PREPAREDNESS FOR NATURAL DISASTERS As we are developing day by day in terms of science and technology, we some time ignore

the power of nature and its extremities. Earthquakes, floods, fires, volcanic eruptions, tropical storms, landslides, drought, pest attacks and other extreme natural events are part of nature and history, like sun and rain. These events affect almost every part of the earth. Long ago, people only had folk tales to explain these events. Today, science and history help us understand more about them. Recently, however, more people have become vulnerable to disasters than before because of rapid population growth, increasing environmental degradation and poverty. As a result, disasters kill one million people and leave millions homeless each decade. Economic losses from natural disasters have tripled in the last thirty years. What is a natural disaster? A natural disaster occurs when an extreme natural event occurs at a place where many people live and its effects are sudden or big. Meaning of major natural disasters is given as under: Flood: Too much water in the wrong place Drought: Much less water than people or crops need Landslide: Rocks and soil sliding rapidly downhill Earthquake: Sudden violent shaking of the earth Volcanic Eruption: Burst of rock, ash, gases and/or flowing lava from deep inside the earth Tropical cyclone: Heavy rain and strong winds over sea and coasts;Cyclones are also called as hurricanes, cyclones or typhoons

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 Tornado: Strong, funnel-shaped windstorm, spinning over land in a narrow path Tsunami: Series of big sea waves that crash onto coasts Wildfire: A big fire that spreads over large area and is out of control Pest Attacks: Large numbers of insects or animals that destroy crops Causes Extreme natural events may cause disasters. However, some events that seem natural are actually caused by people. Too much or too little rain may cause floods or drought; but floods and drought can also happen because we do not take proper care of the earth. If too many people use too much of water, or cut trees faster than nature can replace them, the soil becomes poor and hard, and will not absorb water properly. If we destroy parts of nature like coral reefs, forests or fragile mountain plants, we take away natural barriers that protect us from tsunamis, drought, landslides or other events. Our Responsibility The importance of our own preparedness to face any kind of natural disasters should be felt from an early age. Awareness and preparedness for natural disasters is as important as financial insurance of life or accident. Children must know how to respond during natural calamities. Natural disasters are traumatic for young children because they can be quite violent and dangerous. The childs sense of security is threatened and he/she finds this confusing, especially if it happens when the parent is not in the house.

Dont be scared, be prepared!

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As you can see, nature affects people, and people affect nature. This means that safety is not just luck. You can reduce the effects of disasters, if you are aware, you share and you prepare. Be aware o Know your areas history o Ask your family and friends if they experienced disasters o Learn about weather patterns, movements within the earth, and how we affect the environment Share o Use drawings, school events, even newspapers, radio or television to tell your community what you learn Prepare o Find out what warning announcements mean o Find safe places to go o Do drills o Make a survival kit

Fun Thing.. Learning what to do when we face different natural disasters can be real fun for the young children. Links to a few websites giving interesting ideas are given below: http://www.unisdr.org/2004/campaign/pa-camp04-onlineresources-eng.htm http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/ http://ndma.gov.in/ndma/videogallery.html http://www.howtodothings.com/education/how-to-teachkids-about-natural-disaster

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