Disaster Management

Introduction :
“We learn from every natural disaster. When
it’s a fire or a flood, we learn something from
it so we can respond to the next one better. ”
-Malcolm Turnbull

Disasters, whether natural or human-

induced, have been an enduring feature of
human existence, leaving profound imprints
on societies across the globe. From
earthquakes to pandemics, from industrial
accidents to climate-related catastrophes,
the impact of disasters reverberates through
communities, economies, and ecosystems,
often with devastating consequences. In
recent years, the frequency and severity of
such events have intensified, underscoring
the urgent need for effective disaster
management strategies.

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This write-up seeks to delve into the
multifaceted realm of disasters and disaster
management, aiming to unravel the
complexities inherent in mitigating,
preparing for, responding to, and recovering
from such events. It also seeks to identify
best practices and areas for improvement in
disaster preparedness, response, and
recovery, particularly emphasizing the role
of social institutions, community networks,
and grassroots initiatives.\

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What is the
definition of a
disaster
Disruption on a massive scale, either natural
or man-made, occurring in short or long
periods is termed a Disaster. Disasters can
lead to human, material, economic, or
environmental hardships, which can be
beyond the bearable capacity of the
affected society.

How are they

classified?
 Water and Climate Disaster: Flood,
hail storms, cloudbursts, cyclones, heat
waves, cold waves, droughts, hurricanes.
 Geological Disaster: Landslides,
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions,
tornadoes
 Biological Disaster: Viral epidemics,
pest attacks, cattle epidemics, and
locust plagues
 Industrial Disaster: Chemical and
industrial accidents, mine shaft fires, oil
spills,
 Nuclear Disasters: Nuclear core
meltdowns, radiation poisoning
 Man-made disasters: Urban and forest
fires, oil spills, the collapse of huge
building structures.
 What is disaster
Management?
Disaster management is the management
and organization of responsibilities and
available resources for coping with various
humanitarian aspects of emergencies. It
involves strategically organizing resources
to lessen the harm that disasters usually
cause. Disaster Management as an
integrated process of planning, organizing,
coordinating, and implementing measures
that are necessary for :
1. Prevention of threat of any disaster
2. Reduction of risk of any disaster or
its consequences
3. Readiness to deal with any disaster
4. Promptness in dealing with a disaster
5. Assessing the severity of the effects
of any disaster
6. Rescue and relief
7. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction

The three main steps:

1) Pre-disaster management: This phase
focuses on taking action before a disaster
occurs. The main purpose is to mitigate
human loss. It involves developing
information systems, mobilizing resources,
assessing risks, issuing warnings through
various communication channels, and
ensuring the safe transportation of people to
secure locations.
2) Management during Disasters: This phase
is crucial and depends on the preparedness
done in the pre-disaster phase. It involves
taking quick action to help victims in
disaster-prone areas, ensuring their safety
by relocating them to secure areas, and
providing essential needs like food, clothing,
and healthcare.
3) Post-disaster management:
In this phase, the focus is on rebuilding and
reconstructing the affected areas. The
administration is responsible for assisting
affected people, including employment or
compensation.

Agencies involved in Disaster

Management

 National Disaster Management

Authority (NDMA):- The National
Disaster Management Authority, or the
 NDMA, is an apex body for disaster
management, headed by the Prime
Minister of India. It supervises, directs,
and controls the National Disaster
Response Force (NDRF).


 State Disaster Management

Authority (SDMA):- The respective
state's Chief Minister is the SDMA's
head. The State Government has a State
Executive Committee (SEC) which assists
the State Disaster Management
Authority (SDMA) in Disaster
Management.

 District Disaster Management

Authority (DDMA):- The DDMA is
headed by the District Collector, Deputy
Commissioner, or District Magistrate
depending on the situation, with the
elected representatives of the local
authority as the Co-Chairperson.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

Proper planning and mitigation measures
can play a leading role in risk-prone areas to
minimize the worst effects of hazards such
as earthquakes, floods, and cyclones. These
are the key areas which should be
addressed to achieve this objective:
 Risk Assessment and Vulnerability
Mapping: Mapping and vulnerability
analysis in a multi-risk structure will be
conducted utilizing Geographic
Information System (GIS) based
databases
 Increasing Trend of Disasters in
Urban Areas:- Steps to prevent
unplanned urbanization must be
undertaken, with the plan of action
formulated being given the highest
priority.
 Critical Infrastructure:- Critical
infrastructure like roads, dams, bridges,
etc should be continuously checked for
safety standards concerning worldwide
safety benchmarks and fortified if the
current measures prove to be
inadequate.
 Environmentally Sustainable
Development:– Environmental
considerations and developmental
efforts, should be handled
simultaneously for ensuring
sustainability.
 Accounts of Floods in
India
A flood is a state of high water level
along a river channel or on the coast
that leads to inundation of land,
which is not usually submerged.
Floods may happen gradually and
take hours or even suddenly without
warning due to embankment
breaches, spillover, heavy rains, etc
The 2018 Kerala floods were one of
the most devastating natural
disasters to hit the Indian state of
Kerala in recent history. The floods
were primarily triggered by an
unusually heavy monsoon rainfall
that began on May 29, 2018. The
region received 42% more rainfall
than usual, leading to flooding of
rivers, landslides, and widespread
destruction.
Overall, the 2018 Kerala floods
underscored the importance of
disaster preparedness, effective
response mechanisms, and
community resilience in mitigating
the impact of natural disasters. It
also highlighted the importance of
global cooperation in addressing the
challenges posed by climate change
c
Effects of Disaster in terms
of Economy and Health

Disasters, whether natural or human-made,

can have significant and multifaceted
effects on both the economy and public
health.
Economic Impact:
1. Infrastructure Damage: Disasters
often result in destruction of
infrastructure such as roads, bridges,
buildings, and utilities. The cost of
rebuilding or repairing this infrastructure
can be enormous and can cripple local
economies.
2. Decrease in GDP: The overall
economic output of a region or country
may decline in the aftermath of a
disaster, as economic activity slows
down and resources are diverted to
recovery efforts.

Health Impact:
1. Injuries and Fatalities: Disasters
can cause injuries and fatalities directly
through events like collapses, fires, or
flooding, as well as indirectly through
factors like lack of access to medical
care or sanitation.
2. Mental Health Issues: Survivors of
disasters may experience trauma,
anxiety, depression, and other mental
health issues due to the loss of loved
ones, displacement, or witnessing
traumatic events.
3.
4. Overall, the economic and health
impacts of disasters can be long-lasting
and profound, particularly for vulnerable
populations and communities with
limited resources. Effective disaster
preparedness, response, and recovery
strategies are essential for minimizing
 these impacts and building resilience in
affected areas

Measures to be taken
during a disaster

During the disaster Phase, the Response

 This refers to the first stage of response to
any calamity, which includes for example such
as setting up control rooms, putting the
contingency plan in action, issuing warnings,
action for evacuation, taking people to safer
areas, rendering medical aid to the needy
etc., simultaneously rendering relief to the
homeless, food, drinking water, clothing etc.
to the needy, restoration of communication,
disbursement of assistance in cash or kind.
The emergency relief activities undertaken
during and immediately following a disaster
include immediate relief, rescue, and damage
needs assessment and debris clearance.
Prevention and Response
measures to disaster (Role of
Central and State Govts)
The Central Government supplements the
efforts of State Governments by providing
financial and logistic support in case of
major disasters. While, Basic responsibility
for rescue, relief, and rehabilitation lies in
the hands of the State Governments.
The logistic support includes deployment of
aircraft and boats, specialist teams of
Armed Forces, Central Para Military Forces,
and National Disaster Response Force
(NDRF) personnel, and arrangements for
relief materials & essential commodities.

Govt.'s approach to Disaster

Management
Change in orientation from a primarily relief-
centric approach to a holistic approach
emphasizing mitigation, prevention, and
preparedness besides strengthening
response, relief, and rehabilitation
mechanisms.

Conclusio n
In conclusion, this study has delved into the
intricate dynamics of disasters and
highlighted the critical significance of
implementing efficient disaster
management strategies. Through a
comprehensive analysis of various types of
disasters, their impacts, and the principles
of disaster management, it is evident that
proactive planning, coordination, and
community involvement are essential for
mitigating the adverse effects of disasters
and enhancing resilience.
Moreover, the study has underscored the
significance of integrating technological
advancements, scientific research, and
interdisciplinary collaboration in developing
robust disaster management frameworks.
By implementing the insights gleaned from
this research, policymakers, emergency
responders, and communities can work
together to build more resilient societies
capable of effectively mitigating, responding
to, and recovering from disasters in the face
of evolving challenges.

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