Disaster Management

Meaning An occurrence arising with little or no warning, which causes or threatens serious disruption in life, and perhaps death or injury to large number of people and requires therefore mobilization of effort in excess of that normally provided by the statutory emergency services.

Types Natural Disasters – are thr result of some natural phenomena such as earthquake, volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides, cyclones, wild fires etc. Predications of natural disasters is very diffucult except cyclones.

Man-made disasters – that are usually resulted from human interaction within the artificial environment he has created. Examples are accidents – railways, ship or aeroplane or accidents in industries like chernobyl in Russia, Union Carbide Plant in Bhopal, India etc.

Hybrid Disasters – occur when there is a link between man-made events and natural events. For example, deforestation

Management We cannot avoid disasters but can make attempts to minimize its impacts. Therefore, it becomes necessary to develop a comprehensive system towards a better management of disasters. Need to integrate people, NGOs, technology and Governments to form a disaster management plan.

This plan aims to reduce, or avoid, the potential losses from hazards, assure prompt and appropriate assistance to victims of disasters, and achieve rapid and effective recovery.

Mitigation – minimizing the effects of disaster Mitigation – minimizing the effects of disaster. Examples – building safety codes and zoning, vulnerability analyses updates, public education. Preparedness – to achieve a satisfactory level of readiness to respond to any emergency situation. Examples – preparedness plans, emergency exercises, warning systems, reserves of food, equipment, water, medicines etc.

Response – to provide immediate assistance to maintain life, improve health and support the morale of the affected population. Examples – search and rescue, emergency relief etc. Recovery – returning the community to normal. Examples – temporary housing, medical care, counseling program etc.

Role of Technology In Disaster management A geographic information system (GIS), geographical information system, or geospatial information system is any system that captures, stores, analyzes, manages, and presents data that are linked to location(s)

Remote sensing – makes observation of any object from a distance and without coming into actual contact. a – Aerial remote Sensing – a process of recording information such as photographs and images from sensor on aircrafts. b- Satellite Remote Sensing – used to integrate natural hazard assessments into developing planning studies.(Landsat,SPOT satellite etc)