The advancement of technology has paved the way for better disaster management systems. Particularly, in light of the Kerala floods, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has developed a new mechanism to predict the rise in river and reservoir water levels due to rainfall. This can provide state governments with superior monitoring capabilities.
Introduction to the Impact-Based Forecasting Approach
This newly developed technology is known as the ‘Impact Based Forecasting Approach.’ It generates a “pre-event scenario” that aids authorities in making proactive, real-time decisions. The purpose of impact-based forecasting and warning services is to enhance the synergy among stakeholders and citizens involved in crises, such as floods. It bridges the gaps between the four components for an effective early warning system, namely risk knowledge, monitoring and warning service, dissemination and communication, and response capability.
About IMD
The IMD was established in 1875 and is an agency under the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India. Primarily, it is responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology.
Constitution in Braille
In a first, the Constitution of India will be made available in Braille ahead of Constitution Day on November 26. The Buddhist Association for the blind, alongside the Saavi Foundation and Swagat Thorat, has undertaken this joint project. Due to the limitations of Braille script – a book in Braille cannot exceed more than 150 pages – the constitution will be published in five parts. Swagat Thorat has been running India’s first Braille newspaper, ‘Sparshdnyan,’ since 2008.
| Project Contributors | Buddhist Association for the blind | Saavi Foundation | Swagat Thorat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Parts | 5 | ||
| Sparshdnyan Launch Year | 2008 | ||
Vaccine for Goat Plague
Researchers from the UK and India have collaboratively developed a ‘smart’ vaccine that could potentially help eradicate goat plague. The significant contribution from British scientists was to provide a template for developing this smart vaccine, also known as the DIVA vaccine. Goat plague, or peste des petits ruminants (PPR), is a highly infectious viral disease that affects goats and sheep in many parts of India. The disease is lethal for small ruminants unless they are vaccinated. Besides India, goat plague is prevalent in several African countries, West Asia, China, and Mongolia.