Notes
Disaster : Disaster is the incidence that occurs suddenly causing heavy damage to life and property. The disaster can be man-made or due to natural reason.
OR
Hazardous event that suddenly take place in the surroundings is called disaster.
- According to the definition of disaster as given by United Nations : The sudden event that leads to the huge loss of life and property is called disaster.
- Natural disasters : Floods, wet and dry famine, cyclones, earthquakes, volcanoes, etc. are caused due to sudden change in the environment causing great damage. Since these disasters are due to nature’s wrath, they are called natural disasters.
- Man-made disasters: When mankind needs natural resources for developmental purpose, environment gets damaged. Such disasters are due to man-made actions and thus they are called man-made disasters.
Many natural disasters and related unprecedented situations have been occurred in the Asian continent and region of Pacific Ocean. Huge loss to the life and the planet Earth has been occurred due to such disasters.
Increasing population, its increasing needs emerging problems out of it are now at the extreme end. Such disasters have been increased after the world war-II. Condition of instability arises in the country due to various reasons like economic inequality, racial and religious differences, etc. Incidences like terrorism, abduction, social differences have been a routine now.
Production and use of harmful chemicals is under ban in developed countries. However, production of either same or those chemicals which can wipe out the human race is common in developing and poor countries.
Atomic energy plants are used for generation of nuclear energy. But they emit hazardous radiations. The accidental leakage in atomic energy plant that occurred at Chernobyl, Russia is still producing ill-effects. Nowadays, many countries are equipped with atomic energy. At the same time risk of radiation leakage and allied accidents have also increased.
Classification of disasters : Disasters can be classified depending on following main criteria. There are two main types of disasters, natural and man-made. This is the preliminary Classification of disasters. Second method of Classifying disasters :
Types of disasters : There are three types of disasters, viz. geophysical, biological and man-made. Geophysical : Biological : Man-made:
Effects of disasters :
- The great loss to life and property of the people.
- Different areas of life like economic, social, cultural, political, law and administration, etc. are affected due to sudden disasters.
- The life in the affected area is totally disturbed.
- Nature and duration of each disaster is different. The period of disaster decides whether it is short term or long-term.
- Disasters are caused due to different reasons. Each disaster has its own environmental impact.
Actual effects :
- Effects of every type of disasters are different.
- Floods : Collapsing of bridges, flooding of coastal villages, shortage of food .
- Earthquake : Collapsing of houses, developing cracks in land.
- Forest fire and drought : Adverse effect on the environment.
Effects on the economy of the nation and local leadership :
- Huge expenses on the reconstruction of the destroyed structures.
- Long term effect on the economy.
- If local leadership is weak, the victimized citizens become confused.
- During disasters administrative problems arise.
- Local governing bodies too are affected.
- The Government departments also are unable to solve the problematic situations caused by the disaster.
- Entire system collapses as all the concerned departments are affected by disasters.
Effects of Heavy Rain : Due to heavy rain following effects are observed in surrounding area,
Destructive effects of flood:
Effects of dry famine :
Effects of earthquake :
Effects forest fire on environment :The largely spread fire of the dry grass, shrubs and trees in the forest due to heightened temperatures is called forest fire.
- The effect of forest fire on the environment is greatly devastating.
- Biodiversity is lost. Plants and animals die due to fire. T
- he vegetation becomes dead as the plants turn into ash.
- The atmosphere is full of smoke and hence causes air pollution.
Nature and scope of disaster: Some of the important aspects of the disaster become clear only when the nature and scope of the disaster is understood.
For this following aspects have to be studied thoroughly :
- Exact nature of the disasters.
- The changes in the nature before the onset of the disaster.
- Time period of impact of disaster.
The scope of the disaster is dependent on the following facts :
- Pre-disaster phase
- Warning phase
- Emergency phase
- Rehabilitation phase
- Recovery phase
- Reconstruction phase
Three sensitive phases of the disaster :
Disaster management :
- Disaster management is the essential action that has to be undertaken by each nation and its citizens.
- Disaster management schemes should be dependent on every location, time and nature of the disaster.
The disasters are inevitable but we have to overcome the hazardous after-effects of these. This fact has led to concept of disaster management.
- Effective disaster management is necessary in any kind of disaster. It may be minor or major, spread over long period of time or it may be short term.
- The disaster management should involve public participation. Disaster hits in a rapid way.
- In managing the after-effects of disasters, there should be arrangements to cope up with disastrous effects or there should be ways to make citizens capable to face and fight against the consequences.
- The losses should be minimized. Disasters are suddenly forcing us to deal with them, but by disaster management techniques, the losses can be minimized.
Objectives of disaster management :
Disaster management planning :
- Through scientific and careful observations and analysis of previous data, the suitable action plans are developed for the disasters that might come in future.
- In such plans the preventive measures, rehabilitation and reconstruction is included. Such plans are kept ready for future.
- Disaster management is divided into pre-disaster management and post-disaster management.
Pre-disaster management : Before the disaster strikes, there are some measures taken to rescue people or to keep preparedness for the future calamities. This is called pre-disaster management. It includes following points :
Post-disaster management :
Main aspects of disaster management cycle :
Natural disasters cannot be avoided. But by proper management, the loss can be minimized. Man-made disasters can be avoided if care is taken in our actions and behaviour. In situations of disasters we should help each other. This is the ethical responsibility of all human beings.
Functions of Disaster Management Authority :
Structure of Disaster Management Authority : The Government has established an authority for management of disasters. Indian Government has also passed Disaster Management Act, 2005. Control and coordination of disaster management is carried out from national level right up to village as shown in the following chart :
District Disaster Management Authority : District collector is responsible for disaster management and implementation of rehabilitation schemes for that district. Planning, coordinating and controlling the implementation of rehabilitation programme is done by District Collector.
District-wise Disaster Control Unit :
- Establishment of district control unit is done immediately either after the impact of disaster or due to the warning of forthcoming disasters.
- Help and guidance from various agencies like army, air force, navy, telecommunication department, paramilitary forces, etc. is taken to review the various aspects of disaster.
- The control unit also coordinates with various voluntary organizations that help in disaster management.
The international organizations that work in field of disaster management :
National Disaster Response Force :
First Aid and Emergency Action : When suddenly any disaster takes place, the help given to the victims before the medical treatment is available, is called first aid. This knowledge of first aid becomes useful to save one’s life.
- In day-to-day life, we come across many such disastrous incidences where such help is needed. Varieties of disasters like accidents, stampede, injuries in fighting, electric shock, burns, heat shock, snake bite, dog bite, fire due to electric short Circuit, epidemic of any disease, etc. are the disasters in which first aid becomes essential.
- In disasters, the victim's condition is to be taken into account before starting any first aid. As per the condition, various transportation methods like cradle method, carrying on back, carrying on two hands are to be followed.
- Sometimes we face the disaster due to our own unawareness. We have to watch out for the symbols that warn us against the potential dangers. Such
First Aid Kit : Material necessary for first aid is kept in the first aid kit. Such first aid kit Should be available at every place such as in schools, colleges, Malls, Company and offices, etc.. The necessary material in first aid box:
Mock Drill: Mock drill is the activity which is carried out by creating virtual or apparent situation of disaster.
- It is carried out to check the preparedness if the disaster approaches.
- The responses of the people, the quickness of actions, etc. can be analysed prior to the actual disaster happens.
- Trained personnel check execution of plan designed for disaster redressal. They are responsible for the training of people in case of disasters. The whole exercise helps to check the efficacy of the system prepared for disaster redressal.
- Mock drill is organized in various schools to create the awareness among the school children in case of disasters. Such drills are taken with the help of fire fighters, by police force and by some voluntary organizations.
Objectives of Mock Drill :
Important notes for our safety :
Its an amazing notes it help me to score 87% in second prelims exam. I really loved it