Disaster Management on fires in relation to the blind and also natural disasters.

1. DISASTER
MANAGEMENT IN
INDIA
SHIULI CHANDRA

2. A disaster is a serious disruption occurring over a short or long period of
time that causes widespread human, material, economic or
environmental loss which exceeds the ability of the affected community
or society to cope using its own resources.
A disaster can either be man made or naturally occurring.
A natural disaster is a natural process or phenomenon that may cause
loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of
livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or
environmental damage.
Man Made disasters are the consequence of technological or human
hazards.

3. The Disaster Management Act of 2005 formed the National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA) which is lead by the Prime Minister of India, the State Disaster Management
Authority (SDMA) which is led by the Chief minister followed by the District Disaster
Management Authority which is led by the District Magistrate. These are the three lead
bodies that deal with disaster management in India. The NDMA is a board of 8 members +
PM. They are responsible for the guidelines and policies for Disaster and risk management,
their funding and implementation.

4. FIRE SAFETY NORMS
• Fire Safety Audit and Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment (HIRA) identify potential hazards and act as effective tools for
assessing fire safety standards of an occupancy in India.
• Fire safety comes under the Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution of India, under the provisions of Article 243W of the
Constitution, under Municipalities.
• Part 4 of the National Building Code is used to specify measures that will provide that degree of safety from fire, which is
practical and can be reasonably achieved.
• It is divided into State and Related Regulations and Codes and Standards.
• For example, Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Rules, 2009, framed under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention
and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006 rules made it mandatory for building owners and residents to conduct half-yearly fire safety
audits and submit the report to the fire department.
• Several high rise buildings in Delhi and Chennai are considered as a risk of turning into fire traps.

5. Warnings For Visually
Impaired.
According to FEMA (Federal Emergency Amendment Act ), 1999,
there are four categories of people that fall into a high risk situation
with emergence of fire :
• older adults (65+ yrs);
• the mobility impaired;
• the deaf or hard of hearing; and
• the blind or visually impaired.
During an emergency, the senses on which visually impaired or blind
individuals depend may be overwhelmed. hence high-decibel smoke
alarms make it difficult for the blind individual to process audible
clues and instructions effectively.
• Many buildings are not equipped with Braille or tactile signage for
the visually impaired, hindering the individual's ability to escape be
cause of lack of directions.
• As they may not be able to process visual indicators of fire,
individuals with visual impairments are at an increased risk for
accidents involving fires and burn injuries.
• Public fire education generally is not formatted for, nor directed to
the blind or visually impaired.
• Practicing fire safety, rather than using improved fire technology, is
the most effective means by which blind or visually impaired people
can improve their chances of surviving a fire.
Road Crossing Train Platform/
Level Change
Stairs/
Hurdle
Safe
Cycle + Walkway On Traffic Transit

6. Natural disasters in
India
According the the NDMA there are six types of
Natural Disasters that strike India :
▪ Earthquakes
▪ Floods
▪ Urban Floods
▪ Landslides
▪ Cyclones
▪ Tsunami

7. EARTHQUAKE
According to the Seismic map of India almost 59% of India’s land is prone to earthquakes. The Earth’s
crust is divided into seven major landmasses that span over 50 miles thick and their slow and
continuous movement along with Earth’s minor plates which while moving occasionally create violent
shakes, these are called Earthquakes.
While building in areas with higher tremors :
• Repair cracks in walls.
• Bolt wardrobes and shelves to the walls.
• Keep breakables in closed cupboards.
• Hang heavy items away from sitting spaces.
• Keep heavy, poisonous and hazardous items in lower shelves.
• Know emergency numbers and keep evacuation plan ready and practiced.
• Repair and secure all electric lines and electronics.
• Brace ACs and fans/ lights.
Top 5 Earthquakes in India:
• April 2015 Nepal earthquake was the worst natural disaster of Nepal and major aftershock were
also reported from neighboring Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi. Operation
Maitri was the name of rescue and relief operation from India to help Nepal.
• 2011 Sikkim Earthquake was occurred near the border of Nepal and Sikkim, also the earthquake
was felt across northeastern India with a moment magnitude of 6.9.
• 2005 Kashmir Earthquake was considered as the deadliest earthquake to hit South Asia with a
registered moment magnitude of 7.6.
• 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and tsunami was one of the most devastating natural disaster in
India and also deadliest natural disasters in recorded history of 14 countries.
• 2001 Bhuj Earthquake also known as Gujarat earthquake occurred on 26 January 2001 on the
Republic Day of India at 08:46 AM IST. The earthquake with a registered moment magnitude of 7.7
destroyed nearly 400,000 homes and damaged millions of structures.

8. FLOODS
Out of the total 329 million hectares that consists of India, more than 40 wha is flood prone. Floods are
recurrent and cause huge losses to life, property, infrastructure and public utilities. Every year around 75
lake hectares of land is affected by floods along with 1600 lives with damage of around Rs. 1805 crores in
damage cause to public utilities, crops and houses.
While building in areas that are flood prone :
• Elevate and reinforce your house, especially elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel.
• Install “Check Valves in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing into the drains.
• Contact the municipality to find out if there are barriers (flood-walls, levees and beams) in your area.
• Seal your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.
• Stay tuned with the radio or television.
• Be aware of flash floods and streams, drainage channels, canyons and other areas that flood suddenly.
• In case of evacuation turn off all utilities at main switches.
Top 5 floods in India:
• Bihar Floods, 1987 - In one of the worst floods in Bihar, 1,399 people and 5,302 animals lost their lives
and nearly 29 million people were affected in 30 districts, 382 blocks, 6,112 panchayats, and 24,518
villages. The damage to crops were calculated to be Rs 68 billion and damage to public property was at
Rs 68 million.
• Kerala Floods, 2018 - With more than 400 reported deaths, lakhs displaced from their homes and
estimated economic losses of Rs.30,000 crore, the floods left an incredible amount of damage in their
wake
• Assam Flood 2012 - Assam was flooded by Brahmaputra with excessive monsoon rains in 2012.
The unprecedented flood claimed 124 human lives. The worst hit area was Kaziranga National Park
where 13 great Indian rhinos and around 500 animals died.
• Uttarakhand, 2013 - The 9 districts of Uttarakhand received heavy rainfall, leading to massive
landslides, flash-floods in the whole state. The Kedarnath temple — one of the famous temples of Lord
Shiva in India and part of the Char Dham yatra — was damaged and around 1000 people died.
• Kashmir, 2014 - Continuous rainfall lead to a flash flood where nearly 2,600 villages were affected in
Jammu and Kashmir. In Kashmir, as many as 390 villages were completely submerged in water. Nearly,
500 people were killed in the floods and areas including Srinagar, Bandipur, Rajouri among others were
affected.

9. URBAN FLOODS
Due to urbanization, cities develop catchments, which increases the flood peaks from 1.8 to 8 times
and flood volumes by up to 6 times, consequently, flooding occurs very quickly due to faster flow
times (in a matter of minutes). Major cities in India have witnessed loss of life and property, disruption
in transport and power and incidence of epidemics, making urban flooding a top priority.
While building in areas that are urban flood prone :
• Do not litter.
• Stay tuned to the radio or television and make sure to stay at home during heavy rainfalls.
• Make sure all personal documents are with you along with a torch, dry clothes, edibles and
drinking water. Also carry a stick to make sure you don’t fall into potholes or uneven ground.
• Seal your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.
• Place aluminum foil between floor and wet carpet. Turn off all electrical mains of utilities.
• Avoid mixing drinking water and food with sewage water or contaminated water.
• Avoid swimming in strong currents, driving through flooded areas and walking through currents of
water as they might be strong and deceptive.
• Do not remove water from basement too fast as it may create pressure on the walls. Also, do not
remove water using a vacuum cleaner.
• Worst 5 urban floods in India:
• Mumbai Floods, 2005 - The flood caused a loss of close to 5000 lives along with either spoiled
or damaged 52 local trains, 37,000 autos, 4,000 taxis, 900 BEST buses and 10,000 trucks. The
financial cost of this flood was estimated to be around Rs 550 crore.
• Chennai Floods, 2015 - The result of heavy rainfall, tree felling and illegal construction lead to the
death of 500 people and displacement of over 1.8 million (18 lakh) people. With estimates of
damages and losses ranging from nearly ₹200 billion (US$3 billion) to over ₹1
trillion (US$14 billion).
• Delhi, 1988 - River Yamuna experienced floods of very high magnitude, flooding many villages
and localities like Mukherjee Nagar, Geeta Colony, Shastry Park, Yamuna Bazzar and Red Fort
area, affecting approximately 8,000 families.
• Kolkata, 2007 - The hazard affected Kolkata and several other districts. Eighty-three deaths were
reported, and millions of people were marooned in 3000 villages in coastal areas of the state.
• Hyderabad, 2008 - Hyderabad bore the brunt of the natural calamity with 14 people losing their
lives, mostly in house collapses. As many as 52 residential areas in and around the state capital
were inundated as twenty tanks and several major storm water drains overflowed. Even after
rains, hundreds of houses under water.

10. LANDSLIDE
India has the highest mountain chain on earth, the Himalayas, which are formed due to collision of
Indian and Eurasian plate, the northward movement of the Indian plate towards China causes
continuous stress on the rocks rendering them friable, weak and prone to landslides and earthquakes.
The Northeastern region is badly affected, Landslides in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal as also
those in Sikkim, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh pose chronic
problems, causing recurring economic losses worth billions of rupees. A different variety of landslides,
characterized by a lateritic cap, pose constant threat to the Western Ghats in the South, along the
steep slopes overlooking the Konkan coast besides Nilgiris, which is highly landslide prone.
While building in areas that are landslide prone :
• Do not litter. Keep drains clean and weep holes open.
• Stay tuned to the radio or television and make sure to move to higher areas when required.
• Grow more trees and identify areas of rock fall and indications of landslide like muddy river waters
indicate landslide upstream. Listen for sounds of boulders knocking together or trees cracking.
• Contact nearest Tehsil or District Headquarters in case of any signals of a landslide..
• Ensure that toe of slope is not cut and don't unroot trees without plans of revegetation..
• Stay Alert, Awake and Active - try to locate shelters in case of an event with your family. Try to
check for the injured or trapped.
• Mark path of tracking so you can’t be lost, know first aid, sign languages, communication
methods and other rescue methods.
• Try not to panic, avoid construction/drainage paths/ contaminated water.
• Do not build houses on steep slopes or drainage paths.
• Worst 5 landslides in India:
• Guwahati landslide, Assam: The landslide took place on September 18, 1948 due to heavy rains. Over
500 people died in the landslide and according to the reports, the landslide buried an entire village
• Darjeeling landslide, West Bengal: The landslide happened around October 4, 1968. The landslide was
triggered by floods and the 60 km long highway was cut in 91 parts. As per reports, thousands of
people died in the landslide
• Malpa landslide, Uttarakhand: Consecutives landslides occurred between August 11 and August 17 in
1998 in the village of Malpa where over 380 people died as the entire village washed away in the
landslide. The landslide is one of the worst landslides in India
• Mumbai landslide, Maharashtra: The landslide was caused in July 2000. The landslide took place in the
suburbs of Mumbai due heavy rains which was followed by land erosion. As per reports around 67
people died and the local trains were also stricken
• Amboori landslide, Kerala: The landslide was known as the worst landslide in Kerala's history. The
landslide occurred on November 9, 2001 due to heavy rains and around 40 people died in the incident

11. HEAT WAVE
A Heat Wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature that
occurs during the summer season in the North-Western parts of India. Heat Waves typically occur between
March and June, and in some rare cases even extend till July. The extreme temperatures and resultant
atmospheric conditions adversely affect people living in these regions as they cause physiological stress,
sometimes resulting in death.
The health impacts of Heat Waves typically involve dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and/or heat
stroke. The signs and symptoms are as follows:
▪ Heat Cramps: Ederna (swelling) and Syncope (Fainting) generally accompanied by fever below 39*C
i.e.102*F.
▪ Heat Exhaustion: Fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps and
sweating.
▪ Heat Stoke: Body temperatures of 40*C i.e. 104*F or more along with delirium, seizures or coma. This
is a potential fatal condition.
To avoid a heat stroke:
▪ Avoid going out in the sun, especially between 12.00 noon and 3.00 p.m.
▪ Drink sufficient water and as often as possible, even if not thirsty. Avoid coffee, tea and aerated drinks.
▪ Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose, and porous cotton clothes. Use protective goggles, umbrella/
hat, shoes or chappals while going out in sun.
▪ Avoid strenuous activities when the outside temperature is high. Avoid working outside between 12
noon and 3 p.m.
First Aid :
▪ Lay the person in a cool place, under a shade. Wipe her/him with a wet cloth/wash the body
frequently. Pour normal temperature water on the head. The main thing is to bring down the body
temperature.
▪ Give the person ORS to drink or lemon sarbat/torani or whatever is useful to rehydrate the body.
▪ Take the person immediately to the nearest health centre. The patient needs immediate
hospitalisation, as heat strokes could be fatal.

12. CYCLONES
Cyclones are caused by atmospheric disturbances around a low-pressure area distinguished by swift
and often destructive air circulation. Cyclones are usually accompanied by violent storms and bad
weather. The air circulates inward in an anti-clockwise direction in the Northern hemisphere and
clockwise in the Southern hemisphere. Cyclones are classified as: (i) extra tropical cyclones (also
called temperate cyclones); and (ii) tropical cyclones. 'Tropical Cyclone’ to cover weather systems in
which winds exceed ‘Gale Force’ (minimum of 34 knots or 63 kph).Extra tropical cyclones occur in
temperate zones and high latitude regions, though they are known to originate in the Polar Regions.
In India, cyclones are classified by:
• Strength of associated winds,
• Storm surges
• Exceptional rainfall occurrences.
While building in areas that are landslide prone :
• Secure loose tiles and carry out repairs of doors and windows. Also keep wooden boards ready to
board glass windows if required.
• Stay tuned to the radio or television and make sure to stay alert for cyclone warnings, also know
when the cyclone has crossed the coast.
• Remove dead branches of trees or fallen debris. Demolish condemned buildings.
• Keep a hurricane lantern filled with kerosene, battery operated torches and enough dry cells and
extra batteries for transistors.
• Inoculate against diseases also make sure to remain in the shelter post evacuation until informed
that you can return home.
• Switch off all electrical mains.
• If the centre of the cyclone is passing directly over your house there will be a lull in the wind and
rain lasting for half an hour or so. During this time do not go out; because immediately after that,
very strong winds will blow from the opposite direction.
• Worst 3 cyclones in India:
• Bhola Cyclone, 1977 -Bhola Cyclone was the deadliest cyclone that affected India. At least 500,000
people lost their lives in the storm, primarily as a result of the storm surge that flooded much of the low-
lying islands of the Ganges Delta
• Cyclone HudHud, 2014 - Cyclone Hudhud was a strong tropical cyclone, done damage to
Visakhapatnam along with Odisha was mostly affected by Hudhud. Damages were estimated to
be ₹219 billion by the Andhra state government.[3] At least 124 deaths have been confirmed.
• Cyclone Vardah - The system struck the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as well as South India, before
later affecting Somalia. The cyclone left alot of tourists stranded and killed around 50 people.

13. TSUNAMI
When one plate is forced to dive beneath another plate, there is no way to do it except with some
component of vertical motion creating tsunami
While building in areas that are tsunami prone :
• Expect aftershocks. If the earthquake is of large magnitude (magnitude 8 to 9+ on the Richter
scale) and located nearby, some aftershocks could be as large as magnitude 7+ and capable of
generating another tsunami. The number of aftershocks will decrease over the course of several
days, weeks, or months depending on how large the main shock was.Stay tuned to the radio or
television and make sure to stay alert for cyclone warnings, also know when the cyclone has
crossed the coast.
• Remove dead branches of trees or fallen debris. Demolish condemned buildings. Be careful of
wild and poisonous animals.
• Check for damage to sewage and water lines. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged under the
quake, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water
company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water from undamaged water
heaters or by melting ice cubes that were made before the tsunami hit. Turn off the main water
valve before draining water from these sources. Use tap water only if local health officials advise it
is safe.
• Keep a hurricane lantern filled with kerosene, battery operated torches and enough dry cells and
extra batteries for transistors.
• Drop, cover, and hold on. You should first protect yourself from the earthquake damages.When
the shaking stops.
• Switch off all electrical mains and avoid electric lines or drainage pipes. After a tsunami shovel the
earth before it dries.
• Since tsunami wave activity is imperceptible in the open ocean, do not return to port if you are at
sea and a tsunami warning has been issued for your area. Tsunamis can cause rapid changes in
water level and unpredictable dangerous currents in harbors and ports.
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami :
The tsunami run-up was only 1.6 m (5.2 ft) in areas in the state of Tamil Nadu shielded by the island of Sri Lanka
but was 4–5 m (13.1–16.4 ft) in coastal districts such as Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu directly across from
Sumatra. On the western coast, the run up elevations were 4.5 m (14.8 ft) at Kanyakumari District in Tamil Nadu
and 3.4 m (11.2 ft) each at Kollam and Ernakulam districts in Kerala. There were 5 waves that hit the shore with a
gap of around half an hour.

14. Emergency Kit should consist of the following :
▪ Battery operated torch
▪ Extra batteries
▪ Battery operated radio
▪ First aid kit and manual
▪ Emergency food (dry items) and water (packed and sealed)
▪ Candles and matches in a waterproof container
▪ Knife
▪ Chlorine tablets or powdered water purifiers
▪ Can opener.
▪ Essential medicines
▪ Cash, Aadhar Card and Ration Card
▪ Thick ropes and cords
▪ Sturdy shoes
▪ Dry clothes.

15. THANK YOU!