DISASTER MANAGEMENT AN OVERVIEW BY BRIG. D.V.RAO, V.S.M., (Retd) CENTRE FOR MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENT & DISASTERS A. P.A.R.D.

Damage Potential

CYCLONE

Society
Elements at Risk Huge Losses/ Damages

Poorer than before

Disruption of Normal life & Development Suffers

Damage Potential
Awareness- Effect on Elements

HAZARD

Society
Action Plans
Elements at Risk

Quicker Recovery

Huge Losses/ Damages

Communities More Resilient More Stable Society

Reduced Losses

Damage Potential

HAZARD

Elements at Risk
Societal Elements Natural Features River/Stream Banks Low-lying Areas Sea & Sea-coast Slopes of hills People & Live-stock Huts & Semi-permanent Houses Weak Buildings Agri. & Horticultural crops Livelihood tools / Equipment Unsecured personal assets Public Infrastructure

Scale of Disaster
Is Dependent on :
Lead Time Available. Intensity of Hazard. Duration. Spatial Extent. Density of Population & Assets. Time of Occurrence.

Vulnerabilities existing in the Elements at Risk.

Hazard X Vulnerability = Disaster

ELEMENTS AT RISK
People Livestock Rural Housing Stock Houses Vulnerable Crops, Trees,Telephone, Electric poles Boats, Looms, Working Implements Personal Property Electricity, Water and Food Supplies Infrastructure Support

AIMS OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT Reduce (Avoid, if possible) the potential losses from hazards. Assure prompt and appropriate assistance to victims when necessary. Achieve rapid and durable recovery.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT CYCLE PRE-DISASTER DURING DISASTER

Stages of Disaster
Cyclone

BEFORE Jan - Apr

Well Before Weeks-Months Just Before Hours

DURING MAY

AFTER June- Oct

Actual Time Period

Rescue

Relief

Rehabilitation

Reconstruction

Role Players in Disasters

People : Individuals, House -Holds, Volunteers Gram Panchayat : Sarpanch, Panchayati Secretary, Panchayati Members Village Elders : Caste/Community/Religious Leaders, Teachers, Doctors, Engineers, Retired Army & Police Personnel Govt. Deptl. Officers : Agriculture, Medical, Engineers (Housing, Roads & Buildings, Irrigation) Revenue Department, Public Health, Police etc. NGOs

DEFINITIONS OF VULNERABILITY The extent to which a community, structure, service or geographic area is likely to be damaged or disrupted by the impact of particular disaster hazard Vulnerability is the propensity of things to be damaged by a hazard.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Disaster preparedness aims at minimizing the adverse effects of a hazard -

Through effective precautionary actions Ensure timely, appropriate and efficient organisation and delivery of emergency response following the impact of a disaster.

PREPAREDNESS
Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping to include Resources. Assess strengthening requirements and execute. Funding for preparedness must be arranged. Peoples cooperation through Political leaders, elders, Volunteers and NGOs Create lead time by interpreting Warnings Plan to include movement of resources with time frame. Aim to reduce the destructive potential of cyclones, timely & appropriate relief to victims and quick & durable recovery

Disaster Preparedness Framework

COMPONENTS OF PREPAREDNESS Vulnerability Assessment Information System Response Mechanisms Planning Resource Base Public Education and Training Institutional Framework Warning Systems Rehearsals

Disaster Response Activities

Warning Evacuation/Mitigation Search and Rescue Assessment Emergency Relief Logistics and Supply Communication and information Management Survivor Response and coping Security EOC & coordination Expedite rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Floods and Water Hazards

Elements at Risk Everything in the flood plain. Earthen or soluble structures Buried services and utilities Food stores Crops and livestock Main Mitigation Strategies.
Land use control Engineering of strictures Elevation of structures Flood control structures Reforestation projects (watershed management)

Strong Winds
Elements at Risk Lightweight structures. Elevated utilities (Power and communication lines) Fishing boats and other maritime industries.

Main Mitigation Strategies. Structural engineering measures. Planting of windbreaks.