Solution-Class 10-Science & Technology-2-Chapter-10-Disaster Management-Maharashtra Board

Disaster Management Authority is the body that works at the level of government. From national level to village level, the work of District Disaster Management Authority is carried out.

Following flow chart indicates the function of control and coordination under the disaster management from national to village level.

This work is basically about management of any disaster and tackling the problems of the affected people.

• At National level there is National Disaster Management Authority for which the Prime Minister is the chairman,
• For every state there are the chief minister is the chairman of State Disaster Management Authority
• Under the state level, there are district level units where district collector is responsible for disaster management and implementation of rehabilitation schemes.
• Below district level authority, the tahsildar is the chairman for Taluka level while the sarpanch of the village is responsible for management of disasters at village level.
• Collector of each district helps in planning, coordinating and controlling the implementation of rehabilitation programme and also gives essential instructions and reviews the entire system.

Disaster management involves either prevention of disasters or creating preparedness to face them. Disaster management works in two modes, viz. pre-disaster management and post-disaster management.

The disasters are tackled in the following steps :

Preparation, redemption, preparedness, action during actual disaster, response, resurgence and restoration.

Pre-disaster Management:
This is done after studying the different aspects such as preventive measures, rehabilitation and reconstruction plans. All these plans are executed during management of disaster.

• The first step includes identifying the pro-disaster areas.
• The second step includes collecting information about intensity of disaster and probable sites of disasters using predictive intensity maps and hazard maps.
• Next step is to get training for disaster management.
• Another important aspect of pre-disaster management is spreading awareness among the common people through various awareness programmes.

Post-disaster Management:
Post-disaster management is concerned with the situation that arise after a disaster has occurred. It includes the following components:

• The primary concern is to provide help to victims preferably with the participation of local people.
• Establishment of help centres to provide all kind of possible help required by the people.
• Categorisation of help materials that are received from the help centres and distributing them efficiently to the people affected by the disaster.

At every level there are other voluntary organizations and Government meteorological institutions for their help in disaster management.

Mock drills are a way of checking the preparedness of facing a disaster. During mock drills, an apparent situation is created to check the reaction time and the type of response. 
Mock drills are carried out in schools, offices, public places, etc. for situations like fire accidents, terrorist attack, etc.

• In the presence of trained personnel, the execution of the rescue plans are observed.
• This activity helps People to understand their responsibilities at the time of actual disaster.
• By such mock drills, the efficacy of the system can be understood.
• In future, when actual calamity strikes, there is already preparation for disaster redressal.

Therefore, mock drill is useful.

Government of India has made Disaster Management Act in 2005. The Disaster Management Act, 2005 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 28 November, and by the Lok Sabha on 12 December 2005.

• The affected people are given all necessary help as per this act.
• With the humanitarian view, people are rehabilitated and helped them to come back to normalcy after the disaster.
• As per this act, National Disaster Response Force has been established. This force consists of 12 divisions in entire India which are attached with Indian Army.
• The headquarter is located in Delhi, but the action is taken all over the country with the help of army.
• As per the act, in Maharashtra National Disaster Response Force is in action through State Reserve Police Force.
• The personnel of this force are trained accordingly, and they take part in the rescue work during different disasters.

The act extends to the whole of India. This act called for the formation of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with prime minister of India as its chair person. 

(1) District control unit looks after the disaster management of the district.

(2) It is immediately formed either after the impact of disaster or if warning is given about some upcoming disaster.

District-wise Disaster Control Unit performs following role :

• It review of various aspects of disasters is done, analyses various aspects of disaster,
• Through the disaster control unit keeps continuous contact with various agencies like army, air force, navy, telecommunication department, paramilitary forces, etc. for getting help.
• It is also responsible for coordinating with various voluntary organizations for their help in disaster management.

(1) After Second World War, the feelings of peace and brotherhood among the global citizens were lost. The geographic, religious, racial and ethnic differences sprang up tremendously.

(2) After World War-II, there has been a vast advancement in technology. This has led to tremendous increase in human disasters.

• For example, the advancement in nuclear energy field has led to setting up of various nuclear power plants and there are accidents happned in some of these plants which turns in disaster. The radiations via these power plants are affecting the environment as well as living beings.

(3) Atrocities that Nazi has performed made deep impact on the minds of people. Terrorism, abduction, robberies and social unrest increased in almost all the countries.

(4) The financial losses had incurred in the World War II. The misuse of science and technology was done to retrieve these deficits.

(5) At the end of World War II, the atomic bombs were dropped in Japan. This has created health problems in the entire world.

(6) Later, the neighbouring nations kept on fighting. The geographical boundaries were changed. People always had feelings of insecurity. The terrorism flourished. All such instances gave rise to man-made disasters.

The objectives of disaster management are as follows:

• Save human life from disasters.
• Moving people away from the place of disasters by rapid action.
• Preventing losses and dangers

• Supply essential commodities to the affected people. This helps to reduce the gravity of disaster.

• Preparing for actions to be taken at the time of disaster
• Assessing the damage caused
• Arrangement of rescue for the affected
• Rehabilitate the affected and displaced victims and rebuilding the affected area.
• Think and execute the protective measures in order to develop capability to face the disasters in future.

• When there is a disaster, we need to immediately help the victim. Till the medical help arrives, one should be in position to treat the injured and save his or her life. In such cases, knowing first-aid is essential.
• It enables the person to use appropriate precautionary methods to save lives during emergency. Such kind of a need may arise in case of our parents, our siblings at home or in school, there are possibilities of injuries to our friends
• It enables the person to give primary help and medications to victims before actual medication.
• It enables the person to prevent further damage to victims.

If we know about techniques of first aid, we can save life of injured person. Therefore, it is essential to get the training of the first aid.

In emergency condition, different methods are used for transportation of patients. Following are the various methods used for transporting patients:

• Cradle method: This method is used for children and under-weight victims
• Carrying piggy back: useful for carrying patients who are unconscious
• Carrying on two hands chair: useful for those patients who cannot use their hands but can hold their body upright are carried by such method.
• Pulling or lifting method: useful for carrying an unconscious patient through a short distance
• Carrying on four-hand chair: useful when support is needed for the part below the waist.

• Carrying on two-hand chair: useful for patients that cannot use their hands but can hold their body upright, are carried by such method.
• Stretcher: The unconscious patient can be moved in case of emergency by making temporary stretcher. Temporary stretchers are made by using bamboos, blanket, cloth etc.

Two disasters experienced are:
(i) Motor accident:

• Reason: rash driving and ignorance to safety rules
• Effects: Injuries to oneself and family as well as damage to Car. Loss of life.
• Remedial measures: First disperse the crowd. Giving emotional support to victims. Give first aid to injured person and then rushed to hospital for immediate medical help.

(ii) Theft:

• Reason: sheer carelessness towards property and wealth.
• Effects: Financial losses. Severe mental and emotional shock.
• Remedial measures: Giving emotional support to victims, Police should be called immediately to register the case & nab the criminals.

**Note: The disaster experienced can vary from person to person. Students are expected to write their experience.

Following are the main aspects of pre-disaster management at school:
(1) Are the Help line numbers list displayed at proper place?

(2) Are telephones of the school working properly?

(2) Is there a first-aid box in each class?

(3) Are there basic medicines available in the school?

(4) Are the certified fire extinguisher available and kept at proper place?

(5) Is the disaster management team ready for rescue of smaller children from lower classes?

(6) Has mock drill conducting & monitoring properly?

(7) Does Representative of students & other team members know about first aid?

(8) Is the contact of parent representative available in emergency situations?

(9) Is the Medical Officer/Doctor present on the school campus?

(10) Is there enough drinking water and some dry snacks available in the school?

(11) Are the design of school building suitable for quick evacuation of the children?

Man-made, intentional

Due to the activities of terrorism, many innocent lives are lost. Many are seriously injured. Some become crippled for their entire life.

Man-made as well as Natural, geophysical, geological.

The fertility of the area is lost. The land becomes unsuitable for cultivation or farming. Due to wind, flowing water or grazing animals the naturally occurring soil erosion becomes hazardous for the environment.

Natural, biological, animal-origin.

Hepatitis is a viral disease which spreads through the contaminated food and water. The outburst of epidemic of hepatitis is difficult to control. People suffer due to hepatitis.

Natural, biological, plant-origin.

Many trees and other vegetation, animals and birds along with their habitats is destroyed due to forest fire. The smoke emanating causes the air pollution.

Natural, climatic.

Due to famine there is severe water scarcity. There is shortage of food grains. The cattle dies due to want of water and grass. Local people have to migrate in search of food, water and shelter.

Man-made, intentional.

Theft causes personal financial loss. The person who suffers the loss also undergo mental and emotional shock, sometimes the thief may also cause physical harm and loss of life.

These symbols come under globally harmonized system (GHS) adopted by UN for labelling and classification of substances. The above signs are warning symbols which should never be ignored.

(i) Irritant:

This symbol is used for hazardous products which causes less severe health effects. When skin or any delicate part of the body comes in contact with the irritant substance, it can cause harmful reaction. Especially, eyes, nasal, mucosa und skin are affected by contact with corrosive substances. If this symbol is ignored, then health issues as mentioned above can arise as well as can impact the environment.

(ii) Toxic:

This symbol indicates that the product has acute oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity.  To taste a toxic substance or even to smell it can lead to death. The packing of these substances are therefore marked as dangerous, They should be avoided as far as possible.

(iii) Environmentally hazardous :

This symbol is used to represent that the product is hazardous to environment. Air, water or soil can be polluted due to such pollutants. When environment is affected, ultimately these hazardous effects come back to human species. Therefore, such substances should be carefully used, Their use should be judicious and controlled.

(iv) Health hazard:

This symbol indicates that the product can cause serious health effects. Materials marked with health hazard can cause severe toxicity. The product with this symbol should not be kept in proximity. As far as possible they should be kept away and handled with great care if needed for any work, Materials marked with health hazard can cause severe toxicity.

(v) Corrosive:

This symbol is used to indicate that the product is capable of corroding metals and cause irritation to eyes and skin. The corrosive substances are very sensitive, The mere touch of corrosive substances can cause destruction of skin, eyes, respiratory passages, digestive organs, etc. with a great speed. Thus warning sign’ of corrosive substance should never be ignored.

(vi) Oxidizing :

This symbol represents that the product is good oxidising liquids or solids. They carry out chemical reactions with a rapid speed.The product having this symbol can cause fire or explosions or can even intensify fire. Therefore oxidizing substances should be handled with care.

(vii) Inflammable :

This symbol represents flammable gases, aerosols, liquids and solids; pyrophoric liquids, gases and solids, self-reactive substance or mixtures, organic peroxides. The product having this symbol can cause fire on heating. Therefore, to warn people such sign is given on materials that can cause hazard by burning.

(viii) Explosive:

(viii)  This symbol represents that the product is an unstable explosive or it is a self-reactive substance or mixtures. This symbol is also placed on labels of organic peroxides. We should not take anything that would cause fire leading to explosion. If explosion occurs, there would be a major disaster causing great loss of life and property. Thus if this sign is seen, great care has to be taken.

(ix) Compressed :

This symbol is used to represent compressed substances are filled under pressure in some container.. The product having this symbol may explode on heating as well as may cause cryogenic burns and injuries. If mishandled, they can come out of the container by bursting it open.

Mock drill is the practice to check whether there is preparedness for dealing with the disaster if suddenly it attacks. For this purpose virtual or apparent situations that simulate the disaster are created. The reaction time for any type of disaster is checked by such activity. In the presence of trained personnel, the execution of the rescue plans are observed.

These drills should be conducted at every work places, schools, public places etc.

• we can evaluate the response or reaction time to a disaster.
• we can identify our own abilities.
• coordination between various departments of disaster control can be improved.

• we can check the competency of the planned actions.
• we can identify the possible errors and risks.

By such mock drills, the efficacy of the system can be understood. In future, when actual calamity strikes, there is already preparation for disaster redressal. Therefore, mock drill is useful.

We know that disasters are sudden and unplanned and thus can't be avoided in most cases. But if effective disaster management is employed and exercised, then we would certainly achieve the abilities to face the adverse effects of disasters. Hence, through effective disaster management, we can definitely reduce the harsh effects of the disaster by following disaster management plan.

• we can supply essential commodities to the people after or before disaster.
• we can arrange rescue for the affected.
• we can rehabilitate and rebuild the affected area in short span of time
• we can minimize losses of life and property
• we can build tools to assess the damaged caused.

(a) Pre-disaster management: 

• Avoid drinking cold water and eating ice-creams

Post-disaster management:

• Visit a doctor
• Take proper medication and rest
• Avoid going to public places

(b)  Pre-disaster management: 

• Discussing the problem with elders
• Trying to settle the dispute verbally

Post-disaster management:

• Identifying any serious injuries occurred to oneself or the counterpart. Getting proper medication for the same
• Apologizing to each other

(c)  Pre-disaster management: 

• Keep an emergency kit. This kit should consist of portable lights, medicines etc.
• Keep extra dry food and portable water
• Move to higher floors if possible
• Switch off all the electrical appliances 

Post-disaster management:

• Avoid going to water flooded areas as there are chances of harmful insects being present there
• Check for the casualties around
• Help the victims in need

(d) Pre-disaster management: 

• Keep an emergency kit. This kit should consist of portable lights, medicines etc.
• Keep extra dry food and portable water
• Move to locations which are less prone to cyclones
• Switch off all the electrical appliances 

Post-disaster management:

• Clearing the debris left behind the cyclone
• Help the victims in need
• Check for the ruptures or cracks on the wall of house