Disaster Management

Disaster Management

A disaster is a destructive event that occurs suddenly and involves loss of life
and property.

Disaster can be of two, natural and man-made.

Earthquakes, volcanic activity, Tsunamis, flood, cyclones, landslides,

avalanches and droughts are natural disasters.

Some of the ma-made disasters are: bomb explosions, terrorism, war or civil
war, leakage of poisonous chemicals, breach in dams, air or water pollution,
industrial accidents and epidemics.

Disaster Management refers to the measures taken for the safety and protection
of life and property from natural or man-made disasters.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are caused mainly by the movement of the tectonic plates and have
their origins deep within the earth’s crust.

The point of origin of the earthquake is called the seismic focus and the point in
the earth’s surface directly over this focus is called the epicentre.

Earthquakes can be measured and recorded by seismographs while the Richter

scale is used to measure their magnitude.
There is no definite way to predict when an earthquake will strike.

We can take steps to minimise the damages caused to building structures that
are earthquake-proof and have a good strong foundation that can withstand
shocks.

During an earthquake we must take shelter under tables or at doorways inside

the house, or in large open spaces outside.

After an earthquake, immediate steps should be taken to provide medical help,

shelter and vaccination to the affected people.

Volcanoes, Tsunami and Cyclones

Volcanic eruption happens when molten lava comes out of the earth.

Tsunamis are huge waves mainly caused by earthquakes under ocean beds.

Even though tsunamis or big earthquakes cannot be precisely predicted, there

are automated early warning systems that can provide warnings immediately
after earthquakes in time to save lives.

Cyclones are caused due to formation of low pressure circles in the atmosphere.

Satellite helps us to track these cyclones and enables the government to issue
warning.

All about Floods

Floods occur due to accumulation of excessive water in an area due to various

causes.
Flooding damages crops and contaminates sources of fresh water thus leading to
shortage of food and drinking water.

Apart from damaging life and property, floods can also lead to epidemics

Any flood is preceded by a threat period known as the probability period, which
allows the authorities to issue warnings and plan evacuation.

Land Slides and Avalanches

Land Slides occurs when the earth on hilly areas slides down along with
building and trees.

An avalanches happens when a huge mass of snow down a mountain.

Both landslides and avalanches happen rather suddenly. It is not possible to

warn people about them.

The damage from these natural disasters can be limited by identifying the areas
that are prone to them and planting more trees on the mountains.

Droughts

A severe drought occurs when rainfall in an area is 50% of the average rainfall
of that region.

A general drought occurs when the rainfall in an area is 25% less than the
average rainfall of that region.

Destruction of forests causes droughts.

Droughts can be prevented by storing excess rain water.

Atomic, Biological and Chemical Disasters

Human disasters are man-made and involve elements of human intent,

negligence, or the failure of a man-made system.

Atomic disasters are extremely damaging and are mostly caused through
weapons of mass destruction.

Biological disasters affect humans and animals

Chemicals and radioactive leakages are also the result of human error and result
in far reaching damages.

General Human Disasters

Fires disasters are mostly man-made and caused due to negligence and lack of
maintenance.

Fires can occur both indoors and outdoors

It is possible to take measures to prevent fires and limit the damage caused by
them.

Disasters Involving Modes of Transport

Human disasters include accidents that occur while rules are broken by people.

Accidents mostly occur when rules are b people.

Rules, if followed strictly, can prevent such disasters from happening.

Stages of Disasters Management

Disaster management prepares us to face a calamity in all its stages before,

during and after disaster strikes.

The objective of disaster management is to prevent any calamity, minimise the

effects, and take timely action for normalising the situation.

The four important stages of disaster management are advance preparation,

relief to the victims, restoration of normalcy, and prevention plan for the future.

Role of Administration

The central government is primarily responsible for managing disaster.

The responsibility is shared by the administration in the state, district, block and
village levels.

The number of other organisation like the UNDMT, NCC and NSS also help in
managing disasters.