2. UNIT IV DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT IN INDIA
Hazard and Vulnerability profile of India, Components of Disaster Relief: Water, Food, Sanitation, Shelter, Health,
Waste Management, Institutional arrangements (Mitigation, Response and Preparedness, Disaster Management
Act and Policy – Other related policies, plans, programmes and legislation – Role of GIS and Information
Technology Components in Preparedness, Risk Assessment, Response and Recovery Phases of Disaster –
Disaster Damage Assessment.
5. Introduction
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In relation to hazards and disasters, vulnerability is a concept that links the relationship that people have
with their environment to social forces and institutions and the cultural values that sustain and contest them.
It' s also the extent to which changes could harm a system or to which a community can be affected by
the impact of a hazard.
A natural disaster is a consequence when a natural calamity affects humans and/or the built
environment.
Human vulnerability, and of ten a lack of appropriate emergency management, leads to financial,
environmental, or human impact.
7. What is Multi Hazard?
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‘multi-hazard’ to describe the independent analysis of multiple different hazards (e.g., landslides,
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding) relevant to a given area.
9. India’s Vulnerability to Disasters
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57% land is vulnerable to earthquakes. Of these, 12% is vulnerable to severe earthquakes.
68% land is vulnerable to drought.
12% land is vulnerable to floods.
8% land is vulnerable to cyclones.
Apart from natural disasters, some cities in India are also vulnerable to chemical and industrial
disasters and man-made disasters.
10. Earthquakes
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Of the earthquake prone areas, 12% is prone to very severe earthquakes,18% to severe earthquakes
and 25% to damageable earthquakes.
The biggest quakes occur in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kutch, Himachal and the NorthEast.
The Himalayan regions are particularly prone to earthquakes.
The last two major earthquakes shook Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir. Many smaller scale quakes
occurred in other parts of India in 2006.
All 7 North East states of India – Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura
and Megalaya; Andaman & Nicobar Islands; and parts of 6 other states in the North/NorthWest (Jammu
and Kashmir, Uttaranchal, Bihar) and West (Gujarat), are in Seismic Zone V.
12. Floods
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About 30 million people are affected annually. Floods in the Indo– Gangetic–Brahmaputra plains are an
annual feature. On an average, a few hundred lives are lost, millions are rendered homeless and several
hectares of crops are damaged every year.
Nearly 75% of the total rainfall occurs over a short monsoon season (June – September). 40 million
hectares, or 12% of Indian land, is considered prone to floods.
Floods are a perennial phenomenon in at least 5 states – Assam, Bihar, Orissa , Uttar Pradesh and West
Bengal. On account of climate change, floods have also occurred in recent years in areas that are normal
not flood prone. In 2006, drought prone parts of Rajasthan experienced floods.
14. Droughts
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About 50 million people are affected annually by drought. Of approximately 90 million hectares of rain-fed
areas, about 40 million hectares are prone to scanty or no rain.
Rainfall is poor in nine meteorological subdivisions out of 36 subdivision (each meteorological sub division
covers a geographic area of more than ten revenue districts in India)
In India annually 33% area receive rainfall less than 750 mm (low rainfall area) and 35 % area receive
between 750 to 1125 mm rainfall Medium rainfall) and only 32 percent falls in the high rainfall (>1126 mm)
zone.
16. Cyclone
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About 8% of the land is vulnerable to cyclones of which coastal areas experience two or three tropical
cyclones of varying intensity each year. Cyclonic activities on the east coast are more severe than on the west
coast.
The Indian continent is considered to be the worst cyclone affected part of the world, as a result of low depth
ocean bed topography and coastal configuration. The principal threat from a cyclone are in the form of gales
and strong winds; torrential rain and high tidal waves/storm surges. Most casualties are caused due to coastal
inundation by tidal waves and storm surges.
Cyclones typically strike the East Coast of India, along the Bay of Bengal, ie. the states of West Bengal,
Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, but also parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat at the Arabian Sea West
Coast.
18. Landslides
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Landslides occur in the hilly regions such as the Himalayas, NorthEast India, the Nilgiris, and Eastern and
Western Ghats.
Landslides in India are another recurrent phenomenon. Landslide prone areas largely correspond to
earthquake prone areas, i.e. Northwest and NorthEast, where the incidence of landslides is the highest.
20. Avalanche
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Avalanches are river like speedy flow of snow or ice descending from the mountain tops. Avalanches are
very damaging and cause huge loss to life and property. In Himalayas, avalanches are common in Drass, Pir
Panijat, Lahaul-Spiti and Badrinath areas. on an average around 30 people are killed every year due to this
disaster in various zones of the Himalayas. Beside killing people, avalanches also damage the roads and
others properties and settlements falling in its way.
Area Prone to Avalanches
Avalanches are common in Himalayan region above 3500m elevation.
Very frequent on slopes of 3045°.
Convex slopes more prone to this disaster.
North facing slope have avalanches in winter and south facing slopes during spring.
Slopes covered with grass more prone to this hazard.
21. Forest Fire
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Forest or bush fire, though not causing much loss to human life, is a major hazard for forest cover in the
country. As per FSI report, 50 per cent of the forest cover of the country is fire prone, out of which 6.17 per cent
is prone to severe fire damage causing extensive loss to forest vegetation and environment.
The major loss due to forest fire is caused to the environment which gets adversely affected by this calamity.
The degradation of climate, soil and water quality, loss of wildlife and its habitat, deterioration of human health,
depletion of ozone layer, etc.
Along with direct loss to timber are the major adverse impact of forest fires. The coniferous forests in the
Himalayan region are very susceptible to fire and every year there are one or more major fire incidences in
these areas.
The other parts of the country dominated by deciduous forest are also damaged by fire up to an extent. It is
worth mentioning that in India 90 per cent of the forest fires are man made (intentionally or unintentionally).
22. Heat Waves, Cold waves and Fog
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Heat waves refer to the extreme positive departure from the maximum temperature in summers. The
fatalities caused by heat waves have increased in recent decades. The problem of heat wave is compounded
by a decrease in diurnal temperature Range (DTR). In urban areas, the heat wave is increasing gaining
notoriety for more and more fatalities.
Cold waves occur mainly due to the extreme low temperature coupled with incursion of dry cold winds from
north-west. Most affected areas country due to the cold waves include the western and north-western regions
and also Bihar, UP directly affected by the western disturbances.
23. Industrial, Chemical & Nuclear Disasters
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The industrial and chemical disasters can occur due to accident, negligence or incompetence. They may
result in huge loss to lives and property. The Hazardous industries and the workers in these industries are
particularly vulnerable to chemical and industrial disasters.
The most significant chemical accidents in recorded history was the 1984 Bhopal Gas disaster, in which
more than 3,000 people were killed after a highly toxic vapour, (methyl isocyanate), was released at a Union
Carbide pesticides factory.
24. Epidemics in India
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Infectious diseases are a major public health problem in India. While many infectious diseases like
tuberculosis and malaria are endemic, some of them occasionally attain epidemic Proportion.
Epidemics are public health emergencies which disrupt routine health services and are major drain on
resources. Epidemics include viral infections disease (mengitis, measles, dengue, polio, typhoid fever etc.)
and Bacterial infectious diseases (cholera, diarrhoea etc.)
The main causes for epidemic are non availability of clean and hygienic drinking water contamination of
drinking water sources, lack of awareness about sanitation, unhygienic food, overcrowding, biological
conditions in addition to ecological factors.
26. Vulnerability Assessment
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Investigation of -
a) causes of dif f erential consequences and
b) responses to of f set, lessen or prevent potential adverse consequences.
Seeks answers to questions such as -
a) Who (or what) is vulnerable?
b) To what are they vulnerable?
c) Why are they vulnerable?
d) What responses can lessen
28. Vulnerability can be lessened by interventions at
a number of points:
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Lessen exposure to perturbations and stresses
Lessen sensitivities to exposures
Increase capacities to cope or adapt
Increase resilience and recovery potential
29. Conclusion
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In order to tackle and reduce to risk of hazard ending up into disaster, we have to carry out disaster
management in systematic way.
Preparedness for any situation is a key factor.
Mitigation measures should carried out followed in a proper way.
Response to any hazard should be well organized.
31. Disaster Relief
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Disaster relief (or emergency management) refers to the process of responding to a catastrophic
situation, providing humanitarian aid to persons and communities who have suffered from some form of
disaster.
It involves dealing with and avoiding risks and preparing, supporting, and rebuilding society when natural or
human-made disasters occur.
In general, any emergency management is the continuous process by which all individuals, groups, and
communities manage hazards in an effort to avoid or limit the impact of disasters resulting from the hazards.
33. Water
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First priority of ensuring water quality in emergency chlorination (residual chlorine about 0.2-0.5 mg/lit).
Water quality and potential contaminants have to be identified and analyzed.
Existing & new sources require protection like:
Restricted access to people and animals
Adequate excreta disposal at a safe distance
Prohibit washing, bathing & animal husbandry upstream
Upgrade wells so as protected from contamination
Estimate maximum yield of wells and ration water if necessary
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Water Supply in disaster
During evacuation
3 liters/person/day in cold & temperate climates
6 liters/person/day in hot climates
During relief operations
40-60 liters/person in field hospitals
20-30 liters/person in mass feeding centers
15-20 liters/person in temporary shelters & camps
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Chlorine tablets (Halazone)
One tablet (4mg) for 1 litre of water
Granular calcium hypochlorite
One teaspoon (7gm) for 8 liters of water to make stock solution
One part of solution to be added to 100 parts of water
Allow to stand for 30 minutes
Sodium hypochlorite bleach
10 drops for 1 litre of water
Iodine tablets
One tablet for I litre of water
Iodine Solutions
Five drops of tincture iodine for 1 liter of water
Potassium permanganate
Dissolve 40 mg of KMnO4 in 1 liter of warm water
It will disinfect 1 cubic meter of water after 24 hrs of contact time
38. Flood contaminated foods
Food to discard
Other packaged foods
Food to keep
Every precaution taken to prevent food borne diseases.
Personal hygiene to be monitored and maintained in people involved in food preparation
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44. HEALTH
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Emergency risk management for health is multi sectoral and refers to the systematic analysis and
management of health risks, posed by emergencies and disasters, through a combination of
(i) hazard and vulnerability reduction to prevent and mitigate risks
(ii) preparedness
(iii) response
(iv) recovery measures
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Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters.
In order for mitigation to be effective we need to take action now—before the next disaster—to reduce
human and financial consequences later (analyzing risk, reducing risk, and insuring against risk)
MITIGATION
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NATIONAL AUTHORITY
The Act calls for the establishment of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), with the Prime
Minister of India as chairperson. The NDMA may have no more than nine members including a Vice-
Chairperson.
The tenure of the members of the NDMA shall be five years.
The NDMA which was initially established on 30 May 2005 by an executive order, was constituted under
Section- 3(1) of the Disaster Management Act, on 27 September 2006.
The NDMA is responsible for "laying down the policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management" and
to ensure "timely and effective response to disaster".
Under section 6 of the Act it is responsible for laying "down guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities
in drawing up the State Plans".
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STATE DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
All State Governments are mandated under Section 14 of the act to establish a State Disaster Management
Authority (SDMA).
The SDMA consists of the Chief Minister of the State, who is the Chairperson, and no more than eight
members appointed by the Chief Minister.
State Executive Committee is responsible (Section 22) for drawing up the state disaster management plan,
and implementing the National Plan.
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DISTRICT DISASTER MANAGEMENT
AUTHORITY
The Chairperson of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will be the Collector or District
Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner of the district.
The elected representative of the area is member of the DDMA as an ex officio co-Chairperson, (Section
25).
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The Section 44–45 of the Act provides for constituting a National Disaster Response Force "for the purpose
of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster" under a Director General to be
appointed by the Central Government.
Recently in September 2014 Kashmir-floods NDRF along with the armed forces played a vital role in
rescuing the locals and tourists, for which NDRF was awarded by the government of India.
NATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE FORCE
(NDRF)
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OTHER RELATED POLICIES
Section 42 of the Act calls for establishing a National Institute of Disaster Management. Section 46-50,
mandates funds for Disaster Mitigation at various levels.
The Act provides for civil and criminal liabilities for those who violate the provision of the Act.
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CLASSIFICATION, POLICIES AND OTHER
DETAILS
Losses due to disasters have shown growing trend in terms of lives and property throughout the world due to
urbanization, increasing population and increasing degradation of environment.
The global efforts to manage disasters are not matched with the frequency and magnitude of disasters.
According to World Disaster Report 2009, hydro meteorological event, linked to climate change – floods,
storms, heat waves and drought together accounted for nearly 60 percent of Disaster Relief Emergency Fund
(DREF).
In Myanmar alone, cyclone Nargis claimed some 1,38,000 lives last years.
Earthquake in China’s Sichuan Province killed some 88,000 people, affected 46 million people; a major US
flood 11 million and a drought in Thailand 10 million.
But there were fewer disasters worldwide in 2008 than in any other year of the preceding decade; 326 natural
and 259 technological disasters.
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NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT
PROGRAMME
Empower both local authorities and communities as partners to reduce and manage disaster risks.
Strengthen scientific and technical capabilities in all aspects of disaster management.
Capacity development at all levels to effectively respond to multiple hazards and for community-based
disaster management.
74. Applications of GIS
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GIS is a tool that allows users to create interactive queries (user created searches), analyze the spatial
information, edit data, maps, and present the results of all these operations.
GIS provides environment for effective and efficient storage and manipulation of remotely sensed or other
spatial and non-spatial data types for both scientific management and policy oriented information.
The specific application in Risk Assessment are, Hazard mapping to Show earthquake, floods, landslide or
fire.
These maps are used for warning system.
GIS application can be useful in the following
Activities:
To create Hazard inventory maps
Locate Critical Facilities
Create and manage associate related
database
75. GIS and the Disaster Management Cycle
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Planning:
GIS is useful in helping with forward planning. It provides the framework for planners and disaster managers
to view spatial data by way of computer-based maps.
Mitigation:
Representation of High-risk areas
Facilitates the implementation of necessary mechanism to lessen the impact.
Preparedness:
Identification of emergency areas
Positions of related departments, Agencies, and Human Resources
Make it easier for security and shelters provides to plan the strategies
Answer that who is to be based where and at what phase of emergency
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Response:
Provide accurate information on exact location of an emergency situation.
Time saving during the determination of trouble areas (Quick Response).
Used as floor guide for evacuation routes.
Recovery:
Mapping level of damage.
Information related to disrupted infrastructure, number of persons died or injured and impact on
Environment.
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GIS and Emergency Shelters:
GIS can be used by shelter operators to capture specific personal details of persons being housed at the
shelters.
It would make it possible to assess the number of needed shelters and the structure of that suffering
population like, children, adults, disables etc..
GIS and Distribution of Relief:
In affected areas during and after disaster, Food Drops is always likely to take place.
This process can be helped with GIS as maps can be generated which identify the specific areas with
clusters of victims are located and the unique need of persons within these clusters.
GIS and Data Gathering:
The data is gathered for the analysis and to assess the need of activities and actions before, during and
after the disaster.
By the use of this data, maps of most vulnerable areas can be produced and those areas can be
highlighted which are most prone to disasters.
78. Internet in Disaster Management
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Warning and Forecasting Systems:
An advance System of forecasting, monitoring, and issuing early warning plays the most significant role in
determining whether a natural hazard will assume disastrous proportions are not.
The country has the following forecasting systems:
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA)
Seismological observations
Warning system for Drought
Flood Forecasting
Cyclone Tracking
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Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
Cyclone Warnings –Area Cyclone warning Centers (ACWCs)
Cyclone Warning Dissemination System – Direct Dissemination of cyclone warnings for the cyclone prone
coastal areas.
IMD-Limited-area Analysis and Forecast System (LAFS) based on Optimal Interpretation
Primitive Equation (PE)-Limited area numerical guidance.
National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA)
Long term drought proofing programs
Flood inundated areas, Flood damage assessment, flood hazard, river configuration and protection.
Seismological observations
National network of 36 seismic stations operated by IMD.
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Warning System for Drought
National Agriculture Drought Assessment and Management System (NADAMS)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Advanced Very High Resolution (AVHR)
Flood Forecasting
Central Water Commission – Ministry of Water Resources
Cyclone Tracking
Cyclone Detection Radars – Detects Cyclones within a range of 400 km.
82. Assessing Damage to human life:
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Death
Permeant Disabilities
Major Injuries
Minor Injuries
Missing
Assessing Damage to Water
Sources: Wells
Borewells
Hand pumps
River
Canal
Ponds and Lakes
Assessing Damage to Community
Infrastructure:
Public Buildings
Basic Services
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Assessing Damage to Housing:
Foundation and Plinth:
Cracks
Partial destruction
Scouring
Settlements
Wall, Column and Openings:
Vertical cracks
Tilting of walls
Corner separation
Partial collapse
Bulging and delamination
Bulking Columns
Cracks at beam-column junction.
Roof:
Cracks
Partial Destruction
Cracks on separation of roof with the wall
Total destruction cracks near the junction
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Assessing Damage to Land:
Agriculture Land
Forest Land
Waste Land
Common Land
Wet Land
Mangroves
Salt Pan
Mines
Assessing Damage to Livelihoods :
Direct:
Means and assests
Employment and income
Indirect:
Production
Future employment
Income