Natural hazards and disasters: Mitigation strategies.

 

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PAPER 1: UNIT IX

People, Development and Environment Natural hazards and disasters: Mitigation strategies.

Natural hazard:

Natural hazard is a threat or risk that takes place in nature like earthquake, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and landslides which happens naturally and has a negative effect on people or on the environment.

It can be classified into geophysical (earthquake, landslide, tsunami and volcanic eruptions), hydrological (avalanches and floods), climatological (extreme temperatures, drought and wildfires), meteorological (cyclones, storms) or biological (disease, epidemics).

One natural hazard can direct to another. Example, an earthquake can cause a tsunami.

Natural disaster:

 A natural disaster is an unfavourable event caused from natural processes of the Earth like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other geologic processes.

Natural disasters are the effects of natural hazards on humanity. Example, the tsunami in Indonesia caused a great loss of property and lives.

In the Indian scenario, the subcontinent is highly exposed to cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, floods, avalanches, forest fire and landslides. The government has taken proper measures for prevention and mitigation of the affected areas of disasters frequently in the Himalayan region of northern India. Data shows us among the 28 states & 8 Union Territories in the country, 25 places are disaster prone. Approx. 50 million people in our country affected by one or the other disaster every year including loss of property.

List and description of Worst Natural Disasters of India:

2001 Gujarat Earthquake: The massive earthquake occurred on India’s 51st Republic Day on January 26, 2001 at Bhachau Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat. Gujarat earthquake had a magnitude of between 7.6 and 7.7 and killed around 20,000 people.

2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: The Indian Ocean earthquake and Tsunami occurred in 2004 at the west coast of Sumatra, killing over 230,000 people in fourteen countries. Indian Ocean Tsunami was one of the deadliest natural disasters in history of India.

2013 Uttarakhand Flash Floods:  On June 2013 Uttarakhand received heavy rainfall, massive Landslides due to the large flash floods, it suffered maximum damage of houses and structures, killing more than 1000 people, sources claimed the death toll could be rise up to 5000. Uttarakhand Flash Floods is the most disastrous floods in the history of India.

 

 

Strategies:

Awareness

Education

Preparedness

Prediction

Warning systems

Adoption of zoning

Land-use practices

Building codes are required

To avoid development on landslide and flood-prone areas through planning can somehow reduce the disrupting impacts of natural disaster.

The Division of Disaster Management of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India is the ministry for all matters at the Centre except the Drought. The Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, looks after the Drought Management. The National Contingency Action Plan (NCAP) makes possible in relief and rescue operations without delay.

 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) plays an important role as communication link between the Disaster Management agencies and the affected community. Many NGOs are helping in preparedness, relief and rescue, rehabilitation and reconstruction and also in monitoring and feedback.

New strategies for safer future Preparedness, Mitigation and Prevention

National Disaster Management Act 2005

The Parliament of India has passed the National Disaster Management Act in November 2005, which brings a pattern in India’s approach to disaster management.

 Important Agency: 

 National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

 State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)

 District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)

 Constitution of Disaster Response Fund and Disaster Mitigation Fund at National, State and District levels

Establishment of NIDM and NDRF.

It gives penalties for obstruction, false claims, misuse etc.

 It states that there shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex, caste, community, descent or religion in providing compensation and relief.