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<ul><li>A new study shows that the Earth's 'tipping points' could be right around the corner.</li><li>Any one tipping point can cause a domino effect that would fast track climate change.</li><li>These pictures show indicators that point to Earth being on the verge of a climate calamity.</li></ul>'Freak' natural calamities — like the fires of the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/amazon-wildfire-carbon-monoxide-map-by-nasa-shows-affect-on-rest-of-the-world/articleshow/70837821.cms">Amazon rainforest</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/climate-change-causes-australian-mammal-to-go-extinct/articleshow/68081948.cms">coral reefs</a> dying — aren't random. They are all interconnected. And, they paint a worrying picture — Earth's climate is on the verge of boiling over, according to a new study published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-03595-0">Nature</a>. 'Tipping points' or large-scale discontinuities in the climate system were only thought to occur if <keyword id="6366055" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-warming">global warming</keyword> exceeds 5 degrees Celcius above pre-industrial levels, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). But researchers have found evidence of the planet to be on the brink of breaching some of these 'tipping points' even between 1 to 2 degrees Celcius of warming. "If current national pledges to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions are implemented — and that's a big 'if' — they are likely to result in at least 3 °C of global warming," the study notes. Here are 8 pictures that show how dangerously close Earth is to its tipping points:

8 pictures that show Earth is on the verge of boiling over

8 pictures which show that Earth is on the verge of boiling over

<ul><li>As of April 29, there are 18 million active Covid cases in India.</li><li>To help our country grapple with the second wave of Coronavirus pandemic, many brands have stepped forward to do their bit.</li><li>Apart from financial aid, there’s another powerful tool that brands can use today -- advertising. It can influence consumers to act and remind them that we are in this together.</li><li>We reached out to experts to understand how should a brand use its marketing tools today: should they halt their advertising to give consumers space or launch empathetic campaigns as a reminder of togetherness and better tomorrow.</li></ul>As we stepped into 2021, consumers were hopeful about their lives returning back to normalcy. There was hope and enthusiasm for a better tomorrow. We were almost towards the end of it. Consumer sentiment also picked up with the announcement of India’s biggest sporting event IPL and advertisers were optimistic about bouncing back to normalcy. Advertising agencies worked on IPL pitches for months, risked their lives to execute them and even started thinking about campaigns for Mother’s Day. However, the country now is in the midst of one of the worst calamities it has faced in recent times. Our country’s healthcare system and our brave healthcare workers continue to be under tremendous pressure. It has impacted our mental health because we are living in constant fear of us or someone close to us contracting the virus. People are either mourning someone’s loss or dealing with the anxiety that they might have to, soon. Despite the despondency in the air, citizens have taken it upon themselves to help each other out. Many brands and organisations have also come to our rescue. They are using their social media reach to amplify requests for hospitals beds and oxygen supply. They have also donated money to government bodies and NGOs. There’s another powerful tool that brands can use today -- advertising. It can influence consumers to act. Apart from facing the truth of what’s happening around us, we need empathy and kindness to get through this tough phase. It is only in socially-distanced unity and togetherness that we can find courage to face the reality. Consumers also need compassion, more than ever today. They need brands they follow to set an example and encourage them. Afterall, they are a huge part of our country. Many brands, however, have chosen silence to give their consumers enough space to heal. A few are using their social media to help everyone out -- left, right and centre. Some have chosen to focus on the fact that consumers still need products and services to survive and have continued advertising like nothing has changed. At the same time, these ads remind us of good, old days and serve as a great escape from the grim reality. So, we reached out to experts to understand how should a brand use its marketing tools today. Here is what they had to say: <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Karthik Srinivasan, Social Media Expert and Independent Brand Consultant:" text="Karthik Srinivasan, Social Media Expert and Independent Brand Consultant:">Karthik Srinivasan, Social Media Expert and Independent Brand Consultant:</cmsannotation> I would say that silence is definitely not the best way for brands now. It could be construed as disinterest or worse, callousness. A better way could be one of the two, or both, depending on the size and scale of the brand. 1. Make yourself directly useful - use your reach: Brands have media budgets, social handles with a sizable following, and access to media. They could put this to good use by helping in the coordination of essential medical supplies including oxygen. This would take time, effort, and coordination, but it would also be a visible example of the brand trying to help as against one donation done once and announced. This is particularly useful for brands that cannot reposition their own products/services as a way to help people manage their lives during a pandemic. For instance, a movie production house. Or a fashion brand. Or a Cola brand. Or IPL teams. 2. Make yourself indirectly useful - use your product/service context: This is useful for brands that can reposition their own products/services as a way to help people manage their lives during a pandemic. For example, a book retailer (or an audiobooks retailer, like Audible) could make a selection of their repertoire free/cheaper and pick those titles that can calm minds, or those that can help engage children (helping the parents who are recuperating). Or a retailer or producer of audio equipment could become a curator of calming music, podcasts, or audiobook titles. This way, they are not selling their products, but merely making them a backdrop to a far more contextually useful curation effort that is related to their category. Or food brands that could help offer recipes to gradually overcome the loss of sense of taste and smell. <div type="twitter" handle="beastoftraal" handlename="Karthik" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1140493276316745734/WH-6N17h_normal.jpg" favoritecount="8" retweetcount="2" status="Nice idea - &quot;A cook book to inspire those experiencing changes in taste and smell as a result of Covid&quot; (free digit… https://t.co/UU5s258eOf" createdat="1619440585000" id="1386660436552994821"></div> It is important that brands do not force-fit or contort themselves to become relevant within the COVID-19 context - that would be seen through and exposed very soon, and backfire badly. The connection has to be entirely natural and more importantly, purposeful. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Lloyd Mathias, Business Strategist, Investor and former APAC Marketing head of HP:" text="Lloyd Mathias, Business Strategist, Investor and former APAC Marketing head of HP:">Lloyd Mathias, Business Strategist, Investor and former APAC Marketing head of HP:</cmsannotation> I think a brand cannot completely isolate themselves from the reality on the ground. Given the grim situation because of the Covid surge, it is appropriate that commercial objectives take a back seat and a brand communicates sensitively. Staying silent is a safe and acceptable strategy but if a brand can help people cope in any way appropriate, this will be a good time to do so. This could mean using the brand’s assets – communication spends or social media assets to communicate help messages or using logistical resources to move healthcare related equipment. These need to be devoid of any commercial motive or seem like virtue signalling. So staying sensitive to large humanitarian tragedy is paramount. Also, collaborating with a competitor on any social project would seem like a mature and positive thing to do. Many fondly remember Nike’s support to the Back Lives Matter movement when they said ‘For once, don't do it.’ Seeing this heartfelt message, Adidas shared the sentiment saying together we can move forward and change. This worked wonderfully for both brands. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Vani Gupta Dandia, Founder, CherryPeachPlum Growth:" text="Vani Gupta Dandia, Founder, CherryPeachPlum Growth:">Vani Gupta Dandia, Founder, CherryPeachPlum Growth:</cmsannotation> What can brands do in all of this crying chaos? Quite simply help, for no other reason, but for humanitarian reasons. Corporates can respond in one of three ways: 1) Support the efforts to fight the virus directly e.g. by providing infrastructure (ambulances, cold chains for supply chain management), volunteers, disseminating information on hygiene protocols etc. Last few days, for example, OYO has converted its rooms into isolation centres. Can an Airtel or a Truecaller take on the task of separating fake vs real/verified numbers amidst the zillion different covid related forwards? Can a company set up a leasing system of oxygen concentrators? Patients need one for only a few hours, at best a few days. Why don't we have them available on hire? Saves consumers money and lives, while those who lease can actually make more money than through a single sale. Can some company come forward to set this up? 2) Providing support to those impacted by the pandemic e.g., smartphones to students for online learning, community food kitchens in slum areas to support daily wage labourers etc; and 3) Helping NGOs e.g. Give India by providing cash and expertise. Will it reap any benefit on brand equity or more sales later... Who knows? But my bet is it will! People are hungry for stories of good amidst this grim desperation. And one great way of standing out just now is to simply come forward with courage and say "Screw strategy, let's help where we can.” It's war -- just of a different kind. Not all good work by companies need be categorised as 'purpose-driven' or 'CSR'. When brands stand up at such times people remember. It doesn't need to have any link at all with the brand proposition. But I see that there is an ongoing debate on whether IPL should be pulled down, given the gravity of the ongoing crisis. I don't see why it shouldn't go on. All of us as consumers need to keep our sanity too - and cricket is a welcome distraction. And because we're watching cricket, advertisers will continue to sell their wares - and I don't see why not. Normal life also must go on to the extent possible. Lives and livelihoods both matter. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Ronita Mitra, Founder and Chief Strategist, Brand Eagle Consulting:" text="Ronita Mitra, Founder and Chief Strategist, Brand Eagle Consulting:">Ronita Mitra, Founder and Chief Strategist, Brand Eagle Consulting:</cmsannotation> While we are faced with a large scale and challenging humanitarian crisis, corporates and brands, as responsible citizens, should consider contributing actively in order to alleviate the situation. This phase is not about advertising products and services unless it is for a new category which needs immediate awareness building. Actions, especially empathetic ones, that contribute towards bettering the lives of people during these challenging times, will have far more meaningful impact than mere communication. Corporates have the clout to make a significant impact and they should consider diverting their CSR funds towards helping citizens in various possible ways - be it funding supply of medical products, food for the lower socio-economic classes who are impacted by the lockdowns, education for children who have been impacted by the inadequate infrastructure at home, facilitating vaccination for those who are not adept with the systems, and much more. Brands can use social media and other media platforms to communicate the same. Meaningful actions during these times will have a memorable impact on the consumer psyche too and will help strengthen consumer connect in the long term more than anything else now. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Harish Bijoor, Brand-strategy specialist &amp; Founder, Harish Bijoor Consults Inc:" text="Harish Bijoor, Brand-strategy specialist &amp; Founder, Harish Bijoor Consults Inc:">Harish Bijoor, Brand-strategy specialist &amp; Founder, Harish Bijoor Consults Inc:</cmsannotation> In moments such as these, very very tough times when fear and chaos is the norm, I do recommend a dignified brand silence. Brands must not add to the clutter of personal communication. Staying away from the melee of tumult is a good thing brands with commerce on their minds can do. At least for now. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="82260905" title="From CRED to Google, here’s how brands are helping India fight against COVID-19" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Experts share the ideal ways in which brands can advertise during the second Covid-19 wave in India

Indian airplane landing on Yamuna Expressway in 2015. Photo Credits: Times of India <ul><li>India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will set up 13 emergency landing airstrips including 11 strips on the its <keyword id="6373156" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-highways">national highways</keyword>. </li><li>The road runway is aimed at providing faster transport services via air during <keyword id="470423" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="natural-calamities">natural calamities</keyword> that block the rail and road connectivity. </li><li>The first such strip will be set up in Gujarat on National Highway number 151.</li></ul>India’s is planning to <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/roadways/national-highways-to-have-11-emergency-airstrips-here-are-details/1386881/">set up emergency landing</a> airstrips on 11 national highways across the country. The move is aimed at easing efforts during natural calamities and emergency situations. The government has prepared a standard design for the road runway. The airstrips will span over 5-6 kilometres on a 60-metre wide concrete road. They will have parking slots for four aircraft, two gates at either ends of the strip and an Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower. The road runways are aimed at reaching out to the affected areas in the fastest possible time in case of natural calamities such as earthquakes or floods when air connectivity is the only viable option.The government plans to remove the hindrance caused by the electric poles, trees and dividers. According to the country’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the landing airstrips will cost about ₹836.6 million. The project will be managed by the Indian Air Force (IAF), India’s Ministry of Defence and its transport ministry. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/country-to-have-11-emergency-landing-air-strips-on-national-highways-mandaviya/article25538114.ece">reportedly</a> said that the first such strip will be set up in Gujarat on National Highway number 151 near Khambhaliya of Devbhumi Dwarka district. Other states to have such airstrips include West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Rajasthan and Odisha. Mandaviya also said that the government has potentially identified 13 roads across seven states that can have emergency landing. Two of these roads fall under state control while the remaining are under the <keyword id="83263" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Highway-Authority-of-India">National Highway Authority of India</keyword> (NHAI), The Hindu <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/country-to-have-11-emergency-landing-air-strips-on-national-highways-mandaviya/article25538114.ece">reported</a>. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-railways-to-build-a-3000-km-safety-fence-to-guard-people-and-prevent-accidents/articleshow/66689250.cms">Indian Railways to build a 3,000 km safety fence to guard people and prevent accidents</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-conglomerate-tata-is-in-talks-to-buy-out-troubled-carrier-jet-airways-in-a-deal-that-could-create-one-of-the-countrys-largest-airlines/articleshow/66650918.cms">Indian conglomerate Tata is in talks to buy out troubled carrier Jet Airways in a deal that could create one of the country's largest airlines</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/emirates-airline-profits-are-down-by-86-and-things-may-not-get-better-soon/articleshow/66641941.cms">Emirates Airline profits are down by 86% and things may not get better soon</a>

India plans to build 11 emergency airstrips on its national highways

The five elements that balance the cycle of nature comprise of air, water, earth, fire and ether. They are the basic essentials of our very existence and hence all powerful. They have even appeared in the Vedas as the “panchamahabhutas" or "five great elements." 
 
Just like two sides of the same coin, Mother Nature has a flip side and these elements can create havoc with devastating destructions like floods, earthquakes, storms, lightning, cyclones, etc. Thus, it’s safe to say that nature is unpredictable and these natural calamities can strike anyone, anywhere and anytime. 
 
For instance, let’s take the recent earthquake in North India or <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/FM-asks-banks-to-ensure-assistance-is-provided-and-tear-is-wiped-off-from-every-eye-affected-by-Chennai-floods/articleshow/50255964.cms">floods in South India</a>. People had to be evacuated and crores of money was spent to put things back in order after the mass destruction. Nobody foresaw that Chennai will witness the wrath of nature. Continuous rains for several days brought the city to a standstill, and people were stranded in their homes or offices and life was crippled for over a month. With no respite in sight, the houses were water logged for 20 days! Even though the probability of these eventualities occurring is low, you still cannot take it for granted. So one of our prudent investors, Mr. Rajesh, immediately sought a <keyword id="482957" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Home-insurance">home insurance</keyword> cover and is now prepared to face such eventualities. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/MHA-experts-warn-the-government-of-big-earthquakes-in-the-Himalayan-region/articleshow/50467427.cms">MHA experts warn the government of big earthquakes in the Himalayan region</a> 
 
A huge part of your savings and income is spent on a "<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Getting-home-loan-at-40-is-easy-now-Try-these-4-steps-to-buy-your-dream-house/articleshow/49014457.cms">dream home</a>". It is your space and an extension of you. Then we wonder why many people don’t go for home insurance? Have you thought of what will happen if nature suddenly strikes NOW and your priced possession is destroyed? Can you estimate the extent of damages and the suffering you have to undergo to make do the huge loss of money, time, effort and other resources? 
 
Hence, from the financial perspective, it is important to secure your home from these possible risks and it makes sense to take a good home insurance cover that will secure your financial future. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/10-tips-to-get-the-best-home-loan-offer/articleshow/47734735.cms">10 tips to get the best home loan offer</a> 
 
We cannot control nature but can certainly invest in a product that gives you the peace of mind so that and you can be rest assured not to be worried about the consequences. After all, prevention is better than cure! 
 About the author: Mimi Partha Sarathy is the Managing Director of <keyword id="2876179" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sinhasi-Consultants">Sinhasi Consultants</keyword> 
 
<a href="http://isure.spaceracedigital.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Home-Insurance.png">Image source</a>

Natural calamities like floods, earthquakes etc have made people add home risk cover insurance

<ul><li>Researchers at The <keyword id="55119" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Institute-of-Technology">Indian Institute of Technology</keyword> (IIT) Kharagpur along with the Centre for Urban Science &amp; Engineering at IIT-Bombay have developed an algorithm that will use <keyword id="107950" type="TECHNOLOGY" weightage="20" keywordseo="artificial-intelligence">artificial intelligence</keyword> to filter the critical information on social media platforms during natural disasters including whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter. </li><li>The solution is said to identify the rumours by mapping information sourced by the authorities, which will also help identify the users spreading misinformation. </li><li>The algorithm was first tested on pilots over Twitter and WhatsApp at the time of Nepal earthquake in 2015 and Chennai floods in 2016.</li><li>It is found that majority of tweets are a sympathetic content while only 2% is actually relevant. </li></ul><keyword id="2479020" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Fake-news">Fake news</keyword> via social media platforms has been a hotly debated topic for quite sometime now. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur along with Centre for Urban Science &amp; Engineering at IIT Bombay have developed an algorithm that will use artificial intelligence to filter the critical information during natural disasters on social media platforms including whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter, ET<a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/software/iit-kharagpur-develops-tech-to-filter-fake-news-about-disasters/articleshow/66699717.cms"> reported</a>. The algorithm can sort the social media posts and ensure that the data shared over the platforms is reliable and capable of being shared for relief operations. It is found that majority of tweets are a sympathetic content while only 2% is actually relevant. With the help of this tool, the control room team will be able to fetch live updates about the resources needed and their availability. In addition, the rescue teams can be informed via phones. Saptarshi Ghosh, who heads the tech team<a href="https://thesocialrush.com/a-new-tech-to-filter-fake-news-about-disasters-by-iit-kharagpur/"> reportedly</a> said that the algorithm, with the use of <keyword id="294572" type="TECHNOLOGY" weightage="20" keywordseo="machine-learning">machine learning</keyword> algorithm, can detect fake news and is able to alert the users during natural calamities. It is said to identify the rumours by mapping information sourced by the authorities, which will also help identify the users spreading misinformation. However, the algorithm is limited to identifying disaster-related fake news only. It is able to provide upto 90% accuracy distinguishing real news and misinformation, Ghosh said. If the proposal is passed, the team is expected to further collaborate with Microsoft Research and Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) to develop the system. Here’s what will happen when you tweet: When you tweet an update on those affected by an earthquake in English or Hindi, the algo is said to identify the empathetic posts and send only the relevant information to the nearby rescue teams. The algo was first tested on pilots over Twitter and WhatsApp at the time of Nepal earthquake in 2015 and Chennai floods in 2016. The project was jointly funded by IIT Kharagpur’s Institute Scheme for Innovative Research and Development grant, Microsoft Research India and ITRA, Media Labs Asia and Department of Electronics and Information Technology. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/hyper-nationalism-behind-indias-fake-news-menace-report/articleshow/66591404.cms">Hyper-nationalism behind India’s fake news menace: Report</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/WhatsApp-is-dramatically-cutting-message-forwarding-after-viral-fake-news-led-to-lynchings/articleshow/65067967.cms">WhatsApp is dramatically cutting message forwarding after viral fake news led to lynchings</a>

Researchers at India’s top engineering college have built an algorithm to filter fake social media rumours during national disasters

<ul><li>Following the <keyword id="28504" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kerala">Kerala</keyword> <keyword id="48088" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="floods">floods</keyword> in late August, it was found that the National <keyword id="41418" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Disaster">Disaster</keyword> Relief Fund (NDRF) was insufficiently capitalised to finance relief efforts. </li><li>In light of this, the Indian government has instituted a panel, comprising several state finance ministers, to assess the feasibility of introducing a “natural disaster tax” under the <keyword id="6354679" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="gst">GST</keyword> regime. </li><li>It remains to be seen whether the <keyword id="6386887" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="cess">cess</keyword> would be a state-level or national-level <keyword id="45031" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tax">tax</keyword> and whether it would imposed on a specific set of items or all items. A questionnaire will be sent to all states to get their views on the same. </li></ul>In the aftermath of the Kerala floods in late August, in which close to 500 people died and the damages were estimated to be around ₹200 billion, a major criticism was levied at the central government’s slow release of aid funds. It was found that the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) were insufficiently capitalised. In addition, the process of applying for and receiving aid from the corpus fund is extremely <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/flood-ravaged-kerala-s-wait-for-full-central-aid-package-could-be-long-118082700019_1.html">time-consuming</a>. The NDRF is funded by a “National Calamity Contingent Duty” on tobacco products and similar items. However, after the imposition of GST last year, the contributions to the fund have been declining. In light of this, the Indian government has instituted a panel, comprising several state finance ministers, to assess the feasibility of introducing a “natural disaster tax” under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. The panel, which is led by Bihar deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, is set to consult India’s attorney general, K. K. Venugopal, on the legal implications of levying a disaster tax to fund the recovery efforts of states that have been struck by natural disasters. Under the GST Act, states are allowed to charge a cess in the event that they suffer losses of revenue due to the implementation of the GST regime. A disaster cess would require the approval of an apex court. The GST Council decided to form the panel <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gst-council-meets-to-consider-new-tax-for-kerala-flood-future-calamities-1923718">at the end of September </a>following a proposal from the government of Kerala to impose an additional 10% cess on specific goods sold in the state so as to fund reconstruction and rehabilitation. At the time, the central government said that the Kerala’s proposal would be difficult to implement given the absence of any tax credits on cesses. It remains to be seen whether the cess would be a state-level or national-level tax and whether it would imposed on a specific set of items or all items. A national-level tax under the GST regime seems more likely after the panel recognised the possibility that residents of Kerala would opt for large purchases outside the state so as to avoid paying the additional cess. A questionnaire will be sent to all states so as to establish a majority consensus on the above issues. The panel’s next meeting will be in November.

India is mulling the introduction of a “natural disaster tax” to fund relief efforts

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Steve Helber/AP ImagesThese companies tend to see a bump from rebuilding efforts in the wake of a disaster.</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/home-depot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Home Depot</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/lowes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lowe's</a> tend to benefit from natural disasters because of the nature of the home-improvement business.</li><li>Both companies also have centers dedicated to emergency preparation and response, and they donate millions of dollars and a robust assortment of resources to disaster relief.</li><li>Business Insider spoke to Seth Basham, the managing director of equity research at Wedbush Securities, about how different natural disasters affect the home-improvement retailers.</li></ul>We're living in an age of natural disasters.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-season-forecast-2018-storms-could-move-inland-2018-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hurricanes</a> are becoming stronger and more devastating. Thanks to a warming atmosphere, these storms are capable of driving deeper and deeper inland, leaving an even wider swath of destruction in their wake.Meanwhile, on the West Coast, deadly <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/california-wildfires-are-getting-worse-2018-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wildfires</a> are so increasingly common that some experts have argued that the very concept of a "fire season" is a relic.And it's not going to get any better. In its summary of the The National Climate Assessment, the Weather Channel <a href="https://weather.com/news/climate/news/2018-11-23-fourth-national-climate-assessment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that extreme weather brought about by global warming has "already become more frequent, intense, widespread or of long duration."Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/home-depot-lowes-housing-market-2018-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Americans are pumping the brakes on home remodeling, and that might spell bad news for Home Depot and Lowe's</a>These extreme weather events typically result in casualties and shattered lives. But two retailers in particular could, in some instances, benefit from damage wrought by natural disasters: <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/hd-stock" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Home Depot</a> and <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/low-stock" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lowe's</a>. And, as the rise of extreme weather shows no sign of abating, this trend is only going to continue as consumers flock to home-improvement stores in order to repair their damaged properties.Business Insider spoke to Seth Basham, the managing director of equity research at Wedbush Securities, about how the Camp Fire - which claimed at least 86 <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/Camp-Fire-Death-toll-rises-to-86-after-13458956.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lives</a> as it raged across California in November - stood to impact the two home-improvement retailers."The rebuilding effort will obviously require a fair amount of goods that Home Depot and Lowe's sell," Basham told Business Insider. "To the extent that you have homes burn down and you're rebuilding, there's going to be a lot of activity in Home Depot and Lowe's' stores."Basham added that not all storms have the same effect on the home-improvement market. Wildfires are hard to predict, but a trackable disaster like Hurricane Harvey can bring about a "pre-catastrophe preparation" boost to the stores, in addition to recovery-related spending. In 2017, the Associated Press <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ap-before-and-after-a-storm-the-supply-stores-are-critical-2018-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that hurricane-related sales for both companies spiked in the aftermath of the hurricane season.Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lowes-emergency-command-center-plans-hurricane-disaster-relief-2019-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A look inside Lowe's emergency command center, where employees monitor natural disasters like hurricanes and deploy supplies to devastated parts of the country</a>In the case of a sudden disaster like the Camp Fire, or even a random calamity with no relation to the weather like the recent Alaskan <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/alaska-earthquake-governor-bill-walker-response-disaster-2018-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">earthquake</a>, the retailers won't even feel the bump for a few quarters."It typically lags one to two quarters from the day of the catastrophe and lasts about three to four quarters," Basham said.For example, Home Depot posted a $242 million sales gain in the quarter following Hurricane Sandy, according to <a href="http://fortune.com/2017/08/31/home-depot-hurricane-harvey-damage-impact/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fortune</a>. And the Motley Fool <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/11/28/why-no-one-cares-that-lowes-q3-2017-profit-more-th.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that Lowe's saw a $200 million boost from back-to-back hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017.But it's not necessarily as simple as home retailers always getting an immediate boost from weather emergencies.A spokesperson for Home Depot told Business Insider that any increased subsequent bounce in recovery-related sales typically evens out due to initial factors affecting the retailer, like price freezes, transportation and staffing costs, and damage to stores.The companies have also made large donations to various emergency response efforts. According to the chain's <a href="http://ir.homedepot.com/news-releases/2018/10-12-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>, the Home Depot Foundation pledged to donate $4 million to disaster relief in 2018, as did <a href="https://newsroom.lowes.com/news-releases/lowes-increases-2018-hurricane-relief/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lowe's</a>.Both home-improvement giants dedicate plenty of funds and resources toward helping affected areas to recover from natural disasters. Home Depot and Lowe's each staff an emergency command <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ap-before-and-after-a-storm-the-supply-stores-are-critical-2018-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">center</a> specifically focused on tracking catastrophes and organizing relief efforts. These centers are also responsible for determining what products should be stocked in an area facing an imminent or ongoing disaster.Rick Neudorff, who runs Lowe's emergency command center, recently told Business Insider about the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lowes-emergency-command-center-plans-hurricane-disaster-relief-2019-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">work</a> his team does to forecast and monitor disasters, provide emergency relief, and help with recovery efforts."It's a challenge but it's very rewarding when you see the stories of the people in the communities that have been able to carry on in a situation that seems hopeless because Lowe's was able to help them take care of their family and their property," he said.A Home Depot spokesperson also pointed out the retailer's <a href="https://corporate.homedepot.com/newsroom/home-depots-hurricane-headquarters" target="_blank" rel="noopener">commitment</a> to disaster relief."We were extremely active on the disaster front in terms of working with our suppliers and transportation providers moving in supplies, and The Home Depot Foundation committed more than $5 million in disaster response assistance," the spokesperson said. "That included the hurricanes, wildfires and flooding in the Midwest."<ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lowes-emergency-command-center-plans-hurricane-disaster-relief-2019-1">A look inside Lowe's emergency command center, where employees monitor natural disasters like hurricanes and deploy supplies to devastated parts of the country</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-proof-home-how-to-2018-11" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">How to hurricane-proof your home, according to an architect who designs homes that could withstand Category 4 hurricanes</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/california-natural-disasters-of-year-2018-12" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">From mudslides to wildfires, these were some of the most devastating California disasters of 2018</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/alaska-earthquake-governor-bill-walker-response-disaster-2018-11" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">Alaska's governor issued a declaration of disaster after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Anchorage</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dog-california-camp-fire-wait-owner-return-2018-12" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">A dog whose family home burned down in the California wildfires guarded the ruins for weeks while his owner was gone</a></li></ul><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/intelligence/future-of-retail-ai?IR=T&amp;utm_source=businessinsider&amp;utm_medium=ctgr&amp;utm_term=ctgr_leadgen&amp;utm_content=ecommerce_ctgr_leadgen&amp;utm_campaign=ecommerce_ctgr_leadgen_future-of-retail-ai"></a> <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-home-development-store-coming-home-depot-tree-house-lowes-retail-2017-7">This new solar-powered home development store is coming after Home Depot</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

An analyst breaks down how natural disasters like hurricanes and fires impact Home Depot and Lowe's

India has lost more than 40, 000 tonnes of <keyword id="44568" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Foodgrains">foodgrains</keyword> in <keyword id="107125" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Food-Corporation">Food Corporation</keyword> of India (FCI) godowns across the country during the last two years, an <keyword id="6356198" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="RTI">RTI</keyword> application filed by <keyword id="6356641" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="times-of-india">Times of India</keyword> has revealed. Though the losses are attributed to natural calamities like cyclone and floods, experts say it is also an indication of poor storage facilities, pilferage and transit loss. 

	The reply from FCI shows that the damaged quantity rose three-fold in five years — from 6,346 tonnes in 2010-11 to 18,847.22 tonnes in 2014-15. While 3,338.01 tonnes were damaged in 2011-12 and 3,148.44 tonnes were damaged in 2012-13, as many as 24,695.45 tonnes suffered damage in 2013-14.
 

	The FCI is responsible for distribution of foodgrains throughout the country for public distribution system and maintain satisfactory level of operational and buffer stocks of foodgrains to ensure National Food Security. 
 

	A total of more than 56,000 tonnes of foodgrains, including 27,000 tonnes of rice and 26,000 tonnes of wheat, were damaged since 2010, TOI reported citing the reply by FCI.
 

	However, it claimed that no damage could be directly attributed to lack of adequate storage and handling facilities but did not give the financial loss suffered. FCI chairman and managing director C Viswanath could not be reached for comment.
 In 2014-15, Odisha topped the list with 7,108 tonnes, mainly due to the havoc wrought by cyclone Phailin in the coastal regions, followed by Jammu &amp; Kashmir (6,120 tonnes), where inundation caused by the unprecedented floods of September 2014 was the culprit. They were followed by <keyword id="37102" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Andhra-Pradesh">Andhra Pradesh</keyword> with 2,262 tonnes and Karnataka (747 tonnes). In 2013-14, <keyword id="6357783" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="West-Bengal">West Bengal</keyword> topped the list with 12,539 tonnes followed by Bihar (3,909.408 tonnes). Meanwhile, a recent <keyword id="6355833" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="united-nations">United Nations</keyword> annual hunger report has estimated that India had the highest number of hungry people in the world at 194 million. As on June 1, there were 568.34 lakh tonnes of foodgrains with the FCI's central pool. Former Union minister of state for food K V Thomas told TOI that the percentage of foodgrains damaged had reduced from 2.5% of the total procurement in 2010 to 0.07% of the total procurement in 2013. "The <keyword id="26374" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="UPA-government">UPA government</keyword> had taken several initiatives to bring this down. We renovated most of the existing godowns and also increased the storage capacity. The procurement rate of foodgrains was also higher compared to the current year." Consumer activists say the situation is alarming. R Desikan, founder-trustee of <keyword id="1384000" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Consumers-Association-of-India">Consumers Association of India</keyword>, said the Consumer Protection Act is not applicable to godowns as one can lodge a complaint only after the item is sold. "FCI officials should take stringent action against those responsible for loss of foodgrains in godowns. <keyword id="109212" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Food-Safety">Food safety</keyword> officials should also conduct regular inspections and ensure the stored grain is safe as <keyword id="6355166" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="India-Meteorological-Department">India Meteorological Department</keyword> (IMD) has already projected a drought year in the country," he said. In 2013, <keyword id="6359828" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="comptroller-and-auditor-general">Comptroller and Auditor General</keyword> of India (CAG)'s report tabled before Parliament exposed the storage gap of FCI godowns. 
	(Image: Indiatimes)

Blame it on poor storage facility! Over 40,000 tonnes of grains damaged in last 2 years

Praising the <keyword id="905742" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi-led-government">Narendra Modi-led government</keyword> for its prompt rescue operations in <keyword id="12266" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Nepal">Nepal</keyword> and parts of India struck by a massive <keyword id="6362774" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="earthquake">earthquake</keyword>, <keyword id="46431" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="India-Inc">India Inc</keyword> has pledged support in relief and rehabilitation work. The death toll has already crossed 2,000 while thousands have been injured. 
 "Exemplary work by the government and our armed forces in prompt and purposeful action towards aid of the victims of Nepal earthquake. In times of a tragedy of such gargantuan proportions, India Inc has always partnered with the government and relief agencies both during and after the crisis. Till the requirements of rehabilitation are established, I urge all Indians to contribute directly to the <keyword id="49687" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="PM-relief-fund">PM Relief Fund</keyword>. At this hour, prayers of a billion Indians are with the people of Nepal," Harsh Goenka, chairman, <keyword id="33244" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="RPG-Enterprises">RPG Enterprises</keyword>, told TOI. 
 His brother <keyword id="6355523" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sanjiv-Goenka">Sanjiv Goenka</keyword>, chairman of <keyword id="724092" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="RP-Sanjiv-Goenka-Group">RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group</keyword>, is chairing a National Task Force that will oversee industry mobilization and participation in the relief operations. 
 <keyword id="46425" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Anand-Mahindra">Anand Mahindra</keyword>, chairman of <keyword id="6355744" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Mahindra-Group">Mahindra Group</keyword>, who has experience of disaster relief in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina and Haiti after hurricane Sandy, is determined to act and serve the community in Nepal and in India. "Our experience has shown that at this stage the best way we can help is by pressing vehicles and tractors into relief operations to help in search and rescue and in transporting both the injured to medical facilities and in carrying relief supplies to affected areas. In both Nepal and India, we intend to undertake these activities right away and our branches and dealers in Nepal and in Bihar and other affected Indian districts will make both vehicles and tractors available to authorities and relief agencies. 
 
"In the second phase, when longer term rehabilitation becomes the focus, we will evaluate the quantum and modality of monetary contributions," Mahindra told TOI. 
 <keyword id="2825599" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Indiabulls-Foundation">Indiabulls Foundation</keyword> will be deploying both manpower and financial resources over the next few days to provide healthcare, essential commodities, food and clothes. "We are working out the logistics and will ensure presence in affected areas of Nepal over the next 2-3 days. We had taken a similar lead during the Jammu floods a few months back," said Gagan Banga, VC and MD, Indiabulls Group. 
 India Inc since independence has played a major role in helping people during calamities, said <keyword id="75979" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Videocon-Industries">Videocon Industries</keyword> chairman <keyword id="7025" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Venugopal-Dhoot">Venugopal Dhoot</keyword>. "That's our culture. So we at Videocon will provide financial help for rehabilitation in Nepal Dhoot told TOI. He also praised the <keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">Prime Minister</keyword>'s prompt action to help Nepal. Industry bodies <keyword id="6358345" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="CII">CII</keyword> and <keyword id="6355001" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="FICCI">FICCI</keyword> have also swung into action. "CII has already started working towards mobilizing support from the industry towards immediate relief operations in Nepal. We are in touch with the ministry of external affairs, the Indian embassy in Kathmandu and also Nepalese consulate in Kolkata. We are arranging relief material — ready-to-eat food, water, biscuits, medicine, blankets — which would be transported through the neighbouring states of Bihar and Bengal," said CII director general <keyword id="6560611" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Chandrajit-Banerjee">Chandrajit Banerjee</keyword>. 
 FICCI too has joined hands with the Indian government for relief and rehabilitation work in Nepal, said Didar Singh, secretary general, FICCI. Industry body's president, <keyword id="2659015" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Jyotsana-Suri">Jyotsana Suri</keyword>, has committed to provide water and about 5,000 bottles are being arranged to be dispatched. "More than 2,000 tents, blankets, baby food, and OTC drugs are also being supplied by our members, which will be dispatched to the disaster site in coordination with the ," Singh said. 
 <keyword id="101435" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Bajaj-Group">Bajaj Group</keyword> chairman <keyword id="33278" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Rahul-Bajaj">Rahul Bajaj</keyword> also praised the government's quake relief operations. "We have been at the forefront when it comes to helping during natural calamities like this. I have been very much impressed with the Indian government's instant response to undertake relief measures. This time also we will help as we did in the past. Being a corporate house, we can support financially. Our heart goes out to those affected," Bajaj told TOI.

Nepal Earthquake: Super impressed with rescue ops, India Inc praises Modi and pledges full support

Amid heavy rain fall and <keyword id="20310051" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="flood" source="keywords">flood</keyword> situation in <keyword id="19896313" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Andhra-Pradesh" source="keywords">Andhra Pradesh</keyword>, the <keyword id="19905239" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Disaster-Response-Force" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="National Disaster Response Force" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="National Disaster Response Force">National Disaster Response Force</keyword> (<keyword id="19988414" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NDRF" source="keywords">NDRF</keyword>) team along with <keyword id="20279329" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Central-forces" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Central forces" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Central forces">Central forces</keyword> and district officials, provided food, drinking water, and other essential items to the flood-affected areas in <keyword id="19927072" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vijayawada" source="keywords">Vijayawada</keyword> through helicopters. This comes due to the heavy rainfall caused by the cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal, which has led to flooding in several areas of Vijayawada. The water level at Prakasam barrage in Vijayawada has also increased due to incessant rainfall in the region. Meanwhile Andhra Minister Nara Lokesh said that the state government Garu, has for the first time ever deployed drones to deliver relief materials and food flood-affected people. This has made <keyword id="22080122" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="relief-operations" source="keywords">relief operations</keyword> more efficient and quick. Earlier, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, on Monday conducted a review over heavy rain fall and flood situation at the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Authority office and said that protecting the lives and property of people is his first priority. Andhra Pradesh has witnessed major devastation with heavy rainfall for the past three days recorded at 29 cm to 34 cm on a single resembling like cloud burst hitting normal life. Traffic flow on national highways came to a halt with overflowing of flood water and large number of train services were cancelled. As a result of Budameru floods several areas including Singhnagar, Nandamuri Nagar and other low lying areas were submerged within hours forcing nearly two lakh people to take shelter on the terraces of their buildings. The Chief Minister directed the officials to supply food and water to flood victims at first. With the personal intervention of the Chief Minister, officials swung into action and made arrangements to distribute food packets till late last night by venturing into flood affected regions through boats. Chief Minister Naidu also contacted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and apprised them of the present flood crisis and requested them to treat this flood devastation as natural calamity. As per the request of the CM, the central government responded immediately and started deploying 10 NDRF teams, 40 power boats and six helicopters to rescue people from flood affected regions. In a post on social media platform X the CM said "I visited the flood affected areas in Vijayawada on the second day. I have personally supervised the assistance provided to the affected people. I assured them. The power boats sent by the Center and the arrangements made by the state government have increased the speed of relief operations. Public safety is our responsibility. All efforts are being made to bring people out of this unexpected calamity as soon as possible. I wish the affected people to be brave". He repeatedly appealed to people that the state government will come to their rescue. Pained by the plight of people, Chandrababu Naidu appealed to officials to coordinate with people by adopting humanitarian approach to increase confidence levels of people at the hour of crisis.

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