Global efforts for disaster management emerged as the world recognized the need for sustainable development. The 1972 Stockholm Conference was one of the first international discussions on environmental issues, linking development with disaster resilience. The Brundtland Report (1987) emphasized sustainable development, highlighting the need for risk reduction in disasters. However, the first focused effort towards…
It is the sovereign responsibility of the state to protect the citizens from disasters. In the Indian federal system, the responsibility for disaster management is that of the state government. The central government mainly works for the coordination of disaster management efforts. When calamities of a severe nature occur, the centre is responsible for providing…
A Disaster is an undesirable occurrence resulting from forces that are largely outside human control, strike quickly with little or no warning, and cause or threaten serious disruption of life and property including death and injury to a large number of people. It therefore requires the mobilisation of efforts over that which are normally provided…
In this chapter, we aim to study all types of mass movements which are hazardous to human life and livelihood. These include landslides, Avalanches, rockfalls, Mud-flow and earth flows. We have already read these topics in our Geography textbook. Let’s study these from the Disaster point of view. Mass Movements The term Mass Movement refers…
Qualitatively, a heat wave is a condition of air temperature that becomes fatal to the human body when exposed. This generally comes as a heatstroke. What is a heatstroke? When heat overwhelms our body’s ability to manage its temperature it is known as Heatstroke. It is a severe illness that results when the body temperature…
Droughts are an extended period when there is a shortage of water availability due to inadequate precipitation, excessive rate of evaporation and over-utilisation of water from the reservoirs and other storages, including the groundwater. It is a complex phenomenon that involves elements of meteorology like precipitation, evaporation, evapotranspiration, groundwater, soil moisture, storage and surface run-off,…
When Surface run-off exceeds the carrying capacity of the river channels, streams, lakes and other inland water in which they flow bodies or the infiltration rate of the ground we call it a Flood. It flows into the neighbouring low-lying areas which generally do not experience natural water flow. Types of Floods: River Floods: These…
Tropical cyclones (or hurricanes) are intense low-pressure areas confined to the area lying between 30° N and 30° S latitudes, in the atmosphere around which high-velocity winds blow. These low-pressure systems can extend Horizontally anywhere between 500-1000km and Vertically 12-14km high. Condition for Emergence: A large and continuous supply of warm and moist air can…
Tsunami: Large sea waves caused by sudden displacement of ocean water due to Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. that cause the sea floor to move abruptly resulting in the form of high vertical waves called Tsunamis (harbour waves) or seismic sea waves. Formation of Tsunamis: Seismic waves may cause only one instantaneous vertical wave due to…
Earthquakes are shaking of the earth caused by to sudden release of energy. Massive Natural earthquakes are generally caused by the energy released due to Movement in tectonic plates. It’s the most unpredictable and highly destructive of all the natural disasters. Basic Definitions: Focus or Hypocentre: it is a point in the earth’s interior where…