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(1) Earthquake : In the interior of earth, there is tremendous amount of energy This energy results in seismic waves. It causes movements of the earth's surface in the form of tremors, shaking and cracking. The vibrations caused due to all these movements results in an earthquake.

• Vibrations and cracking up of the earth’s crust is known as earthquake.
• Besides natural causes, man-made causes such as construction of large dams can also lead to an earthquake.

Effects of earthquake :

• Destruction of the infrastructure such as buildings, bridges, roads, railway tracks, etc.
• Changes in the direction of the flow of rivers.
• Excessive loss of life and property.

(2) Floods: Floods are caused, when there is excessive rains in the same place in a short span of time, then a river may overflow its banks.

• In cities, water drainage system falls short. The gutters or drainage lines are choked. This results in over flow of water on the roads and surrounding areas. It may also enter the houses.
• During floods, water is accumulated at one place in a very large amount.
• The water drainage system in big cities may fall short resulting in choking of gutters and drainage lines. This results in flooding if there is an excessive rainfall.
• In such case, water overflows on the roads and enters the houses even causing destruction.

Effects of floods :

• Huge loss to life and property.
• Erosion of soil.
• Standing crops are destroyed.
• The epidemic of diseases spread and affect health of the people

(3) Drought : During drought, the food and water are scarce.

• During drought period basic necessities i.e. food and water are to be provided from the other areas.
• The drought prone people and cattle are brought to the camps and are taken care of. Survival of cattle is also the most important task that has to be done by people.

(4) Storms : When high and low pressure belts form in the atmosphere results in changes in the weather. These cause strong winds resulting in storms.

• Most of the time coastal area mainly affected by storm.

Effects of storms :

• Storm affected regions undergo great damages.
• There is tremendous loss of life and property.
• The electric supply is disrupted.
• Transport and communication is disrupted.

(5) Forest fires : Most of the time, the carelessness of someone can initiate the fire in the forest. Sometimes when there is excessive heat and the branches rub against each other causing friction then naturally it can lead to forest fires too.

• If there is dry foliage in the forest and the winds are blowing at a speed, the forest fires spread very rapidly
• Uncontrolled fire in the forest or meadowland or grassland.
• The cause may be natural or man-made.

Effects of forest fires :

• Great damage to biodiversity and natural wealth.
• Pollution of air.

(6) Landslides/Building collapse:

• The vibrations in the earth's crust result in an earthquake.
• These vibrations can cause collapse of buildings.
• If inferior material is used in the construction, then too there is a chance of collapse of buildings.
• Due to excessive rains or cloud bursting landslides can take place.

(7) Burns or scalds :

First aid for Minor burns :

• The burnt part should be washed with cold water or held under running water.
• Victim should be given water to drink.
• Cotton swab soaked in antiseptic solution should be used to clean the wounds.
• Oily ointments should not be applied.
• Dry dressings should be used to cover the wounds.

First aid for Serious burns :

• Cover the wounds with sterilized cloth.
• Jewelry, shoes and tight clothes should be removed.
• Blisters should not be touched or handled.
• Oily ointments should not be applied.
• Clothes may be stuck to victim's body, do not pull them.
• Conscious victim should be given water to drink but other stimulating drinks like tea or coffee should not be given.
• Try to get medical aid as soon as possible.
• Give emotional support to the victim.

(8) Sunstroke : If a person works continuously for a long time in the sun, then the body loses water and minerals. This dehydration results in sunstroke.

First aid -Remedial measures for sunstroke :

• The patient should be immediately taken to a cool place or in the shade.
• The body should be given cold sponge bath.
• The neck of a patient should be covered with a wet cloth.
• Patient should be given water or sherbets to drink in order to stop the dehydration.
• Patient should be made to lie in prone position i.e. on his / her abdomen with the head turned to one side.
• In case of seriousness of sunstroke, shift the patient to hospital or get medical help.

(9) Snake bite:
All snakes are not poisonous. Only few such as cobras, kraits, vipers and some snakes are poisonous. Bite by poisonous snake is fatal. But bite by non-poisonous snakes can also cause psychological shock resulting in death. Instead of killing, one should try to save the snake with the help of volunteer who rescue the snake (commonly called sarpa mitra) and release it into its natural habitat.

Remedial measures for snake bite:

• Giving the emotional support to the victim.
• Washing the wound with water.
• Tying a tight tourniquet or cloth above the wound so that poison does not react
  the vital organs.
• Seeking medical help immediately and giving anti-venom to the victim.

(10) Dog bite:
The dog bite can be dangerous if the dog is not vaccinated by anti-rabies vaccine
Hence immediate care and medical help should be given to the victim as rabies is 100% fatal.

Remedial measures for dog bite :

• Wound should be first cleaned and then washed with potassium permanganate
• Wound should be covered with clean and dry cloth.
• Taking help from a doctor, victim should be given anti-rabies vaccine and cant
  of his/her wound should be taken.

(11) Scratches/Bleeding :

Remedial measures :

• The very first thing to be done in case of bleeding is to stop it.
• Make the person sit or lie down comfortably.
• The bleeding part should be cleaned with germ free water, it should kept above the level of heart.
• Apply antiseptic cream to the wound.
• If the wound is deep rush to the doctor to stich it and get proper medical treatment.

(12) Road accident : The accident victim should be immediately taken to hospital or one should immediately try to help the victim.

(13) War : Wars usually take place at borders. But their effects are on the entire nation.

Remedial measures :

• During war times we should not spread and believe rumours.
• Follow the orders of police force and other agencies that are helping us for our safety.
• Religious discords should not be entertained.

(14) Bomb explosion: In the last two decades, the threat of bomb explosion is increasing due to terrorist activities.

Remedial measures :

• We should be always alert. We should not touch any unattended, suspicious article, bag seen in public places.
• If any suspicious activity is seen in our area, we should immediately inform the police and ATS (Anti-terrorist Squad).
• In case of calamity of bomb explosion, we should help the injured people.

(15) Deluge : The Meteorological Department gives warnings about the deluge that is likely to occur in the near future.

Remedial measures :

• We should be away from river banks and low-lying areas in such cases.
• People residing in such areas should be shifted before the calamity strikes.
• In the Camps for affected people there is provision of food-packets, water and medicines. They can be safe there.

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Disaster management : Making plans to face the disasters and developing capacity to do so is called disaster management.

• Disaster management is possible only through the community participation.
• Natural or man-made disasters can occur any time. Thus, making plans to face the disaster is crucial. Emergency planning and management is to be done before a calamity strikes.

The National Disaster Management Authority was established in India in 2005. This institute undertakes planning and implementation of disaster management work.  Helping and supporting each other at the time of disaster is our moral responsibility.

Important contact numbers for disaster Management .

1. Police -100.
2. Fire Brigade -101.
3. Ambulance- 102.
4. Disaster management cell -108
5. National Emergency Number - 112

Remedial and preventive measures :

Precautions to be taken before or in the case of any natural or man-made disaster

(1) One should carefully watch news on radio and TV.

(2) Radio and mobile should be battery operated.

(3) Carefully follow the warnings issued by meteorological department

(4) Website :- www.imd.gov.in should be followed.

(5) In hilly areas, landslides can occur due to a cloud burst or heavy rains. Therefore, one should not take shelter at the foot of a hill.

(6) In case of floods, one should not linger in the house or low-lying areas. Shelter in the safe places at heights should be taken, one should not step in water currents or drive a vehicle into the gushing water.

(7) One should ensure the safe approach road during the time of earthquakes.

(8) Relief camps are arranged when there is disaster. They provide medicines, food packets, drinking water, first aid, etc. Help should be obtained from such relief camps.

(9) Fire extinguishers should be installed at all public places.

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