For 6th Semester Polytechnic All Branch Students
Written by Garima Kanwar | Blog: Rajasthan Polytechnic
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Course Code 63002(Same in All Branches of Engg.)
Course Title Disaster Management
Disaster management is a structured approach to preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. This system helps reduce the impact of disasters on communities and the environment. To understand how disaster management works, we need to explore its cycle and framework, focusing on each phase and key strategies for effective disaster response.
3.1 Disaster Management Cycle
The disaster management cycle is a continuous process that involves different stages: before, during, and after a disaster. These stages include preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation. The goal is to minimize the impact of disasters and ensure that communities can recover and rebuild effectively.
- Phases of the Cycle:
- Pre-Disaster: Focuses on preparedness, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies to prevent or reduce the impact of a disaster.
- During Disaster: Involves emergency response actions like evacuation, search and rescue, and communication.
- Post-Disaster: Includes recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction to restore normal life and build resilience for the future.
3.2 Paradigm Shift in Disaster Management
There has been a paradigm shift in how disaster management is approached. Traditionally, the focus was solely on responding to disasters as they occurred. However, modern disaster management emphasizes a more holistic, proactive approach that includes:
- Risk reduction before disasters strike.
- Community involvement in disaster preparedness.
- Sustainable development to build resilience against future disasters.
This shift encourages a shift from a reactive to a proactive approach, where communities and governments take measures to prevent and mitigate potential disasters.
3.3 Pre-Disaster
The pre-disaster phase is focused on preparing for a disaster before it happens. This phase includes planning, risk assessment, and developing strategies to reduce the impact of potential disasters.
Key activities in this phase include:
- Risk Assessment and Analysis: Understanding the hazards a region faces and how vulnerable the community is to them.
- Risk Mapping: Identifying areas at high risk and understanding the scale of the impact.
- Zonation and Microzonation: Dividing areas based on risk levels to guide planning and development.
Prevention and Mitigation involve actions to reduce or eliminate disaster risks (like building codes, flood barriers, etc.), while early warning systems can alert communities about impending hazards.
3.4 Risk Assessment and Analysis
Risk assessment is the process of identifying hazards, evaluating the vulnerability of the community, and analyzing the potential impacts of those hazards. It helps in understanding the level of risk faced by a region and planning appropriate mitigation measures.
- Example: Assessing the earthquake risk in a region like Nepal to understand which buildings are most vulnerable and need retrofitting.
Risk analysis looks at both the likelihood and potential consequences of a disaster, helping authorities make informed decisions about where to allocate resources.
3.5 Risk Mapping
Risk mapping is the process of visualizing the distribution of hazards across a specific area. This is important for disaster planning and response as it identifies the most vulnerable areas that need more attention and resources.
- Example: Mapping flood-prone areas in a city helps to determine where to build flood barriers or where evacuations may be needed.
3.6 Zonation and Microzonation
Zonation refers to dividing an area into zones based on the risk level. For example, a city could be divided into high-risk, medium-risk, and low-risk zones based on the likelihood of flooding or earthquakes.
Microzonation goes a step further, dividing areas into even more detailed sub-zones, often based on factors like soil types, elevation, and proximity to fault lines or rivers. This helps tailor disaster preparedness and response more effectively.
3.7 Prevention and Mitigation of Disasters
Prevention involves eliminating or reducing the causes of a disaster (e.g., building codes to prevent structural damage during earthquakes). Mitigation focuses on reducing the impact of a disaster (e.g., flood barriers or controlled burns to prevent wildfires).
- Example of Prevention: Implementing better building practices to prevent collapse during earthquakes in earthquake-prone areas.
- Example of Mitigation: Building levees to protect low-lying areas from flooding.
3.8 Early Warning System
An Early Warning System (EWS) is crucial for preparing communities ahead of a disaster. It involves monitoring, detecting, and forecasting hazards, and then issuing warnings to help people evacuate or take protective measures.
3.8.1 Preparedness
Preparedness ensures that communities are ready to respond when a disaster strikes. This includes having emergency plans, conducting drills, and training people in first aid and other response measures.
- Example: Countries like Japan conduct regular earthquake drills to ensure citizens know how to respond when an earthquake occurs.
3.8.2 Capacity Development
Capacity development is the process of strengthening the abilities of individuals, communities, and governments to prepare for and respond to disasters. This includes training first responders, improving infrastructure, and increasing public awareness.
- Example: Capacity-building programs in disaster-prone areas can help local communities improve their resilience to floods, cyclones, or earthquakes.
3.8.3 Awareness
Raising public awareness about disaster risks and safety measures is essential. This helps individuals and communities understand the importance of preparedness and how they can protect themselves and others.
- Example: Public education campaigns on earthquake preparedness, like how to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" during a quake.
3.9 During Disaster
During a disaster, the focus is on immediate response actions to protect lives and reduce damage.
3.9.1 Evacuation
Evacuation involves moving people from danger zones to safer areas. It is crucial for saving lives, especially in cases of floods, fires, or hurricanes.
- Example: During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the evacuation of New Orleans was a critical part of the emergency response.
3.9.2 Disaster Communication
Disaster communication is key to ensuring that accurate information reaches the affected population. It includes sharing updates on the disaster’s progress, evacuation routes, and safety measures.
- Example: Social media and mobile alerts were crucial during the 2010 Haiti earthquake to provide survivors with essential information.
3.9.3 Search and Rescue
Search and rescue teams work to locate and assist survivors. They may be involved in finding people trapped under rubble or rescuing those stranded by floods or other hazards.
- Example: After the 2011 earthquake in Japan, rescue teams from around the world helped find survivors buried under debris.
3.9.4 Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)
An EOC is a centralized location where disaster response activities are coordinated. It ensures that resources are efficiently managed and that the right services are provided to those in need.
- Example: During major disasters like earthquakes or tsunamis, an EOC helps coordinate response efforts among multiple agencies.
3.9.5 Incident Command System (ICS)
The Incident Command System is a standardized approach used to manage emergency responses. It ensures that roles are clearly defined, and resources are allocated appropriately.
- Example: ICS is used in wildfires to ensure that firefighting teams, medical teams, and emergency services are working together effectively.
3.9.6 Relief and Rehabilitation
Relief involves providing immediate aid such as food, water, and medical assistance. Rehabilitation involves helping people return to their normal lives, which includes rebuilding homes, restoring services, and supporting mental health.
- Example: After the 2004 tsunami, relief efforts involved delivering emergency food and medical supplies, while rehabilitation efforts focused on rebuilding communities.
3.10 Post-Disaster
Post-disaster activities focus on long-term recovery and reconstruction.
3.10.1 Damage and Needs Assessment
This involves evaluating the extent of damage and determining the immediate needs of the affected community. It helps prioritize the use of resources for effective recovery.
- Example: After a hurricane, an assessment might include checking damaged infrastructure, the number of displaced people, and the availability of food and water.
3.10.2 Restoration of Critical Infrastructure
Rebuilding essential services like water, electricity, healthcare, and transportation is critical for returning to normal life.
- Example: After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, restoring access to clean water and healthcare was a priority.
3.10.3 Early Recovery, Reconstruction, and Redevelopment
Early recovery focuses on rebuilding lives and property, while reconstruction and redevelopment aim to improve resilience and reduce vulnerability to future disasters.
- Example: Post-tsunami, many countries focused on rebuilding communities in a way that was more resilient to future disasters, such as elevating homes to reduce flood risk.
3.10.4 IDNDR, Yokohama Strategy, Hyogo Framework of Action
- IDNDR (International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction): A UN initiative to reduce the impacts of disasters through international cooperation.
- Yokohama Strategy (1994): Focused on disaster prevention, preparedness, and recovery.
- Hyogo Framework (2005-2015): A comprehensive disaster risk reduction strategy that emphasized the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to reducing disaster risks globally.
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