write an article for the school magazine on disaster management
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Disaster Management
Petra Nemcova has very wisely said, “We cannot stop natural disasters but we can arm ourselves with knowledge: so many lives wouldn't have to be lost if there was enough disaster preparedness.” It is quite true life is uncertain and unpredictable only for those who don’t prepare themselves for its uncertainties. Many people lose their life on account of some large scale natural disasters and catastrophes. This large scale loss of property and human life could be prevented if proper preventive measures are taken. Usually the human beings become aware and proactive only after the tragedy strikes its deadly blow!
Natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and tornadoes can be tackled and handled quite safely if proper warning and safety measures are taken well in advance. It has been observed that these disasters wreaked quite havoc when these disasters took the victims by surprise. Wherever there was a warning, and preparedness, there was less destruction and loss.
With all the technological advancement, it is possible now to predict natural disasters well in advance. The weather satellites orbiting the earth, the early warning systems installed at key locations are already doing wonders in keeping millions of people safe.
All the natural disasters that struck India and that took a very heavy toll of human life and property could have been averted, if Indian Government in the past had acted wisely and proactively. For example if the Government had installed early warning systems in volcano, tsunami prone areas, catastrophes such as, Bhuj earth quake on January 26, 2001, Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in 2004, flash floods in Kedarnath in 2013, many avalanches in the Himalayas, etc could have been avoided.
The bitter truth is we as nation are usually quite careless. We take life for granted. We really need to reset our priorities. We must be responsible for ensuring our safety. We have the required infrastructure and resources to be capable of predicting any natural disaster that might strike our nation; however, the focus and will of the people of our country as on trivial things and issues.
ISRO, DRDO, BHEL, BDL, many scientists, students in colleges, schools, and universities can be roped in inventing newer devices and technologies to predict natural disasters well in advance accurately. We must ensure national and world safety by developing and installing early warning systems. NASA can be looked upon as an ideal role model in this regard. NASA is keeping a very vigilant eye on some life-endangering comets or meteorites that might be heading towards earth for collision. NASA has made all arrangements to handle the situation in case there is any possibility of such collision.
The need of the hour is Government and people along with the prediction mechanism further must work more proactively to be prepared for natural disasters. It is not the infrastructure and means we lack; we lack proper attitude to the disasters. So, we must set our attitude right.