UNIT-II

Disaster Classification:-

Disaster classification is the process of categorizing different types of disasters based on their
characteristics and impacts. This classification is important in disaster preparedness and planning
management as it helps to identify and prioritize the types of disasters that a community is most likely
to face and the resources needed to respond effectively.

There are various ways to classify disasters, but some common methods include:

Natural disasters: These are disasters that are caused by natural phenomena such as earthquakes,
floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires,…etc.

Examples:-A natural disaster such as an earthquake can cause significant damage to buildings,
infrastructure, and human lives, as well as disrupt communication and transportation systems.

Technological disasters: These are disasters that are caused by human-made factors such as industrial
accidents, transportation accidents, nuclear incidents, and hazardous material spills.

Examples:-A technological disaster such as a chemical spill can contaminate the environment and pose
a serious health hazard to humans and wildlife.

Biological disasters: These are disasters that are caused by the spread of infectious diseases, such as
pandemics or epidemics.

Examples:-A biological disaster such as a pandemic can lead to widespread illness, death, and economic
disruption.

Environmental disasters: These are disasters that are caused by environmental factors, such as
droughts, famines, or climate change.

Examples:-An environmental disaster such as a drought can result in crop failures, food shortages, and
water scarcity.

Societal disasters: These are disasters that are caused by social or political factors, such as terrorism,
civil unrest, or war.

Examples:-A societal disaster such as a terrorist attack can cause fear and panic among the population,
disrupt social order, and have long-lasting psychological effects.
In summary, disaster classification is an important tool in disaster preparedness and planning
management as it helps to identify the types of disasters that a community is most likely to face and the
resources needed to respond effectively.

Causes of Disaster:-

Cause of Disaster:Disasters can also be classified based on their cause, such as natural causes (e.g.,
weather-related events), technological causes (e.g.,equipment malfunction), or human causes (e.g.,
intentional or unintentional human actions).

Impact of Disasters:-

Impact of Disaster: Disasters can be classified based on their impact, such as the number of casualties,
property damage, economic losses, or disruption of critical infrastructure and services.

Examples of disaster classification in disaster preparedness and planning management include:

Hazardous materials incidents:These are disasters caused by the release of hazardous materials, such as
chemical spills, gas leaks, or explosions.

Natural disasters:These are disasters caused by natural phenomena, such as hurricanes, tornadoes,
earthquakes, floods, and wildfires.

Terrorist incidents:These are disasters caused by intentional human actions, such as bombings,
shootings, or other acts of violence.

Pandemics:These are disasters caused by the spread of infectious diseases, such as the COVID-19
pandemic.

Natural Disasters:-

A natural disaster is a catastrophic event caused by natural phenomena such as earthquakes, hurricanes,
floods, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions that cause significant damage to human life, property, and
infrastructure.

Disaster Preparedness & Planning Management refers to the process of creating plans, strategies, and
systems to prepare for and manage natural disasters. This involves various activities such as risk
assessment, mitigation, response, and recovery.

Effective disaster preparedness and planning management involves understanding the potential risks
and hazards in a given area, developing strategies to minimize those risks, and ensuring that the
necessary resources and infrastructure are in place to respond to disasters when they occur. This
includes developing emergency response plans, providing training and education for emergency
responders, and creating evacuation plans for communities.
In addition to these measures, disaster preparedness and planning management also involves working
with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community groups to raise awareness
about natural disasters and their potential impact. By taking a proactive approach to disaster
management, communities can reduce the risk of loss of life and property, and improve their ability to
respond and recover from natural disasters.

Characteristics of Natural Disasters:-

Floods:-

The floods are that can occur due to heavy rainfall or the failure of dams the characteristics of
floods Include rapid onset, high water levels and fast moving water currents that can cause damage
to buildings &Infrastructure.

Drought:-

Drought is a temporary reduction in water or moisture availability significantly below the

normal or expected amount for a specific period.
Disaster Preparedness & Planning Management for droughts involves various strategies to mitigate the
impacts and manage the available resources. These strategies may include:

Drought monitoring: Monitoring rainfall patterns, water levels, and soil moisture to identify drought
conditions and assess the severity of the drought.

Water conservation: Encouraging water conservation practices, such as reducing water use in
households, Don’t waste as water promoting water-efficient irrigation practices in agriculture, and
implementing water recycling and reuse systems.

Agricultural management: Developing drought-resistant crop varieties, promoting crop rotation and
soil conservation practices, and providing subsidies for farmers to adopt drought mitigation measures.

Emergency water supply planning: Developing plans to provide emergency water supply during
droughts, such as building water storage facilities, drilling new wells, Constructing as new Reservoir
&Ponds and implementing water transfer schemes.

Community education and awareness: Raising awareness among communities about droughts and
their impacts, and promoting the adoption of water-saving practices.

Cyclones:-
Cyclones, also known as hurricanes or typhoons, are natural disasters that occur when there is a low-
pressure system accompanied by strong winds and heavy rainfall. Cyclones are most common in coastal
regions and can cause significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and communities.
Disaster Preparedness & Planning Management for cyclones involves various strategies to mitigate the
risk and impact of these events. These strategies may include:

Early warning systems: Developing systems to provide advanced warning of potential cyclones and
ensuring that communities are prepared to respond.

Evacuation planning: Creating plans and procedures to evacuate communities in the event of a
cyclone.

Infrastructure planning: Building and maintaining cyclone-resistant infrastructure, such as buildings

and roads that can withstand high winds and heavy rainfall.

Disaster response planning: Developing plans and procedures to ensure an effective response to
cyclones, including search and rescue operations, medical assistance, and food and shelter distribution.

Community education and awareness: Raising awareness among community members about the
risks of cyclones and how to prepare for and respond to these events.

By implementing these strategies, Disaster Preparedness & Planning Management can help minimize
the risk and impact of cyclones and improve the ability of communities to respond and recover from
these events. It is important to note that cyclones are unpredictable and can cause significant damage
even with preparedness measures in place. Therefore, it is crucial to continually review and update
disaster preparedness plans to ensure that communities are ready to respond to any potential cyclone
events.

Volcanoes :-

Cyclones are caused by atmospheric disturbances around a low-pressure area distinguished by swift and
often destructive air circulation. Cyclones are usually accompanied by violent storms and bad weather.

EarthQuakes:-

The earthquakes are a hazard that can occur due to the movement of tectonic plates beneath
the earth’s surface, the characteristics of earthquakes Include Sudden onset, ground shaking
&Aftershocks that can cause damage to buildings& Infrastructure

Tsunami:

A tsunami is a series of enormous ocean waves caused by earthquakes, underwater landslides,

volcanic eruptions or asteroids. A tsunami can kill or injure people and damage or destroy buildings
and infrastructure as waves come in and go out.
Landslides:-

The Land slides are a hazard that can occur due to heavy rainfall earthquakes or changes in Soil
conditions, the sudden onset Movement of Soil &the potential for damage to buildings
&Infrastructure

Coastal Erosion:-

Coastal erosion is defined as the wearing a way of land surfaces and loss of beach, shoreline, or dune
material as a result of natural or coastal processes or human-induced influences

Natural processes that cause coastal erosion include the actions of winds, waves, and currents, while
human influences include the construction of seawalls, groins, and jet ties.

Coastal erosion can occur from rapid, short-term, daily, seasonal, or annual episodic events, such as
storm waves, storm surge, over wash, and rip currents

Soil Erosion:-

Soil erosion is the natural process in which the topsoil of a field is carried away by physical sources such
as wind and water.

In this process, the soil particles are loosened or washed away in the valleys, oceans, rivers, streams or
far away lands. This has been worsening due to human activities such as agriculture and deforestation.
Soil erosion is a continuous process that occurs either slowly or at an alarming rate. It results in a
continuous loss of topsoil, ecological degradation, soil collapse, etc.
Forest Fires:-
Forest fires caused by heat generated in the litter and other biomes in summer through carelessness of
people (human neglect) and. Forest fires purposely caused by local inhabitants.
Manmade Disaster:-

Man-made disasters have an element of human intent, negligence, or error involving a failure of a man-
made system, as opposed to natural disasters resulting from natural hazards. Such man-made disasters
are crime, arson, civil unrest, terrorism, war, biological/chemical threat ,Industrial Accidents,
Transportation Accidents, Nuclear Incidents ,Disrupt Social Order, Pychological effects.

Characteristics of Man-Made Disasters:-

Industrial Pollution:-

Industrial Pollution refers to the Contamination of the environment ,Including air ,water, soil, as a result
of Industrial activities Such as Manufacturing ,Mining, and construction

This type of pollution can occur due to the release of hazardous Chemicals, gases or waste products into
the environment often in large quantities.

Industrial Pollution can have significant environmental and health Impacts, Including air and water
pollution, Soil degradation, negative effects on Ecosystems and wildlife, It can also Pose a serious threat
to human health, Leading to respiratory problems, Cancers &other health Issues

The Disaster Preparedness and Planning Management can play a crucial role in Mitigating the Impact of
Industrial Pollution This can Involve developing Emergency Response Plans Setting up early warning
Systems

Artificial Flooding in Urban Areas:-

Artificial Flooding in urban areas refers to the Intentional and controlled release of water into an area to
manage water levels and prevent or Mitigate Flooding during Extreme Weather events or other
Disasters.

It Involves the use of various Techniques, Such as the construction of Flood barriers or leaves, the
creation of retention ponds, and the controlled release of water from Dams or Reservoirs, In Disaster
Preparedness and Planning Management, artificial Flooding is an Important Strategy to reduce the risk
of Damage and loss of life from Flooding ,it is often used in Conjunction with other Measures, Such as
early warning Systems, evacuation Planning & the establishment of Emergency Shelters

The Effective Management of artificial flooding requires careful Planning, Coordination &communication
among various Stakeholders, Including local authorities, Emergency Responders & public

Nuclear Radiation:-

The Nuclear Radiation refers to the energy that is released from the Nucleus of an Atom during a
nuclear reaction or decay
This energy can take various forms, Including Alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays &neutrons

Exposure to Nuclear radiation can have harmful effects on living organisms, Including Damage to cells,
tissues &DNA and can cause acute and long term health effects, Such as Radiation Sickness, Cancer,&
Genetic mutations

To manage the risks associated with nuclear radiation, Disaster Preparedness&Planning Management
may Include Measures Such as Evacuation of affected areas, Sheltering in place, providing medical
treatment to those Exposed & Monitoring and Decontaminating affected areas

Emergency response teams may also be trained and equipped to deal with Nuclear Emergencies,
Including the use of Specialized Protective Clothing and Equipment.

Chemical Spills:-

Chemical spills refer to the accidental or Intentional release of hazardous Chemicals into the
Environment.

These spills can occur during transportation Storage, handling, or use of chemicals and can have Serious
health and Environmental Consequences

Chemical Spills can occur in a variety of settings, Including Industrial facilities, transportation routes and
Residential areas, the chemical spills are a significant concern as they can lead to significant health and
environmental hazards

The effective management of chemical spills require a comprehensive approach that includes measures
to prevent spills from occurring, as well as procedures for responding to spills promptly and effectively

Prevention measures can include implementing safety protocols and procedures in industrial settings,
providing training to workers and conducting regular inspections and maintenance of equipment.

Transportation:-

The Transportation accidents refer to incidents that occur during the transportation of people, goods or
materials from one place to another, These accidents can occur on various modes of transportation such
as rail, air, or water

In the context of Disaster preparedness and planning Management , transportation accidents can pose a
significant threat to public safety and property, They can occur unexpectedly, leading to Injuries
fatalities,& significant economic losses

As Such disaster preparedness and planning management strategies must include measures to prevent
transportation accidents and to mitigate their impact in case they do occur.

These measures may include regular maintenance of transportation Infrastructure and vehicles
Implementation of safety regulations.
Terrorist Strikes:-

Terrorist Strikes refer to Intentional acts of violence carried out by individuals or groups with the aim of
causing harm, fear, or Destruction.

These acts can include bombings, shootings and other forms of Violent attacks on people, buildings, or
Infrastructure

In Disaster preparedness and planning management, the threat of terrorist strikes is an Important
consideration emergency management officials must develop strategies and plans for responding to
Such attacks, including measures to prevent or mitigate their effects as ell as procedures for evacuating
and providing medical care to those affected.

The effective disaster preparedness and planning management for terrorist strikes typically involves
collaboration among multiple agencies, including law enforcement, emergency medical services &public
health officials.

These agencies must work together to develop and implement strategies for preventing ,responding to,
and recovering from Terrorist Strikes.

Hazard and Vulnerability Profile of India:-

Hazard Profile of India:-

India is a diverse country with varying hazard profiles across different regions. Here are some of the
hazard profiles of India with their characteristics:

Earthquakes: India is prone to earthquakes, with the Himalayan region being the most vulnerable. The
seismic hazard is also high in the northeastern states(Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram,
Meghalya) of India. The country is divided into four seismic zones, and the intensity and frequency of
earthquakes vary across these zones.

Floods: Floods are a common hazard in India, with the annual monsoon season bringing heavy rainfall
and causing floods in several parts of the country. The states of Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West
Bengal are particularly vulnerable to floods.

Cyclones: India's coastal areas are prone to cyclones, particularly on the east coast. The Bay of Bengal is
one of the most cyclone-prone regions in the world, and states such as Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and
West Bengal are frequently affected by cyclones.

Landslides: India's hilly regions are susceptible to landslides, particularly during the monsoon season.
The Himalayan region, including the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand,
is particularly vulnerable to landslides.
Droughts: Droughts are a recurring hazard in several parts of India, particularly in the western and
central regions(Maharashtra, Gujarat &Madhya Pradesh) of the country. These regions are known to
experience long periods of dry spells, leading to crop failure and water scarcity.

Heat waves: India experiences frequent heat waves, particularly during the summer months. The
northern and central regions of the country are particularly vulnerable, with temperatures reaching as
high as 50°C in some areas like Jammu &Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana,
Delhi, Rajasthan &Uttar Pradesh

Forest fires: Forest fires are a hazard in several parts of India, particularly during the dry season. The
states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir are particularly vulnerable to forest
fires.

Main Hazards with examples:-

• Floods: 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. The floods in June 2013 in
Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi and Chamoli districts was devastating.

• Landslides: The young age of the region's hills result in labile rock formations, which are
susceptible to slippages. Some recent events of tragedies are reported as Varnavat landslide,
Uttarkashi District, Malpha landslide Pithoragarh district, Okhimath landslide in Chamoli district,
UK and Paglajhora in Darjeeling district as well as Sikkim, Aizawl sports complex, Mizoram.

• Drought : 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

• Cyclone : 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. About 10% of the land
is vulnerable to cyclones. Most cyclones occur in the Bay of Bengal than the Arabian Sea and the
ratio is approximately 4:1. Cyclones occur frequently on both the coasts (the West coast -
Arabian Sea; and the East coast - Bay of Bengal. Currently Southern tip of India is in the wake of
Ockhi cyclone.
Vulnerability Profile of India:-
Mountain &Coastal Areas:-

A Mountain is a large landform that rises Steeply above the Surrounding Terrain, Usually in the
form of a Peak ridge or Chain of peaks

Mountains can be Classified into Different types based on their origin, Composition and Shape

Here are Some of the Common Types of Mountains with their Characteristics and Examples in
Disaster Preparedness &Planning Management

Fold Mountains:-

These are formed by the folding of Sedimentary rocks due to Tectonic Forces, They have a Liner
Shape &Often found in Long Chains or Ranges

Ex:-

Include the Himalayas, Andes &Rocky Mountains These Mountains are Prone to EarthQuakes,
Landslides &Avalanches which can cause Significant damage to Infrastructure &Human
Settlements in the area
Fault-Block Mountains :-

These are formed by the up lifting of large blocks of rock along a fault line

They have steep Slopes on one Side &gentle Slopes on the other

Example:-

The Include the Sierra Nevada &Tetons in the United States

These Mountains are Prone to earthquakes, rockfalls, and Landslides which can damage
Infrastructure &caused loss of Life

Dome Mountains:-

These are formed by the uplift of a large dome-shaped Structure of Magma or Molten rock
beneath the earths Surface

Examples:-

Include the Black Hills in South Dakota USA

These Mountains are generally not prone to Disasters but can be affected by wild fires or other
natural hazards

Volcanic Mountains:-

These are formed by the eruption of Molten rock or lava from a Volcanic Vent

They have a Conical Shape and can be found near Volcanic hotspots or long Tectonic Plate
Boundaries it is releasing as Fire on Lava on Volcanic Montains

Examples:-

Helens in the united States these mountains are prone to Volcanic eruptions, landslides, and
lahars that can cause widespread Damage & loss of Life
Coastal Areas:-

The Coastal Areas are regions that a lie a long the border between land and sea and are
characterized by the Dynamic Interactions between Land, Water &Air

Coastal Areas are Important for Many reasons, Including their Ecological, Economic &Cultural
value as well as their role in Shipping &Transportation

Characteristics of Coastal Areas:-

 The Vulnerability to natural Disasters Such as Floods, Storms &Tsunamis

 Exposure to Erosion &Coastal Processes Such as Sea Level rise
 High Bio-Diversity &Productivity, Including Mangroves &wetlands
 The presence of Coastal Areas Business as Exports and Imports
 The presence of Important human Settlements, Industries &Infrastructure
 The Heavy Reliance on Marine Resources &Tourism Examples of Coastal Areas
 The Developing early warning Systems for Tsunamis &Storms Ensuring that Residents
are aware of Evacuation Procedures &routes
 The Building Coastal Infrastructure that can withstand Natural Disasters, Such as
Seawalls, Breakwaters, &Dikes
 The Promoting Sustainable Coastal Management Practices Including the protection
&Restoration of Mangroves &wetlands
 Developing Community based Disaster risk Reduction Programs that Involve Local
Residents in Disaster Preparedness &Planning
 Providing access to Financial Resources, Insurance, &other forms of Support to help
Communities recover from Disasters
Ecological Fragility:-
Ecological fragility refers to the susceptibility of an ecosystem to damage or disruption due to natural or
human-made disturbances. It is a measure of the ecosystem's resilience or ability to recover from
disturbances such as climate change, natural disasters, and human activities. The characteristics of
ecological fragility include:

Sensitivity: Fragile ecosystems are highly sensitive to changes in environmental conditions. They may be
vulnerable to even minor disturbances, and small changes in climate, soil quality, or water availability
can cause significant impacts.

Example: Wetlands are highly sensitive ecosystems that are easily disrupted by changes in water levels,
pollution, and development. Wetland loss can lead to severe impacts on wildlife, water quality, and
flood control.

Low diversity: Fragile ecosystems often have low biodiversity, meaning they have a limited variety of
plant and animal species. This makes them more vulnerable to disturbances because there are fewer
species available to adapt to changing conditions.

Example: The Amazon rainforest, despite its vast size, has low biodiversity compared to other tropical
forests. This makes it more susceptible to deforestation and climate change, which can have significant
impacts on the region's biodiversity and ecological processes.

Slow recovery: Fragile ecosystems may take a long time to recover from disturbances, such as natural
disasters or human activities. They may also require specific environmental conditions to regenerate
successfully.

Example: Coral reefs are fragile ecosystems that are easily damaged by human activities such as
overfishing, pollution, and climate change. It can take many years or even decades for damaged coral
reefs to recover, and only if environmental conditions are suitable.

Disaster preparedness and planning management can take into account ecological fragility by:

Identifying and protecting vulnerable ecosystems: Disaster preparedness plans can identify fragile
ecosystems and prioritize their protection during and after disasters.

Example: In areas prone to hurricanes, coastal wetlands can be protected by building protective barriers
and restoring damaged areas to prevent erosion and minimize flood damage.

Promoting ecosystem resilience: Planning management can support the resilience of ecosystems by
ensuring that natural habitats are protected and restored, and biodiversity is conserved.

Example: In areas prone to wildfires, disaster preparedness plans can prioritize forest thinning and
controlled burns to reduce fuel loads and promote healthy ecosystems.
Integrating ecological considerations into development plans: Planning management can consider
ecological fragility when planning for future development to minimize impacts on fragile ecosystems
and promote sustainability.

Example: In areas prone to flooding, development plans can prioritize the protection of wetlands and
other natural flood-control systems to reduce the risk of damage from floods