UPSC Mains 2022 GS Paper 1 Q5: model answer

When Cyclone Biparjoy approached Gujarat in June 2023, IMD's red alert for Kutch helped the state move around one lakh people to safety; no lives were lost to the storm itself.

Purpose

The India Meteorological Department uses impact-based colour codes to tell officials and the public how serious a threat is and what to do.

The four colours

• Green (no warning): no action needed.
• Yellow (be aware / watch): severe weather possible; keep updated. Usually a depression or early stage cyclone.
• Orange (be prepared / alert): likely disruption to transport and power; fishermen must not go to sea; prepare to evacuate.
• Red (take action / warning): an extremely severe threat to life and property; authorities evacuate, close schools, suspend traffic.

Linked staged warnings

IMD's four-stage cyclone bulletin: pre-cyclone watch (72 hours), cyclone alert (48 hours), cyclone warning (24 hours), post-landfall outlook.

Significance and limits

• Simple to understand, easy for media and SMS (Common Alerting Protocol), even for people who cannot read a bulletin.
• Helps district officials act early.
• But the 'cry wolf' effect, language barriers and last-mile reach remain challenges.