The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 29th August 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Déjà vu

Why in News?

 Preparedness must go beyond relief—India must tackle monsoon vulnerabilities at the root. 

Introduction

Heavy rainfall has caused widespread destruction in North India, highlighting the increasing unpredictability of the monsoon season. From flooded villages in Punjab to overflowing rivers in Jammu & Kashmir and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, the impacts reveal fragile infrastructure and inadequate preparedness. Describing these disasters as "unprecedented" distracts from the necessary lessons, as recurring climate extremes demand urgent preventive measures.

Widespread Destruction from Heavy Rainfall in North India

• Himachal Pradesh: Several districts cut off due to heavy rainfall.
• Jammu & Kashmir: Over 40 deaths reported; swollen rivers breached flood marks in Srinagar and Anantnag.
• Punjab: Entire villages submerged and farmland destroyed.
• Delhi: Excessive rainfall caused the Yamuna River to surge.

Erratic Monsoon Patterns

The southwest monsoon is exhibiting sharp fluctuations in intensity and volume. August rains arrived in concentrated bursts, leading to:

• Collapse of fragile Himalayan slopes.
• Overflow of rivers in the plains.
• Flooding of low-lying areas.

This pattern indicates an increasing unpredictability of the monsoon season.

Beyond Immediate Damage

Short, intense spells of rain are intensifying:

• Local erosion.
• Destabilisation of mountain slopes.
• Risks for settlements, even those far from the rainfall zones.

Relief efforts must extend beyond reactive measures, acknowledging that concentrated and destructive rainfall events are becoming a recurring phenomenon, not a rare occurrence.

Misguided Framing as “Unprecedented”

Labeling each disaster as “unprecedented” hinders the learning process. In the Himalayan states, activities like forest clearance and road widening are continuing without proper engineering to ensure slope safety.

The reduction of natural buffers due to shrinking catchments is increasing the risks of:

• Slope failures.
• Silt buildup in rivers and dams, leading to heavier flood loads.

Gaps in Preparedness and Warning Systems

Despite the occurrence of disasters, early-warning and evacuation systems remain inadequate. Improvements in rain forecasting have not been effectively translated into ground-level alerts. Relief agencies tend to act only after damage has occurred, with:

• Inadequate drills.
• Poorly pre-positioned supplies.
• Limited community preparedness.

Development vs. Safety

Governments are pursuing strategic road projects and urban expansion in unstable landscapes, while climate-resilient infrastructure is lagging behind. Efforts for compensatory afforestation and rehabilitation are not matching the original ecological quality, further exacerbating the risks.

Cumulative Impact

The cumulative impact is evident in:

• Denuded mountain slopes.
• Shrinking catchment areas.
• Populations being exposed to higher risks.

While relief operations dominate headlines and budgets, without sustainable infrastructure, landslide mitigation, and improved early-warning systems, the cycle of devastation will repeat in the next monsoon season.

Way Forward

There is a need to shift from merely praising resilience after disasters to systematically reducing vulnerabilities in advance. The priority should be on sustainable planning, climate-resilient infrastructure, and disaster preparedness.

Conclusion

 The increasing vulnerability of Himalayan states and flood-prone plains necessitates stronger resilience planning. Relying solely on relief operations after damage is insufficient; instead, there must be a focus on climate-resilient infrastructure, robust early-warning systems, and sustainable development. It is crucial to move from reactive responses to proactive prevention measures. Without urgent corrective actions, the upcoming monsoon cycles will continue to bring about the same levels of loss and destruction.

Building health for 1.4 billion Indians

Why in News?

 India’s health care is at a turning point — it must evolve from a privilege into a guaranteed right for every citizen. 

Introduction

India’s health-care system is facing a crucial moment. It needs to expand access to underserved populations while keeping care affordable as costs rise. To achieve this, a comprehensive and integrated framework is necessary. This framework should strengthen insurance coverage, leverage scale, embed prevention within primary care, accelerate digital adoption, ensure regulatory clarity, and attract sustained investment. By pursuing this systemic and interconnected approach, India has the opportunity to design a health-care model that is inclusive, financially sustainable, and a global benchmark for innovation and equity.

Insurance as the Foundation of Affordability

• Risk Pooling: Pooling risk through insurance is the most effective way to make expensive healthcare affordable. Even modest premiums can unlock significant coverage, protecting households from catastrophic financial shocks.
• Low Penetration: Despite the potential, insurance penetration in India is low, with only 15%–18% of Indians insured. The premium-to-GDP ratio is also low at 3.7%, compared to the global average of 7%.
• Growing Opportunity: Gross written premiums in India are rising, with projections of over 20% CAGR until 2030, indicating a growing opportunity for insurance.
• Partnership Approach: Affordability cannot rely solely on insurance. It requires collaboration between payers, providers, and patients to expand coverage, promote prevention, and position insurance as a tool for everyday health security.
• Efficiency in Care Delivery: India has developed unmatched efficiency in care delivery, such as high rates of MRI scans. The challenge now is to extend this efficiency to tier-2 and tier-3 cities, closing access gaps.
• Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY): This initiative has transformed access to healthcare for nearly 500 million people, covering advanced care costs. Expanding private hospital participation in government-backed schemes is crucial for reaching the next 500 million.

Prevention as the Most Powerful Cost-Saver

• Catastrophic Expenses: Even insured families face catastrophic expenses for outpatient care of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension.
• Redesigning Insurance: Insurance needs to cover outpatient and diagnostic services, along with a nationwide prevention campaign. Public participation is essential in adopting a preventive mindset and spreading awareness about healthier lifestyles.
• Early Detection and Telemedicine: India is leveraging AI for early detection of illnesses and remote consultations, improving outcomes and productivity of medical staff. Digital health is bridging access gaps, ensuring continuity of care across the country.
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: This initiative, combined with digital health innovations, aims to ensure universal health records and continuity of care, paving the way for inclusive and resilient healthcare.

Regulation and Trust as the Missing Link

• Rising Health-Care Costs: Health-care innovations in India face challenges, such as rising costs driven by environmental factors like pollution. Insurers are considering premium hikes to cover these increased costs, which could impact affordability.
• Building Trust in Insurance: Strengthening claims settlement and grievance redressal is crucial for building trust in health insurance. Without confidence in fair and transparent claims, households will be reluctant to prioritise health insurance.
• Role of Regulation: Robust regulation and fair pricing are essential to deepen coverage and build confidence in the health-care system. Regulation should ensure that rising costs do not erode affordability for millions.
• Attracting Investment: In 2023, India’s health sector attracted significant private equity and venture capital, fuelling growth in digital health, pharmacy networks, and hospitals. However, capital remains concentrated in metropolitan areas, leaving smaller cities underserved.
• Focus on Smaller Cities: Directing investment toward tier-2 and tier-3 cities is crucial for building primary networks and training specialists. Ensuring that growth leads to inclusive health care access is a key challenge.

Conclusion

 India’s health care system is at a pivotal moment. To effectively serve the population, insurance must expand beyond hospitalization to cover everyday care, while providers need to scale their services more efficiently. Emphasizing prevention can help reduce long-term costs, and leveraging technology is essential for equitable access. With coordinated investment and strong public-private partnerships, India can create a health care system that is universal, resilient, and sustainable. Health care should be recognized as a right for every citizen, not a privilege.