Question.
What are the types of disasters? Elucidate its management in India.
( UPPSC, UP PCS Mains General Studies-III/GS-3 2022)
Answer.
Disasters are unwanted events that cause large-scale destruction that cause human life and property loss. Disasters are such changes that are always disliked and feared by humankind.
Disasters can be classified into many types based on their origin and impact. However, it can be categorized into two types-
- Natural Disasters
- Man-made or technological disaster;
Natural Disasters; The disaster which is caused by natural phenomena is called natural disasters. Some examples of natural disasters are earthquakes, floods, droughts, cyclones, tsunamis, and wildfires.
Man-made disasters; Human-made disasters are caused by humans. Some of it is caused by technological failures like nuclear accidents, oil spills, or chemical leaks. Some disasters like terrorism, war, and civil unrest, are caused by human activities.
The government of India has established a comprehensive disaster management framework like National Disaster Management Authority ( NDMA), National Disaster Response Force ( NDRF), State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), and local authorities to provide specialized support during disasters.
Disaster framework involves the following stages for disaster management in India-
- Prevention
- Mitigation/preparedness
- Response
- Recovery
Prevention; This stage involves taking measures to prevent disasters from occurring or reducing their impact. For example, it includes human habitat should not be dance to earthquake-prone areas.
Mitigation; This stage involves reducing the impact of disasters by preparing for them in advance. This includes activities like disaster preparedness and risk assessment, and community education. For example, designing building structures and taking disaster-resistant infrastructure to prevent the impact of earthquakes.
Response; Response to disaster start after the occurrence of the disaster. This includes activities such as search and rescue operations, providing emergency shelter, and medical assistance.
Recovery; This stage involves restoring normalcy after a disaster. This includes activities such as rebuilding infrastructure and providing assistance to affected individuals and families, like restoring communication, water, and electricity services.
In conclusion, disasters are unwanted events that are classified into two types-natural disasters and human-made disasters. Disaster management in India involves a systematic approach that involves prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery. NDMA ( National Disaster Management Authority) and NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) are the primary agencies responsible for disaster management in India.
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