Disaster management : Introduction

 

INTRODUCTION

Disaster may be defined as an event that may occur suddenly or continuously and is responsible for the loss of life and property, destruction of infrastructure and it adversely affects the environment as well. Various types of disasters which have been a recurrent phenomenon are Earthquakes, Tsunamis. Cyclones, Floods, Droughts, Landslides, Nuclear, Chemical, Biological, Fire and Environmental Hazards, Air Accidents, Railway Accidents, Nuclear Accident etc. India has been traditionally vulnerable to natural disasters on account of its unique geo-climatic conditions.

Disaster management is a continuous and integrated process of planning, organizing, coordinating and implementing the measures which are necessary for prevention of danger or threat of any disaster, mitigation or reduction of risk of any disaster or its severity or consequences; capacity building, preparedness to deal with any disaster, prompt response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster, assessing the severity or magnitude of effects of any disaster, evacuation, rescue and relief, and rehabilitation and reconstruction.

CLASSIFICATION OF DISASTER

Disasters are broadly classified as natural and manmade disasters. A detailed classification of disasters is as follows:

1. Geologically Related Disasters

1.     Earthquakes

2.     Landslides and Mudflows

3.     Dam Bursts

4.     Mine Fires

2. Water and Climate Related Disasters

1.     Floods and Drainage Management

2.     Cyclones

3.     Droughts

4.     Tornadoes and Hurricanes

5.     Hailstorm

6.     Cloud Burst

7.     Thunder and Lightening

8.     Heat Wave and Cold Wave

9.     Snow Avalanches

10.  Sea Erosion

 

3. Chemical, Industrial and Nuclear Disasters

1.     Chemical and Industrial Disasters

2.     Nuclear Disasters

 

4. Accident Related Disasters

1.     Village Fire

2.     Electrical Disasters and Fires

3.     Urban Fires

4.     Forests Fire

5.     Serial Bomb Blasts

6.     Festival Related Disasters

7.     Oil Spill

8.     Air, Road, and Rail Accidents

9.     Boat Capsizing

10.  Mine Flooding

11.  Major Building Collapse

5. Biologically Related Disasters

1.     Biological Disasters and Epidemics

2.     Pest Attacks

3.     Cattle Epidemics

4.     Food Poisoning