Professional Documents
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Vision: Value Addition Material - 2018
Vision: Value Addition Material - 2018
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3. Natural Hazards in India ........................................................................................................................................ 23
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3.1. India: Vulnerability Profile............................................................................................................................... 23
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3.2. Natural Disasters ............................................................................................................................................ 24
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3.3. Man Made Disasters....................................................................................................................................... 59
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CHAPTER-4 .......................................................................................................................................................... 70
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CHAPTER–5 ......................................................................................................................................................... 77
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Disaster damage occurs during and immediately after the disaster. This is usually measured in physical units (e.g.,
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square meters of housing, kilometres of roads, etc.), and describes the total or partial destruction of physical assets,
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the disruption of basic services and damages to sources of livelihood in the affected area.
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Disaster impact is the total effect, including negative effects (e.g., economic losses) and positive effects (e.g.,
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economic gains), of a hazardous event or a disaster. The term includes economic, human and environmental impacts,
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and may include death, injuries, disease and other negative effects on human physical, mental and social well-being.
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A disaster is a result of the combination of hazard, vulnerability and insufficient capacity to reduce the potential
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chances of risk.
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Any hazard – flood, earthquake or cyclone along with greater vulnerability (inadequate access to resources, sick and
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old people, lack of awareness etc.) would lead to disaster causing greater loss to life and property.
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For example; an earthquake in an uninhabited desert cannot be considered a disaster, no matter how strong the
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intensities produced. An earthquake is disastrous only when it affects people, their properties and activities. Thus,
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disaster occurs only when hazards and vulnerability meet. Also, with greater capacity of the individual/community
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Hazard Disaster
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physical condition or event. of a hazard. Natural hazards that cause great loss to human life
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Earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruption, It causes damage to property and loss of life but it also disrupts
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damage to property.
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Small numbers of people are affected. A large number of people are affected.
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It may cause injury, loss of life or damage of It causes wide spread loss to life and property.
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property.
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Earthquakes, floods, volcanoes, tsunami, land It affects the society to such an extent that external aid
slide, drought etc. are natural hazards. becomes sate the losses.
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include infrastructure, institutions, human knowledge and skills, and collective attributes such as social relationships,
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leadership and management.
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Coping capacity is the ability of people, organizations and systems, using available skills and resources, to manage
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adverse conditions, risk or disasters. The capacity to cope requires continuing awareness, resources and good
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management, both in normal times as well as during disasters or adverse conditions. Coping capacities contribute to
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Disasters can be grouped into two broad categories namely natural and manmade.
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Natural disasters are disasters which are caused because of natural phenomena (meteorological, geological or even
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biological origin). Examples of natural disasters are cyclones, tsunamis, earthquake and volcanic eruption which are
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exclusively of natural origin. Landslides, floods, drought, fires are socio-natural disasters since their causes are both
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natural and manmade. For example flooding may be caused because of heavy rains, landslide or blocking of drains
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Manmade disasters are disasters which occur due to human negligence. These are associated with industries or
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energy generation facilities and include explosions, leakage of toxic waste, pollution, dam failure, wars or civil strife
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etc. Many occur frequently while others take place occasionally. However, on the basis of their genesis, they can be
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categorized as follows:
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Disaster Risk Management includes sum total of all activities, programmes and measures which can be taken up
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to achieve early recovery and rehabilitation of affected
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communities, immediately after a disaster strikes. These are called as response and recovery activities.
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The Tenth Five-Year Plan document also had, for the first time, a detailed chapter on Disaster Management. The
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Twelfth Finance Commission was also mandated to review the financial arrangements for Disaster Management.
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Paradigm Shift in Disaster Management
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On 23rd December 2005, the Government of India (GoI) enacted the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which
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envisaged the creation of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), State Disaster Management
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Authorities (SDMAs) and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), to adopt a holistic and integrated
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approach to Disaster Management. This acted as a paradigm shift, from the erstwhile relief-centric response to a
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proactive prevention, mitigation and preparedness-driven approach to minimise loss of life, livelihood and
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property.
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The National Disaster Management Act, 2005 lays down institutional, legal, financial and coordination mechanisms
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at the National, State, District and Local levels. The Act provides for the setting up of NDMA at national level, and,
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the SDMA at the state level and the DDMAs at the district level.
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The primary responsibility for management of disaster rests with the State Government concerned. The
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institutional mechanism put in place at the Centre, State and District levels helps states to manage disasters in an
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effective manner.
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Disaster Management Division, Ministry of Home Affairs: The overall coordination of disaster management vests
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with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The Disaster Management Division is responsible for response, relief and
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preparedness for natural calamities and man-made disasters (except drought and epidemics).
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On behalf of the Central Government, DM Division in the Ministry of Home Affairs co-ordinates with disaster
affected State Governments, concerned line ministries/departments, National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) and the
Directorate General of Fire Services, Home Guards and Civil Defence, and Armed Forces for effective disaster risk
reduction.
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Governments, and the State Authorities regarding measures to be taken by them in response to any specific
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threatening disaster situation or disaster as per needs of the State.
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[UPSC Question: Comment on the following in not more than 50 words: Composition and functions of the
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National Executive Committee of the National Disaster Management Authority. (2011)]
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The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) and the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) are the key
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committees involved in the top-level decision-making with regard to disaster management. The Cabinet Committee
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The CCS deals with issues related to defence of the country, law and order, and internal security, policy matters
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concerning foreign affairs that have internal or external security implications, and economic and political issues
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impinging on national security. CCS will be involved in the decision making if the disaster has serious security
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implications.
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The NCMC deals with major crises that have serious or national ramifications. These include incidents such as those
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requiring close involvement of the security forces and/or intelligence agencies such as terrorism (counter-
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insurgency), law and order situations, serial bomb blasts, hijacking, air accidents, CBRN, weapon systems, mine
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disasters, port and harbour emergencies, forest fires, oilfield fires, and oil spills.
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The Government of India recognized the need to evolve a participatory process of decision making with active
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involvement of the Central & State Governments and other stakeholders including people representing different
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interests in the field of disaster management. Accordingly, a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral National Platform
for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) was constituted.
The NPDRR is chaired by the Union Home Minister and Minister of State in- charge of Disaster Management in the
Ministry of Home Affairs and Vice-Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority is Vice-Chairperson of NPDRR.
Special Secretary/Additional Secretary in-charge of Disaster Management Division in the Ministry of Home Affairs
will be the convener of NPDRR. It performs the following functions:
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• NDMA has the power to authorise the Departments or authorities, to make emergency procurement of
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materials for rescue and relief in a threatening disaster situation or disaster.
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• It takes such other measures, as it may consider necessary, for the prevention of disasters, or mitigation, or
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preparedness and capacity building, for dealing with a threatening disaster situation or disaster.
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It oversees the provision and application of funds for mitigation and preparedness measures.
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Other emergencies such as terrorism (counter-insurgency), law and order situations, hijacking, air accidents, CBRN
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(Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) weapon systems, which require the close involvement of the security
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Management Committee
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(NCMC).
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governments, Non-Governmental
Organisations (NGOs) and civil
society members.
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The first major test of disaster for NDRF was Kosi Floods in 2008. The situation was handled by the NDRF on a war
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footing by sending flood rescue trained to the five flood affected districts with utmost promptitude. As a result,
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over 1,00,000 affected people were rescued during the initial stage itself. The prompt and timely response of
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NDRF was appreciated by the then Chief Minister of Bihar.
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In the 2015 earthquake in Nepal (magnitude 7.8) India’s National Disaster Response Force made the headlines by
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capitalizing the golden hours’ rule of disaster management by being the first on the ground. In the rescue
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operations, the personnel of NDRF pulled out 11 live victims out of a total figure of 16.
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• NDRF has also acquired considerable expertise in facing CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear)
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challenges. The creditable task of NDRF in retrieving Cobalt-60 radiological material at Mayapuri, Delhi, during
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April and May 2010 has been an acid test of NDRF's CBRN capability.
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District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)
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At the district level, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), headed by the District Collector/District
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Magistrate, is responsible for overall coordination of the disaster management efforts and planning.
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• As per provisions of the Act, each State Government establishes a District Disaster Management Authority for
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every district in the State.
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The DDMA is headed by the District Collector with the elected representative of the local authority as the Co-
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Chairperson.
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The State Government appoints an officer not below the rank of Additional Collector/Additional District
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Magistrate of the district to be the Chief Executive Officer of the District Disaster Management Authority.
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• The DDMA prepares the Disaster Management plan for the District and monitors its implementation.
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It also ensures that the guidelines laid down by the NDMA and the SDMA are followed by all the district-level
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offices.
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Local Authorities
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Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI), Municipalities, District and Cantonment Boards, and Town Planning Authorities,
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which control and manage civic services ensure capacity building of their employees for managing disasters, carrying
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out relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the affected areas. They also prepare their disaster
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Strengthening of State Disaster Management Authorities and District Disaster Mangement Authorities
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Ministry of Home Affairs has sanctioned the scheme to improve the effectiveness of all SDMAs and selected DDMAs
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and to make them functionally operational by providing dedicated disaster management professionals. The scheme
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National Disaster Response Reserve
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The 13th Finance commission recommended for creation of a National Disaster Response reserve (NDRR) with a
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corpus of Rs.250 crore to meet the immediate requirement of relief material/equipment after a disaster. The
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purpose of creating National Disaster Response Reserve (NDRR) is to mitigate the sufferings of the victims of the
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disaster which are beyond the coping capacity of the States.
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The Finance Commission is required to review the arrangements regarding financing of Disaster Management funds
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It recommended that up to 10 percent of the funds available under the SDRF can be used by a State for
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occurrences which State considers to be ‘disasters’ within its local context and which are not in the notified list
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As the financing of NDRF has so far been almost wholly through the levy of cess on select items, it recommended
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that Union Government must ensure an assured source of funding for NDRF once the various cess and levies
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The FFC recommended an allocation of Rs 55,000 crores to all states under the Disaster Management head.
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The implementation of the National Disaster Act, 2005 has been slow, and slack. There was a seven year delay,
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from 2006 to 2013, in finalising the National Plan on Disaster Management which was finally released in 2016. The
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act has been criticized for marginalizing Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), elected local representatives,
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local communities and civic groups. It has also been accused of fostering a hierarchical, bureaucratic, command and
control, 'top down', approach that gives the central, state, and district authorities sweeping powers.
A performance audit report of the disaster management mechanism in the country by was released by the
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in 2013. The CAG report highlighted several other loopholes in the
functioning of NDMA.
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National Institute of Disaster Response, had not been established, though it had been approved in 2006.
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2.3. National Policy on Disaster Management, 2009
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NDMA came up with a ‘National Policy on Disaster Management’ (NPDM) in 2009. It is prepared with the vision “To
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build a safe and disaster resilient India by developing a holistic, proactive, multi-disaster oriented and technology
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Disaster Management is a multidisciplinary activity which is to be performed with cohesive synergy among all
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stakeholders. The National Policy on Disaster Management provides for an integrated approach for management
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• Promoting a culture of prevention, preparedness and resilience at all levels through knowledge, innovation and education.
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• Encouraging mitigation measures based on technology, traditional wisdom and environmental sustainability.
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• Establishing institutional and techno-legal frameworks to create an enabling regulatory environment and a compliance
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regime.
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• Ensuring efficient mechanism for identification, assessment and monitoring of disaster risks.
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• Developing contemporary forecasting and early warning systems backed by responsive and fail-safe communication with
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• Ensuring efficient response and relief with a caring approach towards the needs of the vulnerable sections of the society.
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• Undertaking reconstruction as an opportunity to build disaster resilient structures and habitat for ensuring safer living.
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• Promoting a productive and proactive partnership with the media for disaster management.
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It places an enabling environment for all and addresses the concerns of all the sections of the society including
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It also aims to bring in transparency and accountability in all aspects of disaster management through involvement of
community, community based organizations, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), local bodies and civil society.
2.4. The National Disaster Management Plan, 2016
The Government of India, for the first time, released its first National Disaster Management Plan in 2016. The Vision
of the Plan is to “Make India disaster resilient, achieve substantial disaster risk reduction, and significantly decrease
the losses of life, livelihoods, and assets – economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental – by maximizing the
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• Integrating approach with role clarity
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✓ It provides for horizontal and vertical integration among all the agencies and departments of the
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Government and also spells out the roles and responsibilities of all levels of Government right up to
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Panchayat and Urban local body level in a matrix format.
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✓ Ministries are given role for specific disasters e.g. Ministry of Earth Sciences is responsible for Cyclones
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✓ The plan has a regional approach, which will be beneficial not only for disaster management but also for
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development planning.
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✓ It is designed in such a way that it can be implemented in a scalable manner in all phases of disaster
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management.
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Major activities
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✓ It identifies major activities such as early warning, information dissemination, medical care, fuel,
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transportation, search and rescue, evacuation, etc. to serve as a checklist for agencies responding to a
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disaster.
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✓ It also provides a generalised framework for recovery and offers flexibility to assess a situation and build
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back better.
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✓ To prepare communities to cope with disasters, it emphasises on a greater need for Information, Education
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✓ It calls for ethical guidelines for the media for coverage of disasters as well as self-regulation.
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✓ The plan wants the media to respect the dignity and privacy of affected people.
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✓ Also, in a move aimed to stop rumours and spread of panic, the plan directed the authorities to schedule
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regular media briefing (depending on the severity of the disaster) and designate a nodal officer for
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It lays focus on training, capacity building and incorporating best international practices.
Significance of the NDMP
• It provides a framework and direction to the government agencies for all phases of disaster management cycle.
• It recognizes the need to minimize, if not eliminate, any ambiguity in the responsibility framework. It, therefore,
specifies who is responsible for what at different stages of managing disasters.
• It is envisaged as ready for activation at all times in response to an emergency in any part of the country.
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▪ The plan is aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development Goals,
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but unlike in the Sendai Framework or the SDGs, the plan does not set any goals or targets, nor does it spell
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out how the Sendai goals and targets shall be achieved.
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Therefore, the national plan needs to be supplemented by national roadmaps for disaster resilience with clear goals,
targets, timeframe, and ideas about how resources shall be mobilised for its implementation. 15
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land and the environment, and improved preparedness for adverse events. The DM Act 2005 defines "Mitigation" as
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measures aimed at reducing the risk, impact, or effects of a disaster or threatening disaster situation. Following
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Picture depicts Prime Minister's ten point agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction
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The National Policy suggests a multipronged approach for disaster risk reduction and mitigation consisting of the
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following:
• Integrating risk reduction measures into all development projects.
• Initiating mitigation projects in identified high priority areas through joint efforts of the Central and State
Governments.
• Encouraging and assisting State level mitigation projects.
• Paying attention to indigenous knowledge on disaster and coping mechanisms.
• Giving due weightage to the protection of heritage structures.
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etc. and empower the authorities to mainstream disaster risk reduction and disaster resilience into development
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activities.
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5. Capacity Development: The capacity development includes training programs, curriculum development, large-
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scale awareness creation efforts, and carrying out regular mock drills and disaster response exercises.
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Hazard-wise Responsibility Matrices for Disaster Risk Mitigation have been developed and relevant stakeholders
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have been identified.
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To build the capacity of the most hazardous districts in the most vulnerable states, the Government of India has
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launched a project on sustainably reducing disaster risks in two districts each in five identified states (Uttarakhand,
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Response measures are those taken immediately after receiving early warning from the relevant authority or
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immediately after the occurrence of an event. It is considered as the most visible phase amongst various phases of
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disaster management. Response includes not only those activities that directly address the immediate needs, such
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as search and rescue, first aid and temporary shelters, but also rapid mobilization of various systems necessary to
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Preparedness, as defined by UNISDR, consist of “the knowledge and capacities developed by governments,
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professional response and recovery organizations, communities and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to,
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and recover from, the impacts of likely, imminent or current hazard events or conditions.” Based on the
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preparedness, the response process begins as soon as it becomes apparent that a disastrous event is imminent and
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No single agency or department can handle a disaster situation of any scale alone. There are specific tasks, roles and
responsibilities in the domain of response, which is the most critical and time-sensitive aspect of disaster
management.
The institutional arrangements for the response system consist of the following elements:
a) Nodal Central Ministries with disaster-specific responsibilities for national-level coordination of the response and
mobilization of all the necessary resources.
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Role of Central Agencies/Departments
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The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) will act as the communication and coordination hub during this
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phase and it will maintain constant touch with early warning agencies for updated inputs. It will inform State
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Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) and District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC). The DM Division of the
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MHA will communicate and coordinate with designated early warning agencies, various nodal Ministries, and State
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Governments.
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the Central
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Government has
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assigned nodal
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responsibilities to
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coordinating disaster-
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specific responses. At
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Central Government
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responsibilities to
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coordinating disaster-
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specific responses.
The NEC will
coordinate response in
the event of any
threatening disaster
situation or disaster.
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pregnant women.
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6. Death certificate of spouse for widows should be issued within 15 days of the disaster by the district
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administration and necessary financial assistance must be arranged within 45 days.
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7. Relief centres should be temporary and closed as soon as normalcy returns in the area.
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Fire and Emergency Services 15
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FES is one of the first responders during the Golden Hour after a disaster and plays a vital role in saving lives and
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property. The primary role of Fire and Emergency Service (FES) is of responding to fire incidents. However, besides
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fire fighting, FES attends to other emergencies such as building collapse, road traffic accidents, human and animal
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At present, States and UTs, and ULBs are managing the FES. However, there is no standardization with regard to the
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scaling of equipment, the type of equipment, or the training of their staff. Each State it has own standards according
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to the initiatives taken by the States and the funds provided for the FES.
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From the mid-2000s onwards, governance was commonly accepted as the crux of Disaster Risk Reduction. Disaster
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risk governance is the way in which public authorities, civil servants, media, private sector, and civil society
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cooperate at various levels in order to manage and reduce disaster related risks.
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This requires ensuring sufficient levels of capacity and resources available to prevent and prepare for disasters. It
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also entails institutions and processes for citizens to articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights and
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The Sendai Framework states that disaster risk governance at different levels is of great importance for an effective
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and efficient management of disaster risk. The Sendai Framework lays emphasis on the following to strengthen
disaster risk governance:
a) Mainstream and integrate disaster risk reduction within and across all sectors. It must guide both the public and
private sectors and clearly spell out the roles and responsibilities. Mechanisms and initiatives for increasing
disaster risk transparency must be encouraged.
b) Adopt and implement disaster risk reduction strategies and plans, across different levels (local to national) and
timescales to the strengthen resilience – economic, social, health and environmental.
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• the reconstruction process has to be comprehensive. Incorporating disaster resilient features to ‘build back
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better’ will be the guiding principle.
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• Reconstruction plans and designing of houses need to be a participatory process involving the government,
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affected community, NGOs and the corporate sector. While owner driven construction is a preferred option,
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participation of the NGOs and corporate sector will be encouraged. 15
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Essential services, social infrastructure and intermediate shelters/camps will be established in the shortest
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possible time.
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the plans for reconstruction in highly disaster prone areas need to be drawn out during the period of normalcy,
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which may include architectural and structural designs in consultation with the various stakeholders.
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Recovery Process
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According to UNISDR (2009), recovery is the restoration, and improvement of facilities, livelihoods and living
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Three recovery stages, in which appropriate policies and programmes tend to be planned and implemented are: a)
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area(s). The reconstruction phase requires a substantial commitment of time and resources by the Governments
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(State and Central) and other agencies. These reconstruction efforts include:
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• Reconstruction of public infrastructures and social services damaged by the disaster, which can be completed
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over the long-term
• Re-establishment of adequate housing to replace that has been destroyed 15
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Rehabilitation
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Rehabilitation is defined as a strategy of institutional reform and improvement of infrastructure and services aimed
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towards supporting the affected populations. Generally, rehabilitation package includes total reconstruction of
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damaged physical and psychological infrastructure, as well as economic and social rehabilitation of the people in the
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Physical Rehabilitation
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• Reconstruction of physical infrastructure such as buildings, railways, roads, communication network, water
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• Short-term and long-term strategies towards watershed management, canal irrigation, social forestry, crop
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stabilization, alternative cropping techniques, job creation, employment generation and environmental
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protection.
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• Adequate provision for subsidies, adherence to land-use planning, flood plain zoning, retrofitting or
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• Provide writing material, and work books to children.
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• Make children participate in all activities pertaining to resurrection of normalcy in the school.
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• Try to inculcate conducive attitudes to enable the students to play a positive role in self-development.
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• Establish village level education committees.
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• Identify local groups that could conduct smooth functioning of education activities 15
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2. Rehabilitation of the Elderly, Women and Children: The elderly, women, and children are more vulnerable after a
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major disaster. Hence the following measures will help in their rehabilitation:
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• Make efforts to attach destitute, widows and orphans with their extended family, if that is not possible then
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• Organize regular counselling to strengthen the mental health of women and children.
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• Give due attention to health, nutrition and hygiene in the long-term rehabilitation package for women and
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children.
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• Activate/reactivate the anganwadis (day-care centres), and old-age homes within the shortest possible time.
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• Make efforts to build residential female children homes at the block level.
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• Set up vocational training camps to improve the skills of orphans and children
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Economic Rehabilitation
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The major components of economic rehabilitation are livelihood restoration and ensuring the continuity of trade and
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commerce. Livelihood opportunities are severely disrupted by the destruction or loss of essential assets; with the
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result that people are unable to engage in normal income generating activities; become demoralized and dependent
on humanitarian aid. Economic recovery should be based on:
• Analysis of existing livelihood strategies and sustainability of businesses.
• A comprehensive analysis of existing and future risks.
• The vulnerabilities of the affected families.
• The accessibility of linkages to external influences and institutions including skills and knowledge.
• Access to functioning markets.
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development as one of its major responsibilities. There are a number of renowned institutes in various States, which
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are imparting training in DM. Also, the Disaster Management cells in all Administrative Training Institutes, Police
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Academies, State Institutes of Rural Development, Training centres of five CAPFs from where NDRF is drawn up
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(BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB) and the NDRF Academy, Nagpur will contribute most significantly in developing DM
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related skills. The capacity of existing institutes needs to be upgraded in accordance with regional and local
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requirements and greater financial assistance is required.
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National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Academy at Nagpur is a premier institute to impart high class training to
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NDRF and SDRF Battalions, Civil Defence Volunteers and disaster response personnel of SAARC countries in
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disaster management. The existing National Civil Defence College, Nagpur will be merged into the NDRF Academy.
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The Academy will conduct courses for Training of Trainers (ToT) and Master Trainers (MoT) in the areas of
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Collapsed Structure Search & Rescue (CSSR), Medical First Responder (MFR), Flood Rescue, Deep Diving, Landslide,
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Mountain Rescue and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Emergencies to the personnel of
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The local leadership can play a big role in disaster management in all stages. The elected leaders and officials of
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Panchayats and ULBs should be trained to handle different types of crises, contribute to disaster preparedness, make
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proper use of available warnings, organize operations such as search, rescue, relief, medical assistance, and carry out
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damage assessment. They should also have sound understanding of the needs of proper post-disaster rehabilitation.
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The capabilities of the local bodies have to be developed in financial, technical, and managerial spheres. The state
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level training institutes (ATI, SIDM, and others) will develop need-based training programs for the capacity
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prone to disasters like
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earthquakes and
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landslides, the plain is
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affected by floods
almost every year. 15
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country is affected by
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susceptible to
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▪ 58.6 per cent of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity
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▪ Over 40 million hectares (12%) of its land is prone to floods and river erosion
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▪ Close to 5,700 kms, out of the 7,516 kms long coastline is prone to cyclones and tsunamis
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vulnerable to droughts
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▪ Vulnerability to disasters/emergencies
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Besides the natural factors, various human-induced activities like increasing demographic pressure, deteriorating
environmental conditions, deforestation, unscientific development, faulty agricultural practices and grazing,
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Pulling away from each other (Divergent),
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▪ Pushing against one another (Convergent)and
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▪ Sliding sideways relative to each other (Transform)
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The areas of stress at plate boundaries which release
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accumulated energy by slipping or rupturing are known as ra
'faults'. A rupture then occurs along the fault and the rock
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waves.
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possible.
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the public health system, transport and water supply in the affected areas.
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Tertiary impact of earthquake includes Post Trauma Stress Disorder (PTSD), long term psychological issues, loss of
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livelihood, disruption of social capital due to relocation related issues, etc.
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Earthquake Hazard Mitigation
15
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Since earthquake also destroys most of the transport and communication links, providing timely relief to the victims
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becomes difficult. It is not possible to prevent the occurrence of an earthquake; hence, the next best option is to lay
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• Earthquake monitoring centres (seismological centres) for regular monitoring and fast dissemination of
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information among the people in the vulnerable areas should be established. Currently, Centre for Seismology
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(CS) is the nodal agency of Government of India responsible for monitoring seismic activity in and around the
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country.
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• A vulnerability map of the country along with dissemination of vulnerability risk information among the people
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• Planning: The Bureau of Indian Standards has published building codes and guidelines for safe construction of
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buildings against earthquakes. Before the buildings are constructed the building plans have to be checked by
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• Important buildings such as hospitals, schools and fire stations need to be upgraded by retrofitting
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techniques.
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• Community preparedness and public education on causes and characteristics of an earthquake and
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preparedness measures is important. It can be created through sensitization and training programme for
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community, by preparation of disaster management plans by schools, malls, hospitals etc. and carrying out mock
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drills, by preparing documentation on lessons from previous earthquakes and widely disseminating it.
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• Engineered structures: The soil type should be analysed before construction. Building structures on soft
soil should be avoided. Similar pr oblem s persist in the building s constructed on the river banks which
have alluvial soil.
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and without compliance to building codes and bye-laws. It is thus necessary to make use of indigenous technical
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knowledge and locally available materials in the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings in suburban and
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rural areas.
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Quick and effective response – Experience has shown that over 80% search and rescue is carried out by
15
communities itself before the intervention of specialized rescue and relief forces. Thus there is a need to give
ra
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basic training to the community members as it is always the first responder after any disaster.
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• Early Earthquake Warning and Security System -Chennai-based Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-
ra
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SERC), a pioneer advanced seismic testing and research laboratory under the Council of Scientific & Industrial
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Research (CSIR), has completed the testing of the German-developed “Early Earthquake Warning and Security
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System”, which was launched for the first time in India recently.
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• A pilot project on Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system is under implementation for northern India
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(Uttarakhand) by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee which is funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences
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(MoES).
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• Insurance & Risk transfer instruments – These should be developed in collaboration with the insurance
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A National Earthquake Risk Mitigation (Preparatory phase) was approved as a Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme in
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2013. The project is to be implemented by NDMA in coordination with the State Governments/UT that lie in seismic
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zones IV & V in the country. It aims to increase awareness of the key stakeholders on the need for adoption of model
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The National Building Code of India (NBC) provides guidelines for regulating the building construction activities on
different materials, planning, design and construction practices of buildings. It lays down provisions designed to
protect the safety of the public with regard to structural sufficiency, fire hazards and health aspect of buildings.
A building collapsed in Lalita Park, Laxmi Nagar, East Delhi in November 2010 in which 71 people lost their
lives. It was reported that builders in the area were violating building laws by adding extra floors for additional
rental incomes and encroaching road space. An inquiry commission, headed by retired justice Lokeshwar
Prasad reported that most of the buildings in East Delhi were unsafe due to the inferior construction material
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such as bridges, flyovers, ports, harbours etc.
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2. Selective Seismic strengthening & Retrofitting of existing Priority structures and Lifeline Structures: All central
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ministries and state governments are required to draw up programs for seismic strengthening of priority
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structures through ULBs and PRIs. Buildings of national importance such as Raj Bhavans, Legislatures, Courts,
12
15
critical buildings like academic institutions, public utility structures like reservoirs, dams and multi-storeyed
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buildings with five or more floors. The responsibility to identify these structures rests with the State
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Governments.
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3. Regulation and Enforcement: State Governments are responsible for establishing mechanisms to implement
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Building Codes and other safety codes to ensure that all stakeholders like builders, architects, engineers,
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government departments adhere to seismic safety in all design and construction activities. The Home Ministry
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had constituted a national level expert group which recommended modifications to the town and country
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planning Acts, land use and zoning regulations, DCRs and building bye-laws which are technically rigorous and
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4. Awareness & Preparedness: NDMA acknowledges that sensitization of all stakeholders is one of the most
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earthquake safety, homeowner's seismic safety manuals, a manual on structural safety audit and video films
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for the general public. It also highlights the need to create vulnerability maps of land areas and streamlining of
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5. Capacity Development (Education, Training, R&D, Capacity Building and Documentation): The target groups for
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capcity development include elected representatives and government, officials, professionals in visual and print
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media, urban planners, engineers, architects and builders, NGOs, Community Based Organisations (CBOs), social
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6. Emergency Response: All response activities are undertaken through Incident Command System coordinated by
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the local administration. It includes involvement of community, corporate sector and specialized teams.
3.2.2. Tsunami
What is a Tsunami?
Tsunami (soo-NAH-mee) is a Japanese word meaning 'harbour' wave. A tsunami is a series of large waves of
extremely long wavelength and period usually generated by an undersea disturbance or activity near the coast or in
the ocean.
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significant tsunami in the region of the Indian Ocean was the one associated with the violent explosion of the
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volcanic island of Krakatoa in August 1883. Even though tsunamis occur very rarely in the Indian Ocean region, in the
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last 300 years, this region recorded 13 tsunamis and 3 of them occurred in the Andaman and Nicobar region. The
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Indian Ocean Tsunami of 26th December 2004 is one of the most destructive Tsunamis known to have hit India.
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Distribution Pattern of Tsunami in India ra
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Both East and West Indian shorelines are vulnerable to tsunami wave action. It has more than 2200 km shoreline
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which is heavily populated. For a tsunami to hit Indian coastline, it is necessary that a tsunamigenic earthquake of
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magnitude greater than 6.5 should occur. Actual tsunami hazard of a coastline depends on its bathymetry and
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coastal topography.
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The effects of the tsunami can range from destruction and damage, death, diseases, injury, millions of dollars in
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financial loss, and long lasting psychological problems for the inhabitants of the region.
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Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004 along the Indian coast highlighted that the maximum damage had occurred
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in low-lying areas near the coast and high casualties were found in thickly populated areas. Mangroves, forests, sand
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dunes and coastal cliffs provided the best natural barriers to reduce the impact of the tsunami and heavy damage
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Tsunami Predictability
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Since scientists cannot exactly predict earthquakes, they also cannot exactly predict when a tsunami will be
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The Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC), which is based at and operated by Indian National Centre for
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Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad has all necessary infrastructure and capabilities to give tsunami
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advisories to India as well as to Indian Ocean countries. Towards early warning of tsunamis, real-time continuous
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seismic waveform data of three IMD stations, viz., Portblair, Minicoy and Shillong, is also shared with global
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ITEWC has been designated as one of the Regional Tsunami Service Providers for the entire Indian Ocean Region by
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the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
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Organization (UNESCO). It is providing tsunami warnings and related services to all countries in the Indian Ocean Rim
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The centre is capable of detecting tsunami-genic earthquakes occurring in the Indian Ocean as well as in the Global
Oceans within 10 minutes of their occurrence and disseminates the advisories to the concerned authorities within
20 minutes through email, fax, SMS, Global Telecommunication System (GTS) and website.
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earthquakes within earliest possible time.
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NDMA Guidelines on management of Tsunamis
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1. Tsunami Risk Assessment and Vulnerability Analysis: NDMA recommends assessment of vulnerability and risk
15
mapping in the tsunami hazard based on coastal land use maps and coastal bathymetry. It suggests development
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of models to estimate the arrival and wave run up height of tsunami waves. In India, the Indian Naval
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Hydrographic Department (INHD) functions under the Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India. It
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regularly provides bathymetry information to authorized agencies for drawing the inundation maps.
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2. Tsunami Preparedness: A 17-station Real Time Seismic Monitoring Network (RTSMN) is envisaged to be
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established by IMD and Bottom Pressure Recorders (BPRs) are used to detect the propagation of Tsunami waves
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in the Open Ocean. A major concern is that the unattended ocean observation platforms in sea are being
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vandalized either accidentally. The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has implemented the
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National Data Buoy Programme for the protection of surface buoys. Tsunami Bulletins and warning systems are
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an important part of preparedness. "Tsunami Escape" direction sign boards must be set up in coastal areas.
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Visual and radio media also play an important role in alert and warning and Public awareness campaigns must be
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3. Structural Mitigation Measures: Following are the various structural measures recommended:
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• Construction of cyclone shelters, submerged sand barriers/dykes, sand dunes with sea weeds and
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• Development of a network of local knowledge centres (rural/urban) along the coast lines to provide
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necessary training and emergency communication during crisis time (e.g. centres developed by M.S.
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• Construction of location specific sea walls and coral reefs in consultation with experts.
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The Indian Naval Hydrographic Department plays a crucial role in disasters affecting coastal areas. During the
Indian Ocean Tsunami of 26th December 2004, seven survey ships were deployed to open the sea lines of
communication apart from providing the medical aid. They were engaged to urgently re-chart the area and bring
out the latest bathymetry information.
6. Ensuring Implementation: Aggressive capacity building requirements for the local people and the administration
for facing the disasters in wake of tsunami and cyclone, ‘based on cutting edge level’.
• Awareness generation and training among the fishermen, coast guards, officials from fisheries department
and port authorities and local district officials etc., in connection with evacuation and post tsunami storm
surge management activities. Regular drills should be conducted to test the efficacy of the DM plans.
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The critical areas of concern, with respect to Tsunami Risk management in India are:
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• Lack of easily accessible tsunami documentation and paleo-tsunami studies for better understanding of past
tsunami events for improved risk assessment; 15
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• Lack of high resolution near-shore bathymetric and topographic data will prove to be a limiting factor for
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inundation models;
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• Lack of people's participation in strengthening disaster preparedness, mitigation and emergency response in the
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coastal areas.
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Tree plantation is a cost-effective long- lasting means of tsunami mitigation in comparison to the artificial
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barriers. Some locations of Indian Ocean where Tsunami struck in 2004 remained almost intact because the
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existing coconut palms and mangroves trees absorbed the tsunami’s energy. Similarly, the village of
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few deaths because of the forest of 80, 244 trees planted along
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3.2.3. Volcano
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What is a Volcano?
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A volcano is a vent in the earth crust that lets out hot lava,
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banks the high flows brought down from the upper recession of flow of small volume and high
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catchment areas following heavy rainfall, leads to flooding. discharge, which causes high damages because of
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suddenness.
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Indiscriminate deforestation, unscientific agricultural • This occurs in hilly and sloping lands where heavy
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practices, disturbances along the natural drainage channels
15
rainfall and thunderstorms or cloudbursts are
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and colonisation of flood-plains and river-beds are some of common.
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the human activities that play an important role in increasing • Depression and cyclonic storms in the eastern
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the intensity, magnitude and gravity of floods. Some of the coastal areas may also cause flash floods.
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• Heavy rainfall: Heavy rain in the catchment area of a • Flash floods warning systems and forecasting is
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• Sediment deposition: River beds become shallow due to sedimentation. The water carrying capacity of such
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river is reduced. As a result the heavy rainwater over flow the river banks.
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• Cyclone: Cyclone generated sea waves of abnormal height spreads the water in the adjoining coastal areas. In
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caused unprecedented loss of life and property. and usually does not cause major floods. But
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• Change in the course of the river: Meanders, erosion of sometimes glaciers hold large quantity of bounded
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landslides also lead to changes in river courses. melting of ice block resulting into Glacial Lake
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• Tsunami: Large coastal areas are flooded by rising sea Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
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• Lack of Lakes - Lakes can store the excess water and regulate the flow of water. When lakes become smaller,
their ability to regulate the flow become less and hence flooding.
Anthropogenic causes
• Deforestation: Vegetation facilitates percolation of water in the ground. As a result of deforestation, the land
becomes obstruction free and water flows with greater speed into the rivers and causes flood.
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carrying capacity leading to mild to severe flood
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situations in the region.
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Distribution Pattern of Flood Areas in India
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The Brahmaputra River Region ra
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West Bengal.
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discharge.
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discharge except in the delta area. The region does not have serious flood problem except that some of the rivers in
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Orissa State namely Mahanadi, Brahmini, Baitarni, and Subarnarekha are prone to floods every year. The delta and
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coastal areas of the states on the east coast periodically face flood and drainage problems in the wake of monsoon
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depression and cyclonic storms.
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Consequences of Floods 15
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• Frequent inundation of agricultural land and human settlement has serious consequences on the national
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• Floods destroy valuable crops and also damage physical infrastructure such as roads, rails, bridges and human
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settlements.
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Millions of people are rendered homeless and are also washed down along with their cattle in the floods.
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• Spread of diseases like cholera, gastro-enteritis, hepatitis and other water-borne diseases spread in the flood-
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affected areas.
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• Floods also make a few positive contributions. Every year, flood deposit fertile silt over agricultural fields which
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The main thrust of the flood protection programme undertaken in India so far has been on structural measures.
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Structural Measures
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Reservoirs, Dams, Other Water Storages: By constructing reservoirs in the courses of rivers could stores extra
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water at the time of flood. Such measures adopted till now however, have not been successful. Dams built to
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raised platforms for flood shelter for men and cattle, raising the public utility installation especially the platforms
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for drinking water hand pumps and bore wells above flood level, promoting construction of double-storey
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buildings wherein the first floor can be used for taking shelter during floods.
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• Flood Management Plans: All government departments and agencies must prepare their own FMPs.
12
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• Integrated Water Resources Management aiming at integrating management of water resources at the basin or
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watershed scale.
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Flood Forecasting and Warning in India: Real time discharge and rainfall data is the basic requirements for the
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formulation of a flood forecast. Most of the hydro-meteorological data are observed and collected by the field
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formations of Central Water Commission; IMD supplies the daily rainfall data.
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The NDMA has approved a Centrally Sponsored Scheme focusing on training community volunteers in disaster
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response in the 30 most flood-prone districts of 25 states in India. It aims to train community volunteers with the
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skills that they would need to respond to their community’s immediate needs and to undertake basic relief and
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rescue tasks from emergency situations such as floods, flash floods, and urban flooding, when emergency services
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[Why are floods such a recurrent feature in India? Discuss the measures taken by the Government for flood
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control. (85/II6c/20)]
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Area under urban settlements (7933 towns) in India has increased from 77,000 sq. km in 2001 to 1,00,000 sq. km in
2011 showing 25,000 sq.km of additional land area being brought under urban uses. Unplanned development and
encroachments of sprawling habitations alongside rivers and watercourses have meddled with the natural flow of
streams. As a result of this, the runoff has increased in proportion to urbanization of the watersheds causing urban
floods.
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Urban Flooding has localized impacts on commercial, industrial, business, residential and institutional locations.
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Disruption of water supply, sewerage, power supply and communications is common. Shutdown of commercial,
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industrial and business activity and loss to property and assets is often observed. Disruption of traffic – road, rail and
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air is frequent. New slums come up in areas which are not approved.
15
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In order to check the threat of urban flooding, each city should have their Flood mitigation plans (floodplain, river
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basin, surface water, etc.) strongly integrated with the overall land use policy and master plan of a city. The following
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three phases of disaster management for effective and efficient response to urban flooding include:
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stakeholders, particularly the communities through training and simulation exercises, identification of Teams for
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maintaining the drains and roads and conducting exercises for prevention of water logging/ inundation.
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During Monsoon Phase (Early Warning & Effective Response): It includes timely, qualitative and quantitative
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warnings based on the intensity of rainfall to various agencies to take preventive measures. The Response phase
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focuses primarily on emergency relief: saving lives, providing first aid, minimizing and restoring damaged systems
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(communications and transportation), meeting the basic life requirements of those impacted by disaster (food,
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water, and shelter), and providing mental health and spiritual support and comfort care.
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Post-Monsoon Phase: Restoration and Re-habilitation phase includes establishment of a programme to restore both
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o Rain Gardens: Rain gardens consist of a porous soil covered with a thin layer of mulch. Stormwater runoff is
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directed into the facility, allowed to pond and infiltrates through the plant/mulch/soil environment.
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Vulnerability Analysis and Risk Assessment: Identification of areas at risk, classification of structures according
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to function and estimation of risk for each structure and function using Hazard Risk Zoning.
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• Urban Flooding Cells: A separate Urban Flooding Cell (UFC) will be constituted within MoUD which will
15
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coordinate all UFDM activities at the national level. ULBs will be responsible for the management of urban
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• Response: Emergency Operation Centres, Incident Response System, flood shelters, search and rescue
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operations, emergency logistics are some key action areas of flood response mechanism.
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• Sanitation: Diseases like malaria, dengue and cholera can spread if adequate sanitation and disinfection are not
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carried out.
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Capacity Development, Awareness Generation and Documentation: Participatory urban flood planning and
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Existing Challenges
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• Less importance to comprehensive risk assessment of urban flooding. It includes understanding, analysis and
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assessment of urban flood risks, before flood mitigation measures are planned and implemented.
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Ignorance of mapping of different factors and risks in different cities and non-inclusion of the same in
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development planning
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Unsatisfactory coordination among different institutions for experience sharing for the purpose of public
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[UPSC Question: The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years.
Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such
events. (2016)]
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On the basis of frequency and other
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controlling factors like geology, geomorphic
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agents, slope, land-use, vegetation cover and human activities, India has been divided into a number of
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vulnerability zones as shown in table below:
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Very High Vulnerability Zone • Highly unstable, relatively young mountainous areas in the Himalayas and Andaman
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and Nicobar,
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• High rainfall regions with steep slopes in the Western Ghats and Nilgiris, the north-
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eastern regions,
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dams, etc.
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High Vulnerability Zone • Very high vulnerability zone are included in this category. (except the plains of Assam)
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• The only difference between these two is the combination, intensity and frequency
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Moderate to Low Vulnerability • Areas that receive less precipitation such as-
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- undulated yet stable relief and low precipitation areas in the Aravali,
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- Deccan plateau
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• Landslides due to mining and subsidence are most common in states like Jharkhand,
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Other Areas The remaining parts of India, particularly states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh,
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Bihar, West Bengal (except district Darjiling), Assam (except district KarbiAnglong) and
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Coastal regions of the southern States are safe as far as landslides are concerned.
Causes of Landslides
• Heavy rain: Heavy rain is the main cause of landslides.
• Deforestation: Deforestation is another major cause of landslides. Tree, brushes and grasses keep the soil
particles compact. Mountain slope looses their protective cover by felling of trees. The rain water flows on such
slopes with unimpeded speed.
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• Short term impacts:
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✓ Loss of natural beauty
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✓ Roadblocks, destruction of railway
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lines
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✓ channel blocking due to rock-falls
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permanent,
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• Hazard zones have to be identified and specific slides to be stabilized and managed in addition to monitoring and
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•
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• Restriction on the construction and other developmental activities such as roads and dams, limiting agriculture
to valleys and areas with moderate slopes, and control on the development of large settlements in the high
vulnerability zones, should be enforced.
• Promote large-scale afforestation programmes and construction of bunds to reduce the flow of water.
• Terrace farming should be encouraged in the north-eastern hill states replacing Jhumming or shifting cultivation.
• Retaining walls can be built of mountain slopes to stop land from slipping.
• Treating vulnerable slopes and existing hazardous landslides.
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about 10 cm or above per hour is recorded over a place
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that is roughly 10 km x 10 km in area, it is classified as a
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cloudburst event. This means, 5 cm of rainfall in half an
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hour would also be classified as a cloudburst. India, in a
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normal year, gets about 116 cm of rain in the entire ra
year i.e. every area in the country, on an average,
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The events of extreme precipitation have been on the rise in the last few decades due to global warming; it is
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Cloudbursts do happen in plains as well, but there is a greater probability of them occurring in mountainous zones;
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as it has to do with the terrain of the region. For example- like steep hills favour the formation of these clouds.
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Cloudbursts get counted only when they result in large scale destruction
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Consequences of Cloudburst
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✓ dislocation of traffic
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There is no satisfactory technique for anticipating the occurrence of ✓ human casualties on large scale
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cloud bursts because of their small scale. A very fine network of radars
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is required to be able to detect the likelihood of a cloud burst about six hours in advance, sometimes even 12-14
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hours in advance. This would be prohibitively expensive. Only the areas likely to receive heavy rainfall can be
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identified on a short range scale. Much of the damage can be avoided by way of identifying the areas and the
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cumulus clouds due to condensation of rising moist air,
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Low vertical wind shear between the lower and higher levels of the
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atmosphere that do not allow the heat generated and released by the
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clouds to get transported from the area (vertical wind shear is the rate of
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change of wind between the higher and lower levels of the atmosphere),
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The presence of cyclonic vorticity (rate of rotation of air) that initiates and
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Location over the ocean, at least 4–5o latitude away from the equator.
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Within the cyclone field, strong winds blow around the low pressure centre in an anticlock-wise direction in the
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Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in Southern Hemisphere, though the wind at the centre (known as eye of the
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cyclone) is very little and generally free from cloud and rain. Winds increase rapidly to its peak (often exceeding 150
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km/h) at about 20 to 30 km from the centre and thereafter decrease gradually to become normal around 300 to 500
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km away. Cyclones vary in diameter from 100 to 1,000 km but their effect dominates over thousands of square
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kilometres over the ocean as well as along the coast. The powerhouse is located within a 100 km radius of the eye of
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the cyclone where very strong winds, sometimes more than 250 km per hour, can be generated in a narrow zone
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India has a coastline of about 7,516 km, 5,400 km along the mainland, 132 km in Lakshadweep and 1,900 km in the
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Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Although the North Indian Ocean (NIO) Basin (including the Indian coast) generates
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only about 7% of the world’s cyclones, their impact is comparatively high and devastating, especially when they
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strike the coasts bordering the North Bay of Bengal. On an average, five to six tropical cyclones form every year, of
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which two or three could be severe. More cyclones occur in the Bay of Bengal than the Arabian Sea and the ratio is
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approximately 4:1.
Tropical cyclones occur in the months of May-June and October-November. Cyclones of severe intensity and
frequency in the North Indian Ocean are bi-modal in character, with their primary peak in November and secondary
peak in May. The disaster potential is particularly high during landfall in the North Indian Ocean (Bay of Bengal and
the Arabian Sea) due to the accompanying destructive wind, storm surges and torrential rainfall.
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affected. It is difficult to predict the
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accuracy. Accurate landfall
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predictions can give only a few hours’
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notice to threatened population.
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India has one of the best cyclone ra
warning systems in the world. The
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priority telegram, public announcements and ✓ Inundation of sea water in low lying areas of coastal regions,
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disseminated to the general public, the fishing ✓ Erodes beaches and embankments,
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community especially those in the sea, port ✓ Destruction of vegetation, infrastructure and loss of life
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✓ Loss of crops and food supplies along with loss of soil fertility
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government machinery.
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Cyclone Shelters
An effective cyclone disaster prevention
One of the most successful ways of reducing loss of human lives during
and mitigation plan requires:
cyclones is the provision of cyclone shelters. In densely populated coastal
• Efficient cyclone forecast - and areas, where large scale evacuations are not always feasible, public buildings
warning services; can be used as cyclone shelters. These buildings can be so designed, so as to
• Rapid dissemination of warnings to provide a blank façade with a minimum number of apertures in the direction
of the prevailing winds. The shorter side of the building should face the storm,
the government agencies,
so as to impart least wind resistance. Earth berms and green belts can be used
particularly marine interests like in front of these buildings to reduce the impact of the storm.
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flood damage. All elements holding the structures
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need to be properly anchored to resist the uplift or
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flying off of the objects. For example, avoid large
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overhangs of roofs, and the projections should be
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the energy.
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✓ Buildings storing food supplies must be protected against the winds and water.
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Flood management – Torrential rains, strong wind and storm range leads to flooding in the cyclone affected areas.
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There are possibilities of landslides too. Flood mitigation measures can be incorporated.
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Improving vegetation cover – The roots of the plants and trees keep the soil intact and prevent erosion and slow
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runoff to prevent or lessen flooding. The use of tree planted in rows will act as a windbreak.
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Coastal shelterbelt plantations can be developed to break severe wind speeds. It minimizes devastating effects.
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to cyclones, who are generally poor and are from the Mitigation, Capacity Building and Knowledge Creation.
weaker section of the society. The NCRMP Phase-II ✓ Component D- Project Management and Implementation
was approved as Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Support.
implementation in the States of Goa, Gujarat,
Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and West Bengal by Union Cabinet in July 2015.
The project aims at minimizing the vulnerability to the cyclone and making people and infrastructure disaster
resilient.
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affecting agriculture, drinking water supply and industry. It is a slow onset disaster which evolves over months or
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even years and affects a large spatial extent.
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Drought is a complex phenomenon as it involves elements like
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• precipitation, evaporation, evapotranspiration
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ground water, soil moisture, storage and surface run-off
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Ecological Drought When the productivity of a natural ecosystem fails due to shortage of water and as a
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consequence of ecological distress, damages are induced in the ecosystem.
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The IMD recognizes five drought situations:
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• ‘Drought Week’ when the weekly rainfall is less than half of the normal.
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‘Agricultural Drought’ when four drought weeks occur consecutively during mid-June to September.
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• ‘Seasonal Drought’ when seasonal rainfall is deficient by more than the standard deviation from the normal.
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‘Drought Year’ when annual rainfall is deficient by 20 per cent of normal or more.
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• ‘Severe Drought Year’ when annual rainfall is deficient by 25 to 40 per cent of normal or more.
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Droughts in India have their own peculiarities requiring appreciation of some basic facts. These are:
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spread is uneven.
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Early Indicators of Drought
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Since the nature of drought as a disaster is slow on set, it is very necessary to know about the early warning
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• Insufficient rains and skewed spatial distribution, particularly during the months of June and July.
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• Absence of rising trend in reservoir levels and / or reduction in stream flows and depletion rate of groundwater.
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• Declining trend in the progress of sowing as compared to total normal sown areas.
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Serious depletion in level of Ground Water compared to figures for “normal years”
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The impact of droughts on societies varies depending on coping capabilities and the general health of the national
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• Economical:
✓ production losses in agriculture and related sectors, especially animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, horticulture
and fisheries
✓ affects livelihoods and quality of life of the population in that is dependent on agriculture a dampening
impact by constricting employment avenues
✓ All industries dependent upon the primary sector for raw materials suffer on account of reduced supplies
and hardening prices.
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•
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the onset is slow giving adequate warning,
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it affects livelihoods of people over a large area,
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• the duration of the disaster is much longer and so the relief efforts have to be sustained over this stretched time
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period,
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• it remains basically a rural phenomenon except that very severe drought may also impact on urban water supply
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by drying up sources and drastically reducing water table in regions with aquifers, and
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• There is a possibility that drought management efforts could reduce vulnerability by improving moisture
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This does not hold true of other natural disasters. In other words, droughts lend themselves to being managed in a
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manner not possible in most other disasters. All these factors necessitate ‘independent consideration’ drought
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management.
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Drought Crisis Management Plan, 2015
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The NDMA manual sets out four important measures that a State government should take at the time of a drought,
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with the Union government’s help.
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MGNREGA to provide immediate employment to drought-affected people. ra
• The public distribution mechanism should be strengthened to provide food and fodder
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initiate actions to recharge the groundwater table by building check dams and providing pipeline water and
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The government should either waive off or defer farmer loans and arrange for crop loss compensation.
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Each step in drought management lacks holistic approach to ensure effective end result.
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Development of standard procedures for drought vulnerability assessment and generation of vulnerability maps
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of drought.
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[UPSC Question: Which parts of India were mainly affected by the severe drought of 1987-88? What were its main
consequences? (88/II/6b/20)]
[UPSC Question: Write note on Causes of droughts in India. (2005)]
[UPSC Question: Drought has been recognized as a disaster in view of its spatial expanse, temporal duration, slow
onset and lasting effects on vulnerable sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), discuss the mechanisms for preparedness to deal with likely EI Nino and
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La Nina fallouts in India. (2014)]
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3.2.10. Heat Wave
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What is a Heat Wave?
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A Heat Wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs
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during the summer season in the North-Western parts of India. Heat Waves typically occur between March and June,
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Hot winds blowing from deserts with the dry winds on surface
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• Anticyclone formations leading to no cloud formation and period of time, bringing down dry, hot air to
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• Unreasonable Warmth- at least 9 degrees Celsius higher temperature than the average temperature of the
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region.
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• Humidity- presence of high moisture in the air at higher temperatures can be extremely uncomfortable.
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Duration of heat in the region for a minimum time interval of five days.
• Lack of moisture in soil
Heat Wave Risks in India
Higher daily peak temperatures and longer, more intense heat waves are becomingly increasingly frequent globally
due to climate change. India too is feeling the impact of climate change in terms of increased instances of heat
waves which are more intense in nature with each passing year and have a devastating impact on human health
thereby increasing the number of heat wave casualties.
The combination of exceptional heat stress and a predominantly rural population makes India vulnerable to heat
waves. Heat wave per say is more prominent in the interiors of the country. Hilly regions, Northeast India and coastal
stations generally do not witness heatwave conditions. Heat waves prevail in pockets of Haryana, Delhi,
Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka.
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Consequences of Heat Waves
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• Effects on Human Health
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✓ High moisture at high temperature doesn’t let body sweat to evaporate easily to cool itself and body
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temperature raises eventually causing sickness.
✓ Heat stroke, Heat exhaustion, Heat cramps 15
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✓ Heat waves is one of the biggest killers amongst all natural calamities
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Effects on Nature
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✓ Heat waves can lead to droughts with decrease in moisture in the air and soil. Moisture in soil helps in
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✓ Some species may disappear. Few new species may appear which are heat resistant.
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✓ Heat tests the ability of infrastructure to withstand the pressure created by increased energy demand.
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The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has given the following criteria for Heat Waves:
Heat wave need not be considered till maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40ºC for Plains and at
least 30ºC for Hilly regions.
• When normal maximum temperature of a station is less than or equal to 40ºC
✓ Heat Wave Departure from normal is 5º C to 6º C
✓ Severe Heat Wave Departure from normal is 7º C or more
• When normal maximum temperature of a station is more than 40º C
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communities.
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• Protect environment. Adopt sustainable environment practices.
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Existing Challenges in Heat Wave Management
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▪ Lack of research using sub-district level data to provide separate indices for urban and rural areas to enable more
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targeted geographical interventions.
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▪ Less active usage of available provisions of public messaging (radio, TV), mobile phone-based text messages,
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▪ Lack of Public awareness like promotion of traditional adaptation practices, such as staying indoors and wearing
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comfortable clothes.
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▪ Half-hearted attempts for popularization of simple design features such as shaded windows, underground water
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▪ Unavailability of provision of drinking water within housing premises and indoor toilets.
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A cold wave is a weather phenomenon that is distinguished by marked cooling of air, or the invasion of very cold air,
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over a large area. It can also be a prolonged period of the excessively cold weather, which may be accompanied by
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high winds that cause excessive wind chills. Cold waves can be preceded or accompanied by significant winter
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Cold waves over India are primarily due to transport of cold air from higher latitudes. It is usually associated with El-
Nino, cyclonic activities and Jet streams (western disturbances).
Western disturbances manifest as eastward moving well marked troughs in the upper tropospheric westerlies north
of 20° N and often extend to the lower troposphere. It transports cold air from northern latitudes into India. There
are also few instances of occurrence of cold waves due to a low pressure system over the North Arabian Sea. In these
cases, the easterlies to the north of the low pressure system transport cold air from higher latitudes.
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temperatures, and these episodes generally persist for 3–
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5 days and their occurrence peaks in the month of
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January.
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Distribution pattern for Cold waves in India
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Northern India:
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Caspian Sea and Turkmenistan bring cold wave along with frost and fog over the north western parts of India.
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The Peninsular region of India does not have any well-defined cold weather season. There is hardly any seasonal
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change in the distribution pattern of the temperature in coastal areas because of moderating influence of the sea,
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pruning of dead material, application of extra doses of fertilizer through foliar sprays.
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• Plan for the potential to convert schools and other
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public buildings into shelters to keep vulnerable
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citizens out of the cold.
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• Remain aware of the effects that exposure to 15
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extreme cold has on children, the elderly, as well as
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preparedness efforts.
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PRIs.
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A wildfire is simply an uncontrolled fire that is wiping out large fields and areas of land. These fires sometimes burn
for days and weeks. They can wipe out an entire forest and destroy almost every organic matter in it.
Causes of Wild fires
Wild land fire spread is influenced by three primary factors – weather, topography, and fuel. Wild fires are caused by
Natural causes as well as Manmade causes.
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Reduced visibility due to the smoke obscuring the sun
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The sound of burning and the increased movement of air
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The smell of burning vegetation
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Wild fires Risks in India
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India, with a forest cover of 76.4 million
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With increasing population pressure, the forest cover of the country is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Along with
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various factors, forest fires are a major cause of degradation of Indian forests. According to a Forest Survey of India
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Report, about 50 percent of forest areas in the country are fire prone (ranging from 50 percent in some states to 90
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percent in the others). About 6 percent of the forests are prone to severe fire damage.
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• Smoke and other emissions contain pollutants that can cause significant health problems.
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Losses in productivity of the land, impacts on regeneration of species, and deleterious impacts on water shed
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• Global warming, soil erosion, loss of fuel, wood and fodder, damage to water
• Short-term effects: destruction of timber, forage, wildlife habitats, scenic vistas, and watersheds
• Long-term effects: reduced access to recreational areas; destruction of community infrastructure and cultural
and economic resources
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vegetation clearance requirements around structures located in wild land-urban interface areas.
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✓ Bark Beetle Management – Investigate methods for bark beetle eradication or control.
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✓ Public Education – Expand strategies to educate the public on the essential steps for and the benefits of
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reducing fire risks.
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Initiate research in the fields of fire detection, suppression, and fire ecology for better management of forest
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fires.
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• The fire spreads only if there is continuous supply of fuel (Dry vegetation) along its path. The best way to control
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a forest fire is therefore, to prevent it from spreading, which can be done by creating firebreaks in the shape of
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• Participation of the volunteers not only for fire fighting but also to keep watch on the start of forest and sound
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an alert.
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Proper utilisation of media and available technologies for dissemination of exact information to the people and
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the government.
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The incidence of forest fires in the country is on the increase and more area is burned each year. The major cause of
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this failure is the piecemeal approach to the problem. Both the national focus and the technical resources required
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for sustaining a systematic forest fire management programme are lacking in the country.
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Inadequate research on previous wildfires, including ignition sources, burn severity patterns, season of burning,
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• Half hearted attempts to study the effects of post fire runoff and erosion on aquatic ecosystems and species
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Narrow spatial reach to monitor and provide early warnings using new technology, sensor webs, and satellite
technology
• Need to develop tools and methods to minimize impacts on human life and property, especially in the wild land
urban interface
• We never ask village communities to participate in managing forest resources, but expect their support at times
of crisis. Such attitude and approach should be changed by making them aware of the situation and teach them
what to do in case of such emergencies.
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There is a need to establish a National Institute of Forest Fire Management with satellite centres in different
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parts of the country.
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Important forest fire management elements like strategic fire centres, coordination among Ministries, funding,
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human resource development, fire research, fire management, and extension programmes are missing.
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Way ahead
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Instead of viewing forest fires as being purely destructive in nature, forest managers should perhaps expand their
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worldview and be more inclusive to information from ecological and local knowledge systems that view fires as
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Biological disasters might be caused by epidemics, accidental release of virulent microorganism(s) or Bioterrorism
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(BT) with the use of biological agents such as anthrax, smallpox, etc. In recent times travelling has become easier.
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More and more people are travelling all over the world which exposes the whole world to epidemics.
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• Epidemic affecting a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community, or region at
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the same time, examples being Cholera, Plague, Japanese Encephalitis (JE)/Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES);
or,
• Pandemic is an epidemic that spreads across a large region, that is, a continent, or even worldwide of existing,
emerging or re-emerging diseases and pestilences, example being Influenza H1N1 (Swine Flu).
Causes of Epidemics
• Poor sanitary conditions leading to contamination of food and water or
• due to inadequate disposal of human or animal carcasses in post disaster situations
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In addition to the above, there are certain types of emerging infectious diseases such as epidemic of Severe Acute
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Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which had occurred in China or the recent outbreak of avian flu in poultry in certain
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parts of the country and which has the potential of being transmitted to human beings. Epidemics due to the
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Dengue virus have occurred in many metropolitan cities of India and outbreak of various other types of viral diseases
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is also a recurring phenomena.
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• The lag time between infection and appearance of symptoms are longer than with chemical exposure.
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It can result into heavy mortalities in the short term leading to a depletion of population with a corresponding
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• The general population should be educated and made aware of the threats and risks associated with it.
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Steps Required for Biological Disaster Management
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• Legal framework - The Epidemic Diseases Act was enacted in 1897 and needs to be repealed. This Act does not
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provide any power to the centre to intervene in biological emergencies. It has to be substituted by an Act which
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takes care of the prevailing and foreseeable public health needs including emergencies such as BT attacks and
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use of biological weapons by an adversary, cross-border issues, and international spread of diseases
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• Operational framework - At the national level, there is no policy on biological disasters. The existing
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contingency plan of MoH&FW is about 10 years old and needs extensive revision. All components related to
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public health, namely apex institutions, field epidemiology, surveillance, teaching, training, research, etc., need
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to be strengthened.
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Command, control and coordination - One of the lessons learned during the plague outbreak in Surat in 1994
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and avian influenza in 2006 is the need to strengthen coordination with other sectors like animal health, home
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department, communication, media, etc., on a continuous basis for the management of outbreaks of this nature
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• Augmentation in human resource - There is a shortage of medical and paramedical staff at the district and sub-
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district levels. There is also an acute shortage of public health specialists, epidemiologists, clinical
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microbiologists and virologists. There have been limited efforts in the past to establish teaching/training
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• Basic infrastructural setup – Biosafety laboratories for prompt diagnosis, network of sub centres, PHCs and
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CHCs, dispensaries with stockpile of essential vaccines and medicines need to be expanded to handle epidemic.
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Industrial hazards are threats to people and life-support systems that arise from
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the mass production of goods and services. When these threats exceed human
coping capabilities or the absorptive capacities of environmental systems they give
rise to industrial disasters. Industrial hazards can occur at any stage in the
production process, including extraction, processing, manufacture, transportation,
storage, use, and disposal.
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• Chemical pollution- A sudden
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pollution of water or air near
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industrial areas, leading to
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permanent damage of the skin. ra
• Atmosphere pollution-
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Contamination of the
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explosions.
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environmental degradation.
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India has witnessed the world’s worst chemical (industrial) disaster “Bhopal Gas Tragedy” in the year 1984. It was
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most devastating chemical accident in history, where over thousands of people died due to accidental release of
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vehicles to avoid accidents and allow for the shortest possible on road time for dangerous vehicles.
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• Public awareness: Everyone should be aware of potential disasters and informed of protective and safety
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measures. Cautions must be placed to standout on dangerous household and car care products.
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• Proper storage of hazardous Materials: All chemicals and hazardous materials should be kept at proper storage
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temperature and in locked cupboards away from children and animals. Also, if reactive substances are stored, it
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Proper and safe disposal of hazardous waste to be ensured as per existing regulations.
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• Transition towards the use of safer alternatives and adoption of safer, affordable and sustainable technologies
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and processes
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Strict implementation of land use policy should be there. A legislation on the buffer zone (or to be referred as
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‘no man’s’ zone) should be introduced so that residential/ slum colonies are not established in proximity to
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• A scheme for giving good performance awards to industries for achieving exemplary safety standards and
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Existing Challenges
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• In spite of the existence of a large number of laws, their enforcement has left much to be desired.
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Lack of understanding and research towards devising a sustainable solution to the issue of industrial disasters
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• Absence of national regulations on occupational safety and health and medical emergency management.
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Harmonisation of classification and definitions in existing regulations including petroleum and petroleum
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products.
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• Lack of legislation on risk assessment requirements and classification, labeling and packaging for industrial
chemicals.
• Non-availability of statutes for grant of compensation to chemical accident victims.
• Harmonisation and incorporation of international laws in chemical management.
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substance is called as “Radioactive Pollution”.
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Sources of Nuclear Hazard
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• Natural Resources: Cosmic rays from the outer space, emissions from the radioactive materials from the earth’s
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• Man-Made Sources: Nuclear power plants, X-Rays, nuclear bombs, nuclear accidents, nuclear weapons, mining
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Nuclear emergencies can also arise due to factors beyond the control of the operating agencies; e.g., human error,
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system failure, sabotage, earthquake, cyclone, flood, etc. Such failures, even though of very low probability, may lead
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to an on-site or off-site emergency. It can also take place while using radiation sources, either at Hospitals,
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Industries, Agriculture or Research Institutions due to loss or misplacement or due to faulty handling.
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India has traditionally been vulnerable to natural disasters on account of its unique geo climatic conditions and it
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has, of late, like all other countries in the world, become equally vulnerable to various man-made disasters.
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Nuclear power is one of the biggest sources of electricity in India. India has a flourishing and largely indigenous
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nuclear power programme and expects to have 14.6 GWe nuclear capacity on line by 2024 and 63 GWe by 2032. It
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aims to supply 25% of electricity from nuclear power by 2050. Nuclear and Radiological Emergency can arise in a
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nuclear facility at plant level leading to plant/ site or offsite emergency depending upon the extent of its impact on
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the surroundings.
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property
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mutation
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• There are four ways in which people are protected from identified radiation sources:
✓ Limiting time. In occupational situations, dose is reduced by limiting exposure time.
✓ Distance. The intensity of radiation decreases with distance from its source.
✓ Shielding. Barriers of lead, concrete or water give good protection from high levels of penetrating radiation
such as gamma rays. Intensely radioactive materials are therefore often stored or handled under water, or by
remote control in rooms constructed of thick concrete or lined with lead.
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• These plans, drawn up separately in detail for each site - which are under the jurisdiction of the local district
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administration, cover an area of about 16 km radius around the plant or the offsite Emergency Planning Zone.
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Mobile Radiation Detection System (MRDS)
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NDMA, as part of a pilot project on national level preparedness to cope with Radiological Emergencies, has taken an
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initiative to equip police and NDRF personnel for management of radiological emergencies in public domain.
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Management?
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Large crowds create annoyances and difficulties to a section of society leading to severe traffic delays, pollution,
stampede, fights among people, riots, alteration in landscape and ultimately become source of medical emergencies
and disasters. In recent years India has witnessed many such events which resulted into great causalities.
Causes and Triggers for Crowd Disasters
• Structural Collapse
✓ of the barriers or temporary structures
✓ Barriers on the way
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• Security
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✓ Lack of CCTV surveillance of the crowd
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✓ Absence of walky-talkies with security staff
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✓ Lack of metal detector door frames
✓ Under development of security personnel to regulate crowd control 15
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✓ communication delays
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✓ poor infrastructure
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• Capacity Planning
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activities
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control plan
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• Protecting critical facilities
• Providing a high-visibility law enforcement
presence
• Proper transmission of information
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following instructions will help prevent stampede-
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like situations.
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✓ In case a stampede breaks out, protect chest by
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placing your hands like a boxer and keep moving in
the direction of the crowd. 15
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✓ Stay alert to open spaces and move sideways wherever the crowd gets thinner. Stay away from walls,
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✓ Stay on your feet and get up quickly if you fall. If you can't get up, use your arms to cover your head and curl
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• Fire related: Unplanned and unauthorised electrical wiring at pandals, LPG cylinders at food stalls and crackers
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hidden in the Ravana effigies pose the danger of a fire breaking out.
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✓ Organisers should ensure authorised use of electricity, fire safety extinguishers and other arrangements
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(a) Goal 1: "The more effective integration of disaster risk considerations into sustainable development policies,
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planning and programming at all levels, with a special emphasis on disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness
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and vulnerability reduction;"
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With the enactment of the DM Act, 2005, and preparation of the disaster management plan, 2016, the
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present focus of the government is to implement the various provisions under them.
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All the government programs are being designed following the principle of "do no harm".
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(b) Goal 2: "The development and strengthening of institutions, mechanisms and capacities at all levels, in
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particular at the community level, that can systematically contribute to building resilience to hazards;"
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Comprehensive Human Resource Development Program is being prepared for the entire country.
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(c) Goal 3: "The systematic incorporation of risk reduction approaches into the design and implementation of
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emergency preparedness, response and recovery programmes in the reconstruction of affected communities."
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"Build Back Better" is the underlining principle adopted by the Government for all post reconstruction and
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recovery activities.
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The Sendai Framework is a 15-year, voluntary, non-binding agreement which recognizes that the State has the
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primary role to reduce disaster risk but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders including local
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The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 was adopted at the Third United Nations World
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Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, held in March 2015 in Sendai (Miyagi, Japan). It is the successor instrument
to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to
Disasters.
India is committed to achieving the 7 goals set under the framework through systematic and sustainable efforts.
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essential to enhance the economic, social,
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health and cultural resilience of persons, communities, countries and their assets, as well as the environment.
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4. Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to "Build Back Better" in recovery, rehabilitation
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and reconstruction: The recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction phase is a critical opportunity to build back
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better, including through integrating disaster risk reduction into development measures.
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India has been designated as the champion for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) for its efforts to facilitate regional
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support towards enabling community resilience in the Asia-Pacific region. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk
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Reduction (UNISDR) has declared India first regional champion after the Sendai Agreement.
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Critical data gaps exist in specific areas of disaster loss, in all areas of international cooperation, and for many
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aspects of early warning, risk information and disaster risk reduction strategies. The Review confirms that unless
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gaps in data availability, quality and accessibility are addressed, countries’ ability to assure accurate, timely and high
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quality monitoring and reporting of implementation across all Targets and Priorities of the Sendai Framework will be
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severely impaired.
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A Global Partnership for Disaster-related Data for Sustainable Development would facilitate a collaborative, multi-
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stakeholder effort (bringing together governments, international organizations, the private sector, civil society
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groups, and the statistics and data communities), to optimize and operationalize existing and future disaster-related
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In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ten of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have
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targets related to disaster risk, firmly establishing the role of disaster risk reduction in realizing the 2030 Agenda for
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Sustainable Development.
Paris Agreement at CoP 21
In the Paris Agreement, adopted at the 21st Conference of Parties to United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change in 2015, Member States committed to holding the global average temperature increase to well
below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C, with the aim to
“significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change”
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Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR)
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To monitor and share the country’s progress at a regional platform for Asian-Pacific region, AMCDRR was
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conceptualized. It provides a platform for engagement of Ministers of about 61 countries, dealing with Disaster
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Management for plan and policy making at regional level in line with the global framework on disaster risk
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reduction. It meets biannually. The 2nd and 7th AMCDRR were hosted by Government of India in 2007 and 2016
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respectively.
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4.2.2. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA)
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The United Nations office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) was formed in December 1991 by
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the General Assembly to strengthen the response of United Nations Organizations to complex emergencies and
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natural disasters. UNOCHA has established following mechanism/ vehicles to achieve its objectives:
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United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC): It is a stand by team of disaster management
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professionals which are nominated and funded by member governments, UNOCHA, UNDP and operational
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humanitarian UN Agencies such as WFP, UNICEF and WHO. The Government of India joined the membership of
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UNDAC in 2001.
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International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG): It is a global network of more than 80 countries and
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disaster response organizations under the United Nations umbrella. It deals with urban search and rescue (USAR)
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related issues. Members of INSARAG are both earthquake-prone and responding countries and organisations.
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Instructors from India participate in the mock exercises organized by the INSARAG. India was the Chairman of
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The Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) is a global partnership program administered by the
World Bank Group. It helps developing countries - particularly those identified as the most vulnerable natural
disaster “hotspots” - enhance their capacity for disaster prevention, emergency preparedness, response, and
recovery. It also supports developing countries to:
• mainstream disaster risk management and climate change adaptation in development strategies and investment
programs, and
• Improve the quality and timeliness of resilient recovery and reconstruction following a disaster.
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was thus established in Kobe in 1998 following an agreement from the participating countries with the Japanese
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government.
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4.2.6. Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)
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Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is established in 1986 at Bangkok, Thailand. It is a non-profit, non-
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political, autonomous, regional organization serving as a regional centre in Asia-Pacific for promoting disaster
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preparedness, disaster mitigation, awareness generation, exchange of information, community participation etc. In
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The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was established in 1994. The ARF membership including India, which joined in
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1996, is 25 countries. It is the Principle Forum for Security Dialogue in Asia and complements the various bilateral
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alliances and dialogues, which underpin the region’s security architecture. The ARF is premised on the idea drawn
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from the ASEAN experience that a process of dialogue can produce qualitative improvements in political
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relationships. It provides a platform for members to discuss current regional security issues and develop cooperative
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As all ASEAN members are automatically ARF members, India is actively participating in the ARF meetings and
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In pursuance with 1st point of Hon’ble Prime Minister’s 10 point agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction, National
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Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
(UNISDR), organized first of its kind International Workshop on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (IWDRI) on 15-16
January, 2018 in New Delhi.
The Workshop emphasized the role of risk resilient infrastructure. It identified best global practices prevailing in the
resilient infrastructure, as well as key challenges and gaps in existing practices and ways to address them. Potential
areas for collaboration among the stakeholders on disaster resilient infrastructure were also identified.
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and whole-of-society approach towards DRR.
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(ii) Adoption of Asia Regional Plan for implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. It
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arrived at a longer term road map of cooperation spanning the 15-year horizon of the Sendai Framework, as
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well as a two-year action plan to further disaster risk reduction with specific, actionable activities.
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4.3.4. Cooperation with UNIDSR, 2016 15
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The Government of India and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) signed a Statement of
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Cooperation in November 2016 underlining the guiding principles and areas of cooperation between India and
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UNISDR towards the effective implementation and monitoring of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction
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(SFDRR).
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India has partnered with UNISDR to strengthen the capacity of Asian countries in ensuring risk resilient
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development. It will also share knowledge and experiences towards addressing critical regional challenges. The
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cooperation aims to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the Sendai Framework through training and
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The Meeting of BRICS Ministers for Disaster Management was held in August, 2016 in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The
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Udaipur Declaration agreed for setting up a Joint Task Force on Disaster Risk Management (DRM) for regular
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dialogue and collaboration among BRICS countries. The joint Task Force is expected to initiate the actions as agreed
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in the Roadmap for implementation of the Joint Action Plan signed by the BRICS countries at the Udaipur Meet.
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The Government of India organized the first South Asian Annual Disaster Management Exercise (SAADMex) in 2015.
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All the SAARC member countries participated in first ever joint exercise conducted by the National Disaster Response
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Force (NDRF) of India. The focus was to test the inter-governmental coordination and create synergy to synchronize
efforts to institutionalize regional cooperation on disaster response among the member countries of the SAARC
region. It was followed by the SAARC Regional Workshop on sharing best practices.
4.3.7. India-Pacific Sustainable Development Conference
India organised an India Pacific Islands Sustainable Development Conference in Suva, Fiji on 25-26 May, 2017 to
strengthen the resilience of Pacific nations by collaborating with them on DRR activities.
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the areas of prevention, response and recover and reconstruction for "build back better". They will also collaborate
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to share information, lessons and policies for tsunami risk reduction, including tsunami awareness, early warning
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and preparedness. Recently, first India-Japan Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction was inaugurated in March 2018
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for cooperation in disaster risk reduction with particular emphasis on earthquake safety.
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4.4.2. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Countries 15
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SCO Member States, inter-alia, have agreement on Disaster Relief Mutual Assistance, which calls for mutual
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4.4.3. Germany
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A Joint Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in the field of Disaster Management between India and Germany on
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cooperation in the field of disaster management was signed in October 2015. It seeks to exchange information and
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other Scientific/Technological expertise in the field of Disaster Management. It also aims to provide training and
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capacity building of First Responders in Civil Defence, urban search and rescue, Fire services and medical field.
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4.4.4. Indonesia
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A MoU was signed in 2013 between the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), of India and the National
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Agency for Disaster Management of Indonesia with an aim to develop cooperation in the field of disaster
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management. The areas of cooperation between the countries include exchange of information in the field of
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disaster management, training and capacity building; exchange of experts and human resources on disaster
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management etc.
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SAARC Agreement on Rapid Response to Natural Disasters was signed at the Ministerial level at the 17th SAARC
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Community is the first line of responders, thus, it is necessary to educate the community and impart skills and assign
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specific roles regarding disaster management to ensure a coordinated response while disaster. This can be achieved
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by:
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• Undertaking location specific training programmes for the community: Cascading approach should be used to
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impart training as the number of people to be imparted skills is very large. Thus this responsibility can be
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• Disaster management education needs to be integrated within the formal and informal systems of education.
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The leaders and personnel in critical sectors should be given disaster management training as well.
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• A proper safety plan including all pre-disaster planning to reduce risk should be made to enhance community
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preparedness.
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The entire process of damage assessment and distribution of the relief packages can be conducted very
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smoothly with the active involvement of local community leaders and SHGs.
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Community also plays an important role in recovery process including the socio-psychological rehabilitation of the
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victims of the disaster. During the recent past, it has been experienced that the capacity building of the community
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has been very helpful even in situations when isolated instances of drowning, burns etc. take place. With the
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creation of awareness generation on disaster mitigation and carrying out mock drills from time to time under the
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close supervision of Disaster Management Committees the community will be able to function as a well-knit unit in
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In recent floods in Chennai, local people were able to help army and other forces in locating the routes as
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roads were all filled and army was not acquainted with the area as much as locals.
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The role of the media is very important. They are often not provided with the correct information, resulting in the
spread of incorrect information which adds to the panic.
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them to take the necessary steps to minimize the losses of lives and property.
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It provides the outside world with a glimpse of what that affected community is dealing with.
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Post-disaster
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Collection of material resources and the enlisting of man-power by appealing to the people to come forward to
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render help.
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• Keeping a watch and report on some anti-social elements who try to take advantage of such situations
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Contributing by countering the damaging, exaggerated and negative reporting and propaganda in the foreign
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• The media may exaggerate some elements of the disaster and create unnecessary panic.
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• Inaccurate portrayal of human behaviour during and after a disaster may create a very dramatic and exciting
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• Influential politicians may manipulate the media for personal and political gains.
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Biased coverage for the purposes of sensationalism by choosing to capture only small incidents of horrific
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• Convergence of media representatives on a high-profile event can create tremendous "congestion" in the
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affected area.
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Live coverage of critical operations can disrupt the counter-terrorism strategy of the forces, as was observed in
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A prompt presentation of the real state of affairs by our media, and the correction of the misrepresentations by
them will go a long way in dispelling the wrong impressions created abroad which may otherwise have adverse
effect on the administration, the economy and the polity of the country.
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Online social networking services and social media like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Etc. try to solve many problems
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during natural disasters by establishing link with closed ones. Concerns such as the threat of technology failure,
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hackers, stalkers, viruses will have to be addressed in the development of emergency online networks. Also, the
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spread of rumours can be quick leading to spread of panic. Therefore, social media cannot and should not supersede
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current approaches to disaster management communication or replace existing infrastructure, but if managed
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Parameters for earthquake-resistant construction have been laid down in Indian Standards Code, 2002. It entails
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studying a building’s design and assessing its construction material by non-destructive radiological tests. The key
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idea of making a building earthquake-resistant is to make it ductile, i.e. to give it a certain flexibility to shake
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horizontally. It helps soften the impact of the earthquake and lets the building absorb its energy.
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To make a building earthquake resistant, its base is strengthened in a way that during an earthquake, the building’s
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load is borne by the base alone, and upper stories do not experience much quaking. The part of the base that is
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above the ground is cut and rested on bearings, exactly like how a jack is used to lift a car to change wheels. The
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bearings act as shock absorbers, similar to those in cars. Adding rubber material such as used tyres to the foundation
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of a building under construction can also be done. For a building under construction, the cost is estimated to
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increase by about 10% and for retrofitting, it is estimated to be around 15-20% of the total cost of the
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structure.
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Only two schools were left standing in Grenada after the passage of Hurricane Ivan (September 2004). Both
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had been subject to retrofitting through a World Bank initiative. One of the schools was used to house
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In India, the Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) has undertaken projects for retrofitting of
life-line structures. The Council has initiated retrofitting of MCD school buildings in Delhi and other structures in
Jammu and Kashmir.
The state of Odisha has experienced floods in 49 of the last 100 years, droughts in 30 and cyclones in 11 years.
The occurrence of droughts, floods and cyclones in a single year is not unusual
Disaster Risk Reduction and climate change mitigation and adaptation share common goals, Both aim to reduce the
vulnerability of communities and achieve sustainable development. While emphasis of DRR is on prevention,
mitigation, preparedness and recovery from geological hazards such as earthquakes, landslides etc. as well as hydro-
meteorological disasters such as floods, cyclones, Climate Change Adaptation is mainly linked with hydro-
meteorological disasters and aims at reducing vulnerability due to climate change/variability risk through adaptation
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to gradual changes in climate over a long period.
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5.7. Poverty and Disasters
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Poverty and vulnerability to natural hazards are closely linked and mutually reinforcing. Disasters are a source of
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hardship and distress, potentially temporarily forcing certain groups below the poverty threshold and also
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contributing to more persistent, chronic poverty.
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Poverty and risk to disasters are inextricably linked and mutually reinforcing. The poor section of the society is worst
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affected in case of disaster. Due to the compulsion of the poor to exploit environmental resources for their survival,
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the risk and exposure of the society to disasters increases. Poverty also compels the poor to migrate and live at
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physically more vulnerable locations, often on unsafe land and in unsafe shelters.
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Disasters can also disrupt ongoing poverty reduction activities and force a diversion of related financial resources
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into relief and rehabilitation efforts. Poverty can be further reinforced by deliberate risk-averting, ex-ante livelihood
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choices that poorer households may make. For example, poorer households may choose to forego the potential
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benefits of higher yielding or more profitable crops in favour of more hazard-tolerant ones.
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The substandard quality and often, dangerous location of housing (e.g., on flood plains, riverbanks or steep slopes);
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lower levels of access to basic services, particularly for the rural poor and illegal squatters; uncertain ownership
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rights, reducing incentives to manage resources sustainably or invest in structural mitigation measures; often more
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vulnerable livelihoods; and limited access to financial resources, constraining their ability to diversify livelihoods and
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The poor can also exacerbate their own risk where limited livelihood opportunities force over-exploitation of the
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local environment. Meanwhile, the covariate nature of natural hazards implies that there is limited scope for formal
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• Due to the diversity in age, scale and physical conditions of built heritage it is difficult to apply standardised
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approaches for disaster risk reduction
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• Disasters pose a risk not just to the lives of people living, visiting or managing cultural heritage sites and
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precincts but also to heritage values embodied in the physical fabric.
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• Poor management, neglect, lack of awareness further complicate disaster risk reduction for built heritage as
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often the structural integrity of such buildings gets compromised over time.
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• Interventions that would reduce risk to such sites may sometimes pose a threat to the heritage value and
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aesthetics.
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• Built heritage may also offer the opportunity to act as refuge space or as examples of structural resilience using
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traditional technologies and this aspect may be useful while developing larger scale risk reduction strategies.
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The Bhuj City Palace, the commemorative chatris(cenotaphs), suffered extensive damage due to the
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earthquake. Similarly, in 2011, the Sikkim Earthquake destroyed many Buddhist monasteries and temples. Flash-
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floods in the lower Himalayas in 2013 and the Kashmir Floods in 2014 caused wide-spread damage to temples,
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Psycho-social support in the context of disasters refers to comprehensive interventions aimed at addressing a wide
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range of psychosocial and mental health problems arising in the aftermath of disasters. These interventions help
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individuals, families and groups to build human capacities, restore social cohesion and infrastructure along with
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maintaining their independence, dignity and cultural integrity. Psycho-social support helps in reducing the level of
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actual and perceived stress and in preventing adverse psychological and social consequences amongst disaster-
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affected community. Emotional reactions such as guilt, fear, shock, grief, Hyper-vigilance, numbness, intrusive
memories, and despair are universal responses in people experiencing unforeseen disastrous events beyond their
coping capacity. Emotional reactions reported by the people are normal responses to an abnormal event. It is
estimated that nearly 90% of survivors undergo these emotional reactions immediately after the disaster. However, it
reduces to 30% over a period of time with psychological reactions to stress, leading to a change in behaviour,
relationships and physical or psycho-social situations.
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network of NDMA. This VSAT Network will consists of a HUB and VSATs distributed all over the country. In
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Addition to the Emergency operation centres at National, State and District Levels, NDCN will be equipped
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with mobile/transportable communication systems to establish graded communication capability at the
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disaster sites.
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Issues- 15
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The concept paper for the project was sent by NDMA to MHA in October 2007. However there were delays at
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various stages involved in the preparatory work of the project, since the submission of the concept note. As a
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result, the ambitious project of NDMA to provide networking for integration of various disaster management
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tools in the country was still at the preparation stage even after a lapse of more than four years.MHA stated
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(December 2012) that NDCN Project was very comprehensive and important, detailed consultations with
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various stake holders had to be held and accordingly the project was formulated to bring about effective
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coordination among various communication networks presently working in the field of Disaster
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Management. So it seems it will still take a long time before actually materializing. CAG report on disaster
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preparedness has also recommended that NDMA should ensure the implementation of NDCN at the earliest.
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MHA developed India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN) portal with the support of UNDP and launched it in
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2004 through National Informatics Centre (NIC). IDRN is a web portal designed to systematically build up an
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organised information system of specialist equipment and expertise for disaster response. This is to enable
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disaster managers to identify the location of the resources and access it for disaster response with the
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minimum loss of time. The nodal authorities (District Collector or DDMA) are responsible for updating the
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inventory data.
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Issues -
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MHA entrusted (June 2008) NIDM with the responsibility of updating and maintaining the portal. CAG in its
report on disaster preparedness noted that the portal was being managed without any dedicated staff. Data
is monitored and maintained at the central level by National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM).
Besides NIDM is responsible for the overall administration of the portal. At the same time; NIDM is not
responsible for collection, updation & validation of data. Only district level authority is responsible for
updating the data. Thus there are issues of coordination.
2. Discuss the weaknesses of Civil Defence in the context of Disaster Management and suggest measures for
its improvement.
Approach:
First we have to define the core concept and then straight forward can tell problems and their solution.
Answer:
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‘Civil Defence’ means the performance of humanitarian tasks intended to protect the civilian population
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against hostilities or disasters and also to provide the conditions necessary for its survival. These tasks are:
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warning; evacuation; management of shelters; management of blackout measures; rescue; medical services,
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including first-aid, and fire fighting etc.
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Problems in India
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The lacuna inherent in the definition of legislation related to the civil defence, that it cannot be made
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applicable to natural disasters, thereby depriving it of a wider role in the administrative set-up for crisis
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management.
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Excessive centralization is there in Civil Defence mechanism as union has entire control.
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• The number of volunteers is grossly inadequate for a vast country like India.
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Solutions:
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The term ‘disasters’ should be inserted in the Civil Defense Act to give a wider meaning to the definition
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of ‘civil defence’.
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• The whole structure of ‘civil defence’ may be left at the disposal of the State Governments.
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India should pursue people to enroll as volunteers to 1% of the population in time bound manner.
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• The financial allocation should be increased and donations from corporate sector should be permitted for
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Effective implementation of land use laws, building byelaws, safety laws and environmental laws.
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• Setting up a framework to coordinate the responses from different sections like donors, voluntary
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organizations, corporate bodies etc.
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• Special needs of women, children, elderly and physically challenged persons to be addressed.
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4. Analyze the difference in approach to Disaster Management of the 1999 Orissa supercyclone and the 2013
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Phailin cyclone.
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Approach:
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By taking the examples of both the disasters mentioned in the question, try to highlight how the approach to
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manage disasters has changed over the years. This also involves outlining the traditional as well as current
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Answer:
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• India is vulnerable to many natural hazards like cyclones, droughts, earthquakes and floods. Such natural
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disasters have caused heavy loss to life and property. However, Disaster Management has historically
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been ignored, with the focus being only on post-facto relief operations. This approach changed with the
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• The 1999 super-cyclone that struck the coast of Odisha caused havoc, with tens of thousands of people
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displaced and a loss of around $4.5 billion. Such widespread destruction was the result of not only
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severity of the storm but also the unpreparedness of the authorities to tackle such a hazard.
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The coming decade saw a change in perspective with Disaster Management being seen as a constituent
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of strategy of sustainable development. The Yokahama Declaration laid emphasis on preparedness for a
disaster, its mitigation, prevention and an efficient response with adequate relief and rehabilitation.
• Therefore the approach to Disaster Management is now much more holistic involving forethought to its
prevention and capacity building of the community for being prepared for the disaster. After a disaster
strikes, reconstruction and rehabilitation plans would include measures for prevention of future
disasters. A National Disaster Management Authority has been institutionalized, which would lay down
policy guidelines to effectively handle any future disasters.
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Crisis mapping is the real-time gathering, display and analysis of data during a crisis, usually a natural disaster
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or social/political conflict (violence, elections, etc.).
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Crisis mapping projects usually allows large numbers of people, including the public and crisis responders, to
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contribute information either remotely or from the site of the crisis. One benefit of the crisis mapping
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method over others is that it can increase situational awareness, since the public can report information and
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The role of crisis mapping is to bridge the gap that existed between information-seekers and providers,
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particularly when it came to providing insights into the situation on the ground and the action that needed to
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be taken.
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Crisis Mapping is an apt tool to cater to ‘Emergency Response’, the second stage of Crisis Management or the
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Methodology
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Crisis mapping leverage the following tools and methods to power effective early warning for rapid response
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• Geospatial platforms,
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• Advanced visualization,
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The terrible floods in Uttarakhand killed more than 1,000 people, left 70,000 stranded for days and destroyed
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livelihoods. The true causes of the epic tragedy lie in the grievous damage recently wrought on the region's
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ecology by the runaway growth of tourism, unchecked proliferation of roads, hotels, shops and multistory
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housing in ecologically fragile areas, and above all mushrooming hydroelectricity dams that disrupt water
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balances. Underlying the disaster are multiple governance failures, too.
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A landslide in Pune that has killed more than 100 people and left scores missing may have been a man-made
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disaster caused by deforestation to make way for farming. The Relentless rain naturally was the trigger. But
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the use of heavy machinery to flatten land for agriculture may have aggravated the crumbling of the hill top.
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Recent Jammu and Kashmir Floods, while the level of rainfall was unprecedented, Ecological degradation
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caused by unplanned development and urbanisation, and failure to preserve wetlands, had severely added to
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• Massive information campaign should be carried out using mass media and multi-media both.
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Individuals, community of concerned citizens, legislators, government leaders, school authorities and all,
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should make efforts to teach people about environmental concerns toward sustainable development.
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• Protest excessive development. Show to the people that too much urbanization extremely causes harm
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to the flora, chases away wildlife and increasingly pollutes rivers and sources of water.
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• Environmental concerns should be a mandatory part of urbanization and development planning. There
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should be no obstruction to the flow of rivers, no huge constructions on their banks and techniques like
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Prohibit contamination of rivers, lakes and seas. Leaders and well-to-do families should take the most
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• Tourism must be culturally and environmentally friendly and sustainable. Tourists should be encouraged
to live in the homes of local people where they can experience their unique culture and life styles. In this
way, building of new structures can be lessened
• Encourage recycling activities and maintain proper waste disposal by teaching people how to do it and by
giving them awareness of the benefits it could give them, both financially, healthfully, and spiritually;
7. Community based disaster management, which seeks to empower community directly to enhance their
indigenous coping mechanisms, is a must. Elaborate.
Approach:
• Explain CBDM and importance of CBDM
• Ways to achieve CBDM – mock drills, capacity building etc.
• Benefits of CBDM – use of traditional knowledge etc.
• Government steps – legal, budgetary allocation etc.
• Give examples where communities succeeded or failed
Answer:
Community Based Disaster Management (CBDM) is a process, which leads to a locally appropriate and locall
y "owned" strategy for disaster preparedness and risk reduction. The first responder to any disaster is invari
ably the disaster-hit community itself which is also a repository of traditional knowledge. This approach sho
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uld work in harmony with the top-down approach.
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It is necessary to educate the community about the entire disaster risk reduction and even to impart skills an
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d assign specific roles to the members of the community, so that the first response from the community is a
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well coordinated one. This could be achieved by:
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• Undertaking location specific training programmes for the community – Village panchayats, should be en
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• Mainstreaming crisis management in education – through textbooks, training exercises, conducting work
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CBDM empowers community to actively engage in supporting each other by giving them the knowledge and
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Community can also be empowered to run Public address system (PAS) which is crucial for raising alarm. For
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example, in the coastal villages of Puducherry, a PAS installed saved thousands of life during Tsunami, 2004.
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The government also recognizes that CBDM is a key to effective disaster risk reduction. DMA2005 and Nation
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al Policy on disaster management (2009) mandate strong association of the communities through awareness
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, capacity building and training. Odisha government had conducted several mock drill exercises and its benefi
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t was evident during the recent cyclone Phailin. Government ran a programme in multi-hazard districts to tra
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in volunteers. States like Odisha and Assam have undertaken significant community capacity building interve
ntions. Other states must implement CBDM effectively.
In conclusion, different regions of India suffer from different types of disasters. Community participation is
the key to handle it as seen in various disasters. Role of community must be integral to all the phases of
disaster management from risk reduction to recovery.
Answer:
Tsunamigenic zones are the regions in the sea where vertical shifting of water mass can cause Tsunami
waves. Tsunami can be created by earthquakes and volcanoes etc. Region of convergent tectonic plate
boundaries are the most likely sources for Tsunami. Therefore, these zones are not randomly distributed as
shown in the map below.
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Tsunamigenic zones along the converging plate boundaries in the sea regions
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Two main Indian Ocean Tsunamigenic zones are Makran subduction zone (MSZ) in the Northern Arabian Sea
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and Indonesian subduction zone (ISZ) in the Bay of Bengal near Indonesian Islands. These zones are result of
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the active tectonic collision process that is taking place along the southern boundary of the Eurasian plate as
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it collides with the India plate and adjacent micro-plates. MSZ is not far from India’s coast and a major
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earthquake can be disastrous for India. 2004 Tsunami was generated in the ISZ, which is very near to the
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Andaman and Nicobar Islands and about 1300km from the mainland India.
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India had some lessons to learn from the Tsunami of 2004. Government installed “Indian Tsunami early
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warning system” was developed which is integrated with the system of other Asian countries. It has a
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network of seismometers, tidal gauges and ocean buoys.
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Other measures include mapping of vulnerable coastal areas, awareness and community preparedness
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activities. Yet critical gaps remain. While the system can send out warnings quickly, dissemination of the
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alerts to people on the ground takes time. Coastal infrastructure is still poor.
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Tribes of A&N Islands moved to higher places in the interiors in advance with the help of tradition knowledge
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during the Tsunami of 2004. There is a need to integrate such knowledge in the system. Mangroves require
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special attention from government. Only a very handful of scientists are working on Tsunami research today.
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9. Technology is an indispensable tool in disaster management. Explain the role of GIS in context of the above
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Approach:
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In the introduction, discuss about increasing usage of technology in disaster management. Then, discuss how
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GIS can assist in different types of disaster and in different stages of disaster management. Include examples
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Answer:
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Technology has considerably enhanced the potential of mankind to manage the disasters. For instance, exact
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prediction of Phailin cyclone considerably reduced the loss of life and property. Similarly technologies are
today extensively used in prediction and protection from other disasters like tsunami, earthquakes. In this
regard Geographic Information System (GIS) is turning out to be an excellent tool for disaster management.
GIS is an effective, economic and efficient tool for storing, manipulating, and presenting spatial and
geographic data in an integrated manner.
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rescue operations in areas affected by landslides.
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GIS can also be used to identify the areas where the disaster is likely to spread. It can act as a warning
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system and thus it can help in controlling the further spread of disaster.
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POST DISASTER
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Accessibility of data through GIS can assist in rehabilitation by identifying the most damaged area. For
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It is also useful in post-disaster reconstruction works. New houses can be constructed in the less
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10. The first ever SAARC disaster management exercise, named SAADMEx, was recently hosted by India whose
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theme was "one SAARC, one response". Discuss the need for cooperation among SAARC countries for
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Approach:
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• Mention the vulnerability of SAARC countries to disasters and discuss the benefits of a coordinated response.
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Explain centrality of India’s role in coordinating and in providing information and resources.
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Answer:
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India hosted the first-ever joint disaster management exercise with SAARC nations in November 2015, to
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learn best practices and skills in urban search and rescue operations called the South Asian Annual Disaster
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Role of India
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India’s central location ensures that any disaster that affects any country will probably have impact on India
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too. Besides coordinating the effort, it can play the following role:
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• Since it is better resourced in terms of technology and manpower, it can provide access to these to the
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SAARC countries to deal with disasters. E.g. during Nepal EQ, Indian forces not only provided rescue and
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• We can help improve their entire disaster response cycle (Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Rescue,
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Relief, and Rehabilitation) through our own experiences, and also improve up on our own.
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• SAARC disaster bonds can be floated in Indian Stock Markets. Insurance companies can collaborate to
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SAARC satellite, as is being developed, can provide basis for cross-country Geographical information
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Systems.
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11. "Rising accidents involving merchant ships leading to oil spills in Indian waters is a growing concern that
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needs to be addressed." Discuss the impact of oil spills on marine environment. Also, suggest measures to
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Briefly explain the given statement citing recent examples and other facts.
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Answer:
There has been a considerable increase in shipping through the Indian waters and is expected to increase
further by four times by 2020. With the increasing transit, the accidents involving merchant ships have been
increasing. The recent examples are oil spills near Sundarbans, collision of merchant ship near Mumbai
harbor etc.
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• The oil spills could be prevented from spreading by using various methods such as burning of oil, spraying
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chemical dispersants, bio remediation with the help of bacteria such as oil zapper and plants like
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corchorus depresuss, using activated carbon and bentonite clay.
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12. India’s commitment to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is evident from the fact that it became one of the first
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countries to align its National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) with the Sendai Framework. What are
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the salient features of India’s first National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP)? How can this plan help in
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Approach:
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NDMP is aims to make India disaster resilient and significantly reduce the loss of lives and assets. The plan is
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based on four priority themes of “Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-30” namely:
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• Investing in disaster risk reduction (through structural and non-structural measures) and disaster
preparedness.
• Early warning and building back better in the aftermath of a disaster.
Vision of the Plan is to “Make India disaster resilient, achieve substantial disaster risk reduction, and
significantly decrease the losses of life, livelihoods, and assets – economic, physical, social, cultural and
• It covers all phases of disaster management: prevention, mitigation, response and recovery.
• It provides for horizontal and vertical integration among all agencies and departments of Government.
• It also spells out roles and responsibilities of all levels of Government right up to Panchayat and Urban
Local Body level in a matrix format.
• It has a regional approach, which will be beneficial not only for disaster management but also for
development planning.
• NDMP provides a framework and direction to government agencies for all phases of disaster
management cycle.
• It is designed in such a way that it can be implemented in a scalable manner in all phases of disaster
management.
• It also identifies major activities such as early warning, information dissemination, medical care, fuel,
transportation, search and rescue, evacuation, etc. to serve as a checklist for agencies responding to a
disaster.
• It also provides a generalized framework for recovery and offers flexibility to assess a situation and build
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back better.
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To prepare communities to cope with disasters, it emphasizes on a greater need for Information,
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Education and Communication activities.
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Globally, the approach towards post-disaster restoration and rehabilitation has shifted to one of
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betterment reconstruction. NDMP provides a generalized framework for recovery since it is not possible
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• The Plan also highlights that disaster risk reduction will be achieved by mainstreaming the requirements
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It incorporates provisions for strengthening disaster risk governance through six themes i.e. integrated
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and mainstream disaster risk reduction, promoting participatory approach, capacity development,
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working with elected representatives, grievance redress mechanism and promoting quality standards,
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13. A new disease emerging in any part of the world is a global threat. In the context of “zoonoses” and
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“emerging infectious diseases”, analyse the risks for India. Also, identify the structures in place and
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Approach:
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Introduce in brief the meaning of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and zoonosis.
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• Discuss the factors which put India at risk of these EIDs and zoonosis.
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Mention the changes needed in health system and strategy to combat the above problem.
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Answer:
In an increasingly interconnected world, emergence and spread of infectious diseases constitute grave
health, economic, developmental and security challenges globally. Notably, Emerging Infectious Diseases
(EIDs) are diseases of infectious origin whose incidence in humans has increased within the recent past or
threatens to increase in the near future. These include new, previously undefined diseases as well as old
diseases with new features e.g. Avian influenza, chikungunya, Nipah virus etc.
The Indian subcontinent is a ‘hotspot’ for zoonotic, drug-resistant and vector-borne pathogens. India is
especially vulnerable because of:
• High population density: With 1.34 billion people, 512 million livestock and 729 million poultry, the
density and rates of human–animal, animal–animal and human–human contacts are high.
• Inadequacy of research: Threats from EIDs are inadequately understood because of poor domestic
research and lack of international collaborations due to restrictive policies on sharing clinical and
research materials. E.g. There are 460 medical colleges and 46 veterinary colleges in India, but most do
little or no research.
• Coordination issues: The bureaucratic approach and lack of inter-sectoral coordination leads to
fragmented response.
• Lack of policy focus: Recently approved National Health Policy has not mentioned “zoonosis” and
“emerging infectious diseases”, thus, missing the opportunity to have a comprehensive strategy for it.
• Anthropogenic changes: Deforestation brings wildlife into direct contact with humans and domesticated
animals, increasing the risk of zoonosis along with changed weather patterns which further escalates the
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spread of EIDs.
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• Diverse animal population: For instance, India has an incredibly diverse bat population which harbours
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10% of corona viruses. Further, little is known about the viruses in Indian bats and their disease potential.
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• Changing lifestyles, patterns of behavior etc., for example, improper food handling and preparation in
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order to save time and for convenience.
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• Lower latitudes: areas that lie in lower latitudes are at a greater risk of new and emerging EIDs.
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Poverty and social inequality; e.g. tuberculosis is primarily a problem in low-income areas.
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Structures in Place
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• National Apical Advisory Committee for National Disease Surveillance and Response System (NAAC)
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created in 1996
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• Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) established in 2004, as project, in 101 districts and
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later expanded to cover all States and districts. It involves Central Surveillance Unit (CSU), State
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Surveillance Units (SSUs) District Surveillance Units (DSUs) a surveillance unit and peripheral reportig
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IT connectivity has been established with all the States, districts and medical colleges through 776 sites
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for rapid data transfer, video conferencing and distance learning activities.
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• Commitment to International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 of the WHO. This requires all countries to
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have the ability to detect, assess, report and respond to public health events and disease outbreaks.
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National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has initiatives such as Division of Zoonosis dedicated to the
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14. Why are women particularly vulnerable to the impact of natural disasters? Also analyse, with adequate
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examples, how women can play a more effective role in disaster risk management cycle.
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List the reasons for vulnerability of women to natural disasters.
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• Also discuss the role women can play in disaster risk management, with suitable examples.
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Answer:
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India is vulnerable to a number of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, cyclones etc. which not only
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lead to economic loss but also claim precious human lives. In past disasters, more than half of the victims
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• Lack of access to technical knowledge and information about disaster occurrence in general.
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• Less participation of women in the planning, designing, implementing and monitoring emergency
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• Less resources under their control, low socio-economic and political status make them more vulnerable.
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• Special health needs in terms of sanitation, nutrition or in the case of pregnancy or lactating mothers.
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• Culture and beliefs such as traditional taboo of not letting them enter the sea prevents them from
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• Difficulty in applying and qualifying for aid after a disaster because of illiteracy or limited literacy, lack of
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• Women are mostly employed within the agricultural and informal sectors, which are often the worst
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affected by disasters.
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Generally, women in disasters are looked at only as victims, but their role in risk management and facing the
aftermath of disaster should not be neglected. They can play effective role in it, as can be seen from the
following instances:
• In 1993, Latur, Maharashtra earthquake where they contributed in repairing and strengthening of
damaged houses and in 2001 Bhuj, Gujarat earthquake where the grassroots women’s groups from
Maharashtra traveled to this neighboring state to share experiences and pledge long-term assistance.
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