Disaster Management

Hazard is best viewed as a naturally occurring or human induced process or event with the potential to create loss i.e. a general source of danger. Whereas risk is the actual exposure of something of human value to a hazard and is often regarded as the combination of probability and loss. On the other hand when a large number of people exposed to hazard are killed, injured or damaged in some way the event is termed as disaster. So disaster may be seen as the realization of hazard. Every year, huge amount of resources are mobilized for rescue, relief and rehabilitation works following natural disaster occurrences. Millions of people are affected every year and the economic losses caused by natural disasters amount to a major share of the Gross

It involves many organizations, which must work together to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from the effects of disaster. Disaster management would therefore include immediate response, recovery, prevention, mitigation, preparedness and the cycle goes on. Before the disaster management Risk Assessment is very much essential. According to Ketes and Kasperson (1983) risk assessment comprises three distinct steps: a).An Identification of hazards likely to results in disaster, i.e. what hazardous events may occur). An estimation of risks of such events, i.e. what is the probability of each event).An evaluation of the social consequences of the derived risk, i.e. what is the loss created by each event? When analysis is undertaken, risk (R) is taken as some product of probability (p) and loss (L): [R=p x L]. After risk assessment risk management is also an important step. It mainly includes pre – disaster planning, preparedness, response, recovery and reconstruction. After that reduction and adjustment of vulnerability is very much essential and it includes modifying loss burden, modifying hazard events and modifying human

Prioritizing the problem of locations and focusing on the worst hit areas and population is the essence of disaster management, (Community Based Disaster Preparedness).

2. Use of GIS-based scientific tools helped in identifying the problem locations in advance,

3. Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) played key role in relief and rescue operation, suspension of schools for use of school buildings as temporary shelters.

4. Risk analysis to identify the kinds of risks faced by people. Prevention and mitigation to address the structural sources of vulnerability.

5. Strengthening of Emergency Operation Centres (EOC),Multi-hazard resistant Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) buildings have been constructed to focus of the Disaster Management Policy,

6. Management and vulnerability reduction by strengthening the physical infrastructure as well as bio-physical, psychological, social and economic status of the people and to make the people increasingly disaster resilient as well and use people’s indigenous knowledge,

7. Whenever possible, establish an Institute dedicated to conducting research, development and training on disaster management related activities make Disaster Management a part of the educational system and