Can India’s Hill states handle heavy rainfall?

What happened?

In the past week, heavy rainfall has created havoc in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh and other regions of Northern India. In Himachal Pradesh, resulting landslides and flash floods led to the death of more than 40 people. In Delhi, the Yamuna River crossed the previous high flood level of 207.49 m, recorded in 1978. The rains have put normal life out of gear, caused massive damage to infrastructure, and disrupted essential services.

Why does it matter? 

Earlier this year, the Meteorological Department of India (IMD) predicted that India would experience a ‘normal monsoon’ in 2023. However, in the first 8 days of July itself, North India witnessed 59% excess rainfall. Himachal Pradesh has suffered the most severe consequences. The continuous downpour has left behind a trail of destruction in the hill state. The current situation is a fresh warning of the vulnerability of the hill states to extreme weather events. It also raises serious questions about the planning of our mountain cities.

What are the arguments from both sides?

Side 1: The Hill States can NOT handle heavy rainfall: 

• Risks of landslides: A 2015 report by the Himachal Pradesh state government suggests that hilly areas in the region are vulnerable to landslides. This is because of natural factors like the weather and the land’s weak structural fabric. But human factors like cutting down trees, unregulated construction and overloading the slopes amplify the possibility of landslides.

• Climate change: Experts have forecasted an increase in extreme weather events in hilly regions due to climate change. The rising temperatures and melting of glaciers are increasing the instances of flash floods. Moreover, climate change causes unpredictable weather patterns, making weather forecasting unreliable.

• Human influence: Cutting down hills to make national highways and deforestation to clear land for construction projects have also influenced the region’s ability to handle extreme weather events. For instance, the debris left behind from the construction is carried away during heavy rainfalls, making floods more destructive.

Side 2: There is no other side. The government needs to take urgent steps. These include:

• Regulation of construction activities: Due to their prime locations, the hill states have become home to numerous hydropower plants. The construction activity, however, poses a major geological threat to this region. The centre and state governments must cut back on massive construction projects and look for alternatives to meet the country’s increasing energy demand.

• Risk management: The authorities must conduct proper risk mapping and vulnerability analysis before the onset of monsoon every season. Algorithms could process the data to generate flood scenarios and forecast floods during extreme events. Identifying the flood and landslide-prone areas could reduce the loss of life.

What’s next?

Rescue operations are currently underway in Himachal Pradesh. Multiple roads remain blocked in Uttrakhand. The IMD has forecasted Uttrakhand is likely to receive ‘extremely heavy rainfall’ for the next 5 days.

Scientists say the rise in temperature and humidity in the coming years will worsen problems for the hill states in India. Long-term planning needs to be prioritised to combat climate change and environmental degradation.

Foxconn Pulls Out of India

Are we back to square one in the semiconductor race?

What happened?

On July 10, Foxconn, a Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer, backed out of its joint venture with Vedanta Group. Under the venture, the two firms were planning to set up a semiconductor manufacturing plant, costing nearly $19 billion, in Gujarat.

Why does it matter?

Semiconductors are used in almost every electronic device we use daily. Due to the high demand, the global economic superpowers are engaged in a semiconductor chip race. Countries like the US and China have attempted to dominate chip production or control the supply chain to generate massive profits.

Foxconn’s plan to invest in India was a huge step in propelling India into the race. However, with the news of the deal falling through, doubts have emerged regarding India’s future in the semiconductor industry.

What are the arguments from both sides?

Side 1: Foxconn’s exit will NOT affect the Indian semiconductor goal:

• Foxconn’s plan: Following the setback from the deal with the Vedanta group, Foxconn announced that it still intends to apply for the government’s incentive and set up chip manufacturing plans. Therefore, the firm hasn’t pulled out of India completely.

• Investment from Micron: Last month, American chip maker Micron Technology announced an investment worth $825 million in a new chip assembly and test facility in Gujarat. The project is worth $2.75 billion and will be financially supported by the Centre and the Gujarat government. This shows that India will continue to receive significant investment in the ecosystem.

• India’s Semicon plans: Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, said that Foxconn’s exit would not impact India’s semiconductor goals. The authorities are reviewing two more proposals seeking to tap into the Centre’s initiative schemes.

Side 2: Foxconn’s exit will affect the Indian semiconductor goals:

• Flaws unmasked: Apparently, neither Vedanta nor Foxconn had the technology to manufacture semiconductor chips. For over a year, they were looking for partners who could lend them a license to use the technology. Though their search was directed towards a foreign company, the delay raises concerns regarding India’s sluggish growth in research and patenting necessary technology.

• Uncertain proposals: The two proposals under consideration, one by a Singapore-based venture and another by a joint Abu-Dhabi-based Next Orbit and Israel’s Tower Semiconductor, have been put on hold. The former failed to meet the government’s mark. The latter is delayed owing to the pending merger between Intel and Tower. With the Foxconn-Vedanta deal falling through, the industry’s future remains shaky.

• India-Taiwan relations: Experts argue that Foxconn’s move will impact India-Taiwan trade relations. Taiwan, one of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers, has been pushing India for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). However, Foxconn’s withdrawal might affect India’s stance on trade relations with Taiwan.

What’s next?

Vendata claimed that it’s looking to collaborate with a new partner. It’ll continue with its aim of manufacturing semiconductors in India. The Gujarat government is in talks with Foxconn to set up a semiconductor manufacturing unit in the state.

Horrific accident on Delhi-Meerut highway kills 6

Are Indian roads safe?

What happened?

On July 11, a terrible accident occurred on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway when an empty bus coming from the wrong side of the road rammed into an SUV. Six people travelling in the car died on the spot, while two others were seriously injured. The Preliminary investigation revealed that Prem Pal Singh had been driving the bus on the wrong side for 7 km before he crashed into the car. He has since been arrested.

Why does it matter?

The tragic incident is not a rare case. The Delhi-Meerut expressway witnessed 167 fatal accidents in 2022 alone, leading to 106 deaths and 125 injuries. According to government data, more than 1.5 lakh people died in road accidents in India in 2018. For context, the United States, which has the largest road network in the world, registered just over 37,000 deaths in the same year.

Such drastic figures raise serious questions about the safety of Indian roads. Even the recent accident was completely avoidable. So, who is to be blamed for this?

What are the arguments from both sides?

Side 1: Indian roads are NOT safe:

• Poor enforcement of traffic rules: India lacks effective enforcement of traffic rules, with many drivers violating speed limits, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving on the wrong side of the road or using mobile phones while driving. The Delhi-Meerut expressway accident occurred because the driver violated a basic traffic rule by driving on the wrong side of the road.

• Bad surveillance: Indian roads, especially the highways, have poor surveillance. There is little physical surveillance to discourage drivers from violating traffic rules. Despite the driver of the bus driving 7 km on the wrong side, he wasn’t noticed by either official of the National Highway of India (NHAI) or the traffic police. Instead, they shifted the blame to each other, showing that authorities are not serious about highway safety.

• Bad engineering and poor infrastructure: Observers have said that even some of India’s best roadways exemplify poor engineering. For example, Indian highways have design flaws such as the lack of exits or U-Turns for long stretches of road. This is not to mention the lack of poor road infrastructure, with many roads being narrow, uneven, dim, or poorly maintained.

Side 2: Indian roads are safe:

• People to blame, not roads: Government data showed that two-thirds of people who were killed in road accidents were overspeeding. Not wearing helmets and seatbelts was another major reason behind the deaths. Even in the recent incident, it was the bus driver’s recklessness that caused the accident.

What’s next?

Prem Pal Singh, the bus driver, has been arrested and charged under the Indian Penal Code sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), and 427 (causing damages). He is awaiting a trial. The bus owner will also be investigated to find out why the school bus was used to ferry office employees.

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