DisastersNatural

Calamities

WHAT IS DISASTER?

Disaster is a sudden, calamitous event bringing great damage,

loss, and destruction and devastation to life and property.
The damage caused by disasters is immeasurable and varies
with the geographical location, climate and the type of the earth
surface/degree of vulnerability.
This influences the mental, socio-economic, political and cultural
state of the affected area.
Two Types(depends upon their potential to cause damage)
1) Major disasters
Hurricanes,
Floods / Sea Surges / Tsunamis
Snow storms,
Earthquakes,
Landslides,
2) Minor disaster: Localized and intensity of damage is much less
Ex., Landslides, fire accidents

FFECTS OF MAJOR DISASTERS

Disasters has significant impact on the numbers, health status
and life style of populations. They cause
Deaths
Severe injuries, requiring extensive treatments
Increased risk of communicable diseases
Damage to the health facilities
Damage to the water systems
Food shortage
Population movements
Social reactions
Climatic exposure
Food and nutrition
Mental health
Damage to health infrastructure
E

India's Natural Disasters Proneness

On the basis of geographic and climatic considerations,
India can be divided into 5 Zones according to
its disaster proneness to natural disasters;
1. Northern mountain region including foot hills; this region is prone
to strong Snow Storms leading to Land slides and
strong Cold waves and also is Earthquake prone belt
with violent subterranean Volcanic activity.
2. Indo-gangetic plains; heavy rains during monsoon make
these plains vulnerable to Floods.
3. Deccan plateau; a Drought prone area.
4. The western desert; a Drought prone area.
5. Coastal areas; they are prone to Sea erosion, Cyclones and T
waves

Disaster Management

Overall measures to minimize loss and and recover from

hazard impact
It is the It is a sequential and continuous process by which
all individuals, groups and communities manage hazards in
an effort to avoid or minimize the impact of disasters
resulting from hazards.
Effective disaster management relies on thorough
integration of emergency plans at all levels of government
and non-government involvement
Disaster Cycle Consists of two phases
1, Risk Reduction Phase, before a Disaster
2. Recovery Phase, after a Disaster

Disaster
Management
The fundamental
aspects of Disaster
Management Program
Disaster Prevention
Disaster preparedness
Disaster response
Disaster mitigation
Risk Reduction
Rehabilitation or recovery
Reconstruction

Different Aspects of Disaster Management

Mitigation:Activity that reduces either the chance of a hazard taking
place or a hazard turning into disaster. Mitigative measures can be
structural or non-structural.
Risk reduction: anticipatory measures and actions that seek to avoid
future risks as a result of a disaster.
Preparedness: Plans or preparations made to save lives or property,
and help the response and rescue service operations. This phase covers
implementation/operation, early warning systems and capacity building so
the population will react appropriately when an early warning is issued.
Response: includes actions taken to save lives and prevent property
damage, and to preserve the environment during emergencies or
disasters. The response phase is the implementation of action plans like
emergency evacuation, quarantine, mass decontamination, etc.
Recovery: includes actions that assist a community to return to a sense
of normalcy after a disaster. Recovery efforts are primarily concerned with
actions that involve rebuilding destroyed property, re-employment, and the
repair of other essential infrastructure.
Compensation for loss of life and property .prise Grant mercy releif to all
affected people-Releif for economic construction

POST DISASTER PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Maintenance of law and order, prevention of

trespassing, looting etc.

Evacuation of people.

Recovery of dead bodies and their disposal.

Medical care for the injured.

Supply of food and drinking water.

Temporary shelters like tents, metal sheds etc.

Repairing lines of communication and information.

Restoring transport routes.

Quick assessment of destruction and demarcation

of destroyed areas, according to the grade of damage.

Cordoning off severely damaged structures that are

liable to collapse during aftershocks.

Indian Scenario:The

National Policy on disaster management

Involves (National Institute of Disaster Management NIDM)
It aims at
prevention, mitigation and preparedness in pre-disaster phase
Creation of awareness for disaster reduction and for improving
preparedness amongst the communities, using media, school education,
and the network of the building centre.
Appropriate amendments in the legislative and regulatory instruments
assessment surveys and investigations of the nature and extent of
damage in post disaster situations.
To ensure use of disaster resistant construction techniques-Making
mandatory, the use of disaster resistant codes and guidelines related to
disaster resistant construction in the houses and buildings
To promote the study of natural disaster prevention, mitigation and
preparedness as subjects in architecture and engineering curricula.
To create detailed database on hazard occurrences, damage caused to
buildings and infrastructure .
To devise appropriate policy instrument and funding support for urgent
disaster preparedness and prevention actions
To include R&D work in disaster preparedness, mitigation and
prevention as a thrust area

FLOOD

A flood

is an overflow of an expanse of water that

submerges land
. Rivers and channels are framed or adjusted themselves
to accommodate average water flows
But heavy rain or sudden snow fall will result in heavy
water flow -These natural channels unable to carry all the
water
Excess water overflows stream banks and covers
adjacent land is considered flood

Causes of Floods
River in spate
Snow melt
Storm surges
Short intense storm causing flash floods
Flooding in rivers in mainly caused by:
Inadequate capacity within the banks of the rivers to
contain high flows.
River bank erosion and silting of riverbeds.
Landslides leading to obstruction of flow and change in
the river course.
Synchronization of flood in the main tributary rivers.
Flow retardation due to tidal and backwater effects.
Poor natural drainage.
Cyclone and heavy rainfall.

Effects of Flood
Physical damage- Can range from bridges, cars, buildings, sewer
systems, roadways, canals and any other type of structure.
Casualties- People and livestock die due to drowning. It can also
lead to epidemics and diseases.
Secondary effects
Water supplies- Contamination of water. Clean drinking water
becomes scarce.
Diseases- Unhygienic conditions. Spread of water-borne diseases
Crops and food supplies- Shortage of food crops can be caused
due to loss of entire harvest.
Trees - Non-tolerant species can die from suffocation
Tertiary/long-term effects
Economic- Economic hardship, due to: temporary decline in tourism,
rebuilding costs, food shortage leading to price increase etc.

Flood Disaster Management

Structural: construction of
Dams and Reservoirs
Embankments, flood walls, sea wall
Natural detention basin
Channel improvement
Drainage improvement
Diversion of floodwaters.
Pre- and post-monsoon checks must

be made special repairs must be

carried out prior to flood period

The non-structural measures
Flood plain management
Flood proofing including disaster preparedness, and response planning
and Flood forecasting and Warning
Disaster Relief
Flood fighting including Public Health Measures
Setting up of flood forecasting and warning services is one of the most
cost-effective non- structural measures available.

PPreparedness against Floods

"Pre

Monsoon Inspection" of all railway tracks, canals and

drains by respective departments, which could include silt
and details clearance from seasonal rivulets.
Regular clearance of the drains from silt and weeds to
make the drainage system fully functional and restoration
of natural drainage blocked by roads, railway tracks and
canal.
Regular maintenance of embankments of rivers canals,
distributors etc. and regular check of the canals and
siphons and clearing them from silt.
Clearing of storm water and sewerage drains in towns
before monsoon.
Constitution of committees comprising of heads of all
emergency services, medical, police, transportation and the
district administration to ensure proper co- ordination
during the crisis.

Flood

warning

Dissemination procedures
The

Government agency : through print and electronic

media as well as informing the authorities concerned.
The District administration : Their responsibility to
reach the especially who have no access to mass media
modes by beat of drums, sounding of sirens, village gongs,
if any or by word of mouth.
Public involvement: Some local means needs to be
evolved and be kept in place to ensure that people come to
know of the impending calamity and to take suitable followup action to save their lives and property as also to help
the neighborhood wherever they can.

Flood Response and Recovery

Rendering relief like - evacuation, rescue,providing food, shelter

(temporary), drinking water, medical care, and few pieces of

clothing, utensils.
Deployment of boats at strategic points
Submission of daily reports and disseminate correct information
through media to avoid rumors
Once the calamity is over, relief can help people restore their
lives back to normal by helping them repair/ rebuild their houses,
helping them in restarting their small businesses
Compensation for loss of life and property .prise
Repairs and construction of infrastructural facilities
Rehabilitation of homeless
Commencement of agricultural activities-dsesiltation, resowing
Grant mercy releif to all affected people and releif for economic
construction

EARTHQUAKES
An earthquake is a sudden motion or trembling of the
ground produced by the abrupt displacement of rock
masses along the faults
The sudden movement within the crust or mantle create
concentric waves from the point.
The point where the earthquake's motion starts is called
focus
The epicenter is the point on the earth's surface that is
directly above the focus.
Earthquake Magnitude is a measure of the strength of
an earthquake
Richter scale is commonly used today to describe an
earthquake's magnitude.

Causes of earth quake

Main Causes
Tectonic

activity: When tension is released from the

rocks in the earth,crust and upper mantle.

Volcanic

Action: magmatic outbursts from within the

interior of the earth

Man

made:Explosion of high power nuclear or atomic

bomb, Decrease in underground water level, Hydrostatic

pressure of man-made water bodies like reservoirs,
dams, and lakes which in turn causes the movement of
tectonic plates

Direct Hazards
Ground shaking
Differential ground settlement
Soil liquefaction
Immediate landslides or mud slides, ground
lurching and avalanches
Permanent ground displacement along faults
Floods from tidal waves, Sea Surges & Tsunamis

Indirect Hazards
Dam failures;
Pollution from damage to industrial plants;
Delayed landslides.
Most of the damage due to earthquakes is the result
of strong ground shaking.

PRE-DISASTER PREVENTIVE (MITIGATIVE) MEASURES

Structural
The actual impact
of earthquake is greatly influenced by the
building material and construction methods adopted.
To overcome this problem,
standards has been formulated in
the field of design and construction of earthquake resistant
structures.
Constructing earthquake-resistant community buildings and
buildings (used to gather large groups during or after an
earthquake) like schools, dharamshalas, hospitals, prayer
halls, etc., especially in seismic zones of moderate to higher
intensities.
Retrofitting of weak structures in highly seismic zones.
Incorporating earthquake resistant features in all buildings at
high-risk areas.

Non-structural

Re-framing buildings' codes, guidelines, manuals and

bye laws and their strict implementation. Tougher legislation
for highly seismic areas.

Evolving educational curricula in architecture and

engineering institutions and technical training in
polytechnics and schools to include disaster related topics

Preparation of disaster related literature in local

languages with dos and don'ts for construction.

Getting communities involved in the process of disaster

mitigation through education and awareness.
Networking of local NGOs working in the area of

disaster management

Earthquake preparedness:
Response doctrines for state and local government
emergency services.

Preparedness plans for individuals and businesses.

Train communities in high-risk areas in post-disaster

search, rescue and relief.

Practice an extensive programme of mass drills in high-risk

areas for earthquake damage reduction.

Train local NGOs and strengthen their capacity and

capabilities.

Inculcate basic know-how amongst school kids on

earthquake dos and donts along with safety drills.

Train field personnel in the science and art of carrying out

post disaster damage surveys, for (a) urgent relief purposes
and (b) for repair, reconstruction and retrofitting purposes.

Earth quake response

Safety lies in evacuating people to safer pre-designated areas
along with their precious belongings for the duration of the
calamity.
Generally safe places (at higher elevations) are the pucca
building i.e. school, Panchayat Ghar and other public and identified
private buildings.
Emergency sanitation, alternative supplies of water, custody of
valuables, care of animals etc.,
Provision of welfare facilities e.g.,information and guidance on
essential matters, alternative of including food, clothing and shelter
Plans of rescue of causalities trapped under debris
Removal of debris
Disposal of dead and their identification
Restoration of communications
Mobilisation of transport

Earthquake Recovery
During emergencies, affected people need to be involved in the
relief activities so as to create a feeling of self-reliance.
Post-disaster work would involve:

Detailed survey of buildings for assessment of damage

and repair/ reconstruction and seismic strengthening or
demolition.

Selection of sites for new settlements, if required.

Execution of the reconstruction programme.

Review of the existing seismic zoning maps and risk

maps.

Review of seismic codes and norms of construction.

Training of personnel, engineers, architects, builders and

masons.
Camp-work and employment
Outside releif

CYCLONE.
Cyclones are huge revolving storms caused by winds
blowing around central area of low atmospheric pressure.
Cyclones are called hurricanes or typhoons and their
winds blow in an anti-clockwise circle in the northern
hemisphere
In the southern hemishpere the tropical storms are known
as cyclones whose winds blow in a clockwise direction.
Cyclones are classified on the basis of the average speed
of the wind near the centre of the system as follows:
Wind Speed Classification
Up to 61 km/hr Tropical Depression
61 km/hr - 115 km/hr Tropical Storm
Greater than 115 km/hr Hurricane

How does cyclone Occur?

It develops over seas near the Equator
Air heated by sun rises very swiftly, which creates areas
of low pressure
As warm air rises, it becomes loaded with moisture which
condenses into massive thunderclouds
Cool air rushes into fill the void that left, but the constant
mixing of Earth on its axis the air bent inwards and spiral
upwards with greater force The swirling wind rotates faster
and faster forming huge circle which can be up to 2,000km
across.
At the centre the storm is calm, cloudless area called the
eye
As the cyclone builds up it begins to move. Winds around
the eye can reach speeds up to 2000km/h

Damages due to cyclone

speed: Extensive damage to life and
property due to wind speed, steep pressure
gradient(topple fences, sheds, trees et.,)
Natural hazard
Many cyclones travel far inland and coastal areas
Storm surges: Cyclone churns up the sea causing
giant waves and flooding low lying coastal areas
Torrential rain and Flooding: The rains from
cyclones are heavy enough to cause serious
flooding especially along the coastal line
Wind

Mitigative Measures
The construction of building and life style can be modified to
minimise the effect
Shelterbelt plantation
Preservation/ regeneration of mangrove forests

Strengthening coastal Zone management frame

Preparedness: Risk Assessment

A hazard map should be prepared for any given year and
analysis could be used to estimate the probability of storms of
cyclones of various intersections that may strike different parts
of the county.
Analyses of climatologically records to determine how often
tropical cyclones have struck- their intensities and locations.
History of wind strengths, frequencies, height and location of
storm surges frequencies of flooding.
Avoid settling in places which are vulnerable to cyclone
attack
Emergency helps available during cyclone period

Warning/Response System
The main objectives in a tropical cyclone warning are:
To alert the people to the danger by announcing the
existence of a threat due to a cyclone.
To identify the areas where people will be actively
threatened by cyclone and where communities should
monitor further warning announcements,
To call the people to action by recommending specific
preparedness activities, which may be part of, and
integrated warning/response plan to protect vulnerable
resources.

Early(Fore)Warning System
In India, the Indian Meteorological
Department has developed a four-stage warning
system for a cyclone.
First warning: is about the possibility of a cyclone
when a low pressure depression develops in oceans.
Alert Stage:This warning is given 48 hours prior to
the time when a cyclone is expected to hit the
land.
Second Warning stage: This is the stage when a cyclone
gets formed. The warning is given 24 hours before
the anticipated time of arrival of a cyclone.
Cyclone arrival: This warning is issued 12 hours before
a cyclone is due to hit the land. The warning gives
information about cyclone and will continue
until the winds subside.
In sea ports, danger signal are hoisted about the impending
cyclone.

Cyclone Response
Fishermen

are advised not to venture out into the sea.

They should keep boats and rafts tied up in a safe place.
Avoid taking shelters near old and damaged buildings or near trees.
Do not touch power lines. One may get electrocuted
Volunteer to help people who may need assistance like:
o Bringing evacuated people back home and in recording damages
suffered
o Rendering first aid to the wounded
o Donating blood
o Locating places where dead bodies can be kept until
they are disposed off
o Organizing clearing-up so that normalcy returns as soon as possible
Construction of cyclone shelters

Cyclone Recovery
Compensation

for loss of life and property

.prise
Repairs and construction of infrastructural
facilities
Rehabilitation of homeless
Grant mercy relief to all affected people and
relief for economic construction
Camp-work

and employment
Outside relief
Emergency relief to all the affected people

TSUNAMIS
Tsunamis are Ocean Waves produced by
Earth Quakes or Underwater land slides.
The word is Japanese and means Harbor
Waves
Tsunami is a series of waves that can travel at
speeds from 400-600 mph in the open ocean.
As the waves approach the coast, their speed
decreases, but their amplitude increases.
Unusual wave heights of 10-20 ft high can be
very destructive and cause many deaths and
injuries.

Causes of Tsunami
Volcanoes, earthquakes and earth slides undersea

Where do Tsunami occur?

Mostly occur in Pacific ocean which is surrounded by
the' ring of fire' that is highly volcano active and
earthquake zone. It covers
From Alaska down to west coast of north and south
America
East coast of Asia- China, Japan and Russia
Occur only in coastal regions and Island are the
main targets

Most deaths caused by Tsunamis are because of

Drowning.
Areas of greatest risks are
-Less than 25 feet above sea level
-Within 1 mile of the shore line.
Flooding
Contamination of Drinking Water
Water borne and food borne diseases
Fires from ruptured gas lines and tanks
Loss of vital Community Infrastructure [police, fire,
medical]

2004 Tsunami of Asia

Epicenter near Sumatra in Indonesia
occurred on 26th Dec, 2004
1,50,000 people were dead
Earth quake measured was8.9 in Ritcher
scale
Coastal areas of India, Sri Lanka,
Malaysia and Maldives were affected
Wave rose as high as six to ten meters.

Prediction and Warning

Tsunami are almost
undetectable
warning system now
operates in the Pacific
System monitors sea
movements and can be used
to map the path of tsunamis
and estimate the rate of
approach
notify the public and
evacuations are undertaken

Landslides: A

geological phenomenon which include wide

range of ground movement such as rock falls, deep failure of
slopes and shallow debris flow
Three distinct physical events occur during a landslide: the
initial slope failure, the subsequent transport, and the final
deposition of the slide materials.

Causes of Land slides

Natural causes of Landslides:

Earthquakes: Seismic activities have always been a main cause
of landslides. When earthquakes occur on areas with steep slopes,
many times the soil slips causing landslides.
Heavy Rainfall: When sloped areas become completely
saturated by heavy rainfall many times landslides can occur.
Ground water pressure acting to destabilise the slope
Thunder and lightning may trigger failure of weak slopes
Erosion by rivers and ocean waves create oversteepened slopes
Human causes of Landslides:
Deforestation and overgrazing: Without the aid of mechanical
root support the soil simply runs off when it contains too much
water.
Mining: Mining operations that use blasting techniques often
cause other areas that are at the risk of sliding to slide due to
vibrations under the soil.
Trafic and road construction,urbanisation of hilly area
Vibrations from machinery
Extensive agriculture practice

Landslide MitigationHow
Effects of Landslides

to

Reduce

the

Non structural Measures

Creation of awareness among local population.
Insurance Mud flow policies from
National Flood
Insurance Program.
Total avoidance of landslide hazard areas or by restricting,
prohibiting, or imposing conditions on hazard-zone activity.
Local governments can reduce landslide effects through land-use
policies and regulations.
By properly evaluating the hazard potential of a site, built or
unbuilt.

Mitigatory Measures: Structural Measures

Stabilizing the slope preventing water from rising in the
landslide mass by (1) covering the landslide with an impermeable
membrane, (2) directing surface water away from the landslide,
(3) draining ground water away from the landslide, and (4)
minimizing surface irrigation.
Proper land use measures like
Reforestation for the areas occupied by degraded vegetation
Construction of retaining walls
Construction of channels or deflection walls to direct the mud
flow around buildings.
By avoiding construction on steep slopes and existing landslides,
Solidification of loose granular material by chemical treatment
Construction
Bridging of unstable area by constructing piles, walls cribs or toe
support fills
Creation of national parks, sanctuaries, biosphere reserve in
landslide prone area

Preparedness/response
Forewarning before a landslide
Springs or saturated grounds
New cracks or bulges in the ground can predict landslides.
If concrete foundations crack or move, a landslide may occur. When
poles, trees, or fences begin to lean, a slide may be on its way also.
After a landslide, flooding may occur.
Evacuate people to areas of Safety from Landslides
Areas that are safe from landslides are hard, non-jointed bedrock that has
not moved in the past.
Areas that are flat lying and are away from slopes are also safe.
Usually the tops of ridges and away from slope tops are safe areas.
In an area prone to landslides, publish a special newspaper section with
emergency information on landslides and debris flows.
Localize the information by including the phone numbers of local
emergency services offices, the Red Cross, and hospitals. Organizing
clearing-up so that normalcy returns as soon as possible

Landslide Recovery
Replant damaged ground as soon as possible since erosion caused by
loss of ground cover can lead to flash flooding.
Compensation for loss of life and property .prise

Repairs and construction of infrastructural facilities

Rehabilitation of homeless

Grant mercy relief to all affected people and relief for economic

construction

Camp-work and employment

Outside relief

Emergency relief to all the affected people