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Disasters are sudden and intense events which result in considerable destruction, injuries & deaths, disrupting normal life as well as the process of development. Increasing Population and various other socio-economic factors have forced people to live in vulnerable areas. Disasters are perceived to be on the increase in terms of their magnitude, frequency, and economic impact. Unique geo-climatic conditions make the Indian region particularly vulnerable to disasters. Floods and high winds account for around 60 percent of all disasters. About 54 percent of the sub-continent‟s landmass is vulnerable to Earthquakes, while about 4 crore hectares, that is, about 12 percent of the country is vulnerable to periodic floods. New disaster threats have also developed, such as the tsunami disaster of December 2004 which was an unprecedented natural disaster. The total expenditure on relief and reconstruction in Gujarat alone after the severe earthquake of January 2001 has been about Rs. 11,500 crore in that year. Thus it is evident from the facts and figures that for the national development and citizen‟s welfare, development process needs to be sensitive towards disaster prevention and mitigation aspects. There is an urgent need to look at the disasters from a development perspective.
India‟s unique geo-climatic position makes India particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. India is a vast peninsula of sub-continental size and surrounded by sea on three sides and has the Himalayas range on the fourth side, which has some of the tallest Mountains of the world. That is why India has to face a very large variety of disastrous events of geological, oceanic or climatic origin. There is a broad Classification of natural disasters in India. Brief description is mentioned below as per the geological origin of these disasters.
North India comprising the Himalayan mountainous region and the Indo-Gangetic plains ahs highly variable topography with some of the tallest mountains and perennial rivers. Its northern most boundary also happens to be the zone of collision of two major tectonic plates, viz. the Indian plate and the Asian plate. The area also has many geological faults. North India is also characterized by spells of hot, cold and rainy weather and attributes can vary within wide limits creating unusual situations. As a result of these characteristics geographical, climatic, and geological features, North Indian states (J&K, HP, Punjab, Haryana, Uttaranchal, Delhi, UP, Bihar) are visited by natural disasters in the form of earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, floods, droughts, heat and cold waves.
The location and Climate of East and North East India (WB, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagal and Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram) are such that these states are visited by earthquakes, landslides, floods, and droughts. West Bengal can be affected by Cyclones-2/”>Cyclones also.
The central parts of the country (Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, M.P, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa) have a highly variable rainfall regime, both in time and space. Therefore, floods and droughts are major disasters in the area. Orissa and Gujarat suffer heavily from cyclones. Goa and Maharashtra suffer from very heavy rain fury. Orissa has also suffered from heat waves in recent years.
The peninsular India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala) suffer mainly from cyclones, floods and droughts. While Kerala escapes the fury of cyclones, it suffers from earthquakes and landslides in addition to floods and droughts. The Telangana and Rayalaseema area of Andhra Pradesh are highly rain-deficient areas and therefore suffer drought conditions often.
Among the Island groups, Andaman & Nicobar Islands are vulnerable to earthquakes, heavy rains and occasionally cyclones. Andaman Islands also have two sleeping Volcanoes-2/”>Volcanoes i.e. Narcondam and Barren Island.
The Lakshadweep Islands are coral islands and therefore are only a few centimeters above the sea level. They could be threatened in case of significant sea level rise due to the Global Warming. This could threaten some of the India‟s biggest cities like Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai, which are commercial hubs.
Winter season (December, January & February)
During these months, Himalayan range receive copious amounts of rain and snow and the weather phenomenon known as “western disturbances” also brings in strong winds with rain, which at time can be heavy. Hence, the mountainous areas of north India are prone to snow avalanches and landslides. In the aftermath of rainy spells in this cold season, one or two spells of cold waves occur usually. Heavy fog creates aviation hazard, and hail damages crops and orchards in the plains of north India.
Pre-monsoon or Hot weather season (March, April and May)
Cyclones take shape over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea and move westward or northwestward. Thus the eastern coast is more vulnerable to cyclones and accompanying storm surges. The cyclones that generate in the Arabian Sea move west or northwestwards, thus sparing the west coast but pose serious risk to the oil exploration outfits in the Arabian Sea. If a cyclone recurves, it affects Gujarat adversely and gives considerable rains in Rajasthan as well and creates floods sometimes.
Monsoon season (June to September)
This is the flood season for the entire country and floods occur wherever monsoon becomes more active. Conversely, the areas where the monsoon remains weak, suffer from drought in this season. Landslides are a common feature in the hilly areas of Himalayas from J&K to the northeastern States. Landslides also occur in the Western Ghats and in the hilly areas of Kerala in this season.
Post-monsoon season (October, November)
This is again a cyclone season when cyclones generate in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea and move west or northeastwards in the same general fashion as in the pre-monsoon season. But the cyclonic activity is usually more pronounced in this post monsoon season as compared to that in the pre-monsoon season. This is also the season when the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala receive considerable rainfall from the northeast monsoon, and are therefore vulnerable to the threat of floods.
Disasters are sudden and intense events which result in considerable destruction, injuries & deaths, disrupting normal life as well as the process of development. Disasters are perceived to be on the increase in terms of their magnitude, frequency, and economic impact in India. It has been emphasized that a disaster retards the development process in the affected area and extends to the neighbouring regions also. Various types of natural disasters that occur in India like Earthquakes, Volcanic eruption, Landslides, Snow Avalanches, Tsunami, Cyclone, Floods, Drought, heat & cold Waves, sea Level Rise, Gl0bal warming, Ozone Depletion have been described very briefly and the regional and seasonal profile of their occurrence have been outlined. Seasonal profile briefly describes four different seasons of India like Winter season covering December, January & February; Pre-monsoon or Hot weather season which include March, April and May; Monsoon season that lasts from June to September; and finally Postmonsoon season covering October & November.
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Disaster Profile of the Philippines
The Philippines is a country that is prone to natural disasters. The most common natural disasters that occur in the Philippines are earthquakes, typhoons, and floods. Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates, which are the large plates that make up the Earth’s crust. Typhoons are tropical cyclones that form over warm waters in the Pacific Ocean. Floods are caused by heavy rains or by the overflowing of rivers.
The Philippines has a long history of natural disasters. In 1990, an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck the northern part of the country, killing more than 1,600 people. In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons ever recorded, struck the central part of the country, killing more than 6,000 people. In 2019, Typhoon Hagibis, the strongest typhoon to hit Japan in decades, caused widespread damage in the Philippines.
The Philippines is also prone to man-made disasters. The most common man-made disasters that occur in the Philippines are fires, industrial accidents, and terrorist attacks. Fires are often caused by electrical problems or by carelessness. Industrial accidents can occur when there is a problem with machinery or when there is a chemical spill. Terrorist attacks can occur when there is a group of people who want to cause harm to others.
The Philippines has a long history of man-made disasters. In 1996, a fire at a department store in Manila killed more than 400 people. In 2000, an industrial accident at a chemical plant in Manila killed more than 100 people. In 2004, a terrorist attack on a train in Manila killed more than 100 people.
The Philippines is a country that is at risk of both natural and man-made disasters. The government of the Philippines has taken steps to reduce the risk of disasters, but there is still more that needs to be done. The government needs to invest in Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE that can withstand disasters, such as strong buildings and bridges. The government also needs to improve its disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
The people of the Philippines also need to take steps to reduce their risk of disasters. They need to be aware of the risks of disasters and they need to know what to do in the event of a disaster. They also need to be prepared to evacuate their homes if necessary.
Disasters can have a devastating impact on people and communities. However, there are many things that can be done to reduce the risk of disasters and to improve the response to disasters. By taking steps to reduce disaster risk, we can save lives and protect livelihoods.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about Disaster Management:
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What is disaster management?
Disaster management is the planning and organization of the Resources and responsibilities for dealing with a disaster. It includes preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. -
What are the different types of disasters?
There are many different types of disasters, including natural disasters, man-made disasters, and technological disasters. Natural disasters are caused by natural events, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Man-made disasters are caused by human activity, such as wars, terrorism, and industrial accidents. Technological disasters are caused by the failure of technology, such as nuclear accidents and chemical spills. -
What are the steps in disaster management?
The steps in disaster management are preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. Preparedness is the process of planning and organizing for a disaster. Response is the process of taking action during a disaster. Recovery is the process of rebuilding after a disaster. Mitigation is the process of reducing the risk of a disaster. -
What are the roles of different stakeholders in disaster management?
The different stakeholders in disaster management include government agencies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and the public. Government agencies are responsible for developing and implementing disaster management plans. Non-governmental organizations provide assistance to disaster victims. The private sector provides resources and support for disaster management efforts. The public is responsible for being prepared for disasters and following instructions from authorities during a disaster. -
What are some of the challenges of disaster management?
Some of the challenges of disaster management include the lack of resources, the complexity of disasters, and the human factor. The lack of resources can make it difficult to respond to and recover from a disaster. The complexity of disasters can make it difficult to predict and prepare for them. The human factor can make it difficult to coordinate disaster management efforts. -
What are some of the successes of disaster management?
Some of the successes of disaster management include the reduction in the number of deaths and injuries from disasters, the improvement in the speed of response to disasters, and the increase in the level of public awareness of disaster preparedness. The reduction in the number of deaths and injuries from disasters is due to improved warning systems, better building codes, and more effective evacuation procedures. The improvement in the speed of response to disasters is due to improved Communication and coordination between government agencies and non-governmental organizations. The increase in the level of public awareness of disaster preparedness is due to public Education campaigns and the media coverage of disasters. -
What are some of the lessons learned from past disasters?
Some of the lessons learned from past disasters include the importance of preparedness, the need for coordination between different stakeholders, and the importance of public education. The importance of preparedness is evident in the fact that the death toll from disasters has decreased significantly in recent years. The need for coordination between different stakeholders is evident in the fact that disasters often require a multi-agency response. The importance of public education is evident in the fact that the public is more likely to be prepared for a disaster if they are aware of the risks and how to protect themselves. -
What are some of the future challenges of disaster management?
Some of the future challenges of disaster management include the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters, the growing population in vulnerable areas, and the changing climate. The increasing frequency and intensity of disasters is due to a number of factors, including Climate Change, deforestation, and Urbanization. The growing population in vulnerable areas is due to the fact that people are increasingly moving to areas that are at risk of disasters. The changing climate is expected to lead to more extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and heat waves. -
What are some of the potential solutions to the future challenges of disaster management?
Some of the potential solutions to the future challenges of disaster management include investing in infrastructure, improving early warning systems, and building resilience. Investing in infrastructure can help to protect people and property from disasters. Improving early warning systems can help people to evacuate before a disaster strikes. Building resilience can help people to recover from a disaster more quickly.
Here are some MCQs about the following topics:
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Natural disasters
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Which of the following is not a natural disaster?
(A) Earthquake
(B) Flood
(C) Hurricane
(D) War -
Which of the following is the most common natural disaster in the world?
(A) Earthquake
(B) Flood
(C) Hurricane
(D) Tornado -
Which of the following is the most deadly natural disaster in history?
(A) The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
(B) The 2011 TÅhoku earthquake and tsunami
(C) The 2010 Haiti earthquake
(D) The 2017 Hurricane Maria -
Man-made disasters
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Which of the following is not a man-made disaster?
(A) War
(B) Nuclear accident
(C) Terrorism
(D) Earthquake -
Which of the following is the most common man-made disaster in the world?
(A) War
(B) Nuclear accident
(C) Terrorism
(D) Industrial accident -
Which of the following is the most deadly man-made disaster in history?
(A) The Chernobyl nuclear disaster
(B) The Bhopal disaster
(C) The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster
(D) The 9/11 attacks -
Disaster preparedness
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Which of the following is not a part of disaster preparedness?
(A) Having a plan
(B) Having an emergency kit
(C) Having a way to communicate with family and friends
(D) Having a way to evacuate your home -
Which of the following is the most important thing to do in the event of a disaster?
(A) Stay calm
(B) Follow the instructions of emergency personnel
(C) Take care of yourself and your family
(D) Help others in need -
Which of the following is not a good way to prepare for a disaster?
(A) Stock up on food and water
(B) Make a plan for how you will evacuate your home
(C) Learn first aid and CPR
(D) Buy a gun -
Which of the following is the best way to help others in the event of a disaster?
(A) Donate Money to relief organizations
(B) Volunteer your time to help with relief efforts
(C) Donate blood
(D) All of the above