Question 20GS3GS3
How do you differentiate natural disasters from natural hazards? Discuss the stages involved in disaster mitigation and management.
Main Body
Though many a times disaster & hazard words are used quite interchangeably, there lies a significant difference in their meaning. Natural hazards are predisposing factors/ circumstances, in the natural environment that have the potential for future disasters (harm to person or property). These are either built or permanent aspect of the respective environment setting like current, in the ocean, steep slopes, hilly terrain, unstable soil in Himalayan region or extreme weather conditions.They can be classified as geophysical (earthquakes, tsunami, landslide), climatological (heat waves, rainstorm), meteorological cyclones, or physiological type of events. Natural disasters are unfavourable event caused from natural process of the earth like flood, earthquake, tsunami, famine, tornadothey are usually large scale, sudden & cause widespread loss of lives, damage of property & disturbance of social life.Any event can be classified as disaster when the magnitude of destruction & damage caused by it is very high.
There are various stages involved in disaster mitigation & management. i) Pre-disaster Management: Mitigation: This stage involves identifying potential hazards, taking steps to prevent & minimize it. eg: building codes, early warning system, land use planning. Preparedness: This involves developing plans & procedures to be followed in case of disaster. Developing evacuation plans, stocking of food & other essential emergency supplies, training people. ii) Response for Occurrence of Disaster:During disaster rescue & relief operation - such as evacuation, construction of shelters & relief camps, displaying clean water, food, medical supplies, clothing, should be done in emergency basis. iii) Post disaster operation: - Rehabilitation: recovery of victims. - Capacity building to cope & future disasters iv) Recovery: Rebuild the affected communities, financial assistance, medical assistance, counseling.
v) Mitigation: Rebuilding infrastructure which should be resilient to future disasters i.e. 'Build Better'training personnel, people at risk.Mock drills.Using hydro codes for construction. • Training local organizationMinistry of Panchayati Raj - Introduced Disaster Management Plan (best at panchayat level).National Disaster Management Act 2005: Led to the establishment of National Disaster Management Authority, model agency to act in case of disaster in India, which is headed by Prime Minister.
358 words1 paragraphs
Diagram
A circular diagram showing the stages of disaster management: Preparedness → Disaster → Issue/Response → Mitigation (Removal Risk reduction) → Recovery & Reconstruction to prevent
Topper
Sayali Bhika Pagar
AIR 872023
Subject & Paper
GS3GS3
Topic
Disaster Management
Generic
Generic
Writing Stats
358
Total words
1
Paragraphs
analytical
Tone