Disaster Management (18EE753)

Module-1
1) Define disasters? Explain the different types of disasters?

• According to WHO, "A disaster is an event that causes damage, economic disruption, loss
of human life and deterioration of health and the health of societies on a scale sufficient
to warrant an extra-ordinary response from outside the effected community or area".
• Any extreme hazard event becomes a disaster when it severely affects the human
habitation, its social, economic activities and health services on a large scale and badly
requires mitigating response from outside the affected community or area.
• Any extreme hazard event becomes a disaster when it severely affects the human
habitation, its social, economic activities and health services on a large scale and badly
requires mitigating response from outside the affected community or area. Natural
disasters cause havoc to life and property every year the world over.
• Disasters are triggered by natural events or man-made, in either case the event casts ill
effects on man, animal or environment. Natural hazards have no political boundaries and
no one can stop them. However, it is certainly possible to reduce the ill effects to a large
extent by mass education, preparedness and response.
• Natural hazards are associated with geological, atmospheric, ecological and biological
events. These can be categorized as: (i) meteorological (including hydrological) (ii) other
types.
• The most common natural hazards associated with meteorological events are: Tropical
cyclones, Hurricanes, Typhoons, Tornadoes, Waterspouts, Thunderstorms, Hailstorms,
Norwesters, Sand/Dust storms, Heat waves, widespread snowfall, smog, fog and climate
change.
• The hydrological hazards are floods, droughts, avalanches, tsunamis. The other types of
hazards include earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes, forest fires, infestations etc.
• Man-made disasters include accidents (like train, bus, plane etc.), big fires, bomb
explosions, caving of mines, food poisoning, hooch tragedies, chemical contamination
(pollution of air, water and soil), nuclear accidents, human suicide bombs, extremist
attacks, hostages and killings, mutiny, war, communal flares, mass exodus, weapons of
mass destruction etc.
• The root cause of many of man-made disasters are attributed to social evils, supremacy
of one man or society over the other, ignorance, revenge and hatred. Some known
examples are:
(i) Nuclear/ atomic bomb explosions - Atom bomb explosions over Nagasaki,
Hiroshima cities in Japan.
(ii) Biological chemical- Pathogens, Bird flu, Madcow disease, Anthrax.
(iii) Radioactive chemicals - Chernobyl (Russia 1986) nuclear accident, Bhopal
(India) Isocyanide gas fumes tragedy (1998).
(iv) Smog tragedy - Over London (1952), Mouse valley Belgium (1930), Los Angeles
(1944), Disaster Management Plan (DMP) - General 9
(v) Human suicide bombs - 9111 aircraft explosions over World Trade Centre,
Perumbavoor (India, Tamil Nadu) Rajiv Gandhi assassination etc.
(vi) History provides unending tragedies of wars. In recent times both natural and
man-made disasters are in the increasing trend, which is attributed to population
explosion, ignorance, pervertedness and negligence.
2) Explain the general disaster management planning system in our country?
• A world conference on Natural Disaster Reduction held recently (Jan 2005) at Kobe, Japan
adopted the: Hyogo Frame work of action plan by 168 Governments, India is one of them.

• In pursuance of this action plan, Government of India passed Disaster Management Act
in both houses of parliament in 2005 and it was approved by the President of India on
23rd Dec 2005. Under this Act, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was
created under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister.

• In accordance with this Act, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and National
Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) are to be created, the later will work under the
guideline of NDMA.

• At the behest of NDMA, State Governments creating State Disaster Management

Authority at the State HQ, under the Chairmanship of respective State Chief Ministers,
(Governors for Union Territories). At district/ mandaI/village level, DMA shall work under
District Collector, MandaI Revenue Officer, Sarpanch respectively, roping in workers both
from government and NGO's.

• NDMA aim to build a safer, holistic, proactive, multi-displinary disaster management

system.

• Local committees shall be formed involving stakeholders, NGOs, Corporate Sector,

Volunteers, Indian Red Cross Society, NCC, Scout and Guides, Civil Defense, Home Guards,
District, Mandal and Local Panchayat Representatives and Prominent Doctors, retired
Teachers, Postman etc.

• Earth and Atmospheric Disasters Management: Natural and Man-made, for the purpose
of disaster management a specialized response force will be developed with a deputation
of eight battalion well trained force which will be positioned at vulnerable locations.

• These NDRF units maintain close liaison with various local State Department and other
stakeholders. These NDRF units provide training to other local units in the state-of-the-
art equipments.

• For disaster mitigation a number of disaster mitigation projects shall be initiated in

respect of cyclones. earthquakes, floods, droughts, medical preparedness, mass casualty
management, National mitigation reserves, Information and Communication Networks,
shall be developed using the latest technologies.

• Research and development shall be encouraged on micro zonation, risk assessment and
vulnerability analysis. High priority will be given for strengthening early warning system
using latest technologies like Radar, Satellites and Communication system.
 • NDMA provides guidelines to the states in coordination with stakeholders on
preparedness and mitigation of floods, cyclones, earthquakes, chemical (industrial)
disaster, medical preparedness, biological hazards, Insurance and disaster preparedness
involving local people.

3) Explain the mechanism of cyclone formation?

• Tropical cyclones generally form over warm sea waters (temperature 26°C or more).

• Equatorial regions between lat S or SoS are not favorable for the formation of cyclones.
• The average life span of a cyclone is about six days until they land or recurve into
temperate latitudes. Some have life of few hours, while others may last for about two
weeks.
• In northern hemisphere the wind and cloud bands spiral in anticlockwise sense while in
southern hemisphere they spiral in clockwise sense.
• Tropical cyclones have four stages of life cycle. Formative, immature, mature and
decaying stage. There is no set duration that a stonn may be in one stage. The stonn may
skip any stage or go through in such a short period that it is not possible to distinguish
with synoptic available data. On some occasions it is difficult to say, in any stage of
development.
 • A fully developed cyclonic storm can be divided horizontally at surface level into four
regions.
• The central area (radius 20 to 50 km) with calm or light winds and generally clear sky, is
called the Eye of the cyclone. The eyewall cloud mass is shown in figure. The adjacent
ring-shaped area (ring width 10 to 20 km) with virtually overcast sky, towering cumulus
and cumulonimbus clouds is called Wall-cloud Region. The third region of ring-shaped
area, radius extending upto 80 km from the centre, with strong hurricane winds (speed
118 kmph or more) is called a belt of hurricane winds. The fourth, last region extending
200 to 500 km radius from the centre is called outer ring region.
• The diameter of a tropical cyclone is of the order 100 to 1000 km or more. Some may
have diameter as small as 30 km. The greatest damage caused by a cyclone is its hurricane
winds and storm surges (tides).
• At sea, some storms produce distinctive heavy swell, that effects ocean shipping. As storm
travels and approaches the coast, the piling up of water by strong winds produce a
disastrous storm surge (tidal wave) which inundate coastal areas, particularly river mouth
deltaic areas.

4) Explain the classification of low-pressure systems?

Classification of Low-Pressure Systems Tropical cyclones are the intense atmospheric low-
pressure systems that form over the sea, where sea surface temperature is more than 26 °c. They
germinate as tropical disturbances or low-pressure areas. IMD classified these low-pressure
systems based on surface wind speed over sea area is given.
5) Write a note on statistics of cyclonic storms over Indian seas?
• Statistics of Cyclonic Storms Over Indian Seas Studies of past historical cyclone data
indicate that about 85% of depressions intensify into cyclonic storms withing 48 hours of
their formation and within 12 to 24 hrs on 40% of the occasions. Cyclonic storms attain
severe intensity within 36 hours on 75% of the occasions.
• More than 50% of cyclonic disturbances that form in the Bay of Bengal in the months of
March, April, May, November and December intensify into cyclonic storms. The Table 2.7
gives the statistics of cyclonic storms over Indian seas of 100 years (1891 to 1990) and it
gives Statistics of CS and SCS crossing the coast during 1891-2000. Statistics of CS and SCS
crossing Indian coast during 1891-2000.
• In Indian seas the annual average of cyclonic disturbances is about 16 (Bay of Bengal 13)
and standard deviation is 3.1. Its variation is 7 in 1984 and 23 in 1927. The annual average
of tropical cyclones (in indian seas) is about 6 (that is about 7% of global total), standard
deviation is 1.85. Its variation is 1 in 1949 and 10 in each of the years 1893, 1926, 1930
and 1976. The average life period of cyclones in Indian seas is 1.5 days.

• The world’s longest record life period of tropical cyclone is 31 days, in case of Hurricane
Ginger formed in Atlantic Ocean in 1972, while in Indian seas 14 days (2-15 Nov 1886 and
 16-19 Nov 1964). The radius of global tropical cyclones varies 50-100 km to 2000 km,
while a large number of cyclones in Indian seas had diameter less than 100 km

• . The maximum number of tropical cyclones form in western parts of north Pacific (about
33% of the global storms) while the southern parts of eastern Pacific, south Atlantic are
free from tropical cyclones. The lowest pressure in a tropical cyclone occurs in its Eye
(central) region. The global lowest pressure of 870 hPa was recorded in Typhoon Tip in
Pacific on 12 October 1979, which had sustained wind speed of 165 kt.

• The most intense Earth and Atmospheric Disasters Management: Natural and Man-made
cyclone in Indian seas was Falsepoint Orissa cyclone, which recorded the central pressure
(Eye) of 918.9 hPa on 22 September 1885, and sustained wind speed 136 kt, tidal height
6 to 7 meters. In case of Diviseema Andhra cyclone of 19 November 1977, the estimated
central (Eye) pressure was 911 hPa and maximum sustained wind speed was 140 kt with
tidal height 5 meters.

6) Write a note on movement of cyclones in Indian seas?

• Movement of Cyclones in Indian Seas Prediction of the movement of a cyclone is a very

difficult job because it is erratic. However, the past data of more than 100 years reveal
the climatic movement.
• The number of cyclones that cross or accost or skirt the east coast of Sri Lanka, Tamil
Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Bangladesh is highest during October, November, December,
 while that affect Orissa, West Bengal, Arakan coasts is maximum during monsoon (June,
September) months and March, April, May.
• Most of the cyclonic storms (about 65%) form in the months of April, May and in October,
November and December. During January, February and March cyclones do not form in
Arabian sea, while in Bay of Bengal they are a few and far between.
• In these months they originate between lat 5~ and 8~, move in a westerly or
northwesterly direction and hit the coast of north Tamil Nadu and east coast of Sri Lanka.
During April, May they form between lat 8~ and 15~, move initially in a northwesterly or
northerly direction and then recurve.
• In Bay of Bengal the whole east coast of India, coastal areas of Bangladesh and Arakan
coast of Myanmar are prone to the incidence of cyclones. In Arabian sea, they move
towards the coast of Arabia.
• A few moves in northerly direction towards Maharastra, Gujarat coasts. Tracks of storms
during May and November can be seen in the figure.
• During June to September (monsoon months) there will mostly be monsoon depressions
and rarely cyclonic storms. During June, in Bay of Bengal, they originate between lat 16~
and 21 ~ and west of long 92°E, move in a northwesterly direction, cross coast and
weaken. During July, August, in Bay of Bengal, they originate between lat 16~-2 I ~ and
west of long 92°E, move in a northwesterly or west north-westerly direction and cross
coast between the zone of lat 20~ - 25~.

• In Arabian sea there is abrupt fall from June to almost nil in July, August, September.
During September Bay storms originate north of lat 15~ and west of long 900 E, move
initially in west or northwesterly direction, later recurve towards north-north-east.

• During October, November the Bay cyclonic storms originate between lat 8~ and 14°N,
move initially in northwesterly or west-north-westerly direction. Most of them later
recurve north-eastwards.

• During these months north coastal Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Bangladesh coasts are vulnerable
to the incidence of cyclones. In Arabian sea they move initially west or northwesterly
direction upto lat 15~ then recurve northeast wards and hit Maharashtra, Gujarat coasts.
 • During December the frequency of storms fall. Most of the Bay cyclones originate
between lat 5~-1 O~ and move initially in a northwesterly direction, strike Tamil Nadu
coast or northeast coast of Sri Lanka.

• A few of these cross-south peninsula and enter into Arabian sea. The position of
formation of Tropical storms migrates with the movement the sun both northwards and
southwards.

7) Write a note on storm surges?

STORM SURGE

• A storm surge is a rise in sea level that occurs during tropical cyclones, intense storms
also known as typhoons or hurricanes. The storms produce strong winds that push
the water into shore, which can lead to flooding. This makes storm surges very
dangerous for coastal regions.
• Tropical cyclones are circular storms characterized by high winds and heavy rainfall.
They form over warm, tropical oceans. The center of a cyclone is called the eye. The
eye is surrounded by a ring of clouds called the eye wall, where the winds are
strongest. Surrounding the eye wall are clouds that spiral outward, called spiraling
rain bands.
• A storm surge is primarily caused by the relationship between the winds and the
ocean’s surface. The water level rises where the winds are strongest. In addition,
 water is pushed in the direction the winds are blowing. The rotation of the Earth
causes winds to move toward the right in the Northern Hemisphere and toward the
left in the Southern Hemisphere—a phenomenon known as the Coriolis effect. If a
cyclone develops in the Northern Hemisphere, the surge will be largest in the right-
forward part of the storm. In the Southern Hemisphere, the surge will be largest in
the left-forward part of the cyclone.
• Another factor contributing to storm surge is atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric
pressure is the force exerted by the weight of air in the Earth’s atmosphere. The
pressure is higher at the edges of a cyclone than it is at the center. This pushes down
the water in the outer parts of the storm, causing the water to bulge at the eye and
eye wall—where the winds have helped add to the rise in sea level.
• More factors contribute to the strength of a storm surge as the dome of water comes
ashore. The water level can reach as high as 10 meters (33 feet) if the storm surge
happens at the same time as high tide. The slope of the land just off the coast also
plays a part: Water will more easily flood a shallow coast than a steep one.

• When a cyclone hits land, the accompanying storm surge will most often flood the
surrounding coastal area. Flooding is responsible for most deaths
and economic damage associated with tropical cyclone landfalls. When
a hurricane hit Galveston, Texas, in 1900, the storm surge was responsible for
approximately 6,000 deaths. In East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), the Bhola
cyclone killed as many as 500,000 people in 1970. The storm surge from the Bhola
cyclone was estimated to be 10 meters (33 feet) high.

• Government agencies can arrange for residents to evacuate. Some residents don’t
have cars and may require transportation to safer ground. Others may not have a
place to go and require emergency shelter. Many residents, such as those in hospitals
and prisons, are especially at risk.

• Advance warning of a strong storm surge also allows homes and businesses to prepare
for damage. Business owners can relocate expensive machinery or tools to safe areas,
and homeowners can board up windows to protect against strong floods or move
furniture and other valuables to a second story.