Editorial 1: In Maharashtra heatstroke deaths, the critical factor of humidity
Context:
- Thirteen people died from an apparent heatstroke while attending a government award function in an open space in Navi Mumbai Sunday.
Introduction
- This year, heatwave conditions developed even in February, an unprecedented occurrence. After a relatively cool March, the summer is expected to be extremely hot, and several parts of the country are likely to experience multiple spells of heatwaves.
- Notably, Mumbai, where the deaths took place on Sunday, is not even facing heatwave conditions at present.
IMD on Heatwaves
- According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), heatwave conditions are currently prevailing in some areas of Gangetic West Bengal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar.
Humidity Crucial
- However, high temperature in itself is not fatal. The combination of high temperature and high humidity, referred to as the wet bulb temperature, is what makes heatwaves deadly. High moisture content in the atmosphere makes it difficult for the sweat to evaporate and bodies to cool down, as a result of which the internal body temperature increases sharply, and is often fatal.
- Though the humidity levels at the venue are not clearly known, Anup Kumar Srivastava, a former senior consultant with the National Disaster Management Authority, said there could be several reasons for this unusually high death toll from the event, attended by thousands of people.
- “It is possible that many people travelled large distances to come to this event and were exhausted. That makes people more vulnerable to heat strokes. Residents of generally cooler places, like coastal areas, are particularly susceptible to prolonged exposure to heat. People with underlying health conditions are also a high-risk group,” said Srivastava, who has worked on devising and monitoring heat action plans in states and districts for several years.
Sharp decline in heat-related deaths
- Monitoring and management of heatwaves has undergone a big improvement in the past few years and that has resulted in a sharp decline in deaths caused by heatwaves.
- Almost every vulnerable state now has a heat action plan in place, consisting mainly of early warning, provision of water and ORS at public places, and flexible working hours in offices and education institutions. Special arrangements are made for people working outdoors.
- In the 10 years between 2010 and 2020, reported heatwave-related deaths in India came down by more than 90 per cent. Heatwave fatalities had peaked in 2015, when more than 2,000 deaths were reported.
- This was the time when states and district administrations started implementing heat action plans. The death count dropped rapidly in the next few years, and in 2020 and 2021, only four heatwave deaths were reported, according to government figures. Last year, however, 33 deaths were recorded.
More intense heatwaves
- The summer this year is predicted to be excessively hot because of the end of the strong La Nina phase in equatorial Pacific Ocean, something that has a general cooling effect on the earth’s atmosphere.
- New forecasts suggest that El Nino, which has the opposite impacts of La Nina, is expected to kick in from the May-July period itself, earlier than expected. El Nino also tends to result in suppression of monsoon rainfall over India. A shortfall in rains is already being apprehended, which could exacerbate the effects of a hot summer, even though the India Meteorological Department has predicted a normal monsoon.
Editorial 2: The terrorist-drug nexus: Why drug trafficking is a serious security issue
Context:
- Quick and more money attracts organised gangs to such activities. It is easier for terrorist groups to use the ready-made networks
Introduction
- The narcotics trade is assuming dangerous proportions all over the world. It is a social problem that harms youth and families and the money it generates is diverted for disruptive activities that have bearings on national security. The issue has kept security agencies and law enforcement agencies on the tenterhooks. India is no exception.
- Traditionally India has been seen as sandwiched between the Death (Golden) Crescent and Death (Golden) Triangle. The country is being flooded with drugs, especially heroin and methamphetamine, from these two regions by drug lords indirectly supported by intelligence setups. Nearly 90 per cent of the world’s demand for these drugs is being met from these two regions. India is both a big market and a transit route for other countries.
Money generated is huge
- Money generated in this illicit trade is phenomenal. There are indications that parts of Pakistan adjoining Afghanistan are also used by Pakistani drug traffickers to convert Afghan opium to heroin. The Shan and Kachin provinces of Myanmar bordering China also pose challenges.
- The maritime route has also become very active after the recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir. The use of drones to supply drugs and weapons across the border in Punjab is a new phenomenon and law enforcement agencies are working out strategies to neutralise this. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in conjunction with the intelligence agencies, has been making big seizures frequently.
Becoming a hot destination for cocaine
- India has surprisingly also become a hot destination for cocaine, the supply of which is controlled by South American drug cartels.
- Recent investigations have revealed the connection of these cartels with NRIs based in Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and several European countries along with local drug lords and gangsters in India, who have links with Khalistani terrorists and the ISI in Pakistan. The role of the fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim and his gang has been under scanner.
Use of Technology
- Studies reveal that 62 per cent of the darknet is being used for illicit drug trafficking. Darknet markets are disrupting traditional drug markets because of their anonymity and low risks.
- Cryptocurrency payments and doorstep deliveries, through courier services, have made darknet transactions attractive. Concerted and coordinated efforts of all the agencies will be required to tackle this growing threat.
- The success rate in catching traffickers using the darknet has been very low the world over. However, in January-February, the Narcotics Control Bureau busted an organised racket of darknet vendors and arrested several Indian nationals.
- Their international counterparts were exposed for the first time. Technical surveillance followed by basic policing methods led to the seizure of large consignments of drugs and the arrest of the gang. The operation exposed various international connections.
A new trend
- A new trend has emerged wherein organised gangs, which primarily used to carry out extortion activities in their local areas, are getting hooked to this network, and are being used for drug trafficking and gun running.
- Quick, and more, money attracts them to such activities, but knowingly or unknowingly they are getting into the trap of ISI and Khalistani elements settled abroad, especially in Canada, Germany, the UK, USA.
- It is easier for these terrorist groups to use these networks because they get ready-made logistics to carry out their activities. The nexus between terrorists and organised gangs/underworld is a new and disturbing trend, which has to be tackled effectively by security agencies.