Operation Sadbhavana, India’s Humanitarian Response to Typhoon Yagi

Typhoon Yagi recently struck Southeast Asia, the government of India has launched Operation Sadbhavana, a humanitarian initiative aimed at providing crucial assistance to affected countries. This operation exemplifies India’s commitment to its Act East Policy and its role as a first responder in providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to nations in need.

India’s Humanitarian Assistance

Aid to Vietnam

As part of Operation Sadbhavana, the Indian government has announced a substantial aid package for Vietnam:

Amount: USD 1 million in humanitarian assistance

Aid contents: 35 tons of relief supplies, including:

• Water purification items
• Water containers
• Blankets
• Kitchen utensils
• Solar lanterns
• Other essential items

This comprehensive aid package aims to address the immediate needs of those affected by the typhoon, focusing on providing clean water, shelter, and basic necessities.

Support for Lao People’s Democratic Republic

In addition to its assistance to Vietnam, India has also extended support to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic:

Amount: USD 100,000 in humanitarian assistance

Aid contents: 10 tons of relief supplies, including:

• Hygiene kits
• Blankets
• Mosquito nets and repellents
• Sleeping bags
• Generators
• Water purifiers
• Water purification tablets
• Disinfectants
• Other essential materials

This aid package is designed to help mitigate the impact of the typhoon on the Lao population, with a focus on health, sanitation, and basic survival needs.

Typhoon Yagi: An Overview

Origin and Intensity

Typhoon Yagi has earned the distinction of being the most powerful storm to originate in the South China Sea in the last three decades. Some key points about the typhoon include:

• Wind speed: Exceeding 142 miles per hour
• Origin: South China Sea
• Name: Given by the Japanese Meteorological Agency

Affected Areas

The typhoon’s destructive path encompassed several countries in Southeast Asia:

• Vietnam
• Thailand
• Myanmar
• Lao People’s Democratic Republic
• Southern China

Impact on Vietnam

Of all the affected countries, Vietnam has suffered the most severe consequences:

• Death toll: Over 350 confirmed casualties, with expectations of further increases
• Flooding: Extensive areas in northern Vietnam submerged
• Economic impact: Destruction of agricultural lands, factories, and infrastructure
• Ongoing threats: Widespread flooding and landslides

Understanding Cyclones

Etymology and History

The term “cyclone” has an interesting origin:

• Derived from: Greek word “cyclos”
• Coined by: Henry Piddington, a British Rapporteur in Kolkata during the colonial era

Definition and Characteristics

A cyclone is defined as a wind system that circulates around a center of low atmospheric pressure. Its direction of rotation depends on its location relative to the equator:

• Northern Hemisphere: Counterclockwise rotation
• Southern Hemisphere: Clockwise rotation

Types of Cyclones

Cyclones are categorized based on their geographical origin:

Tropical Cyclones:

• Form within the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer
• Originate over warm ocean waters near the equator

Temperate Cyclones:

• Originate in temperate, high-altitude areas

Global Distribution

Cyclonic winds are a global phenomenon, found in most parts of the world with one notable exception:

• Absent in: The equatorial region