Chapter 3 Disaster Mitigation
Chapter 3 Disaster Mitigation
I. Core Idea:
•Living things are inherently resilient and have survived
countless disasters. (Quote: Wolfdyke)
II. Learning Objectives Summary:
•Understand the concept of disaster mitigation.
•Explain structural mitigation strategies:
• Site selection for buildings (residential & industrial).
• Structural stability: concerns and issues.
• Fire escape planning in buildings.
•Describe non-structural mitigation strategies:
• Land use regulations.
• Hazard zoning.
• Building codes and construction practices.
•Explain emerging trends in disaster mitigation and its link to
sustainable development.
1. Core Concepts of Disaster Mitigation
•Definition: Disaster mitigation is the process of taking measures to
remove or decrease the impacts of hazards by reducing risks in
advance. It focuses on reducing loss of life and property. As one
source states, "Disaster mitigation is the first phase of disaster
management cycle. It entails measures that seek to remove or
decrease the impacts and risks of hazards through proactive and
predetermined measures.”
Proactive Approach: Mitigation is a proactive measure aimed at
reducing human losses. It emphasizes preparing in advance, rather
than reacting after a disaster occurs. The document describes
mitigation as "a proactive step, taken to reduce human loss and
financial costs that may arise as an aftermath of a disaster."
considered to increase resistance of a home from cyclonic winds: roof coverings, windows
and doors, and roof sheathing attachment, walls and foundations
3. Stability of Structures: Issues and Concerns: (i) To provide safe and healthy habitat, careful
considerations need to be made to the building construction activity. Building planning,
designing and construction activities have developed over the centuries.
(ii) The design of high-rising buildings should be architecturally sound.
(iii) . Interlinking of fire alarm system, fire protection system, security system, ventilation and
electrical system should be done, and an analysis of emergency power, standby power
requirement and captive power systems should also be done.
4. Fire Escapes in Buildings: Plan: The sole purpose of this plan is to
provide a guideline to the occupants of the building regarding the action
they should take in case fire breaks in the building. These are
(i) automatic sprinkler systems
(ii)automatically detect fire
(iii)automatically releasing water in specific patterns and quantities
(iv)Fire fighting arrangements are should also be fitted with inlet
connections at ground level for charging with water by pumping from
fire services and air release valve at roof level to release trapped air
inside.
3. Key Non-Structural Mitigation Elements:
(i) Land-Use Regulations: These are crucial for ensuring orderly development, and
often include measures such as:
(ii) Floor Area Ratio (FAR): The document notes that "Floor area ratio regulations are
intended to prevent haphazard development and avert congestion around human
settlements.”
(iii) Urban Land Ceiling Act (ULCRA): This act aimed to prevent individuals from
hoarding land.
(iv) Hazard Zoning: This involves identifying areas prone to specific hazards and
using the information to regulate development.
(a) The documents highlight areas with varying seismic risk across India and assign
zone factors from 0.10 to 0.36. Zone 5 is the highest risk with the strongest factor.
(b) “Zone 5 covers the areas with the highest risk that suffer earthquakes of
intensity MSK IX or greater. The zone factor of 0.36 is assigned to Zone 5 and civil
engineers use this factor for building earthquake-resistant design of structures in
Zone 5."
(c) Building Codes and Construction: Establishing and enforcing strict building
codes to ensure structures can withstand various hazards.
(d) "Building codes and construction are an integral aspect of non-structural
mitigation."
(e) "The National Building Code of India clearly prescribes the minimum standards of
fire protection and fire safety of buildings. It is necessary for all concerned to comply
with all requirements of fire safety as prescribed in fire-related legislative provisions."
4. Importance of Communication
•Essential Component:
•Communication is essential for successful disaster management. Without
communication, even the best mitigation strategies can be ineffective.
•The source mentions that “Communication is an indispensable aspect of disaster
management. To deal with disasters to our satisfaction, efficient communication at all
levels is necessary."
•Key Functions: Communication facilitates:
•Disseminating early warning information.
•Educating the public on safety procedures.
•Highlighting risks and vulnerabilities.
•The document stresses that the "goal of communication is to ensure that the hazard
does not become a disaster."
5. Disaster Mitigation and Development
Conclusion
Disaster mitigation is a vital aspect of ensuring the safety and resilience of
communities. It requires a multi-faceted approach that integrates structural
and non-structural measures, effective communication, and active engagement
from all stakeholders. A focus on sustainable development and capacity
building is also vital for reducing vulnerability to disasters. The sources
emphasize that disaster mitigation is a continuous process, needing
adaptation, and not just a one-time project. By focusing on the various factors
discussed, societies can better mitigate the potential losses caused by
hazards and continue to grow in safer and more sustainable ways.
Questions
1.What is hazard zoning and why is it important for disaster mitigation?
2.What are the five earthquake risk zones in India, and what characteristics define the zone
with the highest risk?
3.What are the key aspects of site planning that need to be considered when building,
especially in terms of minimizing environmental damage?
4.How do the building codes, as described in the National Building Code of India (NBC), aid in
mitigating disasters, specifically regarding fire safety?
5.What is the concept of a setback distance from the coast, and why is it important in coastal
construction?
6.Differentiate between structural and non-structural mitigation measures in disaster
mitigation. Give one example for each.
7.What is the role of communication in disaster mitigation and how does it contribute to more
successful mitigation strategies?
8.Briefly describe the concept of "capacity development" in the context of disaster risk
reduction.
9.According to the provided material, how can a focus on sustainable development help
mitigate disasters?
10.What are some of the major concerns addressed when developing fire safety and escape
plans in buildings?
Answer Key
1.Hazard zoning is a non-structural mitigation measure that helps in increasing acceptance among
communities. It defines areas based on their vulnerability to natural disasters like earthquakes,
thereby helping communities and disaster management authorities make informed decisions.
2.The earthquake zoning map of India is divided into five zones, ranging from Zone 2 to Zone 5. Zone
5, with the highest level of seismicity, is characterized by the highest risk, where earthquakes of
intensity MSK IX or greater can occur, and structures must be earthquake-resistant.
3.Key aspects include site selection based on environmental impact, land-use patterns and
sustainability. These must consider availability of resources, conservation of natural features, and
minimizing disruption to existing ecosystems and biodiversity during construction.
4.The NBC provides guidance on fire safety, including escape routes, fire detection, suppression
systems, and building materials to mitigate the impact of fires. This helps in making a building a safer
place for its inhabitants, especially during a fire.
5.A setback distance is the space between a building and the high water mark (OHWM) of a water
body, especially near the coast. It's important because it helps to protect structures from natural
disasters, and is an important measure to minimize environmental degradation.
6. Structural mitigation measures involve construction projects like dams and earthquake-resistant
buildings. Non-structural measures include things like land-use planning and building codes, which aim to
reduce the impact of a disaster without altering infrastructure.