DISASTER MANAGEMENT

AN OVERVIEW

BY

BRIG. D.V.RAO, V.S.M., (Retd)

CENTRE FOR MANAGEMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT & DISASTERS
A. P.A.R.D.
Damage CYCLONE
Potential

Poorer than
Society before

Elements at Risk

Disruption of
Huge Losses/ Normal life &
Damages Development
Suffers
 Damage HAZARD
Potential

Awareness- Effect
on Elements

Quicker
Society Recovery

Elements at Risk
Action Communities
Plans More
Huge Losses/ Resilient
Damages

Reduced More Stable Society

Losses
 Damage HAZARD
Potential

Elements at Risk

Societal Elements
Natural Features People & Live-stock
River/Stream Banks Huts & Semi-permanent Houses
Low-lying Areas Weak Buildings
Sea & Sea-coast Agri. & Horticultural crops
Slopes of hills
Livelihood tools / Equipment
Unsecured personal assets
Public Infrastructure
 Scale of Disaster
Is Dependent on :
Lead Time Available.
Intensity of Hazard.
Duration.
Spatial Extent.
Density of Population & Assets.
Time of Occurrence.
Vulnerabilities existing in the
Elements at Risk.
Hazard X Vulnerability =
Disaster
 ELEMENTS AT RISK
People
Livestock
Rural Housing Stock
Houses Vulnerable
Crops, Trees,Telephone, Electric
poles
Boats, Looms, Working Implements
Personal Property
Electricity, Water and Food Supplies
Infrastructure Support
AIMS OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Reduce (Avoid, if possible) the
potential losses from hazards.

Assure prompt and appropriate

assistance to victims when
necessary.

Achieve rapid and durable

recovery.
 DISASTER MANAGEMENT CYCLE
PRE-DISASTER DURING DISASTER
 Stages of Disaster
Cyclone

BEFORE DURING AFTER

Jan - Apr MAY June- Oct

Well Before
Weeks-Months

Just Before - Actual Time

Hours Period

Rescue Relief Rehabilitation Reconstruction

 Role Players in Disasters
People : Individuals, House -Holds,
Volunteers
Gram Panchayat : Sarpanch, Panchayati
Secretary, Panchayati Members
Village Elders : Caste/Community/Religious
Leaders, Teachers, Doctors, Engineers,
Retired Army & Police Personnel
Govt. Deptl. Officers : Agriculture, Medical,
Engineers (Housing, Roads & Buildings,
Irrigation) Revenue Department, Public
Health, Police etc. NGOs
 DEFINITIONS OF
VULNERABILITY
The extent to which a community,
structure, service or geographic area is
likely to be damaged or disrupted by
the impact of particular disaster
hazard
Vulnerability is the propensity of
things to be damaged by a hazard.
 DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Disaster preparedness aims at
minimizing the adverse effects of a hazard -

Through effective precautionary actions

Ensure timely, appropriate and efficient

organisation and delivery of emergency
response following the impact of a disaster.
 PREPAREDNESS
Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping to include
Resources.
Assess strengthening requirements and execute.
Funding for preparedness must be arranged.
Peoples cooperation through Political leaders,
elders, Volunteers and NGOs
Create lead time by interpreting Warnings
Plan to include movement of resources with time
frame.
Aim to reduce the destructive potential of
cyclones, timely & appropriate relief to victims
and quick & durable recovery
 Disaster Preparedness
Framework
COMPONENTS OF PREPAREDNESS

Vulnerability Planning Institutional

Assessment Framework
Information Resource Warning
System Base Systems

Response Public Rehearsals

Mechanisms Education
and Training
Disaster Response Activities
Warning
Evacuation/Mitigation
Search and Rescue
Assessment
Emergency Relief
Logistics and Supply
Communication and information Management
Survivor Response and coping
Security
EOC & coordination
Expedite rehabilitation and reconstruction.
 Floods and Water Hazards
Elements at Risk Main Mitigation
Everything in the Strategies.
flood plain. Land use control
Earthen or soluble Engineering of
strictures
structures
Elevation of structures
Buried services Flood control
and utilities structures
Food stores Reforestation projects
Crops and (watershed
management)
livestock
 Strong Winds
Main Mitigation
Elements at Risk
Strategies.
Lightweight structures.
Elevated utilities Structural
(Power and engineering
communication lines) measures.
Fishing boats and Planting of
other maritime
industries.
windbreaks.