Natural Hazards Understanding Of Disaster Management In Practice

Class 7 | Social Science — Geography | Unit 3

Class 7 Unit 3 Geography

Natural Hazards Understanding of Disaster Management in Practice

Learning Objectives

• To understand the meaning of natural hazards and disaster
• To get familiarise with natural and man made disasters.
• To know about the disaster management and disaster management cycle
• To know several survival techniques.

Introduction

Everyday almost all the newspapers and television news channels carry reports on Natural hazards and disasters that occur in several parts of the world. Neither all the hazards nor all the disasters can be preventable but the destruction can be minimized. For better understanding, we must know, what is a Natural Hazard? What is a Disaster? What is Disaster Management? Let us learn about some important terminologies along with disaster management techniques.

Hazard

Generally, a hazard is a dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition that may cause loss of life, injury, health impacts, property damage, livelihoods, services, social and economic disruption or environmental damage. Natural hazards are natural phenomenon that might have negative impact on human or the environment. Natural hazards are classified into two broad categories: Geophysical and biological.

Disaster

A disaster can be generally defined as "A serious disruption in the society causing widespread material, economic, social or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected society to cope using its own resources". Disaster impacts may include loss of life, injury, disease and other negative effects on human physical, mental and social well-being, together with damage to property, destruction. of assets, loss of services, social and economic disruption and environmental degradation. Hazards are termed as Disasters when they cause widespread destruction of property and human lives.

Example: Hurricane is a natural hazard. It develops at sea. When it reaches land and destroys buildings and kills people, it can be described as a disaster.

Types of Disasters

Types of Disaster	Sources	Events
1 Natural Disaster	Sources Beneath the Earth Surface	Events Earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions
	Sources On the Earth Surface	Events Landslides and Avalanches
	Sources Meteorological / Hydrological	Events Windstorms, Tornadoes, Hailstorms and Floods
	Sources Health	Events Epidemics
2 Man-made Disaster	Sources Socio - technical	Events Technological, Transportations disasters, Structural collapse and production failures.
	Sources Warfare	Events National and International

Natural Disasters

Earthquake

A sudden movement within bracket or trembling of the earth crust is called as earthquake. The movement of the tectonic plates, mass wasting, landslides, surface fault, etc., causes earthquake.

Effects

Due to a strong earthquake, loss of lives, buildings, roads, bridges and dams are damaged. Earthquake cause floods, tsunamis, landslides, fires, breakdown of water supply and electrical lines. It may change the course of a river too.

Recent hazard in India and Tamilnadu

On Second to Third May 2018 a high velocity dust storms swept across the parts of North India and more than 125 people died and over 200 were injured. In Uttar Pradesh 43 died in the city of Agra and about 30 died other parts of the state. In neighbourhood of Rajasthan state 35 people died and over 200 were injured. The wind downed more than 8000 electricity posts and uprooted hundreds of trees. After 2004 tsunami, cyclone Gaja is the worst natural disaster to hit Tamilnadu. It left a trail of destruction in several coastal districts and took a toll on agriculture to a serious extent.

Tsunami

When earthquake jolts the ocean floor, the sudden dislocation of the sea bed occurs and the resulting displacement of water can produce one or more huge, destructive waves, known collectively as a Tsunami. The sea waves rise to several meters and may reach the coast within a few minutes.

Effects

It causes flooding and disrupts transportation, power communication and water supply.

Do You Know?

The word "Tsunami" is derived from the Japanese word. "Tsu" means harbour and "nami" means waves.

Flood

Sudden overflow of water in a large amount caused due to heavy rainfall, cyclone, melting of snow, Tsunami or a dam burst.

Effects

1. Loss of life and property
2. Displacement of people
3. Spread of contagious diseases such as Cholera and Malaria Etcetera.,

Cyclone

A low pressure area which is encircled by high pressure wind is called a cyclone.

Effects of cyclone

The main effects of tropical cyclone include heavy rain, strong wind, large storm surges near landfall and tornadoes. "Severe cyclonic storm Gaja crossed the coasts of Tamilnadu and Puducherry around Vedaranyam and Nagapattinam in the early hours of November 10, 2018 Friday with wind speed gusting of around 120 Within Bracket Kilo metre per hour " reported the Indian Meteorological Department.

Man-made Disasters

Stampede

The term stampede is a sudden rush of a crowd of people, usually resulting in injuries and death from suffocation and trampling. It is believed that most major crowd disasters can be prevented by simple crowd management strategies. Human stampedes can be prevented by organization and traffic control, such as barriers, following queues and by avoiding mass gathering.

Fire

Fire is a disaster caused due to electrical short circuit, accidents in chemical factory, match and crackers factory. Fire involves 3 basic aspects

1. Prevention
2. Detection
3. Extinguishing

Public awareness of what to do before fire, during fire and after fire is of critical importance.

Industrial Disaster

Industry faces multiple risks involved with its production, transportation, storage, usage and disposal of the effluents containing residuals and hazardous materials from nuclear and chemical industries.

Example: Bhopal gas leakage

What is Disaster Management?

The systematic process of applying administrative directives, organizations, and operational skills and capacities to implement strategies, policies and improved coping capacities in order to lessen the adverse impacts of hazards and the possibility of disaster is called Disaster Management.

Disaster Management is necessary or expedient for:

• Prevention
• Mitigation
• Preparedness
• Response
• Recovery
• Rehabilitation

Disaster Management Cycle or Disaster cycle

The six disaster management phases that have been used in the concept of disaster cycle are as follows

Pre – Disaster Phase

Prevention and Mitigation

Reducing the risk of disasters involves activities, which either reduce or modify the scale and intensity of the threat faced or by improving the conditions of elements at risk. The use of the term reduction to describe protective or preventive actions that lessen the scale of impact is therefore preferred. Mitigation embraces all measures taken to reduce both the effects of the hazard itself and the vulnerable conditions to it, in order to reduce the scale of a future disaster. In addition to these physical measures, mitigation should also be aimed at reducing the physical, economic and social vulnerability to threats and the underlying causes for this vulnerability. Therefore, mitigation may incorporate addressing issues such as land ownership, tenancy rights, wealth distribution, implementation of earthquake resistant building codes etcetera.

Preparedness

The process includes various measures that enable governments, communities and individuals to respond rapidly to disaster situations to cope with them effectively. Preparedness includes for example, the formulation of viable emergency plans, the development of warning systems, the maintenance of inventories, public awareness and education and the training of personnel. It may also embrace search and rescue measures as well as evacuation plans for areas that may be "at risk" from a recurring disaster. All preparedness planning needs to be supported by appropriate rules and regulations with clear allocation of responsibilities and budgetary provision.

Early Warning

This is the process of monitoring the situation in communities or areas known to be vulnerable to slow onset hazards, and passing the knowledge of the pending hazard to people harmless way. To be effective, warnings must be related to mass education and training of the population who know, what actions they must take, when warned.

The Disaster Impact

This refers to the "real-time event of a hazard occurrence and affecting elements at risk. The duration of the event will depend on the type of threat; ground shaking may only occur in a matter of seconds during an earthquake. Whereas flooding may take place over a longer sustained period.

During Disaster Phase

Response

This refers to the first stage response to any calamity, which include setting up control rooms, putting the contingency plan in action, issue warning, action for evacuation, taking people to safer areas, rendering medical aid to the needy etcetera. simultaneously rendering relief to the homeless, food, drinking water, clothing etcetera. to the needy, restoration of communication, disbursement of assistance in cash or kind. The emergency relief activities undertaken during and immediately following a disaster, which includes immediate relief, rescue, and the damage needs assessment and debris clearance.

The Post- Disaster Phase

Recovery:

Recovery is used to describe the activities that encompass the three overlapping phases of emergency relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Rehabilitation:

Rehabilitation includes the provision of temporary public utilities and housing as interim measures to assist long-term recovery.

Reconstruction:

Reconstruction attempts to return communities with improved pre disaster functioning. It includes replacement of buildings; infrastructure and lifeline facilities so that long-term development prospects are enhanced rather than reproducing the same conditions, which made an area or population vulnerable.

Development:

In an evolving economy, the development process is an ongoing activity. Long term prevention/disaster reduction measures like construction of embankments against flooding, irrigation facilities as drought proofing measures, increasing plant cover to reduce the occurrences of landslides, land use planning, construction of houses, capable of withstanding the onslaught of heavy rain or wind speed and shocks of earthquakes are some of the activities that can be taken up as part of the development plan.

Let us see in detail about a few disaster management measures that are in practice in India.

Why mitigating the Hazards essential?

It is more cost-effective to mitigate the risks from natural disasters than to repair damage after the disaster. Hazard mitigation refers to any action or project that reduces the effects of future disasters.

Warning System in India

Department of Science and Technology within bracket DST Department of Space within bracket DOS and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories have set up early warning system for tsunami and storm surges in the Indian Ocean.

Disaster Management in India

National Disaster Management Authority, abbreviated as National Disaster Management Authority is an agency of the Ministry of Home Affairs whose primary purpose is to coordinate response to natural or man-made disasters and for capacity-building in disaster resiliency and crisis response. National Disaster Management Authority was established through the Disaster Management Act enacted by the Government of India on Twenty Third December 2005. The National Disaster Response Force within bracket NDRF is a specialized force constituted for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. National Institute of Disaster Management within bracket NIDM is a premier institute for training and capacity development programs for managing natural disasters in India, on a national as well as regional basis.

Disaster Management in Tamilnadu

• Tamilnadu State Disaster Management Authority within bracket TNSDMA is responsible for all measures for mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery are undertaken under the guidance and supervision of the Authority. Tamilnadu State Disaster Response Force within bracket SDRF has been constituted with a strength of 80 Police Personnel. They have been trained in disaster management and rescue operations in consultation with National Disaster Response Force within bracket NDRF.
• District Disaster Management Authority within bracket DDMA is responsible for Disaster Management at district level State Disaster Management plan – The perspective plan From 2018 to 2030 prepared by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department.

Hot line between Indian Meteorological Department and the State Emergency Operation Centre is established and mitigation in the District is done through telephone, fax and Internet protocol phones also available which connect the State with District Head Quarters, Taluks and Blocks of the State. Wireless radio network with both high frequency and very high frequency are also available in the State.

General Survival Techniques

• During the earthquake be under the table, chair, kneel to the floor and protect yourself. Go near a sturdy wall, sit on the floor and hold the floor strongly and protect yourself.
• Use only torch lights.
• During flood forecast, store up necessary things like first aid. Listen to the local Radio / Television for instructions. Cut off all the electrical supplies during flood and earthquake.
• In case of fire accidents dial 101 for fire service.
• If clothes are on fire, "Don't Run; Stop, Drop and Roll".
• Road accidents can be avoided by permitting the persons only who have license are allowed to drive. Learn, preach and practice safety rules during walking and driving along the road.
• Rail Safety Tips: Stay alert. Trains can come from either directions at any time.
• Never sit on the edge of the Station Platform.
• Cross the tracks safely.
• While on boarding the Air craft, pay attention to the flight crew safety demonstration, and read the safety briefing card available in the seat pocket carefully.

Wrap up

Both the hazard and the disaster cause enormous physical damage to property and even make huge loss of life. Disaster management refers to conservation of lives and property during a natural or man-made disaster. Preparation, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, Recovery and Development are the six Disaster management cycles The state and the central government have various disaster management organisations. Earthquake, Tsunami, Flood Cyclone are some of the natural disaster. Fire and Industrial accidents are few man-made disasters. If any accidents occur dial 100 for Police, 101 for Fire service and 108 for the Ambulance If clothes are fire "Don't Run, Stop, Drop and Roll".

Glossary

Hazard a dangerous event Disaster an event which causes enormous damage to property and fife Vulnerability severity Mitigate reduce Within Bracket or make something less severe Meteorology forecasting of weather Trembling shaking or vibration Preventive stop something before it happens Extinguish to stop a fire or light Emergency a serious, or dangerous situation Psychological Mental or emotional state of a person

Evaluation

Exercise 1. Choose the correct Answer

1. _____ is a event which causes enormous physical damage to property, loss of life and change in the environment.

a) Hazard b) Disaster c) Recovery d) mitigation

2. Activities that reduce the effects of disaster

a) Preparation b) Response c) Mitigation d) Recovery

3. A sudden movement within bracket or trembling of the earth's crust is called an _____

a) Tsunami b) Earthquake c) Fire d) Cyclone

4. A sudden overflow of water in a large amount caused due to heavy rainfall is called _____

a) Flood b) Cyclone c) Drought d) Seasons

5. Road accidents can be avoided by permitting the persons who have _____ is allowed to drive vehicle

a) Ration card b) License c) permission d) Documents Exercise 2. Fill in the blanks

1. A hazard is a event that can causes harm or damage to human and his property

2. Activities taken during a disaster is called

3. Displacement of water can produce one or more huge destructive waves known as

4. In case of fire accidents call the nearby police station or the no for the fire service

5. Disaster management refers to of lives and property during a natural or man-made disaster

Exercise 3. Match the following

1. Earthquake
2. Cyclone
3. Tsunami
4. Industrial accident
5. Drought

Options: Gigantic waves, Creak / Fault, Uneven rainfall, Eye of the storm, Carelessness

Exercise 4. Consider the following statement and tick the appropriate answer

1. Assertion (A): In the modern world we can't live happing every day.
Reason (R): Due to pollution and environmental degradation we are undergoing natural hazard and Disaster.

Option a) A and R are correct and A explains R Option b) A and R are correct but A does not explain R Option (c) A is not correct but R is correct Option d) Both A and R are in correct

2. Assertion (A) Sudden movement within bracket or trembling of the earth's crust is called an Earthquake
Reason (R): Movement of the tectonic plates, mass wasting, surface fault all leads to earthquake

a) A and R are correct and A explains R b) A and R are correct but A does not explain R c) A is in correct but R is correct d) Both A and R are in correct Exercise 5. Answer the following briefly

1. Define Hazard

2. What is disaster?

3. What are the six concepts of Disaster management cycle

4. Name any two agency which involves in warring system in Tamilnadu

5. Write about any three effects of flood

6. Give any four Rail safety tips

7. Name any four different industry which goes under industrial disaster frequently.

Exercise 6. Distinguish between

1. Earthquake and Tsunami

2. Flood and cyclone

3. Hazard and disaster

Exercise 7. Answer the following questions in detail

1. Write about disaster management cycle

2. Write about flood its effects and the mitigation

3. Write about any five general survival techniques

4. Write about earthquake, its effects, and mitigation steps

Exercise 8. Higher Order Thinkings

1. Why should we know about the natural disasters?

2. Name four places in India which undergoes land slide.

ICT CORNER

Natural Hazards

To know about Natural disaster in detail through this activity.

PROCEDURE:

Step 1: Open the Browser and type the Uniform Resource Locator within bracket or Scan the Quick Response Code.
Step 2: Seismic monitor page will appear on the screen.
Step 3: On the right side of the screen select the place or area.
Step 4: Click the marked positions to view the detailed explanation about the disaster

Natural Hazard Uniform Resource Locator : http://ds.iris.edu/seismon/

CIVICS

Unit 1

Book-back Exercises — Questions & Answers

Answers generated strictly from the Samacheer Kalvi textbook content. Attempt each question first, then click "Show Answer" to check.

1. Choose the correct Answer:

1. DASH is a event which causes enormous physical damage to property, loss of life and change in the environment.

a) Hazard b) Disaster c) Recovery d) mitigation

Answer: b) Disaster

Explanation: A disaster is defined as "A serious disruption in the society causing widespread material, economic, social or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected society to cope using its own resources".

2. Activities that reduce the effects of disaster

a) Preparation b) Response c) Mitigation d) Recovery

Answer: c) Mitigation

Explanation: Mitigation embraces all measures taken to reduce both the effects of the hazard itself and the vulnerable conditions to it, in order to reduce the scale of a future disaster.

3. A sudden movement or trembling of the earth's crust is called an DASH

a) Tsunami b) Earthquake c) Fire d) Cyclone

Answer: b) Earthquake

Explanation: A sudden movement within bracket or trembling of the earth crust is called as earthquake.

4. A sudden overflow of water in a large amount caused due to heavy rainfall is called DASH

a) Flood b) Cyclone c) Drought d) Seasons

Answer: a) Flood

Explanation: Sudden overflow of water in a large amount caused due to heavy rainfall, cyclone, melting of snow, Tsunami or a dam burst is called flood.

5. Road accidents can be avoided by permitting the persons who have DASH is allowed to drive vehicle

a) Ration card b) License c) permission d) Documents

Answer: b) License

Explanation: Road accidents can be avoided by permitting the persons only who have license are allowed to drive.

2. Fill in the blanks:

1. A hazard is a DASH event that can causes harm or damage to human and his property

Answer: dangerous

2. Activities taken during a disaster is called DASH

Answer: disaster management

3. Displacement of water can produce one or more huge destructive waves known as DASH

Answer: tsunami

4. In case of fire accidents call the nearby police station or the no DASH for the fire service

Answer: 101

5. Disaster management refers to DASH of lives and property during a natural or man-made disaster

Answer: conservation

3. Match the following:

1. Match the Following

Column A	Column B
1. Earthquake	Gigantic waves
2. Cyclone	Creak / Fault
3. Tsunami	Uneven rainfall
4. Industrial accident	Eye of the storm
5. Drought	Carelessness

Answers: 1-Creak / Fault, 2-Eye of the storm, 3-Gigantic waves, 4-Carelessness, 5-Uneven rainfall

4. Consider the following statement and tick the appropriate answer

1. Assertion (A): In the modern world we can't live happily every day. Reason (R): Due to pollution and environmental degradation we are undergoing natural hazard and Disaster.

a) A and R are correct and A explains R b) A and R are correct but A does not explain R c) A is not correct but R is correct d) Both A and R are incorrect

Answer: b) A and R are correct but A does not explain R

2. Assertion (A) Sudden movement or trembling of the earth's crust is called an Earthquake Reason (R): Movement of the tectonic plates, mass wasting, surface fault all leads to earthquake

a) A and R are correct and A explains R b) A and R are correct but A does not explain R c) A is incorrect but R is correct d) Both A and R are incorrect

Answer: b) A and R are correct but A does not explain R

5. Answer the following briefly

1. Define Hazard

Answer: Generally, a hazard is a dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition that may cause loss of life, injury, health impacts, property damage, livelihoods, services, social and economic disruption or environmental damage.

2. What is disaster?

Answer: A disaster can be generally defined as "A serious disruption in the society causing widespread material, economic, social or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected society to cope using its own resources".

3. What are the six concepts of Disaster management cycle

Answer: The six disaster management phases are Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Rehabilitation.

4. Name any two agency which involves in warning system in Tamilnadu

Answer: Indian Meteorological Department and Tamilnadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA) are involved in warning system in Tamilnadu.

5. Write about any three effects of flood

Answer: The three effects of flood are: 1. Loss of life and property 2. Displacement of people 3. Spread of contagious diseases such as Cholera and Malaria.

6. Give any four Rail safety tips

Answer: Rail Safety Tips: 1. Stay alert. Trains can come from either directions at any time. 2. Never sit on the edge of the Station Platform. 3. Cross the tracks safely.

7. Name any four different industry which goes under industrial disaster frequently.

Answer: Refer to the chapter text for this answer.

6. Distinguish between

1. Earthquake and Tsunami

Answer: Earthquake is a sudden movement or trembling of the earth crust caused by movement of tectonic plates, mass wasting, landslides, surface fault. Tsunami occurs when earthquake jolts the ocean floor causing sudden dislocation of the sea bed resulting in displacement of water producing huge destructive waves.

2. Flood and cyclone

Answer: Flood is sudden overflow of water in large amount caused due to heavy rainfall, cyclone, melting of snow, tsunami or dam burst. Cyclone is a low pressure area which is encircled by high pressure wind with effects including heavy rain, strong wind and large storm surges.

3. Hazard and disaster

Answer: Hazard is a dangerous phenomenon that may cause loss of life, injury, health impacts, property damage or environmental damage. Disaster is a serious disruption in society causing widespread losses which exceed the ability of affected society to cope. Hazards are termed as disasters when they cause widespread destruction of property and human lives.

7. Answer the following questions in detail

1. Write about disaster management cycle

Answer: The six disaster management phases are Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, Recovery and Development. Prevention and Mitigation reduce the risk of disasters by reducing the scale and intensity of threats. Preparedness includes emergency plans, warning systems, public awareness and training. Response refers to first stage response including control rooms, evacuation and medical aid. Recovery encompasses emergency relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities. Development involves long-term prevention measures and infrastructure improvement.

2. Write about flood its effects and the mitigation

Answer: Flood is sudden overflow of water in large amount caused due to heavy rainfall, cyclone, melting of snow, tsunami or dam burst. Effects include: loss of life and property, displacement of people, spread of contagious diseases like cholera and malaria. During flood forecast, store necessary things like first aid, listen to local Radio/Television for instructions, cut off electrical supplies during flood. These mitigation measures help reduce flood damage.

3. Write about any five general survival techniques

Answer: General survival techniques include: 1. During earthquake be under table, chair, kneel to floor and protect yourself. Go near sturdy wall, sit on floor and hold strongly. 2. Use only torch lights. 3. During flood forecast, store necessary things like first aid. Listen to local Radio/Television for instructions. 4. In case of fire accidents dial 101 for fire service. 5. If clothes are on fire, "Don't Run; Stop, Drop and Roll".

4. Write about earthquake, its effects, and mitigation steps

Answer: Earthquake is a sudden movement or trembling of earth crust caused by movement of tectonic plates, mass wasting, landslides, surface fault. Effects include loss of lives, damage to buildings, roads, bridges and dams. It causes floods, tsunamis, landslides, fires, breakdown of water supply and electrical lines. Mitigation steps: During earthquake be under table, chair, kneel to floor and protect yourself. Go near sturdy wall, sit on floor and hold strongly. Use only torch lights. Cut off electrical supplies.

8. Higher Order Thinkings

1. Why should we know about the natural disasters?

Answer: We should know about natural disasters because neither all hazards nor all disasters can be preventable but the destruction can be minimized. Understanding disasters helps us prepare better and reduce their adverse impacts through proper disaster management techniques and survival strategies.

2. Name four places in India which undergoes land slide.

Answer: Refer to the chapter text for this answer.

📝 Summary

1. Natural hazards are dangerous natural phenomena that may negatively impact humans or the environment, classified into geophysical and biological categories, while disasters occur when hazards cause widespread destruction exceeding society's ability to cope.
2. Disasters are categorized into natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, windstorms, floods, epidemics) and man-made disasters (technological failures, transportation accidents, warfare).
3. Earthquakes result from sudden earth crust movements caused by tectonic plate shifts, mass wasting, landslides, and surface faults, leading to building damage, infrastructure destruction, and secondary disasters like floods and tsunamis.
4. Recent natural disasters in India include the May 2018 dust storms in North India that killed over 125 people and injured over 200, with significant casualties in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, downing over 8000 electricity posts.
5. Tsunamis occur when earthquakes jolt the ocean floor causing sea bed dislocation and water displacement, creating destructive waves that rise several meters and reach coastlines within minutes, causing flooding and disrupting transportation and power systems.