Unit 5: Disaster Management

1. Introduction to Disasters

Definition: A disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts the functioning of a community or society and causes human, material, and economic or environmental losses that exceed the community's ability to cope using its own resources.

Hazard vs. Disaster:

• Hazard: A dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity, or condition that may cause loss of life, injury, or other health impacts (e.g., a fault line, a chemical factory).
• Disaster: The realization of a hazard (e.g., an earthquake occurring on that fault line causing destruction).
• Equation: Risk = (Hazard × Vulnerability) / Capacity

2. Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are catastrophic events resulting from natural processes of the Earth.

A. Water-Related Disasters

1. Floods

Definition: An overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry.

• Causes:
  • Natural: Heavy precipitation, melting snow/ice, storm surges, siltation of riverbeds.
  • Anthropogenic: Deforestation (reduces water retention), urbanization (impervious concrete surfaces), poor drainage systems, dam failures.
• Effects:
  • Loss of life and livestock.
  • Destruction of crops leading to food scarcity.
  • Outbreak of waterborne diseases (cholera, typhoid).
  • Damage to infrastructure (bridges, roads, power grids).
• Management & Mitigation:
  • Construction of embankments and flood walls.
  • Afforestation to increase soil water retention.
  • Floodplain zoning (restricting construction in high-risk areas).
  • Improved drainage systems in urban areas.

2. Drought

Definition: A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water.

• Types:
  • Meteorological Drought: Deficit in rainfall.
  • Hydrological Drought: Low water levels in reservoirs, lakes, and aquifers.
  • Agricultural Drought: Insufficient soil moisture to support crop growth.
• Causes: Deforestation, El Niño effect, climate change, excessive use of groundwater.
• Effects: Famine, malnutrition, mass migration (environmental refugees), economic collapse in agrarian societies, desertification.
• Management & Mitigation:
  • Rainwater harvesting.
  • Drip irrigation and use of drought-resistant crop varieties.
  • Watershed management.
  • Cloud seeding (artificial rain).

B. Air-Related Disasters

1. Cyclones

Definition: A large-scale air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure. Known as Hurricanes in the Atlantic and Typhoons in the Pacific.

• Mechanism: Warm ocean water heats the air above it, causing it to rise and create a low-pressure zone. Surrounding high-pressure air rushes in, spirals due to the Coriolis effect, and creates a storm.
• Effects:
  • Storm Surge: Abnormal rise of sea level causing coastal flooding.
  • High-velocity winds destroying semi-permanent structures (kuccha houses).
  • Saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers.
• Management:
  • Satellite tracking and early warning systems.
  • Construction of cyclone shelters.
  • Planting mangrove forests (bio-shields) along coastlines to reduce wind speed and wave impact.

2. Storms/Tornadoes

• Storms: Violent atmospheric disturbances characterized by rain, thunder, lightning, and strong winds.
• Tornadoes: A violently rotating column of air touching the ground, usually attached to a cumulonimbus cloud.
• Impact: Localized but extreme destruction; uprooting trees, destroying buildings, and turning debris into deadly projectiles.

C. Earth-Related Disasters

1. Earthquakes

Definition: Sudden shaking of the ground caused by the passage of seismic waves through Earth’s rocks.

• Terminology:
  • Focus (Hypocenter): Origin point underground.
  • Epicenter: Point on the surface directly above the focus.
• Causes: Tectonic plate movements (convergent, divergent, or transform boundaries), volcanic activity, or human-induced (reservoir-induced seismicity).
• Measurement: Richter Scale (magnitude/energy) and Mercalli Scale (intensity/damage).
• Effects: Building collapse, liquefaction of soil, tsunamis (if underwater), fires due to ruptured gas lines.
• Mitigation:
  • Seismic retrofitting of buildings.
  • Adherence to building codes (aseismic design).
  • Education on "Drop, Cover, and Hold On."

2. Landslides

Definition: The movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope.

• Causes:
  • Factors: Gravity, steep slopes, weak geology.
  • Triggers: Heavy rainfall, earthquakes, deforestation, road construction in hilly terrain.
• Mitigation:
  • Construction of retaining walls.
  • Proper drainage to prevent water accumulation in slopes.
  • Afforestation on slopes to bind soil.

3. Avalanches

Definition: A rapid flow of snow down a sloping surface.

• Types: Loose snow avalanches and Slab avalanches (more dangerous).
• Triggers: New snowfall, temperature changes, loud noises, or vibrations from skiers/vehicles.
• Mitigation: Controlled explosions to release unstable snow, snow sheds over roads, reforestation.

4. Volcanic Eruptions

Definition: Rupture in the crust that allows hot lava, volcanic ash, and gases to escape from a magma chamber.

• Hazards:
  • Lava Flows: Streams of molten rock.
  • Pyroclastic Flows: Fast-moving currents of hot gas and rock (extremely deadly).
  • Ash Fall: Can collapse roofs and disrupt aviation.
• Mitigation: Monitoring seismic activity and gas emissions, evacuation zones.

3. Man-Made Disasters

1. Nuclear Disasters

Definition: Accidental release of radioactive material.

• Examples: Chernobyl (1986), Fukushima (2011).
• Causes: Reactor core meltdowns, cooling system failures, human error, natural disasters affecting plants.
• Effects:
  • Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS).
  • Long-term cancer risks (thyroid, leukemia).
  • Genetic mutations affecting future generations.
  • Soil and water contamination lasting centuries.

2. Chemical Disasters

Definition: Uncontrolled release of toxic chemicals causing harm to life and the environment.

• Example: Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) - Methyl Isocyanate leak.
• Causes: Industrial negligence, lack of safety protocols, corrosion of storage tanks, transportation accidents.
• Effects: Respiratory failure, skin burns, blindness, environmental toxicity.

3. Biological Disasters

Definition: Devastating effects caused by the spread of a certain kind of living organism (bacteria, virus).

• Types:
  • Epidemics/Pandemics: Natural spread (e.g., COVID-19, Ebola).
  • Bioterrorism: Intentional release of agents like Anthrax or Smallpox.
• Management: Quarantine, vaccination, sanitation, rapid medical response.

4. Transport Accidents

• Modes: Road, Rail, Aviation, and Maritime.
• Causes: Human error, mechanical failure, poor infrastructure, weather conditions.
• Maritime Specifics: Oil spills causing marine ecosystem destruction.

4. Disaster Management

The Disaster Management Cycle

Disaster management is a continuous process divided into three phases:

1. Pre-Disaster Phase (Risk Reduction):
   • Prevention: Measures to avoid the disaster entirely.
   • Mitigation: Measures to reduce the impact (e.g., building codes).
   • Preparedness: Planning, training, stockpiling supplies, and warning systems.
2. During Disaster Phase (Emergency Response):
   • Response: Search and rescue, first aid, evacuation, providing shelter and food.
3. Post-Disaster Phase (Recovery):
   • Recovery: Restoring basic services (water, power).
   • Rehabilitation: Long-term support to return victims to normalcy (housing, jobs).
   • Reconstruction: Rebuilding infrastructure, ideally "Building Back Better."

National Disaster Management Framework

Note: This section is generalized but often references the Indian Model (NDMA) as a standard study case in Environmental Studies.

Legal Framework:

• Disaster Management Act (e.g., India's DM Act 2005): Provides the legal authority for setting up disaster management bodies and funding mechanisms.

Institutional Framework:

1. National Level:
   • NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority): Headed by the Prime Minister/Head of State. Lays down policies, plans, and guidelines.
   • NDRF (National Disaster Response Force): Specialized force for disaster response.
2. State Level:
   • SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority): Headed by the Chief Minister. Implements national plans at the state level.
3. District Level:
   • DDMA (District Disaster Management Authority): Headed by the District Collector/Magistrate. The actual execution body for disaster management planning and response.

5. Role of Stakeholders in Disaster Response

1. Governmental Agencies

• Primary Responsibility: Policy formulation, funding, and coordination.
• Functions:
  • Armed Forces: Deployed for heavy-lifting rescue operations, air-dropping food, and building temporary bridges.
  • Police/Fire Services: First responders for law and order and immediate rescue.
  • Health Department: Triage, treatment of injured, and preventing epidemic outbreaks.
  • Scientific Bodies (Meteorological Dept/Seismology): Monitoring and issuing early warnings.

2. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

• Role: Bridging the gap between the government and the community.
• Functions:
  • Rapid Relief: often reach remote areas faster than government machinery.
  • Specialized Care: Providing psychosocial support (trauma counseling) and special care for women, children, and the elderly.
  • Rehabilitation: Long-term housing projects and livelihood restoration programs.
  • Advocacy: Ensuring transparency in aid distribution.

3. Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)

• Definition: Local groups (youth clubs, women’s self-help groups, resident associations).
• Importance: The community is always the first responder.
• Functions:
  • Local Knowledge: Identifying vulnerable families and safe routes.
  • Search and Rescue: Immediate extraction of victims before professional help arrives.
  • Camp Management: Managing community kitchens and sanitation in relief camps.

4. Role of Media

• Pre-Disaster:
  • Educating the public about safety measures.
  • Disseminating early warnings and evacuation orders promptly.
• During Disaster:
  • Providing real-time updates on affected areas and safe zones.
  • Curbing rumors and panic (responsible journalism).
  • Connecting victims with rescue teams through helplines.
• Post-Disaster:
  • Mobilizing funds and donations from the public/international community.
  • Watchdog Role: Highlighting gaps in government relief work and ensuring accountability.