UNIT-II DISASTER MITIGATION

NATURAL DISASTERS:
A natural disaster is a major adverse event resulting from natural processes of the Earth;
examples include floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other geologic
processes. A natural disaster can cause loss of life or property damage, and typically leaves
some economic damage in its wake, the severity of which depends on the affected
population's resilience, or ability to recover.
An adverse event will not rise to the level of a disaster if it occurs in an area without vulnerable
population. In a vulnerable area, however, such as San Francisco, an earthquake can have
disastrous consequences and leave lasting damage, requiring years to repair.
In 2012, there were 905 natural catastrophes worldwide, 93% of which were weather-related
disasters. Overall costs were US$170 billion and insured losses $70 billion. 2012 was a
moderate year. 45% were meteorological (storms), 36% were hydrological (floods), 12% were
climatologically (heat waves, cold waves, droughts, wildfires) and 7% were geophysical events
(earthquakes and volcanic eruptions). Between 1980 and 2011 geophysical events accounted
for 14% of all natural.

Geological Disasters
Earthquake
An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the shaking of the surface of the
Earth resulting from a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic
waves. Earthquakes can range in size from those that are so weak that they cannot be felt to
those violent enough to propel objects and people into the air, and wreak destruction across
entire cities. The seismicity, or seismic activity, of an area is the frequency, type, and size of
earthquakes experienced over a period of time. The word tremor is also used for non-
earthquake seismic rumbling.
The focus is the point where the earthquake's motion starts,
The epicenter is the point on the earth's surface that is directly above the focus.
Earthquake Magnitude is a measure of the strength of an earthquake as calculated from
records of the event made on a calibrated seismograph.
In 1935, Charles Richter first defined local magnitude, and the Richter Scale is commonly used
today to describe an Earthquake’s magnitude.
Earthquake Intensity
In contrast, earthquake intensity is a measure of the effects of an earthquake at a particular
place. It is determined from observations of the earthquake's effects on people, structures
and the earth's surface.
Among the many existing scales, the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale of 12 degrees,
symbolized as MM, is frequently used.

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Causes of earthquakes
The surface of the Earth is in continuous slow motion. This is plate tectonics--the motion of
immense rigid plates at the surface of the Earth in response to flow of rock within the Earth.
The plates cover the entire surface of the globe. Since they are all moving they rub against
each other in some places (like the San Andreas Fault in California), sink beneath each other
in others (like the Peru-Chile Trench along the western border of South America), or spread
apart from each other (like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge). At such places the motion isn't smooth--
the plates are stuck together at the edges but the rest of each plate is continuing to move, so
the rocks along the edges are distorted (what we call "strain"). As the motion continues, the
strain builds up to the point where the rock cannot withstand any more bending. With a lurch,
the rock breaks and the two sides move. An earthquake is the shaking that radiates out from
the breaking rock.
In short earthquakes are caused by faulting, a sudden lateral or vertical movement of rock
along a rupture (break) surface.
Earthquake Hazards
Earthquake hazards can be categorized as either direct hazards or indirect hazards.
Direct Hazards

• Ground shaking;
• Differential ground settlement;
• Soil liquefaction;
• Immediate landslides or mud slides, ground lurching and avalanches;
• Permanent ground displacement along faults;
• Floods from tidal waves, Sea Surges & Tsunamis
Indirect Hazards
• Dam failures;
• Pollution from damage to industrial plants;
• Delayed landslides.
Most of the damage due to earthquakes is the result of strong ground shaking. For large
magnitude events, trembling has been felt over more than 5 million sq. km.
Site Risks: Some common site risks are:
(I) Slope Risks - Slope instability, triggered by strong shaking may cause
landslides. Rocks or boulders can roll considerable distances.
(ii) Natural Dams - Landslides in irregular topographic areas may create
natural dams, which may collapse when they are filled. This can lead to
potentially catastrophic avalanches after strong seismic shaking.
(iii) Volcanic Activity - Earthquakes may be associated with potential
volcanic activity and may occasionally be considered as precursory
phenomena. Ash falls and/or pyroclastic flows, volcanic lava or mudflows
and volcanic gases normally follow explosive eruptions.

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How do we measure earthquakes?

Earthquakes are measured using instruments called seismometers that detect the vibrations
caused by seismic waves as they travel through the crust. Seismic waves can be both natural
(from earthquakes) or caused by human activity (explosions). The concept of a seismometer
is simple: a weight tends to stay still as the earth moves and the relative motion can be drawn
on a reel of paper as a zig-zag line. The bigger the vibration, the bigger the zig-zag. Modern
systems use electronics to give more accurate results but the principle is the same.
The strength (or ‘magnitude’) of earthquakes used to be determined according to the Richter
Scale, which compares the relative strength of different earthquakes. The scale is logarithmic,
meaning that an earthquake of magnitude 6 is ten times stronger than one of magnitude 5. A
magnitude 7 quake is 10 times stronger than a magnitude 6, and 100 times stronger than a
magnitude 5.

Effects of Earthquake
Ground shaking is the most familiar effect of earthquakes. It is a result of the passage of
seismic waves through the ground, and ranges from quite gentle in small earthquakes to
incredibly violent in large earthquakes. In the 27 March 1964 Alaskan earthquake, for
example, strong ground shaking lasted for as much as 7 minutes! Buildings can be damaged
or destroyed, people and animals have trouble standing up or moving around, and objects
can be tossed around due to strong ground shaking in earthquakes. However, you should note
that, while many people are killed in earthquakes, none are actually killed directly by the
shaking -- if you were out in an open field during a magnitude 9 earthquake, you would be
extremely scared (I know I would), but your chance of dying would be zero or damn near it. It
is only because we persist in building buildings, highways, and the like that people are killed;
it's our responsibility, not the earthquake's.
On December 26 2004, an earthquake in the Indian Ocean measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale
set off one that struck at 10 Asian and three African countries, leaving over 226,000 people
dead.

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Earthquake: As per the NDMA, earthquake zonation of Mumbai, falls underseismic zone III
which is referred as moderate risk zone. Thus the possibility and severity of the experiencing
the earthquake apparently decreases. Although there are no past records of this disaster in
this region, earthquake of intensity between 5.0 and 6.9 on the Richter scale can occur in
Zone III. Accordingly the measures proposed are enumerated in the section of mitigation and
preparedness.
Mitigation Measures: Before an Earthquake?

• Learn about causes and effects. Speak about them in a calm and composed manner.
• Keep a torch light and a working transistor radio with spare batteries.
• Keep an updated list of telephone numbers like Doctor, Fire, Police and District
Administration, Ambulance, water, electricity, etc. and all your family members will
know them.
• Arrange your home in such a manner that it is easy to move around
• Attach shelves, gas cylinders, flower pots etc., to the walls of the room.
• Place heavy objects on the floor or in lower shelves
• Teach all members of your family how to turn off electricity and gas supply.
- What to do during an Earthquake?

• Keep calm and keep others calm

• Do not panic

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Indoors
Do not rush outside, get your family into doorways, under the tables, or, if they are bedridden,
under their beds; keep away from windows and chimneys
Outdoors

• Stay away from buildings, high walls or dangling electric wires.

• Do not re-enter damaged buildings.

- If you are driving

• Move to side of the road and stop.

• Stop the vehicle away from flyovers, building walls, slopes, electricity
wires/cables/poles, advertisement boards and stay inside the vehicle- What to do
after the Earthquake?
• Keep calm, switch on the transistor radio and obey any instructions you hear on the
radio.
• Expect after shocks
• Check for injuries and first treat yourself, then help others.
• Remain calm and self-assured and help others who are distressed.
• Do not turn on switches if you have electric connection in your house.
• Use your torch
• If there is a fire try to put it out with help of people around you.
• Clean up any spillage of inflammable material like kerosene, oils, paints, alcohol, etc.
• If people are buried under the debris, call for help of the rescue teams and render your
help.
• Avoid places where electric wires are handling loose and do not touch any metal
object in contact with them.
• Do not drink water from open sources/ containers without filtering or purification.
• Eat something to make you feel better and more capable of helping others.
• When you can move out of the house carry with you essential food, water
container,torch, transistor radio and medicines you normally use at home.
• Do not go near damaged structures or ender badly damaged buildings

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• Do not go sight-seeing or wandering in the streets aimlessly to see what is happening

around.
• Keep the roads clear for the movement of relief and rescue teams.
Post-disaster preventive measures
• Maintenance of law and order, prevention of trespassing, looting etc.
• Evacuation of people
• Recovery of dead bodies and their disposal
• Medical care for the injured
• Supply of food and drinking water
• Temporary shelters like tents, metal sheds etc.
• Repairing lines of communication and information
• Restoring transport routes
• Quick assessment of destruction and demarcation of destroyed areas, according to the
grade of damage.
Landslides & Debris Flow
Landslides occur in all U.S. states and territories and can be caused by many factors
including earthquakes, storms, volcanic eruptions, fire and human modification of land. The
most deadly landslides are the ones that occur quickly, often with little notice.
In a landslide, masses of rock, earth or debris move down a slope. Debris and mud flows are
rivers of rock, earth and other debris saturated with water. They develop during intense
rainfall, runoff, or rapid snowmelt, changing the earth into a flowing river of mud or “slurry.”
They can flow rapidly, striking with little or no warning at avalanche speeds (faster than a
person can run). They also can travel many miles from their source, growing in size as they
pick up trees, boulders, cars and other materials. Debris flows don’t always stay in stream
channels and they can flow sideways as well as downhill.
When a wildfire burns a slope, it increases the chance of debris flows for several years.
Although some landslides require lengthy rain and saturated slopes, a debris flow can start
on a dry slope after only a few minutes of intense rain. “Intense” rain means a burst of rain at
a fast rate, about half an inch in an hour. With debris flows, the rate matters more than total
rainfall.
How to protect yourself or your property depends on the type of landslide. Land-use zoning,
professional inspections, and proper design can reduce many landslide problems but
evacuation is often the only way to protect lives from a debris flow or other fast-moving
landslide. Never ignore an evacuation order.

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Causes of Landslides
• Undercutting of a slope by stream erosion, wave action, glaciers, or human activity such as
road building
• Intense or prolonged rainfall, rapid snowmelt, or sharp fluctuations in ground-water levels
• Shocks or vibrations caused by earthquakes or construction activity,
• Loading on upper slopes, or
• A combination of these and other factors
Effects of Human activity
• Slope failures can be triggered by construction activity that undercuts or overloads
dangerous slopes
• Construction activity can also redirect the flow of surface or ground-water.
• Poorly planned forest clearing may increase rates of surface water run-off or ground-water
infiltration
• Inefficient irrigation or sewage effluent disposal practices may result in increased ground
water pressures, which in turn can reduce the stability of rock and sediment.
Before a Landslide
The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your property from
the effects of a landslide or debris flow:
• To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family
communications plan.
• Make a plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know
what to do, where to go, and what you will need to protect yourselves from landslides
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Connect with your local emergency services, heed evacuation warnings.

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o Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System
(EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather
Radio also provide emergency alerts.
• Leave if you have been told to evacuate or you feel it is unsafe to remain in your home.
Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your
area (example: shelter 12345).
• Prepare for landslides by following proper land-use procedures - avoid building near
steep slopes, close to mountain edges, near drainage ways or along natural erosion
valleys.
• Become familiar with the land around you. Learn whether landslides have occurred in
your area by contacting local officials. However, don’t assume that what happened
last time will happen next time. Debris flows can start in places they’ve never been
and return to slopes where they’ve already been.
• Get an assessment of your property by a qualified geotechnical professional.
• Consult a professional for advice on appropriate preventative measures for your home
or business, such as flexible pipe fittings, which can better resist breakage.
• Protect your property based on of recommendations from the ‘qualified geotechnical
professional’ and/or local city/county guidance on protection from debris flow and
flooding. You can't stop or change the path of a debris flow. However, you may be
able to protect your property from floodwaters or mud by use of sandbags, retaining
walls or k-rails (Jersey barriers).
• In mud and debris flow areas, consider building channels or deflection walls to try to
direct the flow around buildings. Be aware, however, that when a flow is big enough,
it goes where it pleases. Also, if you divert a flow and it flows on a neighbor's property,
you may be liable for damages.
• If you are at risk from a landslide talk to your insurance agent. Debris flow may be
covered by flood insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
• Gather supplies in case you have to leave immediately or if services are cut off. Keep
in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs
of pets.
o Include non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and water for several days, in
case you have to leave immediately or if services are cut off in your area. If you
are able to, set aside items like soap, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60
percent alcohol, disinfecting wipes, and general household cleaning
supplies that you can use to disinfect surfaces you touch regularly. After a
landslide, you may not have access to these supplies for days or even weeks.
o Being prepared allows you to avoid unnecessary excursions and allows you to
address minor medical issues at home, alleviating the burden on urgent care
centers and hospitals.

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During a Landslide
• Listen to local news stations on a battery-powered radio for warnings.
• Heed all warnings and evacuation notices.
o Always follow the instructions from local emergency managers. They provide
the latest recommendations based on the threat in your community.
o Make plans to shelter with friends or family in advance so that you can
evacuate to their safe location. If you are unable to do so, check with local
authorities to determine which public shelters are open. Review your previous
evacuation plan and consider alternative options to maintain social and
physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
o If you are sheltering with people who are not part of your household, be sure
to wear a mask and maintain a distance of at least six feet between yourself
and others. Masks should not be worn by children under two years old, people
who have trouble breathing, and people who cannot remove them on their
own.
o If you are told by local authorities to evacuate to a public shelter, try to bring
items that can help protect yourself and your family from COVID-19, such
as hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol, general household
cleaning supplies, and two masks per person.
• During a storm that could cause a landslide, stay alert and awake. Many deaths from
landslides occur while people are sleeping.
• Be aware that by the time you are sure a debris flow is coming, that will be too late to
get away safely. Never cross a road with water or mud flowing. Never cross a bridge if
you see a flow approaching. It can grow faster and larger too quickly for you to escape.
• If you do get stuck in the path of a landslide move uphill as quickly as possible.
• Avoid river valleys and low-lying areas during times of danger.
• If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in
water flow or water that changes from clear to muddy. These can be signs that a
landslide is coming.
After a Landslide
• Stay away from the slide area. There may be danger of additional slides.
• Listen to local radio or television stations for the latest emergency information.
• Watch for flooding. Floods sometimes follow landslides and debris flows because they
may both be started by the same conditions.
• Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide, without entering the direct slide
area. Direct rescuers to their locations.
• Report broken utility lines and damaged roadways and railways to appropriate
authorities. Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned off as quickly as
possible, preventing further hazard and injury.

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• Allow trained professionals to check the building foundation, chimney, and

surrounding land for damage.
• Replant damaged ground as soon as possible since erosion caused by loss of ground
cover can lead to flash flooding and additional landslides in the near future.
• Seek advice from a geotechnical expert for evaluating landslide hazards or designing
corrective techniques to reduce landslide risk. A professional will be able to advise you
of the best ways to prevent or reduce landslide risk, without creating further hazard.
• Continue taking steps to protect yourself from COVID-19 and other infectious
diseases, such as washing your hands often and cleaning commonly touched surfaces
with disinfecting products.
Impact of Landslides:
Short-term
• Loss of life
• Loss of property
Long- term
• Changes in landscape
• Loss of cultivable land
• Soil erosion and soil loss
• Relocation of population
Pune Landslide 2014:
• Heavy rains triggered a landslide in Pune in 2014 killing hundreds of people
• Environmentalists claimed that the landslide was a human-induced landslide.
• Deforestation and levelling of ground for cultivation were pointed out as the primary
reasons
for the landslide
• Heavy machinery such as backhoes were used to level the slopes, which has contributed to
loosening the soil to such an extent that it has impacted the hill’s drainage of water
• The windmill project had also led to large-scale erosion in the region
NDMA Guidelines on Landslide Hazard Management:
Landslide hazard management involves measures taken to avoid or mitigate the risk posed by
landslide hazards

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Fig .The components of the Landslide Disaster Management process

1. Landslide Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment: This includes delineating areas
susceptible to landslide hazards and status of landslide hazards in different areas and to
assess the resources at risk due to these hazards
2. Landslide Remediation Practice: Encouraging implementation of successful landslide
remediation and mitigation technologies.
3. Research and Development; Monitoring and Early Warning
4. Knowledge Network and Management: Establishing an effective system for gathering
information on landslides, loss assessment resulting from landslides, and the effective
dissemination of technical information and maps is an essential component of the disaster
management process.
5. Capacity Building and Training: Developing institutional capacity and training for
geoscientists engineers, and planners is necessary for effective management of the landslide
hazard.
6. Public Awareness and Education
7. Emergency Preparedness and Response: Development of coordinated landslide rapid
response capability
8. Regulation and Enforcement: Establishment of a techno-legal mechanism of landslide
hazard assessment and mitigation.
There have also been talks on formulating National Landslide Risk Management Strategies

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Tsunami
Tsunamis are giant waves caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea. Out in
the depths of the ocean, tsunami waves do not dramatically increase in height. But as the
waves travel inland, they build up to higher and higher heights as the depth of the ocean
decreases. The speed of tsunami waves depends on ocean depth rather than the distance
from the source of the wave. Tsunami waves may travel as fast as jet planes over deep waters,
only slowing down when reaching shallow waters. While tsunamis are often referred to as
tidal waves, this name is discouraged by oceanographers because tides have little to do with
these giant waves.

A tsunami can kill or injure people and damage or destroy buildings and infrastructure as
waves come in and go out. A tsunami is a series of enormous ocean waves caused by
earthquakes, underwater landslides, volcanic eruptions, or asteroids. Tsunamis can:
• Travel 20-30 miles per hour with waves 10-100 feet high.
• Cause flooding and disrupt transportation, power, communications, and the water
supply.
• Happen anywhere along U.S. coasts. Coasts that border the Pacific Ocean or Caribbean
have the greatest risk.
Most deaths caused by Tsunamis are because of Drowning.
How is a Tsunami formed?
• Seismicity generated tsunamis are result of abrupt deformation of sea floor resulting vertical
displacement of the overlying water.
• When earthquakes occur beneath the sea level, the water above the reformed area is
displaced from its equilibrium position.
• The release of energy produces tsunami waves which have small amplitude but a very long
wavelength.
• It may be caused by non-seismic event also such as a landslide or impact of a meteor.

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Measures for Safety from Tsunamis and Storm Surges in Coastal areas:
Structural measures:
1. Plantation of mangroves and coastal forests along the coast line
2. Development of a network of local knowledge centers (rural/urban) along the coast lines
to provide necessary training and emergency communication during crisis time (e.g. centers
developed by M.S. Swaminathan Foundation in Pondicherry)
3. Construction of location specific sea walls and coral reefs in consultation with experts
4. Development of break waters along the coast to provide necessary cushion against tsunami
hazards
5. Development of tsunami detection, forecasting and warning dissemination centres
6. Development of a “Bio-Shield” - a narrow strip of land along coastline.
7. Identification of vulnerable structures and appropriate retrofitting for tsunami/cyclone
resistance of all such buildings as well as appropriate planning, designing, construction of
new facilities like:
• Critical infrastructures e.g. power stations, warehouses, oil and other storage tanks etc.
located along the coastline.
• All other infrastructure facilities located in the coastal areas
• Public buildings and private houses
• All marine structures
• Construction and maintenance of national and state highways and other coastal roads

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Non-Structural Measures:
1. Strict implementation of the coastal zone regulations (within 500 m of the high tide line
with elevation of less than 15 m above.
2. Mapping the coastal area for multiple hazards, vulnerability and risk analysis up to taluka
/village level.
3. Capacity building requirements for the local people and the administration for facing the
disasters in wake of tsunami and cyclone
4. Developing tools and techniques for risk transfer in highly vulnerable areas
5. Launching a series of public awareness campaign throughout the coastal area
6. Training of local administration in forecasting warning dissemination and evacuation
techniques
7. Awareness generation and training among the fishermen,coast guards, officials from
Fisheries department and port authorities and local district officials etc., in connection with
evacuation and post tsunami storm surge management activities.
8. Studies focusing on the tsunami risk in India may be taken under NCRM project.
IF YOU ARE UNDER A TSUNAMI WARNING:
• First, protect yourself from an Earthquake. Drop, Cover, then Hold On.
• Get to high ground as far inland as possible. You can protect yourself from a tsunami
while also protecting yourself and your family from COVID-19. Protect yourself from
the effects of a tsunami by moving from the shore to safe, high grounds outside
tsunami hazard areas.
• Be alert to signs of a tsunami, such as a sudden rise or draining of ocean waters.
• Listen to emergency information and alerts.
• Evacuate: DO NOT wait! Leave as soon as you see any natural signs of a tsunami or
receive an official tsunami warning.
o Understand that your regular public shelter may not be open this year as
shelter locations may have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. CDC,
FEMA, and the American Red Cross are advising shelter operators on safety
procedures to make sure that shelters can protect people from natural
disasters while taking COVID-19 precautions. Check with local authorities for
the latest information about public shelters or download the free Red Cross
Emergency app for a list of open Red Cross shelters in your area. In addition:
▪ Always follow the instructions from local emergency managers. They
provide the latest recommendations based on the threat in your
community.
▪ Make plans to shelter with friends and family, if possible.
▪ If you must evacuate to a public shelter, try to bring items that can help
protect yourself and your family from COVID-19, such as hand

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sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol, cleaning materials,

and two masks per person. Children under 2 years old, people who
have trouble breathing, and people who cannot remove masks on their
own should not wear them. Review the CDC’s guidelines for “Going to
a Public Disaster Shelter During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
▪ Maintain a distance of at least six feet between yourself and those who
are not part of your household.
• If you are in a boat, go out to sea.
HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN A TSUNAMI THREATENS
Prepare NOW
• If you live near, or regularly visit a coastal area, learn about the risk of tsunami in the
area. Some at-risk communities have maps with evacuation zones and routes. If you
are a visitor, ask about community plans.
• Learn the signs of a potential tsunami, such as an earthquake, a loud roar from the
ocean, or unusual ocean behavior, such as a sudden rise or wall of water or sudden
draining of water showing the ocean floor.
• Know and practice community evacuation plans and map out your routes from home,
work, and play. Pick shelters 100 feet or more above sea level, or at least one mile
inland.
• Create a family emergency communication plan that has an out-of-state contact. Plan
where to meet if you get separated.
• Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also
provide emergency alerts. Sign up for email updates about COVID-19 from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Consider earthquake insurance and a flood insurance policy through the National
Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Standard homeowner’s insurance does not cover
flood or earthquake damage.
Survive DURING
• If you are in a tsunami area and there is an earthquake, then first protect yourself from
the earthquake. Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Drop to your hands and knees. Cover your
head and neck with your arms. Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops.
Crawl only if you can reach better cover, but do not go through an area with more
debris. If possible, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose, especially after
touching high-touch surfaces, to slow the spread of COVID-19.
• When the shaking stops, if there are natural signs or official warnings of a tsunami,
then move immediately to a safe place as high and as far inland as possible. Listen to
the authorities, but do not wait for tsunami warnings and evacuation orders.
• If you are outside of the tsunami hazard zone and receive a warning, then stay where
you are unless officials tell you otherwise.

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• Leave immediately if you are told to do so. Evacuation routes are often marked by a
wave with an arrow in the direction of higher ground.
• If you are in the water, then grab onto something that floats, such as a raft, tree trunk,
or door. There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread through water, however
floodwaters may contain debris, chemicals, or waste that are harmful to your health.
• If you are in a boat, then face the direction of the waves and head out to sea. If you
are in a harbor, then go inland.
Be Safe AFTER
• Listen to local alerts and authorities for information on areas to avoid and shelter
locations.
• Avoid wading in floodwater, which can contain dangerous debris. Water may be
deeper than it appears.
• Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Underground or downed power lines can
electrically charge water. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are
standing in water.
• If you become injured or sick and need medical attention, contact your healthcare
provider for further care instructions and shelter in place, if possible. If you are
experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 and let the operator know if you have,
or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, put on a mask before help arrives. If
staying at a shelter or public facility, alert shelter staff immediately so they can call a
local hospital or clinic.
• Stay away from damaged buildings, roads, and bridges.
• Document property damage with photographs. Conduct an inventory and contact
your insurance company for assistance.
• Save phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems are often down or busy after a
disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.
Tsunami Warning and Communication System
• The Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) has been established at Indian National
Centre for Ocean Information Sciences, (INCOIS - ESSO) Hyderabad.
• It has the responsibility to provide tsunami advisories to Indian Mainland and the Island
regions
Major Events
Papua New Guinea experienced 2 earthquakes on July 17, 1998, both measuring 7.0, which
produced a tsunami that ravaged 30 kilometers of northern coastline, sweeping away seven
villages with a loss of more than 2,000 lives, according to official statistics. Local sources put
the death toll at between 6,000 and 8,000.
On Dec 12, 1992, a tremor in Flores, Indonesia touched off several of them, swamping the
island of Flores with 2,000 deaths.
August 16, 1976 a tremor in the Philippines caused one to hit the Filipino island of Mindanao,
which left 5,000 dead

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Most tsunamis occur along the Pacific Rim, also know as the "Ring of Fire". The Ring of Fire
extends about 40,000 km long stretching from New Zealand, along the eastern edge of Asia,
north across the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, and south along the coast of North and South
America.
The Ring of Fire is composed over 75% of the world's active and dormant volcanoes which
produce 80% of the world’s tsunamis.
March 11, 2011 a large earthquake, 9.0 magnitude, struck just offshore in Japan triggering a
major Tsunami in Japan's east coast. Japan is also dealing with a possible nuclear
meltdown along with the earthquake and massive Tsunami.
The radiation fears added to the catastrophe that has been unfolding in Japan, where at least
10,000 people are believed to have been killed and millions of people have spent four nights
with little food, water or heating in near-freezing temperatures as they dealt with the loss of
homes and loved ones. Up to 450,000 people are in temporary shelters.
Hydro-Meteorological Disasters
Floods
Flooding is an overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods can happen during
heavy rains, when ocean waves come on shore, when snow melts quickly, or when dams or
levees break. Damaging flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover
a house to the rooftop. Floods can occur within minutes or over a long period, and may last
days, weeks, or longer. Floods are the most common and widespread of all weather-related
naturaldisasters.

Flash floods are the most dangerous kind of floods, because they combine the destructive
power of a flood with incredible speed. Flash floods occur when heavy rainfall exceeds the
ability of the ground to absorb it. They also occur when water fills normally dry creeks or
streams or enough water accumulates for streams to overtop their banks, causing rapid rises
of water in a short amount of time. They can happen within minutes of the causative rainfall,
limiting the time available to warn and protect the public.

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Causes
• The main causes of floods are
- heavy rainfall,
- inadequate capacity of rivers to carry the high flood discharge,
- Inadequate drainage to carry away the rainwater quickly to streams/ rivers.
• Landslides blocking streams; typhoons and cyclones also cause floods.
• The flood hazard is compounded by the problems of sediment deposition, drainage
congestion and synchronization of river floods with sea tides in the coastal plains.
What is a flash flood?
• A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas: washes, rivers, dry lakes and
basins.It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a severe thunderstorm, hurricane,
tropical storm,or melt water from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields.
• It may also occur after the collapse of a natural ice or debris dam, or a human structure such
as a man-made dam.
• It is distinguished from a regular flood by a timescale of less than six hours.
Uttarakhand Floods-2013- Anthropogenic Causes
Major Anthropogenic factors which contributed to the Flood:
• Indiscriminate development in hill towns and along rivers
• The unbridled growth of tourism accompanied with proliferation of roads, hotels, shops and
multi-storeyed housing in ecologically fragile areas.
• Construction of large dams
• Reckless mining of sand
• Large-scale deforestation
Lack of an early warning system, effective evacuation plans and a responsive disaster
managementsystem further worsened the situation.
If you are under a flood warning:
• Find safe shelter right away.
• Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
• Remember, just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of
moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.
• Depending on the type of flooding:
o Evacuate if told to do so.
o Move to higher ground or a higher floor.
o Stay where you are.

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Preparing for a Flood

Know Your Risk for Floods:
Visit FEMA's Flood Map Service Centre to know types of flood risk in your area. Sign up for
your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
Preparing for a Flood:
Make a plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know what
to do, where to go, and what you will need to protect yourselves from flooding. Learn and
practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response. Gather supplies, including
non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and water for several days, in case you must leave
immediately or if services are cut off in your area.
Purchase Flood Insurance: Purchase or renew a flood insurance policy. Homeowner’s
insurance policies do not cover flooding. It typically takes up to 30 days for a policy to go into
effect so the time to buy is well before a disaster. Get flood coverage under the National Flood
Insurance Program (NFIP).
InCase of Emergency: Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create
password-protected digital copies. Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels.
Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.
Staying Safe During a Flood
• Evacuate immediately, if told to evacuate. Never drive around barricades. Local
responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
• Contact your healthcare provider If you are sick and need medical attention. Wait for
further care instructions and shelter in place, if possible. If you are experiencing a
medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
• Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio or local alerting systems for current emergency
information and instructions regarding flooding.
• Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away
without warning.
• Stay inside in your if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is
rising inside the car.
• Get to the highest level if trapped in a building. Only get on the roof if necessary and
once there signal for help. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by
rising floodwater
Staying Safe After a Flood
• Pay attention to authorities for information and instructions. Return home only when
authorities say it is safe.
• Avoid driving except in emergencies.
• Wear heavy work gloves, protective clothing and boots during clean up and use
appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris.

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• People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not
enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled.
Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
• Be aware that snakes and other animals may be in your house.
• Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or
if you are standing in water. Turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock if it is safe
to do so.
• Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and contain dangerous
debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
• Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery ONLY outdoors and away from
windows.
Prevention and Mitigation of Floods:
National Flood Risk Mitigation Project (NFRMP):
• NFRMP has been envisaged for mitigation or reduction in risk, severity or consequences
of floods.
• It aims at ensuring that arrangements are in place to mobilise the resources and capability
for relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery from disasters besides creating
awareness among vulnerable communities.
Flood Management Programme:
• The scheme provides financial assistance to the state governments for undertaking flood
management works in critical areas.
Structural and Non-Structural Measures for Flood Protection in India
Structural measures
The following structural measures are generally adopted for flood protection:
• Embankments, flood walls, sea walls
• Dams and reservoirs
• Natural detention basins
• Channel improvement
• Drainage improvement
• Diversion of flood waters.
Non-structural measures
Non-structural measures include:
• Flood forecasting and warning
• Floodplain zoning
• Flood fighting
• Flood proofing
• Flood insurance.

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Effects of flood
The effects of flood are diverse and manifold which effects the land, roads, and other means
of communication, water, forests, wildlife, beels, agriculture livestock and all these leading to
diverse effects on biodiversity, ecology and environment.
• Soil erosion and degradation of land and water leads to damage of the production
base, thus adversely affecting the sustainable agriculture as well as development.
• Floods also leads to the damage of irrigation channels. The irrigation channels in the
flood prone areas either damaged or covered with soil.
• Large scale damages are seen on the live-stock and population. Heavy floods wash
away and kill the live-stocks such as domestic and wild animals. People are also
affected by floods in various ways such as washed way or attacked by diseases after
flood.
• Every year, Brahmaputra floods the national park, thus forcing animals to encroach
into human settlements.
This leads to man-animal conflict, making animals vulnerable to poaching and road accidents.
Drought
A drought is an event of prolonged shortages in the water supply, whether atmospheric
(below-average precipitation), surface water or ground water. A drought can last for months
or years, or may be declared after as few as 15 days. It can have a substantial impact on
the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region and harm to the local economy. Annual
dry seasons in the tropics significantly increase the chances of a drought developing and
subsequent bush fires. Periods of heat can significantly worsen drought conditions by
hastening evaporation of water vapour.
It is a natural disaster, which is hazardous to human beings because it results in water
shortage, damages to crops, and an increased death rate of livestock and wild animals.
It also results in shortage of electricity. Reports show, many people worldwide die during the
these extreme conditions.
In drought-prone areas certain measures such as construction of reservoirs, rain-harvest
system and stopping over-grazing could be taken. It causes increase in food prices and
unemployment.
Different Types of Drought:
1. Meteorological Drought:is based on the degree of dryness or rainfall deficit and the length
of the dry period.
2. Hydrological Drought: is based on the impact of rainfall deficits on the water supply such
as stream flow, reservoir and lake levels, and ground water table decline.
3. Agricultural Drought:refers to the impacts on agriculture by factors such as rainfall deficits,
soil water deficits, reduced ground water, or reservoir levels needed for irrigation.
4. Socio-Economic Drought: considers the impact of drought conditions (meteorological,
agricultural, or hydrological drought) on supply and demand of some economic goods such as

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fruits, vegetables, grains and meat. Socioeconomic drought occurs when the demand for an
economic good exceeds supply as a result of a weather-related deficit in water supply.

Before a Drought
The best way to prepare for a drought is to conserve water. Make conserving water a part of
your daily life.
Indoor Water Conservation Tips Before a Drought
GENERAL
• Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it. For example,
use it to water your indoor plants or garden.
• Fix dripping faucets by replacing washers. One drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons
of water a year.
• Check all plumbing for leaks and have any leaks repaired by a plumber.
• Retrofit all household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.
• Install an instant hot water heater on your sink.
• Insulate your water pipes to reduce heat loss and prevent them from breaking.
• Install a water-softening system only when the minerals in the water would damage
your pipes. Turn the softener off while on vacation.
• Choose appliances that are more energy and water efficient.
BATHROOM
• Consider purchasing a low-volume toilet that uses less than half the water of older
models. Note: In many areas, low-volume units are required by law.
• Install a toilet displacement device to cut down on the amount of water needed to
flush. Place a one-gallon plastic jug of water into the tank to displace toilet flow. Make
sure it does not interfere with the operating parts.
• Replace your showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version.
KITCHEN
• Instead of using the garbage disposal, throw food in the garbage or start a compost
pile to dispose it.

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Outdoor Water Conservation Tips Before a Drought

GENERAL
• Check your well pump periodically. If the automatic pump turns on and off while water
is not being used, you have a leak.
• Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Once
established, your plants won't need as much watering. Group plants together based
on similar water needs.
• Don't buy water toys that require a constant stream of water.
• Don't install ornamental water features (such as fountains) unless they use re-
circulated water.
• Consider rainwater harvesting where practical.
• Contact your local water provider for information and assistance.
LAWN CARE
• Position sprinklers so water lands on the lawn and shrubs and not on paved areas.
• Repair sprinklers that spray a fine mist.
• Check sprinkler systems and timing devices regularly to be sure they operate properly.
• Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches or to its highest level. A higher cut
encourages grass roots to grow deeper and holds soil moisture.
• Plant drought-resistant lawn seed. Reduce or eliminate lawn areas that are not used
frequently.
• Don't over-fertilize your lawn. Applying fertilizer increases the need for water. Apply
fertilizers that contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.
• Choose a water-efficient irrigation system such as drip irrigation for your trees, shrubs
and flowers.
• Turn irrigation down in fall and off in winter. Water manually in winter only if needed.
• Use mulch around trees and plants to retain moisture in the soil. Mulch also helps
control weeds that compete with plants for water.
• Invest in a weather-based irrigation controller—or a smart controller. These devices
will automatically adjust the watering time and frequency based on soil moisture, rain,
wind, and evaporation and transpiration rates. Check with your local water agency to
see if there is a rebate available for the purchase of a smart controller.
POOL
• Install a new water-saving pool filter. A single back flushing with a traditional filter
uses 180 to 250 gallons of water.
• Cover pools and spas to reduce water evaporation.

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During a Drought
Always observe state and local restrictions on water use during a drought. Contact your state
or local government for current information and suggestions.
Indoor Water Conservation Tips During a Drought
BATHROOM
• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other similar
waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
• Take short showers instead of baths. Turn on the water only to get wet and lather and
then again to rinse off.
• Avoid letting the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving.
• Place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water for watering plants.
KITCHEN
• Operate automatic dishwashers only when they are fully loaded. Use the "light wash"
feature to use less water.
• Hand wash dishes by filling two containers—one with soapy water and the other with
rinse water containing a small amount of chlorine bleach.
• Clean vegetables in a pan filled with water rather than running water from the tap.
• Store drinking water in the refrigerator. Do not let the tap run while you are waiting
for water to cool.
• Avoid wasting water waiting for it to get hot. Capture it for other uses such as plant
watering or heat it on the stove or in a microwave.
• Don't rinse dishes before placing them in the dishwasher, just remove large particles
of food.
• Avoid using running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight
in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
LAUNDRY
• Operate clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or set the water level for the
size of your load.
Outdoor Water Conservation Tips During a Drought
CAR WASHING
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
• If you wash your own car, use a shut-off nozzle that can be adjusted down to a fine
spray on your hose.
LAWN CARE
• Avoid over watering your lawn and water only when needed.
• A heavy rain eliminates the need for watering for up to two weeks. Most of the year,
lawns only need one inch of water per week.

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• Check the soil moisture levels with a soil probe, spade or large screwdriver. You don't
need to water if the soil is still moist. If your grass springs back when you step on it, it
doesn't need water yet.
• If your lawn does require watering, do so early in the morning or later in the evening,
when temperatures are cooler.
• Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is
watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
• Water in several short sessions rather than one long one, in order for your lawn to
better absorb moisture and avoid runoff.
• Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean leaves and other debris from your
driveway or sidewalk.
• Avoid leaving sprinklers or hoses unattended. A garden hose can pour out 600 gallons
or more in only a few hours.
• In extreme drought, allow lawns to die in favor of preserving trees and large shrubs.
Drought Prevention and Mitigation:
Drought can be mitigated by two kinds of measures, either by adopting preventive measures
or by developing a preparedness plan

Impacts of Drought:
Environmental:
• Moisture Stress
• Drinking Water Shortage
• Damage to Natural Vegetation and Various Ecosystems
• Increased Air And Water Pollution

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Socio-economic:
• Malnutrition
• Poor Hygiene
• Ill Health
• Migration
• Increased Stress and Morbidity
• Social Strife
Well-known historical droughts include:
• 1900 India killing between 250,000 to 3.25 million.
• 1921–22 Soviet Union in which over 5 million perished from starvation due to drought
• 1928–30 Northwest China resulting in over 3 million deaths by famine.
• 1936 and 1941 Sichuan Province China resulting in 5 million and 2.5 million deaths
respectively.
• The 1997–2009 Millenium Drought in Australian led to a water supply crisis across
much of the country. As a result many desalination plants were built for the first time
(see list).
• In 2006, Sichuan Province China experienced its worst drought in modern times with
nearly 8 million people and over 7 million cattle facing water shortages.
• 12-year drought that was devastating southwest Western Australia, southeast South
Australia, Victoria and northern Tasmania was "very severe and without historical
precedent".
• In 2011, the State of Texas lived under a drought emergency declaration for the entire
calendar year. The drought caused the Bastrop fires.

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Cyclones
Cyclones are caused by atmospheric disturbances around a low pressure area distinguished
by swift and often destructive air circulation. They are usually accompanied by violent storms
and bad weather. There is no history of any cyclone in this area. However in such an instance,
the occupants will be advised to stay in the shelter in tightly secured windows and doors. The
glass of windows etc. will be covered with paper/cardboards to avoid glass breaking due to
flying objects outside.

Cyclones can be the most intense storms on Earth. A cyclone is a system of winds rotating
counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere around a low pressure center. The swirling air
rises and cools, creating clouds and precipitation.
There are two types of cyclones: middle latitude (mid-latitude) cyclones and tropical cyclones.
Mid-latitude cyclones are the main cause of winter storms in the middle latitudes. Tropical
cyclones are also known as hurricanes.
An anticyclone is the opposite of a cyclone. An anticyclone’s winds rotate clockwise in the
Northern Hemisphere around a center of high pressure. Air comes in from above and sinks to
the ground. High pressure centers generally have fair weather.
Mid-Latitude Cyclones

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Mid-latitude cyclones, sometimes called extratropical cyclones, form at the polar front when
the temperature difference between two air masses is large. These air masses blow past each
other in opposite directions. Coriolis Effect deflects winds to the right in the Northern
Hemisphere, causing the winds to strike the polar front at an angle. Warm and cold fronts
form next to each other. Most winter storms in the middle latitudes, including most of the
United States and Europe, are caused by mid-latitude cyclones. The warm air at the cold front
rises and creates a low pressure cell. Winds rush into the low pressure and create a rising
column of air. The air twists, rotating counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and
clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Since the rising air is moist, rain or snow falls.
Mid-latitude cyclones form in winter in the mid-latitudes and move eastward with the
westerly winds. These two- to five-day storms can reach 1,000 to 2,500 km (625 to 1,600
miles) in diameter and produce winds up to 125 km (75 miles) per hour. Like tropical cyclones,
they can cause extensive beach erosion and flooding.Mid-latitude cyclones are especially
fierce in the mid-Atlantic and New England states where they are called nor’easters, because
they come from the northeast. About 30 nor’easters strike the region each year.
Cyclones are not only present on Earth but also spotted on other planets like Mars, Jupiter,
and Neptune. The Great Red Spot is the hurricane on Jupiter which is going on from 340 years.
Great Black Spot was spotted in the Southern Hemisphere of Neptune.
How is a Cyclone formed?
When it comes to the formation or strengthening of a cyclone, Cyclogenesis plays a crucial
role. It is an umbrella term to identify several different processes that result in a cyclone.
Tropical cyclones are formed over warm ocean water near the equator. Warm moist air near
the surface of the ocean rises upwards. This creates a low-pressure area near the surface. This
results in the movement of cooler air from surrounding areas into the low-pressure area. Now
even this cool air becomes warm and moist and rises up. The above cycle keeps continuing.
The warm moist air which rises up, cools the water in the air, resulting in the formation of
clouds. This whole system of clouds and winds spins and grows. This entire cycle continues
resulting in a cyclone. When the winds reach a speed of 63 mph, it is called a tropical storm,
when the winds reach a speed of 119 kmph it is called a tropical cyclone or hurricane.
Hurricanes
Tropical cyclones have many names. They are called hurricanes in the North Atlantic and
eastern Pacific oceans, typhoons in the western Pacific Ocean, tropical cyclones in the Indian
Ocean, and willi-willi’s in the waters near Australia. By any name, they are the most damaging
storms on Earth. Hurricanes arise in the tropical latitudes (between 10 degrees and 25
degrees N) in summer and autumn when sea surface temperature are 28 degrees C (82
degrees F) or higher. The warm seas create a large humid air mass. The warm air rises and
forms a low pressure cell, known as a tropical depression. Thunderstorms materialize around
the tropical depression.If the temperature reaches or exceeds 28 degrees C (82 degrees F)
the air begins to rotate around the low pressure (counterclockwise in the Northern
Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere).
As the air rises, water vapor condenses, releasing energy from latent heat. If wind shear is
low, the storm builds into a hurricane within two to three days.Hurricanes are huge with high
winds. The exception is the relatively calm eye of the storm where air is rising upward. Rainfall
can be as high as 2.5 cm (1″) per hour, resulting in about 20 billion metric tons of water

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released daily in a hurricane. The release of latent heat generates enormous amounts of
energy, nearly the total annual electrical power consumption of the United States from one
storm. Hurricanes can also generate tornadoes.

Prepare for Hurricanes

Know your Hurricane Risk: Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Find out how rain, wind,
water, even tornadoes could happen far inland from where a hurricane or tropical storm
makes landfall. Start preparing now.
Make an Emergency Plan
Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands your hurricane plan. In your
hurricane plans include the office, kids’ daycare, and anywhere you frequent. Ensure your
business has a continuity plan to continue operating when disaster strikes.
Discuss the latest Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and
how it may affect your hurricane planning.
Know your Evacuation Zone
You may have to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane if you live in an evacuation zone. Learn
your evacuation routes, practice with household, pets, and identify where you will stay.
• Follow the instructions from local emergency managers, who work closely with state,
local, tribal, and territorial agencies and partners. They will provide the latest
recommendations based on the threat to your community and appropriate safety
measures.
Recognize Warnings and Alerts
Have several ways to receive alerts. Download the FEMA app and receive real-time alerts
from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. Sign up for community
alerts in your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless
Emergency Alert (WEA)- which requires no-sign up.
Those with Disabilities
If you or anyone in your household is an individual with a disability identify if you may need
additional help during an emergency.

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Prevention and Mitigation:

National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP)
• upgrade cyclone forecasting, tracking and warning systems,
• build capacity in multi-hazard risk management
•Construct major infrastructures including multi-purpose cyclone shelters and embankments.
Principal Components: The major components under the scheme are:
1. Community mobilisation and training
2. Cyclone Risk Mitigation Infrastructure (construction of cyclone shelters, roads/missing links
and construction/repair of Saline Embankments etc.)
3.Technical assistance for capacity building on Disaster Risk Management (risk assessment,
damage and need assessment)
4.Capacity Building and knowledge creation along with project management and
implementation support
Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP)
Objective:To assist the Government in building the national capacity for implementation of a
comprehensive coastal management approach in the country and piloting the integrated
coastal zone management approach in states of Gujarat, Orissa and West Bengal.
Four Components:
1. Capacity Building: It includes mapping, delineation and demarcation of the hazard lines,
and delineation of coastal sediment cells all along the mainland coast of India.
2. Piloting ICZM approaches in Gujarat: This component will support capacity building of the
state level agencies and institutions, including preparation of an ICZM plan for the coastal
sediment cell that includes the Gulf of Kachchh and pilot investments.
3. Piloting ICZM approaches in Orissa: It provides for capacity building of the state level
agencies and institutions, including preparation of an ICZM plan for the coastal sediment cells
(the stretches of Paradip-Dhamra and Gopalpur-Chilika), including a regional coastal process
study, and pilot investments.
4. Piloting ICZM approaches in West Bengal

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Thunderstorms & Lightning

Lightning is a leading cause of injury and death from weather-related hazards. Although most
lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term,
debilitating symptoms.
Thunderstorms are dangerous storms that include lightning and can create or cause:
• Powerful winds over 50 mph
• Hail
• Flash flooding and/or tornadoes

Prepare for Thunderstorms & Lightning

Know Your Risk
Know your area’s risk for thunderstorms. In most places they can occur year-round and at any
hour. Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System
(EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also
provide emergency alerts.
Strengthen Your Home
Cut down or trim trees that may be in danger of falling on your home. Consider buying surge
protectors, lightning rods or a lightning protection system to protect your home, appliances
and electronic devices.
Make an Emergency Plan
Create an emergency plan so that you and your family know what to do, where to go and
what you will need to protect yourselves from the effects of a thunderstorm. Identify sturdy
buildings close to where you live, work, study and play.
Stay Safe During Thunderstorms & Lightning
If you are under a thunderstorm warning:
• When thunder roars, go indoors! Move from outdoors into a building or car with a
roof.
• Pay attention to alerts and warnings.
• Avoid using electronic devices connected to an electrical outlet.
• Avoid running water.

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• Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Do not drive through flooded roadways. Just six inches of
fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your
vehicle away.
Stay Safe After Thunderstorms & Lightning
• Pay attention to authorities and weather forecasts for information on whether it is
safe to go outside and instructions regarding potential flash flooding.
• Watch for fallen power lines and trees. Report them immediately.
Avalanche
An avalanche is a large amount of snow moving quickly down a mountain, typically on slopes
of 30 to 45 degrees. When an avalanche stops, the snow becomes solid like concrete and
people are unable to dig out. People caught in avalanches can die from suffocation, trauma
or hypothermia.
Avalanches can:
• Be caused by people, new snow and wind.
• Move at speeds of 60 to 80 MPH.
• Peak during the period of December through March.

How to Protect Yourself from an Avalanche

The most important actions you can take to survive an avalanche are done before it happens.
Know your Avalanche risk
Learn about your local avalanche risk. Know the signs of increased danger, including recent
avalanches and shooting cracks across slopes. Avoid areas of increased risk, such as slopes
steeper than 30 degrees or areas under steep slopes. Get training on how to recognize
hazardous conditions and avalanche-prone locations. Sign up for alerts from a U.S. Forest
Service Avalanche Center near you. Your community may also have a local warning system.
Preparing for Avalanche
Get proper equipment to protect yourself from head injuries and create air pockets. Receive
first aid training so you can recognize and treat suffocation, hypothermia, traumatic injury
and shock. Wear a helmet to help reduce head injuries and create air pockets. Wear an
avalanche beacon to help rescuers locate you. Use an avalanche airbag that may help you
from being completely buried. Carry a collapsible avalanche probe and a small shovel to help
rescue others.

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Consider Overlapping Hazards: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Remember, there is no

evidence that cold weather and snow can kill the coronavirus disease. Be sure to have several
clean masks to use in case your mask becomes wet or damp from snow. Cloth masks should
not be worn when they become damp or wet. Be sure to wash your mask regularly.
Masks may make it difficult to breathe, especially for those engaging in high intensity
activities. Remove your mask if you are having difficulty breathing. If you are unable to wear
a mask, maintain a distance of at least six feet between yourself and others.
Signs of Avalanches
Learn the signs of an avalanche, and how to use safety and rescue equipment.
Follow avalanche warnings on roads. Roads may be closed, or vehicles may be advised not to
stop on the roadside.
Stay Safe During an Avalanche
• Use and carry safety equipment and rescue gear.
• If your partner or others are buried, call 9-1-1 and then begin to search if it is safe to
do so.
• If you have the proper training, treat others for suffocation, hypothermia, traumatic
injury or shock.
Returning After an Avalanche
Know the signs and ways to treat hypothermia.
• Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A body temperature below 95
degrees is an emergency.
o Signs: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred
speech and drowsiness.
o Actions: Go to a warm room or shelter. Warm the center of the body first—
chest, neck, head and groin. Keep the person dry and wrapped up in warm
blankets, including the head and neck.
• Engage virtually with your community through video and phone calls. Know that it’s
normal to feel anxious or stressed. Take care of your body and talk to someone if you
are feeling upset.
Heat and cold waves
Changes in temperature extremes tend to follow mean temperature changes in many parts
of the world. IPCC indicate that cold extreme cold extremes warm faster than warm extremes
by about 30% – 40% globally averaged (Andreas Strerl et al, 2008). Many areas of society are
susceptible to the effects of extreme temperatures. Unusually high summer temperatures
raise power demand for air conditioning, increase heat stress on crops, and may create
dangerous conditions for human health. Low winter temperatures may cause damaging frosts
and freezes, increase heating demands, and may disrupt transportation
Extreme heat and cold occur somewhere in the world every year and can afflict nearly every
location on Earth. Heat waves are periods of unusually high temperatures, usually lasting
three days to three weeks. Typically, heat waves are characterized by temperatures of 35°C

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(95°F) or higher, although lower temperatures accompanied by high humidity levels can also
be considered a heat wave. Cold snaps are commonly three days to three weeks in duration,
with temperatures usually falling below -15°C (5°F).
Temperature extremes are most common in the mid-latitude regions, especially near the
interior of large continents, such as North America. Here, without the moderating effects of
the oceans, winter minimum temperatures can drop below -20°C (-4°F) and above 40°C
(104°F) for several weeks.
1. Heat Wave
Heat wave or extreme heat is the temperatures that hover 10 degrees or more above the
average high temperature for the region and last for several weeks are defined as extreme
heat. Humid or muggy conditions, which add to the discomfort of high temperatures, occur
when a "dome" of high atmospheric pressure traps hazy, damp air near the ground.
Excessively dry and hot conditions can provoke dust storms and low visibility. Droughts occur
when a long period passes without substantial rainfall. A heat wave combined with a drought
is a very dangerous situation
A basic definition of a heat wave implies that it is an extended period of unusually high
atmosphere-related heat stress, which causes temporary modifications in lifestyle and which
may have adverse health consequences for the affected population. Thus, although a heat
wave is a meteorological event, it cannot be assessed without reference to human impacts
Impacts/damages
People living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave
than people living in rural regions. Heat wave impacts are widespread. While a large number
of deaths may not occur in a single city every year, the cumulative impacts across broad
regions over several days to weeks can result in heavy loss of life. Many more hundreds of
deaths are associated with excessive heat attributed to heart attack, stroke, and also
respiratory stress. Most deaths occur in urban areas where concrete, asphalt, and physical
structures raise temperatures in urban heat islands, and nighttime temperatures remain
above average. Heat waves also impact farming and ranching through loss of cattle and other
livestock. Below are several impacts caused by heat waves:
1. Illnesses caused by exposure to high temperatures include heat cramps, fainting, heat
exhaustion, heatstroke, and death.
2. Population at increased risk especially older and younger people, risk of dehydration,
low fitness/excessive exertion, etc.
3. Another reason of death during heat wave is because of living alone. Studies designed
to investigate why some people died during the 1995 and 1999 heat waves in Chicago
found that the strongest risk factor was living alone, particularly for those who did not
leave home daily.
Effects
The worst heat wave in recent history was the European Heat Wave of 2003.
A summer heat wave in Victoria, Australia, created conditions which fuelled the massive
bushfires in 2009. Melbourne experienced three days in a row of temperatures exceeding

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40°C (104°F) with some regional areas sweltering through much higher temperatures. The
bushfires, collectively known as "Black Saturday", were partly the act of arsonists.
The 2010 Northern Hemisphere summer resulted in severe heat waves, which killed over
2,000 people. It resulted in hundreds of wildfires which causing widespread air pollution, and
burned thousands of square miles of forest.
Heat waves can occur in the ocean as well as on land with significant effects (often on a large
scale) e.g. coral bleaching.
Emergency Action
What you should do if the weather is extremely hot:
• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
• Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.
• Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries,
schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, and other community facilities. Circulating
air can cool the body by increasing the perspiration rate of evaporation.
• Eat well-balanced, light, and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to
do so by a physician.
• Drink plenty of water. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are
on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor
before increasing liquid intake.
• Limit intake of alcoholic beverages.
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as
possible.
• Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who
spend much of their time alone.
• Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
• Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when
working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks.
Deaths due to Heat Waves in India:
In recent years, heat wave induced casualties have increased.

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2. Cold Wave
A cold wave is a weather phenomenon that is distinguished by marked cooling of the air, or
the invasion of very cold air, over a large area. It can also be prolonged period of excessively
cold weather, which may be accompanied by high winds that cause excessive wind chills,
leading to weather that seems even colder than it is. Cold waves can be preceded or
accompanied by significant winter weather events, such as blizzards or ice storms. Other
names of a cold wave include cold snap and deep freeze.
Impacts/damages
Some impacts of cold wave
• Sudden cold waves can have detrimental effects on human beings. A cold wave that
is unexpected can cause frost bites, hypothermia or other serious medical aliments.
• A lot of damage is caused to animals and wildlife. When a cold wave comes along with
heavy and incessant snowfall, animals may not be able to graze and thus die out of
starvation. In order to feed livestock, farmers have to pay high prices for buying their
food.
• There can be cases of damage when water pipelines freeze and burst.
• There is a rise in the demand for fuels and electricity.
Emergency Action
Emergency response guidelines on cold wave:
• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• Listen to the radio or television for weather reports and emergency information.
• Conserve fuel, if necessary, by temporarily closing off heat to some rooms.
• Eat to supply heat to the body and drink non-alcoholic beverages to avoid
dehydration.
• Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight; warm clothing rather than one layer
of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
• Carry a "basic vehicle emergency kit" in the trunk of your vehicle.
Hailstorm
A hailstorm is an unusual weather phenomenon in which balls of ice, called hail, fall from the
sky. The ice balls are nothing more than solid precipitation that will form under certain
conditions.

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Fast Facts about Hail

• Hail is formed at high altitudes within massive clouds when supercooled water
droplets adhere to each other and form layers of ice.
• The average velocity of a falling hailstone is approximately 106 miles per hour (mph).
What causes a hailstorm to occur?
Several conditions are required in the atmosphere in order for hailstorms to occur. Highly
developed Cumulonimbus clouds need to be present. These are the massive anvil or
mushroom shaped clouds that are seen during thunderstorms which can reach heights up to
65,000 feet. There must also be strong currents of air ascending through these clouds. These
currents are commonly known as updrafts. The updrafts contain ice particles, as a large
number of water droplets become solid ice at the low temperatures found at high altitudes
within the massive clouds. The last remaining condition is that the clouds will need to contain
high concentrations of supercooled liquid water.
How does hail form?
A hailstone begins as a water droplet that is swept up by an updraft inside of a thundercloud.
Inside the cloud, there are a large number of other supercooled water droplets already
present. These supercooled particles will adhere to the water droplet’s surface, forming layers
of ice around it. As the water droplet reaches higher elevations within the cloud it comes into
contact with more and more supercooled particles. This is because it is at the highest parts of
the cloud, where the temperature is too low (at least 32 degrees Fahrenheit) for water
molecules to remain in either a liquid or gaseous state. The hail embryo will grow larger and
larger as it reaches higher altitudes in the updraft.
The hailstone will reach a size and weight where gravity will begin to act on it and pull it down.
However, this is not necessarily the end of its formation, as it could be pulled into another
strong updraft and remain in the upper part of the cloud. A stone the size of a golf ball would
need an updraft flowing at 60 miles per hour (mph) to keep it elevated in the cloud. The size
the hailstone reaches depends on the amount of time it spends surrounded by supercooled
water droplets, but eventually gravity causes the stone to fall to the Earth.
During this process hailstones can become considerably large. In 2010, the largest hailstone
found in the United States (Vivian, South Dakota) was 8 inches in diameter, 18.5 inches in
circumference, and weighed approximately two pounds. As gravity takes over, they will fall
to Earth at approximately 106 miles per hour. The exact velocity each stone falls at will vary
depending on several conditions, such as weight, air friction and collisions with other
suspended objects.
A particularly damaging hailstorm hit Munich, Germany, on July 12, 1984, causing about 2
billion dollars in insurance claims.

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