UNIT 1

Disaster
A disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or society,
causing widespread human, material, economic, or environmental losses. It
exceeds the affected community’s ability to cope using its own resources.
Disasters can be natural, like earthquakes, hurricanes, or floods, or human-
made, like industrial accidents or armed conflicts.
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) defines a
disaster as:
“A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving
widespread human, material, economic, or environmental losses and impacts,
which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its
own resources.”

Key Concepts in Disaster Management

1. Hazard
- A hazard is a potential threat or source of harm. Hazards are natural or
human-made events that may cause injury, death, or other health impacts.
They can be categorized into:
- Natural Hazards: Earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, etc.
- Human-Made Hazards: Chemical spills, industrial accidents, nuclear
explosions, etc.
- Hazards do not necessarily result in disasters but create a scenario where a
disaster could occur.
2. Risk
- Risk is the likelihood or probability of a hazard occurring and causing harm,
loss, or damage. It involves two components:
- Likelihood: The chance that a hazard will occur.
- Impact: The potential severity of harm or damage if it does occur.
 - Risk can be calculated as: Risk = Hazard × Vulnerability × Exposure. This
formula shows that even if the hazard is severe, lower vulnerability or exposure
can reduce the risk.
3. Vulnerability
- Vulnerability refers to the conditions that make a community or individual
more susceptible to the effects of a hazard. Factors that influence vulnerability
include:
- Physical Factors: Location of buildings in hazard-prone areas, infrastructure
resilience, etc.
- Social Factors: Population density, poverty levels, literacy rates, access to
resources, etc.
- Economic Factors: Dependency on affected resources, economic resilience.
- Vulnerability varies between individuals and communities, depending on
socioeconomic conditions, awareness, infrastructure, and preparedness.
4. Disaster
- A disaster is the actual event that occurs when a hazard impacts vulnerable
areas, causing widespread damage, loss, and disruption. Disasters typically
overwhelm local capacities, requiring assistance from outside sources. The
severity of a disaster is influenced by the level of risk and vulnerability.

Relationship between Concepts

- Hazards alone do not cause disasters; they require vulnerability and risk. For
example, an earthquake (hazard) in a region with strong building codes (low
vulnerability) may not cause as much damage as in a region without such
protections.
- Effective disaster management focuses on reducing vulnerability, managing
risks, and minimizing exposure to potential hazards, thus reducing the
likelihood and severity of disasters.
Impact of Disasters
Disasters have wide-ranging impacts on various aspects of society. Here’s a
breakdown of the major areas affected:
1. Physical Impacts
- Disasters often result in the destruction of infrastructure such as buildings,
bridges, roads, and transportation systems.
- They can lead to injuries, fatalities, and the displacement of people, causing
immediate and often severe physical impacts on affected communities.
- Damage to healthcare facilities, communication systems, and utilities (like
water, electricity, and gas) disrupts basic services.
2. Economic Impacts
- Economic losses from disasters include damage to property, loss of
businesses, and interruption of trade and industry.
- Disasters can lead to a temporary or long-term decline in economic
productivity, affecting GDP and the livelihoods of individuals.
- Costs for disaster response, recovery, and reconstruction further strain
public and private resources, sometimes leading to inflation or increased debt
for affected regions.
- Economic impacts may also include loss of income for individuals, especially
in sectors like agriculture, tourism, and small businesses that are more
vulnerable to disaster disruptions.
3. Political Impacts
- Disasters can create political instability, especially if the response is
perceived as inadequate or unequal.
- Governments often face increased scrutiny, which can lead to loss of public
trust and political challenges.
- Political impacts can include a shift in government policies, increased focus
on disaster preparedness, or changes in leadership if the disaster response fails
to meet public expectations.
- In some cases, disasters may prompt international aid or intervention,
impacting national sovereignty and local governance.
4. Psychosocial Impacts
- Disasters can have lasting mental health effects, such as anxiety, depression,
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and emotional distress.
- They disrupt social structures, displace families, and cause loss of loved
ones, all of which affect community cohesion and individual wellbeing.
- Children, the elderly, and vulnerable populations may face long-term
emotional and psychological trauma, impacting their mental health and
resilience.
- Social cohesion can be strained, and people may experience increased stress
due to uncertainty, loss of income, or displacement.
5. Ecological Impacts
- Natural disasters can significantly alter ecosystems, impacting biodiversity,
natural resources, and the quality of air, water, and soil.
- Disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, and floods may destroy habitats,
threaten endangered species, and disrupt ecological balance.
- Long-term ecological effects may include soil erosion, deforestation, and
changes in water bodies, which can harm agriculture and local communities.
- Pollution from industrial disasters (like oil spills or nuclear accidents) can
lead to severe environmental degradation with long-term ecological
consequences.
6. Health Impacts
- Disasters often lead to the spread of diseases due to crowded shelters, poor
sanitation, and limited access to healthcare.
- Physical injuries, malnutrition, and waterborne diseases become more
common post-disaster, especially in developing regions.
- In cases of chemical or nuclear disasters, there may be long-term health
impacts, including chronic illnesses, respiratory issues, and increased cancer
risk.
7. Cultural and Heritage Impacts
- Disasters can damage or destroy cultural landmarks, heritage sites, and
traditional practices, causing a loss of cultural identity and heritage.
- The loss of culturally significant sites can impact tourism and disrupt local
traditions, art, and history.
8. Educational Impacts
- Schools and educational facilities are often damaged or destroyed,
disrupting the education of children and young people.
- Displacement of families may lead to prolonged school closures or lack of
access to educational resources, affecting long-term learning outcomes.

Developmental Aspects of Disasters

Disasters impact development significantly, and development activities can
either mitigate or exacerbate disaster risks. Understanding the developmental
aspects of disasters includes recognizing how social, economic, and
environmental conditions influence vulnerability and recovery. For instance:

- Vulnerability Reduction: Sustainable development practices can reduce

vulnerability by improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, and resilience.
- Resilient Infrastructure: Developing disaster-resilient infrastructure can
mitigate the impact of disasters and enable faster recovery.
- Economic Impact: Disasters can reverse years of economic progress, making
investment in preparedness essential to protect development gains.
- Social Equity: Vulnerable communities often suffer more during disasters, so
equitable development policies are critical to building resilience across all
segments of society.
Types and Classification of Disasters
Disasters are commonly classified based on their origin and characteristics.
Broadly, they can be divided into natural (nature-induced) and human-induced
disasters.

1. Nature-Induced Disasters
These disasters are caused by natural phenomena and are often beyond
human control. Key types include:
- Geological Disasters: Result from natural geological processes. Examples
include:
- Earthquakes: Ground shaking due to tectonic activity.
- Volcanic Eruptions: Release of magma, ash, and gases from the Earth's
crust.
- Landslides: Downward movement of rock or soil on a slope, often
triggered by earthquakes or heavy rains.
- Hydro-Meteorological Disasters: Related to weather and water conditions.
Examples include:
- Floods: Overflow of water onto land that is usually dry, caused by heavy
rain or dam breaks.
- Cyclones/Hurricanes/Typhoons: Intense storms with high winds and
rainfall, forming over warm oceans.
- Droughts: Prolonged period of insufficient rainfall, affecting water supply,
agriculture, and ecosystems.
- Heatwaves and Cold Waves: Extended periods of extreme temperatures
that affect health and agriculture.
- Biological Disasters: Caused by the spread of diseases among humans,
animals, or plants. Examples include:
- Pandemics: Widespread outbreak of infectious diseases, such as COVID-
19.
 - Animal Disease Outbreaks: Like avian flu or swine flu, impacting food
supply and economies.
- Locust Infestations: Large swarms of locusts that destroy crops, leading to
food shortages.

2. Human-Induced Disasters
These disasters arise from human actions, often due to industrial activity,
negligence, or conflicts. They can be further classified into:
- Industrial/Technological Disasters: Resulting from industrial processes or
technology failures. Examples include:
- Chemical Spills: Accidental release of hazardous chemicals, affecting
people and the environment.
- Nuclear Accidents: Release of radioactive material, as seen in the
Chernobyl or Fukushima disasters.
- Structural Failures: Collapse of buildings, dams, or bridges due to design
flaws or poor maintenance.
- Environmental Degradation: Slow-onset disasters caused by human activity,
like:
- Deforestation: Leads to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and increased
flood risk.
- Air and Water Pollution: Degrades ecosystems and affects human health.
- Conflict-Related Disasters: Resulting from war, terrorism, or civil unrest.
Examples include:
- Armed Conflicts: Wars can displace populations, disrupt economies, and
damage infrastructure.
- Terrorist Attacks: Cause physical harm, psychological trauma, and disrupt
social stability.
CBRN Disasters (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear)
CBRN disasters involve the release of hazardous substances that can cause
widespread harm, often with long-lasting impacts. These are often human-
induced but can also arise from natural processes.

- Chemical Disasters: Involve the release of toxic substances that harm human
health and the environment. Common examples include industrial accidents
(e.g., the Bhopal gas tragedy) and chemical spills. Chemical weapons can also
cause CBRN disasters.

- Biological Disasters: Caused by pathogens, toxins, or biological agents that

spread infectious diseases. Examples include pandemics and biological warfare
agents. The COVID-19 pandemic and historical events like the Spanish flu are
significant biological disasters.

- Radiological Disasters: Result from exposure to radioactive materials, which

can lead to radiation sickness, cancer, and ecological harm. Radiological
disasters may arise from accidents involving radiation sources, such as in
hospitals or industrial facilities.

- Nuclear Disasters: Occur due to the uncontrolled release of nuclear energy,

leading to massive destruction and long-term environmental impacts. Notable
examples include the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters. Nuclear weapons
also pose a significant CBRN risk.

UNIT 2
Disaster Management Cycle
The disaster management cycle is a continuous process aimed at reducing
disaster risks, preparing for, and responding to disasters, and aiding recovery. It
comprises the following phases:
1. Mitigation and Prevention
- Mitigation involves measures to reduce the impact of disasters by
minimizing vulnerabilities and risks.
- Prevention focuses on eliminating the possibility of a disaster occurring.
- Examples:
- Strengthening building codes.
- Developing flood barriers.
- Promoting afforestation.
- Enforcing land-use planning and regulations.
2. Preparedness
- Activities and measures taken before a disaster to ensure effective response
and recovery.
- Examples:
- Conducting disaster drills and training.
- Developing emergency response plans.
- Stockpiling resources like food, water, and medical supplies.
- Establishing communication and evacuation protocols.
3. Prediction and Early Warning
- Prediction involves scientific efforts to forecast the occurrence of disasters
(e.g., cyclones, earthquakes).
- Early warning systems are critical to provide timely alerts to communities,
enabling them to act.
- Examples -Weather monitoring systems for cyclones and floods.
- Seismographs for earthquake detection.
 - Tsunami early warning systems.
4. Rescue and Relief
- Immediate actions to save lives and meet the basic needs of disaster-
affected populations.
- Rescue: Search and rescue operations to evacuate trapped individuals.
- Relief: Provision of emergency aid such as shelter, food, medical care, and
water.
- Examples:
- Deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams in India.
- Emergency distribution of blankets and tents.
5. Impact Assessment
- Assessment of the extent of damage caused by a disaster.
- Includes evaluation of:
- Number of casualties and injuries.
- Economic losses (e.g., infrastructure and property damage).
- Environmental and social impacts.
6. Response
- Actions taken during and immediately after a disaster to ensure safety and
provide essential services.
- Examples:
- Emergency medical care and triage.
- Restoration of communication and transportation networks.
- Coordination between government, NGOs, and international aid agencies.
7. Recovery
- Medium- to long-term activities aimed at restoring normalcy in disaster-
affected areas. - Examples:
- Rebuilding infrastructure and homes.
 - Providing psychological support and counseling.
- Economic rehabilitation through loans and job creation.
8. Reconstruction
- Long-term rebuilding efforts to restore infrastructure and livelihoods,
ensuring improved resilience.
- Examples:
- Building disaster-resilient structures.
- Restoring ecosystems like mangroves and forests.
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
- DRR focuses on reducing disaster risks by addressing vulnerabilities,
improving preparedness, and enhancing resilience.
- Principles:
- Risk identification and assessment.
- Strengthening governance and policies.
- Investing in risk reduction infrastructure and awareness programs.
- Enhancing early warning systems.
Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM)
- A bottom-up approach where local communities actively participate in
disaster risk management.
- Key Features:
- Empowering communities to assess risks and resources.
- Developing community-specific disaster management plans.
- Training and capacity-building at the grassroots level.
- Examples:
- Formation of village disaster response teams.
- Local knowledge integration in disaster planning.
Advocacy and Networking
 - Advocacy involves influencing policymakers and raising public awareness
about disaster management.
- Networking: Building partnerships among governments, NGOs, private
sectors, and international organizations to coordinate disaster risk reduction
and response efforts.
- Examples:
- Campaigns promoting disaster preparedness (e.g., International Day for
Disaster Risk Reduction).
- Partnerships like the SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC).

National Disaster Profile of India

- India faces a wide range of disasters due to its geographic, climatic, and
socio-economic diversity.
- Major Natural Disasters:
- Floods (40 million hectares prone).
- Earthquakes (58.6% of land prone to seismic activity).
- Cyclones (especially along the eastern coast).
- Droughts (frequent in arid and semi-arid regions).
- Landslides (in Himalayan and Western Ghats regions).
- Major Human-Induced Disasters:
- Industrial disasters like the Bhopal gas tragedy.
- Urban fires and transportation accidents.
- Terrorism and nuclear/radiological incidents.
- Disaster Management Framework:
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) oversees disaster
preparedness and mitigation.
- State and District Disaster Management Authorities implement localized
strategies.
 - Initiatives like "Aapda Mitra" (disaster volunteer training) and cyclone
shelters improve resilience.