July of 2023 saw an unprecedented rise of the Yamuna River in Delhi, reaching a record
height of 208.48 meters. This rise led to flooding of public roads, localities, and some of the
prime locations like the Red Fort in the national capital. Later, images of the medieval era Delhi
surfaced which showed the original flow of the river through the same roads and streets where
flood water was deposited later obstructed due to urbanisation. Encroachment of the floodplains
and obstruction of river flow is one of the primary reasons for such conditions.
 CURRENT SCENARIO

Himachal Pradesh was severely affected by these floods with at least 330 dead, 38 missing and
more than 100 injured during flooding since 1 April 2023. Cumulatively, since the monsoon hit
on June 24, 170 incidents of cloudburst or landsliding were reported and 9,600 houses were
damaged in Himachal Pradesh. The losses from the combined floods of 2023 in Himachal were
as high as 10,000 crore rupees, and the damaged infrastructure would take a year to repair.
Several bridges and dwellings were washed away. Train services and numerous roads closed in
Shimla district.

Meanwhile, in Punjab and Haryana, 41 people were killed and 1,616 were living in 173 relief
camps in July. A total loss of 1000 crores has been estimated in the form of infrastructural
damage. The Tangri River on the border of both states is above the danger mark. Numerous fields
have been submerged, leading to crop damage. Power plants, schools and railway networks have
been shut down.

In Delhi, the Yamuna River breached its all-time high-water mark in July, which had stood for
over 40 years. The heavy downpour turned roads into flowing streams, parks into waterlogged
mazes and markets into submerged localities. Schools and offices were shut down.

Heavy rains triggered flash floods, and landslides across Jammu and Kashmir mainly in the
Kupwara district which damaged the roadways badly. The Amarnath yatra also got halted due to
the damage to the Jammu-Srinagar highway. The continuous monsoon in Uttarakhand caused
landslides, and flash floods and affected hundreds of people. The monsoon season in Uttarakhand
has resulted in nearly 100 deaths and over a dozen people missing. Landslides are the main cause
of these fatalities. A few pilgrims also lost their lives when their vehicle fell into the Ganga
River.

Rajasthan also faced flood-like situations in five districts of southern Rajasthan. As many as
seven persons died in different rain-related incidents in the affected districts. More than 300
villages in 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh were affected by floods and several rivers in July 2023.
Four people died in the rain-related incidents in the state. In August 721 villages in 21 districts of
the state were affected by flood.
Emergency actions and evacuation
In Himachal Pradesh, approximately 70,000 tourists were evacuated from the state. The
government and rescue agencies evacuated 27,286 people from waterlogged areas in Punjab.
Sixteen thousand individuals were provided shelter in relief tents arranged by the Delhi
government. About 15,000 persons were evacuated from the low-lying areas in Rajasthan.

The situation in Uttarakhand was that the SDRF team continued its rescue operation in
landslide-hit Jakhna village. Meanwhile, traffic remained suspended on the Rishikesh-Badrinath
National Highway-58 post-heavy landslide.

Sixty-one shelters were set up for the 25,281 affected people in Uttar Pradesh. To address the
challenges posed by the conditions, the government established 1,101 flood shelters and 1,504
flood posts across the state. At the same time, more than 2,000 medical teams were formed to
treat people and relief efforts were underway through the deployment of 2,040 boats.

PROPOSED SOLUTION
Emergency rescue and response plans
● The PMO, Central Government and various State Governments must engage in
immediate coordination in terms of immediate relief distribution and emergency
packages. A special PM-level control room shall be formed where the senior officials of
the Indian Meteorological Dept(IMD), National Disaster Management
Authority(NDMA), and Central Water Commission(CWC) can monitor the situation.

● Local administrations should be provided with teams of National Disaster Response

Forces(NDRF) and Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) for evacuation and ensuring the
safety of those affected by the disaster. Whenever necessary, the states must seek the help
of the army or airforce, especially in border and mountain regions.

● State governments must interact and coordinate before opening any barrage or dams that
might affect other states. A 24-hour control room and helpline must be set up for the
assistance of affected people. Schools and Colleges should remain closed. District
authorities shall ensure the protection or storage of crops wherever needed.
 ● Special facilities and camps to be set up for pilgrims and tourists in various regions.
People with pregnancy, health issues and other challenges must be protected and
provisions of airlift should ensured.
● With the help of NGOs, doctors and other organisations health camps and free medicines
should be provided in flood-affected districts. Family food packets or ration kits
comprising ready-to-use or dry eatables shall be distributed immediately in highly
affected regions. Other kits and shelter facilities must be ensured including sanitary
products and safety nets.

Long-term plans
● The existing disaster management authorities shall be strengthened at the local, state and
national levels in collaboration with various stakeholders to monitor the preparedness for
any disaster. The government shall amend the Disaster Management Act, 2005 to add new
provisions based on recent calamities.

● More resources and investments shall be encouraged in research and development which
will help bodies like IMD predict such disasters. This includes conducting hazard,
vulnerability and risk assessment, mapping and zoning of flood and landslide-prone areas.

● A regulatory body must be formed to enforce strict laws and actions against illegal
constructions in floodlines. The body shall also look after land use, construction and
mining activities in landslide-prone regions. The development of infrastructure should go
hand in hand with the protection of the environment.

● Cities like Delhi shall implement Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to mitigate the
impact of floods by enhancing water absorption, minimising surface run-offs and
replenishing groundwater through rainwater harvesting, green roofs and permeable
pavements.

● The river bodies and wetlands must be preserved and protected. Safeguarding these
natural bodies will not only prevent human-made disasters but enhance biodiversity
conservation.
 SUGGESTED MODERATED CAUCUS
1. Discussing the impact and repercussions of massive floods in Northern India in 2023.
2. Examining the relief and rehabilitation measures post the Uttarakhand flood 2013.
3. Discussing a framework for emergency evacuation during natural disasters.
4. Analysing the historical drainage patterns and river paths of Northern India.
5. Deliberating a framework for medical aid and assistance in flood-affected regions.
6. Examining the agricultural loss and environmental implications of floods in North Indian
States.
7. Discussing the need to rehabilitate populations residing in flood-prone regions.
8. Evaluating the role of NDRF and CRPF in disaster management in the country.
9. Deliberating the Disaster Management Act of 2005 with special emphasis on floods and
landslides.
10. Examining the role of construction and infrastructure in landslides and floods.

RESEARCH LINKS
(Note: Delegates, some of the links are only meant for light reading and thus are not
highlighted, only refer to the highlighted sources as valid proof as others may or may not be
accepted as a source of proof in the Council. The decision of the Presiding Officer regarding
the acceptable sources is Final and Binding.)
1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-flood-news-live-updates-yamuna-rive
r-water-level-monsoon-rains-weather-updates-today-schools-closed/liveblog/101810019.c
ms
2. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/delhi-floods-when-the-yamuna-rose/article6
7105940.ece
3. https://www.outlookindia.com/national/north-india-rain-fury-floods-himachal-pradesh-del
hi-uttarakhand-monsoon-delhi-haryana-news-news-301677
4. https://www.outlookindia.com/national/flash-floods-landslides-silt-surge-in-rivers-how-ra
ins-brought-himachal-pradesh-to-a-standstill-news-301772
5. https://www.outlookindia.com/national/monsoon-rain-north-india-update-himachal-prade
sh-delhi-punjab-brace-for-more-rainfall-monday-weather-news-301615
6. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/evacuation-of-people-from-low-lying-areas-
around-yamuna-once-river-touches-206-metre-mark-delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal/article6706
3344.ece
7. https://www.thestatesman.com/india/flood-like-situation-unlikely-in-delhi-says-cm-kejriw
 al-on-rise-in-yamuna-level-after-review-meeting-1503198986.html
8. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/flood-warning-in-delhi-after-haryana-discharges-over-1
-lakh-cusecs-of-water-into-yamuna-4191826
9. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/waterlogging-across-delhi-as-heavy-rain-pou
nds-national-capital-8817352/
10. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rain-monsoon-himachal-pradesh-rain-delhi-rain-gurgao
n-rain-uttarakhand-rain-heavy-rain-triggers-landslides-flash-floods-across-north-india-sev
eral-kil-4192561#News_Trending
11. https://www.livemint.com/news/india/monsoon-deluge-flash-flood-hits-himachal-pradesh
-heavy-rainfall-soaks-delhi-10-updates-11688873258939.html
12. https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2023/07/10/des20-hr-pb-ld-rain.html
13. https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/delhi-heavy-rains-waterlogging-flood-drainage-syst
em-12847202.html
14. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/yamuna-crosses-warning-mark-in-delhi-flood-like
-situation-unlikely-says-arvind-kejriwal/ar-AA1dF2lB
15. https://zeenews.india.com/india/amid-heavy-rains-yamuna-breaches-danger-mark-in-delhi
-cm-arvind-kejriwal-says-flood-like-situation-unlikely-2633597.html
16. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/flood-warning-issued-as-haryana-relea
ses-300-000-cusecs-of-water-in-the-yamuna-101660243113086.html
17. https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/10/india/india-delhi-wettest-day-flood-deaths-intl-hnk/in
dex.html
18. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/climate-change-affects-floo
ds-8941878/#:~:text=Higher%20global%20temperatures%20have%20resulted,21%E2%8
0%9324%20centimetres%20since%201880.
19. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/37-killed-as-heavy-rains-batter-north-india-
army-ndrf-teams-step-in-for-rescue-operations/articleshow/101646853.cms
20. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/environment/2023-north-india-floods-types-of-floo
ds-loss-and-damage-and-health-effects-post-flooding-11008201.html