Possibility of a nuclear war and its consequences

(Retd.) Brigadier Hemant Mahajan

The war between Russia and Ukraine is not over yet. Therefore, the threat of a nuclear war is constantly hovering over the world. A research group has issued a dire warning to the world – ‘If a full-scale nuclear war breaks out between Russia and Ukraine today, 50 lakh people in the world would die. However, not all of these people will be killed as a direct effect of the explosion, but as a result of worldwide starvation’.

1. Prediction of millions of deaths all over the world if a nuclear war breaks out

According to a recent news report – research published in an American journal – if a nuclear war breaks out between the US and Russia, millions of people all over the world will be killed. As of now, the war in Ukraine is going on and shows no signs of abating. Russia has threatened several times that it can use an atomic bomb or a hydrogen bomb if they wish to win this war. There are also many disputes between the US and Russia. Recently, tensions arose between the US and China over the Taiwan issue. Even there, the possibility of a nuclear war cannot be ruled out. Scientists of Rutgers University in the US have claimed the consequences of 6 possible nuclear conflicts around the world. Their study has been published in the journal ‘Nature Food’. In this study, they have expressed the aforementioned predictions. This prediction is based on radioactive fallout into the atmosphere from a nuclear explosion.

2. Nuclear bomb leading to mayhem and massive devastation

In short, the consequences of a nuclear war are catastrophic. The output of an atomic bomb is measured in kilotonnes. A typical atomic bomb is said to have an output of 40 kilotonnes. One such bomb was dropped by the US on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War 2. An atomic bomb not only leads to an explosion, but also causes enormous collateral damage. The atmosphere of a place where a nuclear bomb is dropped becomes extremely hot, with its temperature becoming hotter than the Sun. So, everything around gets burnt. Petrol pumps, gas stations, electric grids, etc. can also ignite separate fires. This will also result in massive damage. At ground zero, i.e., the place where an atomic bomb is dropped, air is thrown outwards at great speed. Buildings, vehicles, etc. in its path are blown away. At ground zero, a vacuum is created, and after 2 minutes, air from all the directions starts rushing back towards that area. Everything falling in the path of this storm gets destroyed. In this way, such storms are generated twice from the same bomb.

3. Immeasurable damage to mankind due to radiation from a nuclear explosion

The third harm is due to radiation. A lot of radiation is generated where the atomic bomb is dropped. The effects of such radiation are similar to burning of a body of a person who is exposed to the X-rays thousand times than normal. As a result, all living creatures in that area are killed or injured. Then the land, air, water and crops in the area are affected by radiation for several years afterwards. People in such a region are forced to face this radiation for many years. Humans in that area have to suffer this damage. Not only this, but these effects move towards the surrounding areas. A huge plume of smoke rises into the air after this bomb explodes. If the explosion is powerful enough, its mushroom clouds spread over such a large area that sunlight doesn’t even reach the ground. Mankind cannot survive without sunlight. Enormous quantities of crops are grown in Ukraine, Russia and the US, and food grains are supplied to the world. If an explosion takes place in such areas, there will be a massive loss of crops. Due to this, the world may face a large-scale drought.

4. If there is a possibility of detonation of an atomic bomb, other countries should pressurise that country

It is said that Pakistan has more nuclear weapons than India. If for some reason they drop bombs, they can lead to a lot of damage to India. Yet, there is no reason to panic much because India has the capability to respond to this too. This is called ‘Second Strike Capability’. An atomic bomb was used as a weapon for the first time in World War 2 in 1944. After this, no such misadventure took place. Pakistan has been threatening India from time to time that it can use a nuclear bomb against India. Countries that have atomic bombs are always under the watch of the world through satellites. So, if they try to indulge in any misadventure, immediately the whole world becomes alert and puts pressure on that country. But one thing is certain, there is a threat of a nuclear war. An insane terrorist or an extremist ruler can pose this threat.

5. It is necessary to educate people on how to avoid the damage arising from a nuclear war

Training should be provided from time to time on how to protect our citizens from the threat of a nuclear war. As a Nation, the Indian Army will certainly respond, but common people need to be trained on how to minimise the damage. A large amount of information is available on this, especially with ‘Nuclear Biological College of Engineering’ in Pune. Training for protecting oneself in an event of such an attack should be given through disaster management.

– Brigadier (Retd) Hemant Mahajan, Pune.

If a full-scale nuclear war breaks out between Russia and Ukraine today, 50 lakh people in the world would die !