Disaster

management
Done by V.Niiranjana Pillaii IX-A
What is disaster management ?

A disaster is a destructive event that occurs suddenly and involves loss of life and property.
Disasters can be of two types, natural and man-made.

Earthquakes, volcanic activity, tsunamis, floods, cyclones, landslides, avalanches and droughts are natural disasters
and man has no control over them.

The man-made disasters are triggered by human beings. Some of the man-made disasters are: bomb explosions,
terrorism, war or civil war, leakage of poisonous chemicals, breach in dams, air or water pollution, industrial
accidents and epidemics.

Whether natural or man-made, these disasters hamper normal routine of the society and usually affect a large
number of people. Disasters can also lead to huge loss of life and property.
When a disaster strikes a society, external help is usually needed in the form of aid to cope with its impact.

Disaster Management refers to the measures taken for the safety and protection of life and property from natural or
man-made disasters.
This means being prepared for disasters, fighting disasters effectively, ensuring the safety of life during disasters and
helping in rebuilding society after the disaster.
 Principles of disasters
• Minimize the casualties.
• Prevent further casualties.
• Rescue the victims.
• First aid.
• Medical care.
• Reconstruction.
• Disaster management is the responsibility of all
spheres of govt.
• Disaster management should use resources that exist
for a day-to-day purpose.
• Organizations should function as an extension of their
core business.
Earthquake:It is a steppage of crusted rock
along a fault or area of strain and rebound to
new alignment

• Effects of Earthquake:- Shaking of earth.

• Surface falling.
• After shocks.
• Tsunami.
• Tremors /vibrations.
• Landslides .
• Probability of occurrence can be determined but not the exact time.
 TSUNAMI:  A faulty movement on
sea floor, accompanied by an
earthquake. A landslide occurring
under water or above the sea &
plunging into the water. Volcanic
activity takes place either under water
or near the shore

• Characteristics: Tsunami waves are barely

perceptible in deep water and may measure
about 160 kms. between the wave crests.
May consists of ten or more wave crests.
Move up to 800 kms/hr in deep water of
ocean, diminishing in speed as the wave's
approaches.
Disaster preparedness
• Preparedness should be in the form of money, manpower and materials
• Evaluation from past experiences about risk
• Location of disaster-prone areas
• Organization of communication, information and warning system
• Ensuring co-ordination and response mechanisms
Continued…..

• DM planning should recognize

the difference between incidents
and disasters.
• DM planning must take account
of the type of physical
environment and the structure of
the population.
• DM arrangements must
recognize the involvement and
potential role of non- government
agencies
CHARACTERISTIC OF DISASTER
• Predictability
• Controllability
• Speed of onset
• Length of forewarning
• Duration of impact
• Scope and intensity of impact