For 6th Semester Polytechnic All Branch Students
Written by Garima Kanwar | Blog: Rajasthan Polytechnic
📢 🔔 Important:
👉 Full PDF available in our WhatsApp Group | Telegram Channel
👉 Watch the full lecture on YouTube: BTER Polytechnic Classes
Course Code 63002(Same in All Branches of Engg.)
Course Title Disaster Management
Disasters can be both natural and man-made events that cause damage to people, property, and the environment. When studying disaster management, it’s essential to understand key concepts that play a role in how we respond to and prepare for disasters. Let’s break down the main topics you’ll need to know for your final exam.
1.1 Understanding the Concepts and Definitions of Disaster
A disaster is a sudden, catastrophic event that causes significant damage and distress to communities. It can disrupt lives, cause economic losses, and result in the loss of lives and infrastructure. Disasters can be natural, like earthquakes or floods, or man-made, like industrial accidents or nuclear disasters.
Example:
- Natural Disaster: The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, where an underwater earthquake caused massive waves that destroyed coastal communities in Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
- Man-made Disaster: The 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, where a nuclear plant explosion led to severe radiation exposure.
A disaster typically results in more than just physical damage; it disrupts the social, cultural, and economic fabric of affected communities. Governments and agencies use the term "disaster" to address both the event and its consequences, including recovery efforts.
1.2 Hazard
A hazard refers to any situation, event, or condition that has the potential to cause harm. It could be a natural phenomenon or something caused by human activities. Hazards are categorized as either natural (like earthquakes, hurricanes, or volcanic eruptions) or human-made (such as industrial accidents or chemical spills).
Example:
- Natural Hazard: A volcano erupting in the Philippines, which could send lava, ash, and gases into the surrounding areas, damaging homes and agriculture.
- Human-made Hazard: A chemical leak from a factory that contaminates the air and water, posing health risks to the local population.
Not all hazards turn into disasters. They become disasters only if they affect vulnerable communities.
1.3 Vulnerability
Vulnerability refers to the degree to which a community or environment is susceptible to harm from hazards. A vulnerable population or area lacks the resources, infrastructure, or knowledge to cope with or recover from a disaster. Factors that increase vulnerability include poverty, lack of education, weak infrastructure, and poor healthcare systems.
Example:
- In many parts of the world, people living in informal settlements (like slums) are highly vulnerable to disasters like floods. Poor housing and lack of access to emergency services make it harder for these communities to recover.
- After Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, many low-income and minority communities experienced more severe damage due to inadequate evacuation plans, poor infrastructure, and insufficient resources to rebuild.
1.4 Risk
Risk is the likelihood that a hazard will cause harm or damage. It’s calculated by considering the hazard, the vulnerability of a community, and the exposure of people and assets to that hazard. The higher the hazard and vulnerability, the higher the risk.
Example:
- In coastal areas, the risk of flooding is higher due to the combination of hurricanes (hazard) and high population density (vulnerability).
- Similarly, in earthquake-prone regions like Japan, the risk of a disaster is higher because of frequent seismic activity and the potential impact on densely populated areas.
Risk can be reduced by improving preparedness, strengthening infrastructure, and educating people on how to respond to emergencies.
1.5 Capacity – Disaster and Development
Capacity refers to the resources, skills, and strengths that individuals, communities, and governments have to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. A community with a strong capacity can handle the challenges of a disaster better than a community with weak capacity. This involves not just physical resources, but also knowledge, skills, and social networks.
Example:
- The capacity of Japan to deal with earthquakes is high due to advanced engineering, early warning systems, and strong government preparedness plans.
- In contrast, many developing countries, such as Haiti, struggle with low capacity, which is why the country faced massive devastation when the 2010 earthquake struck, as there were limited resources to respond effectively.
Disaster and Development are interconnected because effective disaster management can contribute to development by building resilience, while poor development practices can increase vulnerability to disasters.
1.6 Disaster Management
Disaster management refers to the systematic process of planning for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. It involves the efforts of governments, organizations, and communities to minimize the impact of disasters and speed up recovery. Disaster management typically follows four phases:
Mitigation: This is the prevention or reduction of risks before a disaster occurs. It includes actions like constructing buildings to withstand earthquakes, installing flood barriers, or enforcing laws to control land use.
- Example: In Tokyo, Japan, buildings are constructed with earthquake-resistant technology to prevent collapse during earthquakes.
Preparedness: This phase involves planning and preparing resources, infrastructure, and people for a disaster. It includes training, education, and the development of emergency plans.
- Example: Countries like New Zealand hold regular earthquake drills to ensure their citizens know what to do when a quake occurs.
Response: This is the immediate action taken after a disaster strikes. It includes rescue, relief, and emergency medical care, along with providing food, water, and shelter to affected populations.
- Example: After the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, the government and international aid organizations quickly mobilized to provide food, medical aid, and tents for survivors.
Recovery: This phase focuses on rebuilding communities, restoring essential services, and helping people return to normal life. It may take months or years, depending on the scale of the disaster.
- Example: After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, recovery took years, with efforts focused on rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, and providing psychological support for affected families.
📥 WhatsApp Group: Join Now
📥 Telegram Channel: Join Now
📺 Watch Lecture on YouTube: BTER Polytechnic Classes
📍 Stay connected for more study materials! 🚀
0 Comments