What is Disaster Management?

Disaster management refers to the organized approach to dealing with the

prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery from disasters. It aims to
reduce or avoid the potential losses from hazards, assure prompt and appropriate
assistance to victims of disaster, and achieve rapid and effective recovery.
Disasters can be natural, like floods and earthquakes, or anthropogenic (man-
made), such as industrial accidents or environmental degradation.
Natural disasters are produced by processes that have been operating since the
origin of the Earth. While these processes—like volcanism, earthquakes, and
erosion—are crucial to Earth’s natural evolution, they become hazardous when
they adversely impact human life and activities. A disaster is thus defined as an
extreme event that exceeds normal human tolerance levels, causes massive
destruction to life and property, and draws global attention due to its catastrophic
consequences.
Types of Disasters
1. Natural Disasters
o Geologic: Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslides.
o Atmospheric: Hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, thunderstorms.
o Others: Insect infestations, wildfires, and disease outbreaks.
2. Anthropogenic Disasters
o Result from human interaction with nature.
o Include technological disasters like chemical spills, pollution, acid
rain, and global warming.
Natural disasters may be rapid onset (e.g., earthquakes, floods) or slow onset
(e.g., droughts, epidemics).

Floods: A Case of Rapid-Onset Disaster

Flooding refers to the submergence of usually dry land by water due to
overflowing rivers, excessive rainfall, melting snow, or tidal surges. Though a
natural phenomenon, floods become disasters when they result in significant
damage to human life and property.
Causes of Floods
  Natural Causes:
o Prolonged heavy rainfall.
o Cloudbursts, cyclones, or storms.
o Snowmelt in mountainous regions.
o Landslides blocking river flow.
o Meandering rivers and large floodplains.
 Man-Made Causes:
o Urbanization without proper drainage.
o Deforestation and land use change.
o Encroachment on flood plains.
o Construction of dams, barrages, and channels.
In India, heavy monsoon rains and snowmelt in the Himalayas cause frequent
floods in northern plains (e.g., Ganga and Brahmaputra basins). The states of
Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh are particularly flood-prone.
Consequences of Floods
 Primary: Drowning, damage to houses, destruction of crops and
infrastructure.
 Secondary: Disruption in communication and transportation, waterborne
diseases, famine.
 Tertiary: Altered river courses, soil degradation, and ecological imbalance.
Flood Management Measures
 Structural Measures:
o Construction of embankments and levees (e.g., Kosi and Bagmati in
Bihar).
o Dams and reservoirs (e.g., Damodar Valley Project).
o Drainage channel construction and river channelization.
o Diversion of streams and excess water to artificial basins.
 Non-Structural Measures:
o Floodplain zoning.
 o Afforestation to reduce runoff and soil erosion.
o Early warning systems.
o Community awareness and disaster drills.
In India, extensive flood management systems have been implemented in rivers
like Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery. However, failures in planning—like
deforestation, encroachments (e.g., Mumbai's Mithi River), and improper
drainage—often worsen the flood situation.

Earthquakes: Sudden Geological Disaster

Earthquakes are caused by sudden energy release in the Earth’s crust, creating
seismic waves that make the ground shake. They are among the most
unpredictable and destructive natural disasters.
Causes of Earthquakes
 Natural Causes:
o Tectonic plate movement (most common).
o Volcanic eruptions.
o Faulting and folding of Earth’s crust.
o Uplift or subsidence of land masses.
 Anthropogenic Causes:
o Reservoir-induced seismicity (e.g., large dams).
o Quarrying, mining, and deep well drilling.
The Earth’s crust comprises several tectonic plates that move slowly due to
convection currents. When plates collide, diverge, or slide past each other, stress
builds up and is released as an earthquake.
Distribution in India
 Himalayan region (plate collision zone).
 North-Eastern states (e.g., Assam).
 Kutch and Latur in Maharashtra (intraplate seismicity).
 Andaman-Nicobar Islands (subduction zone).
Measurement and Study
 Earthquake magnitude is measured by the Richter Scale.
 Earthquake intensity is recorded by a seismograph.
 The study of earthquakes is called Seismology.
 The focus is the underground point of origin; the epicenter is its surface
projection.
Consequences of Earthquakes
 Loss of life and property.
 Landslides and avalanches.
 Tsunamis in coastal areas.
 Fires due to gas and electric line ruptures.
 Disruption of communication and essential services.
For example, the 2001 Gujarat earthquake and the 1993 Latur earthquake were
devastating events that exposed India's vulnerability and lack of preparedness.
Earthquake Management
 Preparedness:
o Seismic zoning maps and risk assessment.
o Earthquake-resistant building codes.
o Public education and evacuation drills.
 Response and Recovery:
o Quick rescue and relief operations.
o Emergency shelters and medical aid.
o Infrastructure rebuilding with seismic safety measures.
 Mitigation:
o Retrofitting old buildings.
o Avoiding construction in high-risk zones.
o Developing early warning and alert systems.
Conclusion.