Meaning of disaster

A disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society

involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts, which
exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources.In
contemporary academia, disasters are seen as the consequence of inappropriately managed risk.
These risks are the product of a combination of both hazard/s and vulnerability. Hazards that
strike in areas with low vulnerability will never become disasters, as is the case in uninhabited
regions. Developing countries suffer the greatest costs when a disaster hits more than 95
percent of all deaths caused by hazards occur in developing countries, and losses due to natural
hazards are 20 times greater (as a percentage of GDP) in developing countries than in
industrialized countries]Researchers have been studying disasters for more than a century, and for
more than forty years disaster research. The studies reflect a common opinion when they argue
that all disasters can be seen as being human-made, their reasoning being that human actions
before the strike of the hazard can prevent it developing into a disaster. All disasters are hence
the result of human failure to introduce appropriate disaster management measures. Hazards are
routinely divided into natural or human-made, although complex disasters, where there is no
single root cause, are more common in developing countries. A specific disaster may spawn a
secondary disaster that increases the impact. A classic example is an earthquake that causes
a tsunami, resulting in coastal flooding.

EFFECTS OF DISASTER ON HUMAN LIFE

Natural disaster affects different aspects of our living. There are multiple of effects of natural
disasters. It affects almost every part of our life, like social, emotional, economic, physical,
environmental and many others.Natural disasters strike suddenly and leave behind lives shattered
by physical injury or the loss of home and job. This conditions may severely affect the emotion
of the people. Natural disasters like flood, tsunami and landslide may cause huge loss of wealth
and bring financial problems. Likewise, the natural disaster may lead to catastrophic effects on
the environment as many toxic materials such as paint, pesticide and gasoline can be released
into the rivers due to flood and landslide.
Moreover, you can describe the effects of natural disasters on different heads, like:
Physical destruction
Economic loss
Environmental problems
Emotional Concerns
Remember the effects of natural disasters are also vary from immediate to long term. Some of
the effects are immediate where as some othThe biggest visible effect of natural disasters is the
physical ruin they leave behind. Homes, vehicles and personal possessions are often destroyed

within a short period of time, leaving families homeless and shutting some businesses down
permanently. Tornadoes destroy structures at whim, earthquakes can cause structural damage that
might not be apparent at first glance, and tsunamis and floods sweep homes off their
foundations. er effects have persistence long term impact. While the visible effects of natural
disasters are immediate and strongly felt, communities that surround ground zero can be
indirectly affected by them as well. Natural disasters almost always lead to a disruption in utility
services around the area impacted. This can mean life or death for those who rely on dialysis or
oxygen to live. Medical assistance is also often slowed, as emergency crews must focus on the
victims of the disaster. Banks and other businesses might be closed, affecting a family's ability to
withdraw money to pay bills and buy groceries. Geography plays a large role in how natural
disasters affect an area. In rural or isolated communities, natural disasters can thrust families into
a situation where they must do without modern conveniences like electric and running water.
They may not be able to get to town to buy necessities and have to rely on what they have
stocked up. Densely populated areas face their own unique problems from natural disasters.
Hygiene becomes a concern, as people crowd into temporary relief centers and compete for
limited resources.

WHAT IS DISASTER MANAGEMENT?

Disaster management is a process or strategy that is implemented before, during or
after any type of catastrophic event takes place. This process can be initiated whenever anything
threatens to disrupt normal operations or puts people's lives at risk. Governments at all levels as
well as many businesses create their own disaster plans that make it possible to overcome
various catastrophes and return to functioning normally as quickly as possible.There are four
essential parts to disaster management: prevention, preparation, relief and recovery. Not all
catastrophes can be prevented, but many types can be avoided, and the effects of others can be
mitigated. Preparation might include long-term plans for readiness as well as processes that can
be done quickly when a disaster seems imminent, such as when a hurricane is expected to make
landfall soon. Relief involves action during and immediately after a catastrophe has taken place.
Recovery includes repairing, rebuilding, restoring or replacing whatever was damaged, injured or
lost because of the disaster
Disaster management aims to reduce, or avoid, the potential losses from hazards, assure
prompt and appropriate assistance to victims of disaster, and achieve rapid and effective
recovery. The Disaster management cycle illustrates the ongoing process by which governments,
businesses, and civil society plan for and reduce the impact of disasters, react during and
immediately following a disaster, and take steps to recover after a disaster has occurred.
Appropriate actions at all points in the cycle lead to greater preparedness, better warnings,
reduced vulnerability or the prevention of disasters during the next iteration of the cycle. The
complete disaster management cycle includes the shaping of public policies and plans that either
modify the causes of disasters or mitigate their effects on people, property, and infrastructure.The
mitigation and preparedness phases occur as disaster management improvements are made in
anticipation of a disaster event. Developmental considerations play a key role in contributing to
the mitigation and preparation of a community to effectively confront a disaster. As a disaster

occurs, disaster management actors, in particular humanitarian organizations, become involved

in the immediate response and long-term recovery phases. The four disaster management phases
illustrated here do not always, or even generally, occur in isolation or in this precise order. Often
phases of the cycle overlap and the length of each phase greatly depends on the severity of the
disaster.

FEATURES OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Disaster Management Teams: - World wide, governments, business and non-business
organisation are setting up disaster or crisis management teams in order to manage the disaster.
The disaster management teams are broadly divided into three parts namely (1) The Policy Team
(2) The management Team (3) The Liaison Team.
Systematic Planning: - Disaster management involves systematic planning to avert a disaster,
and if it occurs, then systematic planning is required in order to overcome the crisis arising out of
disaster, Disaster planning indicates, what to do, when to do, how to do and who is to do certain
activities to manage and overcome the problems of disaster.
Organising of Resources: - Disaster Management requires proper organising of resources such
as manpower, materials, funds, etc., in order to deal with the calamity. Proper organizing of
resources will help the disaster management personnel to overcome the problems caused by the
calamity or disaster.
Training to Manpower: -To manage a disaster effectively, there is a need to provide proper
training to the disaster management personnel. The training will help to develop and improve
Disaster Management skills in the personnel. Training may help to avert a disaster effectively.
Suitability: - Disaster Management is required before and after a disaster. It is suitable before a
disaster in order to avert a disaster, or to caution the people and to take proper appropriate
measures before the disaster strikes. Disaster Management is also very much required after a
disaster takes place in order to undertake rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures at the time of
floods, earthquakes.
Stability: -Normally, disaster management teams lack stability. They are formed just prior to a
disaster in order to avert it, whenever possible. However, in advanced countries such as in USA,
UK, Japan, etc., some organisations form more or less permanent Disaster Management teams
It recognises people's existing capacities and aims to strengthen this. Despite people's
vulnerability, they still have capacities and are not completely helpless in times of disaster. It is
the people themselves who initiate the necessary steps to survive even before aid givers arrive at
a disaster scene. They have adapted coping strategies based on previous experiences in dealing
with disasters. Although, disasters may deprive people physically of food, shelter, crops, tools
and clothes, they will always have some resource left. These may be some recoverable goods or,
as is often the case , the skills and attitude they possess. It can also be the presence of a strong
community organizations or an elaborate family support systems, which allow them ample

leeway to cope with the disaster event. The modern way of living with its emphasis on scientific
and technological fixes could not appreciate the importances of indigenous knowledge and skills.
It is imperative to build on these capacities and cumulatively increase them, as they are the point
of departure for developmental disaster response.
People empowerment- accept that disaster management is primarily the concern of the victims.
Therefore, their participation and empowering them are essential. People must be involved and
should be encouraged to participate fully in all aspects of the process to bring about
development, including disaster management. People oriented disaster management means
developing people's potential and capacities so that they could cope with disasters on their own.

CASE STUDY OF DISASTER

CYCLONE
In meteorology, a cyclone is an area of closed, circular fluid motion rotating in the same
direction as the Earth. This is usually characterized by inward spiraling winds that
rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in theSouthern
Hemisphere of the Earth. Most large-scale cyclonic circulations are centered on areas of low
atmospheric pressure. The largest low-pressure systems are cold-core polar cyclones and
extratropical cyclones which lie on thesynoptic scale. According to the National Hurricane
Center glossary, warm-core cyclones such as tropical cyclones andsubtropical cyclones also lie
within the synoptic scale. Mesocyclones, tornadoes and dust devils lie within the
smallermesoscale Upper level cyclones can exist without the presence of a surface low, and can
pinch off from the base of theTropical Upper Tropospheric Trough during the summer months in
the Northern Hemisphere. Cyclones have also been seen on extraterrestrial planets, such
as Mars and Neptune. Cyclogenesis describes the process of cyclone formation and
intensification. Extratropical cyclones form as waves in large regions of enhanced mid-latitude
temperature contrasts calledbaroclinic zones. These zones contract to form weather fronts as the
cyclonic circulation closes and intensifies. Later in their life cycle, cyclones occlude as cold core
systems. A cyclone's track is guided over the course of its 2 to 6 day life cycle by the steering
flow of the cancer or subtropical jet stream.Weather fronts separate two masses of air of
different densities and are associated with the most prominent meteorological phenomena. Air
masses separated by a front may differ in temperature or humidity. Strong cold fronts typically
feature narrow bands of thunderstorms and severe weather, and may on occasion be preceded
by squall lines or dry lines. They form west of the circulation center and generally move from

west to east. Warm fronts form east of the cyclone center and are usually preceded
by stratiform precipitation and fog. They move poleward ahead of the cyclone path. Occluded
fronts form late in the cyclone life cycle near the center of the cyclone and often wrap around the
storm center.
Tropical cyclogenesis describes the process of development of tropical cyclones. Tropical
cyclones form due to latent heat driven by significant thunderstorm activity, and are warm
core Cyclones can transition between extratropical, subtropical, and tropical phases under the
right conditions. Mesocyclones form as warm core cyclones over land, and can lead
to tornado formation Waterspouts can also form from mesocyclones, but more often develop
from environments of high instability and low vertical wind shear. In the Atlantic and the
northeastern Pacific oceans, a tropical cyclone is generally referred to as a hurricane (from the
name of the ancient Central American deity of wind,Huracan), in the Indian and south Pacific
oceans it is called a cyclone, and in the northwestern Pacific it is called a typhoonThere are a
number of structural characteristics common to all cyclones. A cyclone is a low-pressure area A
cyclone's center (often known in a mature tropical cyclone as the eye), is the area of lowest
atmospheric pressure in the region. Near the center, the pressure gradient force (from the
pressure in the center of the cyclone compared to the pressure outside the cyclone) and
the force from the Coriolis effect must be in an approximate balance, or the cyclone would
collapse on itself as a result of the difference in pressure. Because of the Coriolis effect, the wind
flow around a large cyclone is counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in
the Southern Hemisphere Cyclonic circulation is sometimes referred to as contra solem. In the
Northern Hemisphere, the fastest winds relative to the surface of the Earth therefore occur on the
eastern side of a northward-moving cyclone and on the northern side of a westward-moving one;
the opposite occurs in the Southern Hemisphere. (The wind flow around an anticyclone, on the
other hand, is clockwise in the northern hemisphere, and counterclockwise in the southern
hemisphere.)Cyclogenesis is the development or strengthening of cyclonic circulation in the
atmosphere (a low-pressure area). Cyclogenesis is an umbrella term for several different
processes, all of which result in the development of some sort of cyclone. It can occur at various
scales, from the microscale to the synoptic scale.Extratropical cyclones form as waves
along weather fronts before occluding later in their life cycle as cold core cyclones.
Tropical cyclones form due to latent heat driven by significant thunderstorm activity, and are
warm core.Mesocyclones form as warm core cyclones over land, and can lead to tornado
formation. Waterspouts can also form from mesocyclones, but more often develop from
environments of high instability and low vertical wind shear.] Cyclogenesis is the opposite of
cyclolysis, and has an anticyclonic (high-pressure system) equivalent which deals with the
formation of high-pressure areasAnticyclogenesis.

The surface low has a variety of ways of forming. Topography can force a surface low
when dense low-level high-pressure systemridges in east of a north-south mountain
barrier.] Mesoscale convective systems can spawn surface lows which are initially warm
core.] The disturbance can grow into a wave-like formation along the front and the low will be
positioned at the crest. Around the low, flow will become cyclonic, by definition. This rotational
flow will push polar air equatorward west of the low via its trailing cold front, and warmer air
with push poleward low via the warm front. Usually the cold front will move at a quicker pace
than the warm front and catch up with it due to the slow erosion of higher density airmass
located out ahead of the cyclone and the higher density airmass sweeping in behind the cyclone,
usually resulting in a narrowing warm sector.] At this point an occluded front forms where the
warm air mass is pushed upwards into a trough of warm air aloft, which is also known as
a trowal.
Tropical cyclogenesis is the technical term describing the development and strengthening
of a tropical cyclone in the atmosphere.The mechanisms through which tropical cyclogenesis
occurs are distinctly different from those through which mid-latitudecyclogenesis occurs.
Tropical cyclogenesis involves the development of a warm-core cyclone, due to
significant convection in a favorable atmospheric environment. There are six main requirements
for tropical cyclogenesis: sufficiently warm sea surface temperatures, atmospheric instability,
high humidity in the lower to middle levels of the troposphere, enough Coriolis force to develop
a low-pressure center, a preexisting low-level focus or disturbance, and low vertical wind
shear.] An average of 86 tropical cyclones of tropical storm intensity form annually worldwide,
with 47 reaching hurricane/typhoon strength, and 20 becoming intense tropical cyclones (at least
Category 3 intensity on the SaffirSimpson Hurricane Scale).

Types of Cyclones
The term 'cyclone' actually refers to several different types of storms. They occur in
different places, and some occur over land while others occur over water. What they all have in
common is that they are spinning storms rotating around that low-pressure center.
Tropical cyclones are what most people are familiar with because these are cyclones that occur
over tropical ocean regions. Hurricanes and typhoons are actually types of tropical cyclones, but
they have different names so that it's clear where that storm is occurring. Hurricanes are found in
the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, typhoons are found in the Northwest Pacific. If you hear
'tropical cyclone,' you should assume that it's occurring in the South Pacific or Indian Ocean, but
for this lesson, we'll use it refer to all types of tropical ocean cyclones.

We can also further describe tropical cyclones based on their wind speeds. They are called
category 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, increasing with intensity and wind speed as the number increases. A
category 1 cyclone is the weakest, with wind speeds of 74-95 mph. A category 5 cyclone, on the
other hand, is extremely dangerous and has the potential for major damage. Category 5 cyclones
have wind speeds of 155 mph and above!
Polar cyclones are cyclones that occur in polar regions like Greenland, Siberia and Antarctica.
Unlike tropical cyclones, polar cyclones are usually stronger in winter months. As you can see,
these storms really do prefer the colder weather! They also occur in areas that aren't very
populated, so any damage they do is usually pretty minimal.
A mesocyclone is when part of a thunderstorm cloud starts to spin, which may
eventually lead to a tornado. 'Meso' means 'middle', so you can think of this as the mid-point
between one type of storm and the other. Tornadoes all come from thunderstorm clouds, but not
all thunderstorm clouds make tornadoes. In order for a tornado to occur, part of that cloud has to
spin, and though you can't really see this happening, this is the intermediate, or 'meso' step from
regular cloud to dangerous spinning cloud running along the ground.

FEATURES OF CYCLONE
1.

The foremost characteristic is that Tropical Cyclones are most violent, most awesome and
most disastrous of all the atmospheric disturbances.
2.

The average speed is 120 kmph. Although it may vary from 32 kmph to 200 kmph or
more. At times it reaches 400 kmph also.

3.

They have closed isobars. The pressure gradient is very sharp. More closely spaced
isobars represents greater velocity of the storm and vice-versa. The pressure at the center is
extremely low. The winds from the surrounding area are drawn towards this low-pressure
core called the "eye" of the cyclone.

4.

Tropical cyclones develop over oceans and seas only. They are most violent and vigorous
over water.
On landfall, their velocity decreases due to friction, and as the source of energy is cut off, they
dissipate soon. Thus they affect the coastal areas only.
4.
The movement of tropical cyclone is affected by the prevailing wind system. Normally
they move from east to west under the influence of trade winds.
5.

They are seasonal in nature and occur during a specific period of the year only.

LOSS DUE TO CYCLONE

Cyclones cause widespread flooding and wind damage. Flood damage results from the
combination of torrential rain, which overwhelms the soils ability to absorb it, and storm surges,
which force significant quantities of water up onto the shore in front of the storm. Wind damage
results from the straight-line winds produced by the cyclone and tornadoes that the cyclone
spawns.

THREE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS FOR DESTRUCTION

Strong Winds/Squall: Cyclones are known to cause severe damage to infrastructure through
high speed winds. Very strong winds which accompany a cyclonic storm damages installations,
dwellings, communications systems, trees etc., resulting in loss of life and property. Gusts are
short but rapid bursts in wind speed are the main cause for damage. Squalls on the other hand,
are longer periods of increased wind speed and are generally associated with the bands of
thunderstorms that make up the spiral bands around the cyclone.
Torrential rains and inland flooding: Torrential rainfall (more than 30 cm/hour) associated
with cyclones is another major cause of damages. Unabated rain gives rise to unprecedented
floods. Rain water on top of the storm surge may add to the fury of the storm. Rain is a serious
problem for the people which become shelter less due to cyclone. Heavy rainfall from a cyclone
is usually spread over wide area and cause large scale soil erosion and weakening of
embankments.
Storm Surge: A Storm surge can be defined as an abnormal rise of sea level near the coast
caused by a severe tropical cyclone; as a result of which sea water inundates low lying areas of
coastal regions drowning human beings and life stock, causes eroding beaches and
embankments, destroys vegetation and leads to reduction of soil fertility.
STRATEGY USED BY GOVERNMENT AT THE TIME OF DISASTER
The Bureau also provides the latest watches, warnings and supporting information on this
website and through its telephone and Weather-by-Fax services. Look in your Telephone
Directory under Bureau of Meteorology to obtain numbers for additional services which are not
listed below. Further preparedness and general information on cyclones is produced by
Emergency Management Australia and is available from the State/Territory Emergency Services.

CONCLUSION
My opinion based on the work I have done is that I have learned that a cyclone can damage your
life severely but overtime it will get better and it can be formed form a single thunderstorm then
gradually draw more energy to itself to attain the name cyclone a deadly natural disaster like
bushfire of flood.the interesting bit of all is that from a single thunderstorm you need cooperation
from both the ocean and the atmosphere to form a complete cyclone which is deadly no matter
where it is because if it is in ocean there will be big waves cause by this hazard and if it were in a
continent with people nearby the wind which is fast will cause great damage to everything
around it.
The extensive literature review taught the knowledge of cyclones and the history of cyclones. It
gave me a lot knowledge about cyclones and also through research I came to know about the
helplines and NGOs which help during such disaster.