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DISASTER MANAGEMENT

SYLLABUS: DISASTER MANAGEMENT

✓ Introduction to Disasters: Concepts, definitions, disaster classifications including natural and man-
made disasters.

✓ Social and Environmental impacts of disasters.

✓ Disaster profile of the country.

✓ Approaches to Disaster Risk Reductions.

✓ Disaster management models. Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders including community,

Concept of first responders.

✓ Interrelationship of disaster and development.

✓ Disaster management in India including Disaster Management ACT 2005, National and state policies,
Plans and institutional mechanism in the country.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS: HPAS MAINS

1. Explain voluntary disasters with suitable examples. 4 Marks

2. Define Cloud Burst. 4 Marks

3. Suggest two ways of disaster risk reduction with appropriate example. 4 Marks

4. Explain briefly Disaster Management Act, 2005. 4 Marks

5. Write a short note on national disaster management authority. 4 Marks

6. Distinguish between natural and man-made disasters. 4 Marks

8. Define Hybrid disaster. 4 Marks

9. Write a Note on Morbi Disaster. 4 Marks

10. What is Hazard Mapping? Why is it essential? 4 marks

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QUESTIONS WITH MODEL ANSWERS

1. Differentiate between Hazard and Disaster. 4 Marks

2. Explain the major causes of flash floods. 4 Marks

3. Highlight the factors responsible for Urban Flooding. 4 Marks

4. Recently Landslides have been observed as a rampant phenomenon in Himalayas. Identity the causes
and consequences of Landslides? 8 Marks

5. What do you understand by Heat waves? 4 Marks

6. Why India is vulnerable to Disasters? 4 Marks

7. Discuss the Hazard Profile of India. 8 Marks

8. What are the social impact of Disasters? 4 Marks

9. Highlight the environmental impact of Disasters? 4 Marks

10. How Disasters are related to development? 8 Marks

11. What do you understand by Disaster Risk Reduction? 4 Marks

12. Write a short note on Disaster Management Policy, 2009. 4 Marks

13. Who is consider as the first responder in Disaster Management? What are the responsibilities could be
played by first responder in disaster management? 4 Marks

14. Briefly explain the provisions of Sendai Framework. 4 Marks

15. What are Biological Disasters? 4 Marks

16. Explain briefly Industrial Disasters. 4 Marks

17. Examine the various forms of disasters to which Himachal Pradesh is vulnerable. 20 Marks

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QUESTIONS WITH MODEL ANSWERS

1. Differentiate between Hazard and Disaster. 4 Marks

Understanding of question:

Introduction Write Definition of Hazard and Disaster by citing any credible agency like UN, Disaster
Management Act 2005.

While Writing the definition quote recent examples from India or Himachal Pradesh.

Conclusion Not required

Hazard - A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse effects on human and infrastructure.
Hazards can be dormant or potential, with only a theoretical probability of harm. For example Himachal is
Vulnerable to Avalanches, Landslides, Cloud Burst, Flash Floods, Earthquakes, Stampede, Industrial
Disaster etc.

Disaster - The United Nations defines disaster as “the occurrence of sudden or major misfortune which
disrupts the basic fabric and normal functioning of the society or community”.

Disaster is an event or series of events, which gives rise to casualties and damage or loss of properties,
infrastructures, environment, essential services or means of livelihood on such a scale which is beyond the
normal capacity of the affected community to cope with. For example, this year Himachal has observed one
of the worst hit Cloud Burst and Landslides in which at least 361 people have died and 342 others injured.

2. Explain the major causes of flash floods. 4 Marks

Understanding of question:

Introduction Define Flash Floods.

Mention some of the significant causes of Flash Floods.

While quoting some consequences cite some of the recent examples from India or
Himachal Pradesh.

Conclusion Not required

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Flash floods refers to a flood situation, but one that occurs in a much shorter span of time, under six hours,
and is a highly localised phenomenon. It’s a meteorological and Geomorphological Disaster.

REASONS FOR FLASH FLOODS -

1. Heavy rainfall due to cloud burst or tropical cyclones.

2. Inadequate design of drainage channels and structures.
3. Inadequate maintenance of drainage facilities, blockage by debris brought by flood waters.
4. Construction of settlements in flood plains.
5. Dam overflow or failure

Flash floods cause landslides, drowning of the low lying areas thus threat to life and property. This Year
Himachal has witnessed one of the worst hit flash floods and landslides.

3. Highlight the factors responsible for Urban Flooding. 4 Marks

Understanding of question:

Introduction Define Urban Flooding as per NDMA.

Mention Factors responsible for Urban Floods.

While quoting some consequences cite some of the recent examples from India or
Himachal Pradesh.

Conclusion Not required

According to National Disaster Management Authority, Urban flooding is the inundation of land or property
in a built environment, particularly in more densely populated areas (like cities), caused by rainfall
overwhelming the capacity of drainage systems. Urban flooding is significantly different from rural flooding
as urbanization leads to developed catchments, which increases the flood peaks from 1.8 to 8 times and
flood volumes by up to 6 times.

Recent examples of Urban Flooding in India - The most notable amongst them are Hyderabad in 2000,
Ahmedabad in 2001, Delhi in 2002 and 2003, Chennai in 2004, Mumbai in 2005, Surat in 2006, Kolkata in
2007, Jamshedpur in 2008, Delhi in 2009 and Guwahati and Delhi in 2010.

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR URBAN FLOODS.

1. Encroachments on Drainage Channels: Due to increased land prices and less availability of land new
developments have come up in low-lying areas of cities, such as encroachments over lakes, Wetlands and
riverbeds. In 2014 Jhelum flooding and recently Mandi District had happened because of this reason.

2. Climate Change has caused an increase in the frequency of short duration heavy rainfall like Cloud Burst
leading to higher water run-off.

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3. Unplanned and sudden release of water from dams and lakes lead to floods in an urban area, without
giving the public enough time to respond. Like happened in case of Barak River last year.

4. Recently Landslides have been observed as a rampant phenomenon in Himalayas. Identity the causes
and consequences of Landslides? 8 Marks

Understanding of question:

Introduction Define Landslides and recent examples from Himachal Pradesh.

Highlight some of the causes of Landslides with recent examples from India and their
consequences.

Conclusion Not required

The term ‘landslide’ includes all varieties of mass movements of hill slopes and can be defined as the
downward and outward movement of slope forming materials composed of rocks, soils, debris or
combination of all these materials, either slowly or quickly.Landslides are among the major hydro-
geological hazards that affect large parts of India besides the Himalayas, the Northeastern hill ranges, the
Western Ghats, the Nilgiris, the Eastern Ghats and the Vindhyans, in that order, covering about 15 % of the
landmass - NDMA

CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES IN INDIA

1. It can be caused because of heavy rain.

2. Deforestation is also one of the main reasons for landslides because trees, plants, etc., keep the soil
particles compact and due to deforestation, the mountain slopes lose their protective layers because of
which the water of the rain flows with unimpeded speed on these slopes.
3. It can be caused by earthquakes.
4. Landslides often occur in mountain regions while making roads and construction; a large number of rocks
has to be removed, which can cause landslides over there.
5. In the regions of North East India, landslides occur because of shifting agriculture.
6. Due to the increasing population, a large number of houses are being created, which leads to the creation
of a large amount of debris which can cause landslides.

CONSEQUENCES OF LANDSLIDES

The impact of a landslide can be extensive, including loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, damage to
land and loss of natural resources.

5. What do you understand by Heat waves? 4 Marks

A heat wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature
that can cause adverse impacts on human health, the environment, and the economy. This occurs during
the summer season in the North-Western and South-Central parts of India.

The India Meteorological Department requires that temperatures should reach at least 40°C in the plains

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and at least 30°C in the hilly regions, and should reflect an increase of at least 5°C-6°C above the normal
temperature to be classified as a heatwave.

According to Indian authorities, in the last four years the country has reported 4620 deaths caused by heat
waves which generally occur between March and June.

IMPACT OF HEATWAVE

1. Environmental and Societal Impact: According to a study by researchers at IMD, In India, heat waves
have claimed the lives of more than 17,000 people over the past 50 years.

2. Impact on Health: The health impacts of Heat Waves majorly involve dehydration, heat cramps, heat
exhaustion, heat stroke, etc.

3. Cost of Living: Extreme temperature-related health effects and diseases could result in high medical
expenditure.

4. Energy: On average, electricity costs for a household in an urban area climb by 15% to 20% during heat
waves.

6. Why India is vulnerable to Disasters? 4 Marks

India has been vulnerable, in varying degrees, to a large number of natural, as well as, human-made disasters
on account of its unique geo-climatic and socio-economic conditions including adverse geo climatic
conditions, topographic features, environmental degradation, population growth, urbanization,
industrialization, non-scientific development practices etc. The factors either in original or by accelerating
the intensity and frequency of disasters are responsible for heavy toll of human lives and disrupting the life
supporting system in the country.

It is highly vulnerable to floods, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, avalanches and forest fires. Out
of 35 states and union territories in the country, 27 of them are disaster prone. Almost 58.6 per cent of the
landmass is prone to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity; over 40 million hectares (12 per cent
of land) are prone to floods and river erosion; of the 7,516 km long coastline, close to 5,700 km is prone to
cyclones and tsunamis; 68 per cent of the cultivable area is vulnerable to drought and hilly areas are at risk
from landslides and avalanches.

7. Discuss the Hazard Profile of India. 8 Marks

(a) As far as the vulnerability to disaster is concerned, the five distinctive regions of the country i.e.
Himalayan region, the alluvial plains, the hilly part of the peninsula, and the coastal zone have their own
specific problems. The Himalayan region is prone to disasters like Earthquakes and landslides, the plain is
affected by floods almost every year. The desert part of the country is affected by droughts and famine while
the coastal zone susceptible to cyclones and storms. Though peninsular India is considered to be the most
stable portions, but occasional earthquakes in the region shows that geo- tectonic movements are still going
on within its depth

(b) The alluvial plains of Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra are affected by huge quantity of sediment brought
by mighty Himalayan rivers, the area is suffers from river channel siltation, resulting into frequent floods,
especially in the plains of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Monsoon is most important feature controlling the Indian
climate because about 75 percent of the annual rainfall is received during a short span of four months that
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is June to September. Heavy rainfall in the mountainous catchment under ‘break’ conditions result in
flooding of the plains. Floods and droughts occurring in India are closely associated with the nature and
extent of the summer monsoon. The inter-annual fluctuations in the summer monsoon rainfall over India
are sufficiently large to cause devastating floods or serious droughts. Floods and droughts affect vast areas
of the country, transcending state boundaries. Out of 40 million hectares of the flood prone area in the
country, on an average, floods affect an area of around 7.5 million hectares per year.

(c) The western part of the country, including Rajasthan, Gujarat and some parts of Maharashtra are hit
very frequently by drought situation. If Monsoon worsens the situation spreads in other parts of the country
too. For the purpose of identification of drought prone areas by Central Water Commission (CWC) the criteria
adopted was that “drought is a situation occurring in an area when the annual rainfall is less than 75 percent
of normal in 20 percent of the years examined. In the span of 124 years, the probability of occurrence of
drought was found maximum in Rajasthan (25 %), Saurastra & Kutch (23%), followed by Jammu & Kashmir
(21%) and Gujarat (21%) region. One-sixth area of the country is drought-prone. One of the major reasons
for these droughts has been a strong link with the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) patterns and its
linkages with Indian food grain production. The disturbance in the pressure conditions over oceans, results
into cyclones in coastal regions. The geo tectonic movements going on in the ocean floor make the coastal
region prone to tsunami disaster too.

(d) The extreme weather conditions, huge quantity of ice and snow stored in the glaciers etc. are other
natural factors which make the country prone to various forms of disasters.

(e) Along with the natural factors discussed in the preceding text, various human induced activities like
increasing demographic pressure, deteriorating environmental conditions, deforestation, unscientific
development, faulty agricultural practices and grazing, unplanned urbanisation, construction of large dams
on river channels etc. are also responsible for accelerated impact and increase in frequency of disasters in
the country.

(f) Vulnerability to disasters or emergencies of Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) origin
has increased on account of socio-economic development. Heightened vulnerabilities to disaster risks can
be related to expanding population, urbanization and industrialization, development within high-risk
zones, environmental degradation and climate change.

(g) Climate Change: This is evident from the increase in the global average air and ocean temperatures,
precipitation and extreme rainfall, widespread melting of snow and ice, storms/storm surges/coastal
flooding and rising global mean sea level, as recorded in the fourth Assessment Report of IPCC. Climate
change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of current extreme weather events and give
rise to new vulnerabilities with differential spatial and socio-economic impacts on communities. The
unprecedented increase is expected to have severe impacts on the hydrological cycle, water resource,
droughts, flood, drinking water, forest and ecosystems, sea level/coastal area losses of coastal wetlands
and mangroves, food security, health and other related areas. The impact would be particularly disastrous
for developing countries, including India and further degrade the resilience of poor, vulnerable
communities, which make up between one quarter and one half of the population of the most Indian cities.
The main impact of global climate change will be felt due to changes in climate variability and weather
extremes. Observations during the last decade and projections indicate that extreme events i.e. heat waves,
cold waves, more floods, more droughts, more intense cyclones and flash floods will increase. Extreme
rainfall has substantially increased over large areas, particularly over the west coast and west central India.

(h) Poverty and disaster vulnerability: Poverty and risk to disasters are inextricably linked and mutually
reinforcing. The poor section of the society is worst affected in case of disaster. The situation further

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aggravates due to the compulsion of the poor to exploit environmental resources for their survival,
increasing the risk and exposure of the society to disasters, in particular those triggered by flood, drought
and landslides. Poverty also compels the poor to migrate and live at physically more vulnerable locations,
often on unsafe land and in unsafe shelters. The inhabitations of the poor people on marginal land are prone
to all types of disasters.

8. Highlight the environmental impact of Disasters? 4 Marks

A disaster is a result of natural or man-made causes that leads to sudden disruption of normal life, causing
severe damage to life and property to an extent that available social and economic protection mechanisms
are inadequate to cope.

IMPACTS OF DISASTERS ON ENVIRONMENT

The impacts of disasters, whether natural or man-made, not only have human dimensions, but
environmental ones as well.

1. Habitat Destruction : Disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes can result in the destruction of
natural habitat which can leads to the loss of biodiversity and disrupts the balance of ecosystem.
2. Pollution: Man made disasters such as Oil Spills, chemical leaks and industrial accidents can result in
severe pollution of air, water and soil which can lead to long term affect on hea lth of ecosystem and
environment.
3. Deforestation: Disasters like wildfires can lead to extensive deforestation. Trees are essential for
maintaining the health of planet but deforestation can disrupt the functions and contribute to climate
change.
4. Soil Erosion: Floods, Landslides, and hurricanes can cause severe soil erosion by washing away the topsoil
which is rich in nutrients and crucial for plant growth.
5. Climate change: Large scale fires release substantial amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere,
exacerbating global warming and result in climate change.
6. Water Contamination: Disasters like chemical spill or industrial accidents can contaminate water source,
making them unsafe for human and animal consumption. This pollution can also harm aquatic life,
leading to mass fish kills and damaging coral reefs.
7. Disruption of Ecosystem Services: Disasters can disrupt the essential services that ecosystem provide,
such as Water purification, carbon sequestration, and flood control can effects on human societies,
affecting agriculture, water availability, and overall ecosystem health.

10. Examine the various forms of disasters to which Himachal Pradesh is vulnerable. 20 Marks

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An event or occurrence can be termed as a disaster if it poses a threat to human life and property or causes
or threatens to cause large-scale disruption of normal life. Disaster is an event or series of events, which
gives rise to casualties and damage or loss of properties, infrastructures, environment, essential services or
means of livelihood on such a scale which is beyond the normal capacity of the affected community to cope
with.

The United Nations defines disaster as “the occurrence of sudden or major misfortune which disrupts the
basic fabric and normal functioning of the society or community”.

Body : Why Himachal Pradesh Is Prone to Disasters and What are the Nature of Those Disasters.

1. EARTHQUAKES - Himachal Pradesh is a predominantly a hilly state made up of the sedimentary rocks of
Himalayas on the active margin of Indo- Australian Plate which is still in constant collision with the
Eurasian Plate. Because of this ongoing activity Himachal Pradesh is prone to Disastrous Earthquakes.

Bureau of Indian Standards has grouped the country into four seismic zones, viz. Zone II, III, IV and V. Of
these, Zone V is seismically the most active region, while zone II is the least. Broadly, Zone - V comprises
entire northeastern India, parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Rann of Kutch in
Gujarat, part of North Bihar and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Recent Examples of Earthquakes - Large earthquakes have occurred in all parts of Himachal Pradesh, the
biggest being the Kangra Earthquake of 1905.There were two more big quakes, but they were not nearly
as powerful as the 1905 jolt. The first was in 1906, a 6.4 near Kullu and the second was a 6.8 in Lahual-
Kinnaur Spiti in 1975 along the Indo-China Border.

How could the effects of Earthquakes be minimized –

National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Project (NERMP): The proposed project aims at strengthening the
structural and non-structural earthquake mitigation efforts and reducing the vulnerability in the high risk
districts prone to earthquakes.

National Building Code (NBC): The National Building Code of India (NBC), a comprehensive building code, is
a national instrument providing guidelines for regulating the building construction activities across the
country.

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Efforts by Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC): The BMTPC undertook projects for
retrofitting of life-line structures for generating awareness among the people as well as various government
agencies about the need and techniques of retrofitting.

Initiative by Ministry of Panchayati Raj: It releases funds under Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) for
meeting critical infrastructural gaps and other developmental requirements.

2. LANDSLIDES - Having the rugged topography with steep slopes of sedimentary mountains Himachal
Pradesh is Prone to Landslides and Avalanches. The Landslides and Earthquakes have become disastrous
in the recent times in the wake of rapid unplanned urbanization, construction activities of Infrastructure
and incessant Deforestation.

Himalayas are built on the margin of the Eurasian and Indo-Australian Plate because of their collision. Prior
to Himalayas it was Tethys sea between these two plates. Himalayas are therefore sedimentary in origin, thus
relatively softer rock as compared to western ghats. Due to continuous movement of these plates towa rds
each other still earthquakes can be witnessed in the Himalayan belt which makes the rock vulnerable to slip
and slide.

Moreover, due to continuous deforestation in the Himalayan region the soil and rocks are not stable enough
to bear the brunt of heavy rainfall. The rapid unplanned urbanization along with ever increasing demand of
connectivity are compounding the frequency and intensity of landslides. These are the possible factors which
makes Himalayas susceptible to landslides. Landslides constitute a major natural hazard in our country, which
accounts for considerable loss of life and damage to communication routes, human settlements, agricultural
fields and forest lands.

Recent examples of Landslides

1. Landslide Incidences on NH-22, Solan district, Himachal Pradesh (13 and 14 August, 2018) - Heavy rainfall
triggered the initiation of new landslides and reactivated existing ones along NH-22 in Solan district, Himachal
Pradesh blocking and disrupting the traffic along NH22.

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2. Landslide incidence in Himachal Pradesh – 15 October 2014

As per media report, two people were killed in a mining landslide in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district.

Mitigation of Landslides

Ministry of Mines is the nodal agency for mitigating the impact of landslides. The ‘National Landslide Risk
Mitigation Project’ (NLRMP) has been proposed to be launched. It aims at strengthening the structural and
non-structural landslide mitigation efforts, reducing the landslide risk and vulnerability in the hilly distr icts
prone to landslides and mud flows and minimise the risks arising out of disasters in landslides.

Moreover, Forest department of state government should put efforts in consonance with the local bodies
like Panchayat and Municipalities towards afforestation drive in the Himalayan region particularly with the
tress which can hold the soil effectively.

Slope stabilization measures should be taken and extra care is needed while building infrastructure like
roads, railways to prevent landslides. Sustainable Urbanization plan for the Himalayan belt should be carved
out by the state government and must be strictly implemented by the local administration to prevent
landslides in the urban areas.

3. Cloud Burst - Being a hilly state having high altitude Mountains Himachal Pradesh is susceptible to Cloud
Burst and in the recent times Forest Fire has also appeared to be one of the disaster causing loss of life and
property.

A cloudburst is sudden copious rainfall. It is a sudden aggressive rainstorm falling for a short period of time
limited to a small geographical area. Meteorologists say the rain from a cloudburst is usually of the shower
type with a fall rate equal to or greater than 100 mm per hour.

Flash floods are short-term events, occurring within 6 hours of the causative event (heavy rain, dam break,
levee failure, rapid, snowmelt and ice jams) and often within 2 hours of the start of high intensity rainfall. A
flash flood is characterized by a rapid stream rise with depths of water that can reach well above the banks
of the creek.

Unplanned development in such regions also makes them susceptible to huge destruction. The va lley regions
are one of the most densely populated, which leaves them vulnerable to the after effects of flash floods
resulting from cloud burst.

RECENT EXAMPLES OF CLOUD BURST IN HIMACHAL

1. The first cloud burst incident during 2019 monsoon in was reported on June 12 in which Jhangi village
area in Mahela block of Chamba district was severely affected. Flash floods invaded houses, shops. A primary
school campus was filled with debris, while several fields were washed away, it also blocked Pathankot-
Bharmour highway.

2. On August 8 2019, three cloud burst incidents took place at Kannam, Morang and Tangling Nullah in Sangla
Valley of Pooh sub division, Kinnaur district triggering widespread destruction.

3. In 2023, Heavy rain, floods, and landslides have hit several districts of Himachal Pradesh, causing a flash
flood and leaving over 200 people stranded near Baggi Bridge on Mandi Prashar Road.

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A cloudburst resulting in torrential rainfall and flood affected the roads severely in the region. Landslides
have occurred at many places between Charmile to Satmile on Pandoh-Mandi national highway in the
state. Mandi-Kullu road via Katola is also shut down due to heavy landslides near Kamand. A flash flood in
Khoti Nala near Aut has blocked Mandi-Kullu National Highway.

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