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Subject: Tech in Crisis Management

  • COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win over the crisis. Give an account of how technology was sought to aid management of the pandemic.

    The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, emerged as an unprecedented global health emergency. Beyond being a mere medical crisis, it disrupted human mobility, governance, economies, and social structures on a scale not witnessed since the 1918 Influenza pandemic.

    Unprecedented Devastation Worldwide

    Estimated 22.1 million excess deaths (WHO).

    Life Expectancy Reversal: reduced global life expectancy by 1.8 years between 2019 and 2021.

    Healthcare Collapse: Routine medical services were severely crippled.

    Lockdowns triggered the worst global economic downturn since the Great Depression.

    Educational Disruption for over 1.6 billion learners globally and widening the digital divide.

    Role of Technology in Pandemic Management

    Digital Surveillance and Contact Tracing: Bluetooth- and GPS-based apps enabled real-time tracking and containment of infection clusters. Eg- Aarogya Setu.

    Vaccine Development and Genomic Sequencing: Eg- Moderna Vaccine developed within 11 months.

    Digital Vaccination Infrastructure: Cloud-based platforms streamlined vaccine registration, scheduling, and certification. Eg- India’s CoWIN managed over 2.2 billion vaccine doses.

    AI in Diagnostics and Triage: Machine learning tools enabled rapid COVID-19 detection through CT scans and X-rays. Eg- Baidu deployed AI thermal screening systems.

    Telemedicine and Virtual Healthcare: Telehealth reduced hospital burden through remote consultations and home-based care. Eg- India’s eSanjeevani.

    Robotics and Autonomous Systems: Robots and drones minimized frontline exposure in infectious zones. Eg- ICMR’s i-DRONE project.

    3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing: Eg- 3D-printed face shields and ventilator valves.

    Blockchain in Supply Chains: Eg- Blockchain-monitored cold-chain logistics for mRNA vaccines.

    Remote Collaboration Platforms: Cloud communication tools sustained governance, education, and economic activity. Eg- Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Webex.

    Limitations of Technology in the Management of the Pandemic

    Deepening Digital Divide: Lack of smartphone and internet access excluded impoverished populations from receiving digital welfare.

    Widespread Digital Misinformation: Eg: viral forward messages promoting unverified chemical consumption as a coronavirus cure.

    Data Privacy Breaches: Rapid deployment of tracing applications raised serious concerns regarding unauthorized surveillance and data leakages.

    Supply Chain Bottlenecks: Eg: Global shortages of semiconductor chips crippling production of critical high-end hospital ventilators.

    Fragmented Trans-National Data Silos: Eg: Delays in sharing early clinical raw data hindering global strain mutation tracking.

    Way Forward

    Use of robotics & telemedicine on a broader scale to achieve last mile delivery.

    Following ONE HEALTH approach to develop preventive cure.

    Increase R&D spending in the health sector to strengthen diagnosis & research with the help of the private sector.

    The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that while biological threats can bring human civilization to a sudden halt, modern technology serves as a vital tool for resilience.

  • The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe freshwater. What are the alternative technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies citing their key merits and demerits.

    As per the report of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, the world’s water systems are under “unprecedented stress” and the demand for fresh water will outstrip supply by 40% by 2030.

    Global freshwater Crisis

    4.4 billion people lack access to safe drinking water

    703 million people have no access to clean drinking water.

    Agriculture consumes 70% of the world’s freshwater

    India

    4% of the world’s freshwater resources

    600 million Indians experience water scarcity. (NITI Aayog)

    By 2030, 700 million people could be displaced due to water shortages (UNICEF, 2025)

    Global water crisis could result in losses of up to $8 trillion over the next 25 years (Global Commission on the Economics of Water, 2024)

    Alternative Technologies That Can Solve the Freshwater Crisis

    Desalination Technologies to convert seawater/brackish water into potable water.

    Wastewater Recycling & Reuse through Membrane Bioreactors (MBR), tertiary treatment and advanced oxidation.

    Atmospheric Water Harvesting using condensation (cooling below dew point).

    Solar Distillation for low-cost, off-grid evaporation-condensation.

    Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) using recharge wells, percolation tanks and treated wastewater.

    Fog & Dew Harvesting in coastal and high-elevation areas.

    Smart Irrigation Technologies (drip, soil moisture sensors) to reduce agricultural water demand.

    Precision Leak Detection Systems using IoT to minimise distribution losses.

    Rainwater Harvesting Systems integrated with rooftops, storage tanks and recharge pits.

    Floating Solar + Desal Units for dual energy-water generation.

    Three Technologies With Key Merits and Demerits

    Atmospheric Water Harvesting (AWH) – Eg – Source Hydropanels deployed in Ladakh schools.

    Merits:

    Decentralized, off-grid water access for remote areas.

    No reliance on groundwater or rainfall.

    Scalable from household to community systems.

    Demerits:

    Low yield in low-humidity climates.

    High per-litre cost for advanced AWH systems.

    Requires maintenance of filters/desiccants.

    Wastewater Recycling & Reuse – Eg – Singapore’s NEWater, Nagpur’s Bhandewadi recycling plant.

    Merits:

    Reduces pressure on freshwater sources by closing the loop.

    Low energy requirement compared to desalination.

    Ensures year-round supply, even in dry regions.

    Demerits:

    Public resistance to potable reuse (“yuck factor”).

    Risk of contamination if systems are poorly maintained.

    High initial investment for advanced tertiary treatment.

    Desalination using Reverse Osmosis & Thermal Distillation– Eg – Israel’s Sorek RO plant, India’s Minjur RO plant (Chennai).

    Merits:

    Large and climate-independent supply from oceans.

    Useful for coastal megacities facing groundwater depletion. Eg- Mumbai

    Continuous and reliable output even in droughts.

    Demerits:

    High energy consumption, increasing carbon footprint.

    Brine discharge harms marine ecosystems.

    High capital and operating cost for poorer regions.

    A portfolio approach, not a single technology, will determine long-term water security.