The document presents an overview of disasters, defining them as major hazard events that disrupt communities and require external assistance. It distinguishes between hazards and disasters, outlining types of hazards such as natural, human-induced, and technological incidents, along with factors that contribute to vulnerability and risk. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of understanding these concepts for disaster management and prevention.

1. Peter P. Debbarma, Department of Geography
Asst. Professor

2. Disclaimer
 Many of the slides have been designed in order
to properly understand of the concepts related.
Some Charts and slides are procured from
various google web and slideshare,research net
from across the globes. I have modified, edited
and also included many slides designed solely by
me for proper understanding of the concepts.
Hence, I do not claim to be the sole author
of this presentations.
 In service for students…………….

3. Scope
• Disasters are as old as our Earth & Mankind.
• It was even before Mankind-Earth faces through different extremes of
Climate, mountain buildings and aestroid and commets strikes- Dinasour
and many animals extinct
• The first description of Disaster and its management comes from
biblical “NOAH” and his ark.
• Similar Flood tales are widespread in- Greek Mythology,
Puranas, Mesopotamian stories, and many cultures.
Disasters Concepts-
3

4. Some Terms to be Dealt with
DISASTER
A major hazard event that causes widespread disruption to a community or region that the affected
community is unable to deal with adequately without outside help. It is an event of hazard
occurrence and assessments of magnitude loss of life and property
HAZARD
A threat (whether natural or human) that has the potential to cause loss of life, injury, property
damage, socio-economic disruption or environmental degradation. A hazard may not always bring
disaster but if not properly handled or well prepared, they can bring big disaster. It remains threat so
long it does not bring disaster.
HAZARD EVENT
The occurrence (realization) of a hazard, the effects of which change demographic, economic and/or
environmental conditions.
RISK
The probability of a hazard event causing harmful consequences (expected losses in terms of deaths,
injuries, property damage, economy and environment). Eg. There are risks when you don’t wear
helmet while driving motor cycle
VULNERABILITY
The susceptibility of a community to a hazard or to the impacts of a hazard event. Eg. Assam is
vulnerable to floods because of its plain land, nearby big rivers and heavy rainfall region

5. WHAT are DISASTERS ?
Any occurrence that causes damage, ecological disruption, loss of human
life,deterioration of health and health services on a scale, sufficient to warrant an
extraordinary response from outside the affected community or
area.(WHO)
A disaster can be defined as an occurrence either nature or man made that
causes human suffering and creates human needs that victim cannot alleviate without
assistance.
(American Red Cross)
Etymology
Originated from Greek dus =
bad aster = star
Calamity due to position of a planet or a star.
Then evolved in Italian as disastro,
To become French désastre (de.zastʁ). &
then disaster .
5

6. Explanation & Mechanism of
Disaster
Function of Hazards and Vulnerability, If
vulnerables are reduced then Disaster can be
minimized from Hazards

7. Characteristics & Factors involving
Disaster

8. What are Hazards?
8
Hazard -
Any phenomenon that has the potential to cause
disruption or damage to people and their environment.
“A hazard is natural event while the disaster is its consequence. A hazard is perceived natural event
which threatens both life and property……
A disaster is a realization of this hazard.”-John Whittow
• When hazard involves elements of RISKS, VULNERABILITIES AND CAPACITIES,
they can turn into DISASTERS.
Hazards may be of Two Types
Slow/ takes time
Floods, draughts, Climatic,
Global warming, Cyclones-
storms etc
Onset/rapid/sudden
outbreak
Earthquake, landslides,,
Volcano, Tsunami, Industrials
accidents etc

9.  How do we define a hazard?
• How do we Define Hazard
Hazards can
be GEOPHYSICAL,
• like possible earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, cyclones,
storms floods and droughts. All having the power to cause
disasters
Hazards can
be BIOLOGICAL
• like disease and infestation. Plagues that have the potential
to cause mass devastation and disaster.
Hazards are DETERMINED by
their SEVERITY IN DIFFERENT
SITUATIONS
• The have the potential to threaten life, health, property
and the environment.
Not considered
disasters
• Hazards can strike unpopulated areas and are not considered
disasters if they are not a threat to humanity.

10. Differences Between Hazard & Disaster
Hazard Disaster
Before an event of Calamity After a Event of Calamity and magnitude loss of life and property
Hazard can be both Natural and Human Disaster can be both Natural and Human
Probable damage, risk and Vulnerable involves When Risks meet Vulnerability in the event then it results to Disaster
Measured in terms of ri and Vulnerable Asserssment Measured in terms of loss of life and property. Eg. Even if there is a
strong Earthquake but only few dies and has less damage, then it is not
called Disaster
The Hazard cannot be avoided But Disaster Can be avoided if proper management is taken
Hazard can be slow (Draught, Cyclone, floods)
or onset like Earth quake, tsunami, landslides
etc
Disaster cannot be categorised as it is the result of Disaster
• Hazards may be inevitable but disasters can be prevented…

11. Vulnerability
Capacity to cope
High Low
Low High
Vulnerability
Very low Low
Exposure to
Hazard
High
Low
1
1
The propensity of things to be damaged by a hazard.

12. What makes communities & environment
more Vulnerable?
What makes
communities &
environment more
Vulnerable
1.Poverty
2. Population
Exploison
3. Lack of
skills & social
services
4.A fragile
Community
5.Weak Economy
6. Proper
essentials
infrastructures
& materials

13. What are Risks?- Danger involved
Risks is a function of =Hazrds X Vulnerability X Exposure
High Risks Result to Disaster

14. Disaster Impact?
Function of Hazards Disaster can b

15. Technological
C l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f D i s a s t e r
s
15
Natural
Disasters
Meteorological
& Climate
Topographical
&
Hydrological
Environmental
& Biological
Man made
Disasters
Technological&
Industrial
Accidents
Human
management
failure
Human
Conflicts
&Warfare

16. Types & Classification

18. Meteorological
Disasters
• Floods
• Tsunami
• Cyclone
• Hurricane
• Typhoon
• Snow storm
• Blizzard
• Hail storm
Topographical
Disasters
• Earthquake
• Volcanic
Eruptions
• Landslides
and
Avalanches
• Asteroids
• Limnic
eruptions
Environmental
Disasters
• Global warming
• Wild fire
• Epidemic/
Pandemic-Virus &
Diseases
• El Niño- Southern
Oscillation
• Ozone depletion-
UVB Radiation
• Solar flare
• Aestroids & Comets
strikes
• Locust Attacks
18

19. Natural Hazard
1. GEOPHYSICAL
(Earthquakes, Landslides, Tsunamis an
d Volcanic activity),
4. BIOLOGICAL
(Disease Epidemics and Insect/Animal
Plagues).
3. CLIMATOLOGICAL (Extreme
temperatures, Drought and Wildfires),
meteorological (cyclones and storms/wave
surges) or
2.
HYDROLOGICAL (Avalanches and
Floods
Man-made/Human –
Induced
1.HUMAN CONFLICTS & WAR
Ethnic, religious, political, riots,
Displaced populations etc
2. TECHNOLOGICAL
Industrial accidents
and Transport accidents
5. POLLUTION: This can include
environmental degradation, pollution and
accidents.
4. PUBLIC PLACE FAILURE/
stampede, crowd mess up
3. ECONOMICAL-Poverty, famine
and Hunger

20. Some other Classification of
Disaster

21. Natural Disaster

22. Natural Disaster -Climate Change or Ecological

23. Technological
• Transport
failure
• Public place
failure/
stampede
• Fire
Industrial
• Chemical
spills
• Radioactive
spills
Warfare/Human
Conflicts
23
• War/Ethnic/reli
gious/ Political
/Riots
• Terrorism
• Internal
conflicts
• Civil unrest
• Biological
Warfare
• CBRNE
Management Failure

24. Man-Made Disaster / Human-Induced

25. Continiued – Human Disaster

27. 
 Thank You
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