Disaster Management Notes
1. Understanding Disaster
- Concept of Disaster:
A disaster is a sudden event that causes significant damage to life, property, and the
environment.
It can be natural or human-made.
- Different Approaches:
* Preventive approach: Focus on minimizing risks.
* Mitigative approach: Reducing the impact of disasters.
* Preparedness approach: Ensuring readiness for disaster response.
- Concept of Risk:
Risk is the potential for loss or damage when a threat intersects with vulnerability.
- Levels of Disasters:
* Local
* Regional
* National
* Global
2. Disaster Phenomena and Events
- Includes global, national, and regional disaster events. Examples:
* Global: Earthquakes in Turkey, Tsunamis in Indonesia.
* National: Cyclone Fani in India.
* Regional: Floods in Assam, Uttarakhand landslides.
3. Hazards and Vulnerabilities
- Natural Hazards:
Earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, floods, droughts, etc.
- Man-made Hazards:
Industrial accidents, nuclear leaks, pollution, and chemical spills.
- Response Time:
The immediate reaction required after a disaster.
- Forewarning Levels:
Alerts based on disaster prediction technologies.
4. Characteristics and Damage Potential
- Each disaster type has unique features, such as:
* Floods: Water overflow causing damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
* Cyclones: Strong winds causing widespread destruction.
5. Types of Disasters
- Natural Disasters: Floods, cyclones, avalanches, earthquakes, heatwaves, etc.
- Man-made Disasters: Chemical leaks, nuclear accidents, industrial fires, etc.
- Other Types:
* Biological Disasters: Epidemics, pest attacks.
* Urban Disasters: Building collapses, road and rail accidents.
