Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Waiting for the storm: On weather events, India’s vulnerability

Waiting for the storm: On weather events, India’s vulnerability

Despite (बावजूद, के बावजूद) the predictability (पूर्वानुमान की संभावना) of weather events (मौसम संबंधी घटनाएँ, मौसमी घटनाएँ), India remains vulnerable (असुरक्षित, संवेदनशील)

Late last week, a pacy (तेज़ रफ्तार वाला, तीव्र गति वाला) pre-monsoon (मानसून-पूर्व) weather system barrelled (to move or travel very fast, often uncontrollably; rush, dash, charge, sweep) into Uttar Pradesh, bringing a compound (मिश्रण, संयोजन) of thunderstorms, dust storms (धूल भरी आँधियाँ), lightning, heavy rain, and thundersqualls (sudden, violent winds often accompanied by rain, lightning, and thunder) to multiple districts at once (एक साथ, एक ही समय में). By May 14, the toll (the number of deaths, casualties, or injuries arising from a disaster or accident; casualty count, death toll, number of victims, losses) was 111 deaths and 72 injuries across 26 districts, rendering (to cause to be or become; make, cause to be, leave, turn into) the storms (तूफ़ान, आंधियाँ) among the deadliest (सबसे घातक, सबसे जानलेवा) weather-related disasters in Uttar Pradesh in recent times (हाल के दिनों में). The State has experienced (अनुभव करना, झेलना) similar weather events in May-June since 2018, if not before. The distinction (अंतर, भिन्नता) this year seems (प्रतीत होना, लगना) to have been the intensity, with winds capable of uprooting (to pull something (especially a tree or plant) out of the ground; pull up, root out, tear up, rip out) trees. The storm appears to have been driven by a pre-monsoon convective system (a weather pattern occurring before the onset of the monsoon, characterized by strong upward movement of warm, moist air leading to thunderstorms and squalls; pre-monsoon storm system), with a fresh western disturbance (an extratropical storm originating in the Mediterranean region that brings sudden winter rain or weather disruptions to the northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent) over the northwest further destabilising (undermine, weaken, subvert, compromise) conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) (an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India, responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology; Indian weather bureau) had issued thunderstorm and lightning alerts before the event and the Uttar Pradesh government reportedly (supposedly, allegedly, reputedly, ostensibly) issued more than 34 crore red and orange alert (colour-coded weather warnings issued by meteorological departments where an orange alert signifies ‘be prepared’ for severe weather and a red alert means ‘take action’ due to extremely bad weather) messages via (through, by way of, by means of, using) the SACHET portal (the official early warning platform developed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of India to disseminate localized weather alerts and disaster warnings to citizens). However (nevertheless, nonetheless, yet, but), it is not clear whether these warnings were sufficiently (enough, adequately, amply, satisfactorily) geographically (in terms of the geography or physical features of a region; spatially, topographically, territorially, regionally) precise or reached their intended (planned or meant to be; planned, meant, proposed, expected) beneficiaries (people who derive advantage from something) in time (not late, punctual; early enough, promptly, on time, punctually) — and in fact (actually, in reality, really, truthfully) if they simply warned of impending (approaching, looming, imminent, forthcoming) adverse (harmful, unfavourable, disadvantageous, inauspicious) weather or carried instructions for people to act on (follow, act in accordance with, abide by, implement).

Indeed (undeniably, certainly, genuinely, without a doubt), advance preparation is pertinent (relevant, appropriate, fitting, applicable) for two reasons. The State is sometimes in a convergence (intersection, meeting, merging, confluence) zone as the hot, dry (free from moisture or liquid; arid, parched, moistureless, barren), ‘loo’ winds (strong, dusty, gusty, hot and dry summer winds from the west which blow over the western Indo-Gangetic Plain region of North India and Pakistan; hot summer winds, dry winds, heatwave winds, scorching summer breeze) from the Thar (a large arid region in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent that forms a natural boundary between India and Pakistan, also known as the Great Indian Desert) move east over the plains (large areas of flat land with few trees; flatlands, grasslands) while moisture-laden (filled or heavily loaded with water vapor or dampness; humid, wet, damp, saturated) winds from the Bay of Bengal push in (enter forcefully, intrude, thrust in, drive in) from the southeast. Second, over the undulating (having a smoothly rising and falling form or outline; rolling, wavy, surging, heaving) Vindhya hills (a complex, discontinuous chain of mountain ridges, hill ranges, highlands and plateau escarpments in west-central India; Vindhya range, central Indian hills) in Mirzapur and Sonbhadra, the convergent (merging, meeting, intersecting, closing in) air masses (large bodies of air with generally uniform temperature and humidity; air currents) may lift (to raise to a higher position or level; raise, elevate, hoist, heave) rapidly, producing thunderstorms over specific parts of the State. Effectively (practically, essentially, practically speaking, virtually), while no authority (official, government, administration, management) could have predicted (forecast, foretell, foresee, anticipate) the storms’ local intensity, the underlying (fundamental, basic, intrinsic) risk was hardly (scarcely, barely; almost not; scarcely, barely, only just, slightly) unforeseeable. Their recurrence (the fact of occurring again; reappearance, return, repetition, reoccurrence) at this time of the year and place should raise sharp questions about why so many deaths still occurred. Part of the answer is surely (undoubtedly, certainly, definitely, assuredly) the proximate (immediate, close, primary, direct) causes of death and damage, including housing and public infrastructure (the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, built and maintained by the government; public facilities, civic amenities, essential structures, state-run framework). Uttar Pradesh has a large number of structurally (physically, fundamentally, essentially) vulnerable rural and peri-urban (urban-fringe, outskirts, suburban, adjoining city) households (a house and its occupants regarded as a unit; families, homes, occupants, dwellings). If a storm strikes ((of a disaster, disease, or other unwelcome phenomenon) to occur suddenly and have harmful or damaging effects; hit, affect, afflict, devastate) at dusk (the darker stage of twilight; evening, nightfall, twilight, gloaming) or later, people are often indoors or resting under fragile (easily broken or damaged; vulnerable, delicate, flimsy, weak) roofs. In addition (furthermore, moreover, additionally, besides), people are also vulnerable to improperly placed or poorly installed hoardings (large boards in a public place, used to display advertisements; billboards, signboards, advertisement boards, placards), electrical wiring, and public signage. The State was aware of (conscious of, mindful of, informed about, familiar with) the kinds of damage such storms could cause as it announced separate relief packages (financial or material aid provided by the government to individuals or businesses in times of distress or disaster; aid packages, financial assistance, relief funds) depending on the type of farming, crop, and loss. The underlying risk was foreseeable (able to be foreseen or predicted; predictable, expected, anticipated, likely), yet the vulnerability (susceptibility, weakness, defenselessness, frailty) was high.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.despite (preposition)

Hindi Meaning - बावजूद, के बावजूद
English Meaning - without being affected by; in spite of, regardless of, notwithstanding, undeterred by.

2.predictability (noun)

Hindi Meaning - पूर्वानुमान की संभावना
English Meaning - foreknowledge, expectedness, certainty, forecastability.

3.weather events (noun)

Hindi Meaning - मौसम संबंधी घटनाएँ, मौसमी घटनाएँ
English Meaning - significant occurrences of meteorological conditions in a particular area; meteorological phenomena, climatic occurrences, weather patterns, atmospheric conditions.

4.vulnerable (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - असुरक्षित, संवेदनशील
English Meaning - susceptible, at risk, endangered, unprotected.

5.pacy (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - तेज़ रफ्तार वाला, तीव्र गति वाला
English Meaning - moving, happening, or done quickly; fast-paced, rapid, swift, speedy.

6.pre-monsoon (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - मानसून-पूर्व
English Meaning - occurring in the period immediately before the onset of the monsoon season; pre-rainy season.

7.compound (noun)

Hindi Meaning - मिश्रण, संयोजन
English Meaning - a mixture or combination of two or more elements; mixture, blend, amalgamation, synthesis.

8.dust storms (noun)

Hindi Meaning - धूल भरी आँधियाँ
English Meaning - strong, turbulent winds which carry clouds of fine dust, soil, and sand over a large area.

9.at once (phrase)

Hindi Meaning - एक साथ, एक ही समय में
English Meaning - simultaneously or at the same time; simultaneously, concurrently, together, in unison.

10.storms (noun)

Hindi Meaning - तूफ़ान, आंधियाँ
English Meaning - violent disturbances of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning; cyclones, hurricanes.

11.deadliest (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - सबसे घातक, सबसे जानलेवा
English Meaning - causing or capable of causing the most deaths; most lethal, most fatal, most mortal, most destructive.

12.in recent times (phrase)

Hindi Meaning - हाल के दिनों में
English Meaning - lately, recently, of late, in the recent past.

13.experience (verb)

Hindi Meaning - अनुभव करना, झेलना
English Meaning - to encounter or undergo an event or occurrence; undergo, face, encounter, endure.

14.distinction (noun)

Hindi Meaning - अंतर, भिन्नता
English Meaning - difference, contrast, variation, dissimilarity.

15.seem (verb)

Hindi Meaning - प्रतीत होना, लगना
English Meaning - appear, look, sound, give the impression.

16.pre-monsoon convective system (noun)

English Meaning - a weather pattern occurring before the onset of the monsoon, characterized by strong upward movement of warm, moist air leading to thunderstorms and squalls; pre-monsoon storm system.

17.western disturbance (noun)

English Meaning - an extratropical storm originating in the Mediterranean region that brings sudden winter rain or weather disruptions to the northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent.

18.wait for the storm (phrase)

English Meaning - anticipate a difficult or dangerous situation; expect trouble, brace for impact, anticipate a crisis, prepare for hardship.

19.barrel (verb)

English Meaning - to move or travel very fast, often uncontrollably; rush, dash, charge, sweep.

20.thunderstorms (noun)

English Meaning - storms with thunder and lightning and typically also heavy rain.

21.thundersqualls (noun)

English Meaning - sudden, violent winds often accompanied by rain, lightning, and thunder.

22.toll (noun)

English Meaning - the number of deaths, casualties, or injuries arising from a disaster or accident; casualty count, death toll, number of victims, losses.

23.render (verb)

English Meaning - to cause to be or become; make, cause to be, leave, turn into.

24.uproot (verb)

English Meaning - to pull something (especially a tree or plant) out of the ground; pull up, root out, tear up, rip out.

25.drive (verb)

English Meaning - propel, push, urge, motivate.

26.destabilise (verb)

English Meaning - undermine, weaken, subvert, compromise.

27.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) (noun)

English Meaning - an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India, responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology; Indian weather bureau.

28.reportedly (adverb)

English Meaning - supposedly, allegedly, reputedly, ostensibly.

29.red and orange alert (noun)

English Meaning - colour-coded weather warnings issued by meteorological departments where an orange alert signifies ‘be prepared’ for severe weather and a red alert means ‘take action’ due to extremely bad weather.

30.via (preposition)

English Meaning - through, by way of, by means of, using.

31.SACHET portal (noun)

English Meaning - the official early warning platform developed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of India to disseminate localized weather alerts and disaster warnings to citizens.

32.however (adverb)

English Meaning - nevertheless, nonetheless, yet, but.

33.sufficiently (adverb)

English Meaning - enough, adequately, amply, satisfactorily.

34.geographically (adverb)

English Meaning - in terms of the geography or physical features of a region; spatially, topographically, territorially, regionally.

35.intended (adjective)

English Meaning - planned or meant to be; planned, meant, proposed, expected.

36.beneficiaries (noun)

English Meaning - people who derive advantage from something.

37.in time (phrase)

English Meaning - not late, punctual; early enough, promptly, on time, punctually.

38.in fact (phrase)

English Meaning - actually, in reality, really, truthfully.

39.warn of (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - alert to, notify about, apprise of, caution about.

40.impending (adjective)

English Meaning - approaching, looming, imminent, forthcoming.

41.adverse (adjective)

English Meaning - harmful, unfavourable, disadvantageous, inauspicious.

42.act on (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - follow, act in accordance with, abide by, implement.

43.Indeed (adverb)

English Meaning - undeniably, certainly, genuinely, without a doubt.

44.pertinent (adjective)

English Meaning - relevant, appropriate, fitting, applicable.

45.convergence (noun)

English Meaning - intersection, meeting, merging, confluence.

46.dry (adjective)

English Meaning - free from moisture or liquid; arid, parched, moistureless, barren.

47.‘loo’ winds (noun)

English Meaning - strong, dusty, gusty, hot and dry summer winds from the west which blow over the western Indo-Gangetic Plain region of North India and Pakistan; hot summer winds, dry winds, heatwave winds, scorching summer breeze.

48.Thar (noun)

English Meaning - a large arid region in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent that forms a natural boundary between India and Pakistan, also known as the Great Indian Desert.

49.plains (noun)

English Meaning - large areas of flat land with few trees; flatlands, grasslands.

50.moisture-laden (adjective)

English Meaning - filled or heavily loaded with water vapor or dampness; humid, wet, damp, saturated.

51.push in (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - enter forcefully, intrude, thrust in, drive in.

52.undulating (adjective)

English Meaning - having a smoothly rising and falling form or outline; rolling, wavy, surging, heaving.

53.Vindhya hills (noun)

English Meaning - a complex, discontinuous chain of mountain ridges, hill ranges, highlands and plateau escarpments in west-central India; Vindhya range, central Indian hills.

54.convergent (adjective)

English Meaning - merging, meeting, intersecting, closing in.

55.air masses (noun)

English Meaning - large bodies of air with generally uniform temperature and humidity; air currents.

56.lift (verb)

English Meaning - to raise to a higher position or level; raise, elevate, hoist, heave.

57.effectively (adverb)

English Meaning - practically, essentially, practically speaking, virtually.

58.authority (noun)

English Meaning - official, government, administration, management.

59.predict (verb)

English Meaning - forecast, foretell, foresee, anticipate.

60.underlying (adjective)

English Meaning - fundamental, basic, intrinsic.

61.hardly (adverb)

English Meaning - scarcely, barely; almost not; scarcely, barely, only just, slightly.

62.unforeseeable (adjective)

English Meaning - not able to be anticipated or predicted; unpredictable, unexpected, unpredicted, unlooked-for.

63.recurrence (noun)

English Meaning - the fact of occurring again; reappearance, return, repetition, reoccurrence.

64.surely (adverb)

English Meaning - undoubtedly, certainly, definitely, assuredly.

65.proximate (adjective)

English Meaning - immediate, close, primary, direct.

66.public infrastructure (noun)

English Meaning - the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, built and maintained by the government; public facilities, civic amenities, essential structures, state-run framework.

67.structurally (adverb)

English Meaning - physically, fundamentally, essentially.

68.peri-urban (adjective)

English Meaning - urban-fringe, outskirts, suburban, adjoining city.

69.households (noun)

English Meaning - a house and its occupants regarded as a unit; families, homes, occupants, dwellings.

70.strike (verb)

English Meaning - (of a disaster, disease, or other unwelcome phenomenon) to occur suddenly and have harmful or damaging effects; hit, affect, afflict, devastate.

71.dusk (noun)

English Meaning - the darker stage of twilight; evening, nightfall, twilight, gloaming.

72.fragile (adjective)

English Meaning - easily broken or damaged; vulnerable, delicate, flimsy, weak.

73.in addition (phrase)

English Meaning - furthermore, moreover, additionally, besides.

74.hoardings (noun)

English Meaning - large boards in a public place, used to display advertisements; billboards, signboards, advertisement boards, placards.

75.aware of (phrase)

English Meaning - conscious of, mindful of, informed about, familiar with.

76.relief packages (noun)

English Meaning - financial or material aid provided by the government to individuals or businesses in times of distress or disaster; aid packages, financial assistance, relief funds.

77.crop (noun)

English Meaning - a cultivated plant that is grown on a large scale commercially, especially a cereal, fruit, or vegetable; harvest, produce, yield, plantation.

78.foreseeable (adjective)

English Meaning - able to be foreseen or predicted; predictable, expected, anticipated, likely.

79.vulnerability (noun)

English Meaning - susceptibility, weakness, defenselessness, frailty.