Concept of disaster management and mitigation
Answers
Answer:
Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. In order for mitigation to be effective we need to take action now—before the next disaster—to reduce human and financial consequences later (analyzing risk, reducing risk, and insuring against risk).
Answer:
Disasters are unexpected events that we face anytime in our life. There are various reasons for the occurrence of disasters: demographic changes, rapid urbanization, environmental degradation and concerns of climate change have increased exposure to disasters. The region of South Asia and India, in particular, has been extremely vulnerable to disasters of different kinds. Over the years, millions of people had fallen victims to these disasters and properties worth billions of rupees have been lost to these. As one of the authors points out in this series, floods, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes and landslides have been recurrent phenomena. For example a recent report on natural calamity suggests about 60% of the landmass is prone to earthquake of various intensities, over 40 million hectares is prone to floods, about 8% of total area is prone to cyclones and 68% of the area is susceptible to severe draught. In fact, in the decade 1990-2000, an average of about 4344 people lost their lives about 30 million people were affected by disaster every year. Though in India, we face disasters quite often, the policy of management during the crisis time has been rather sluggish. Every time we are caught unaware with little time left for rehabilitation and quick action. Though disasters are as old as human history the continuous rise and the damage caused by them in the recent past have become a cause of both national and international concern.
India needs to take certain measures that would help in reducing the effects of disasters. These are: early warning systems; preparedness for the disasters; adequate technology and monitoring systems; better co-ordination among authorities to act during disasters; quick relief systems and equipments; and genuine concern to address the crisis. The Disaster Management Act 2005 has been one of the most significant initiatives taken by the Government of India for putting in place an institutional system dedicated to disaster management. It was notified on 26 December, 2005 and consists of 79 sections and 11 chapters. The Act provides for an effective management of disasters and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The disaster management Act 2005 has created a hierarchy of institutions at the national, state and district levels for holistic management of disasters. The examples of institutional back up consist in the establishment of National Disaster Management Authority, National Institute of Disaster Management, National Disaster Response Force and The National Disaster Response Fund.
Adequate emphasis needs to given to the development of response system such as preparation of Special Response Teams, develop incident command system, laying Standard Operating Procedure, incorporating Trigger Mechanisms. Further, technological advancement such as India Disaster Resource Network, Development of GIS based National Database for Disaster Management, Installation of Early Warning and Hazard Detection Equipment should be operational with utmost efficiency. The government should make National Disaster Management Plan highlighting the disaster prevention, mitigation and response. Efforts should be taken to make people aware of the disaster management as a community movement so that they are encouraged to volunteer and assist the government whenever disasters occur and work hand in hand to mitigate the negative effects.
We are thankful to Prof. P.C. Joshi, Delhi University for planning and co-ordinating this issue as the Guest Editor.