disaster management : floods earthquakes , cyclones, and landslides.

http://kashmirdivision.nic.in/Disaster_Management/DM_Main.htm

http://agridr.in/tnauEAgri/eagri50/ENVS302/pdf/lec13.pdf

INTRO
Disaster is a sudden, calamitous event bringing great damage, loss, destruction and devastation to life
and property. The damage caused by disaster is immeasurable and varies with the geographical location,
climate and the type of the earth surface. This influences the mental, socio-economic, political and
cultural state of the affected area. Generally, disaster has the following effects in the concerned areas, 1.
It completely disrupts the normal day to day life

2. It negatively influences the emergency systems

3. Normal needs and processes like food, shelter, health, etc. are affected and deteriorate depending on
the intensity and severity of the disaster. It may also be termed as “a serious disruption of the
functioning of society, causing widespread human, material or environmental losses which exceed the
ability of the affected society to cope using its own resources.”

Disaster Management
There are no standardized rules defining the different phases of the disaster management cycle.
Different agencies use different cycles depending upon their objectives. However, while approaches
vary, it is agreed that disaster management activities should be carried out in a cycle. The following
figures illustrates the phases of the disaster management cycle, which are described as follows:

FIGURE
EARTHQUAKES 

SAFETY TIPS 
Prepare your family

 
Before the earthquake

 
 
Now is the time to formulate a safety plan for you and your family.  If you wait until the earth starts to
shake, it may be too late. Consider the following safety measures:

 
          Always keep the following in a designated place: bottled drinking water, non-perishable food
(chura, gur, etc), first-aid kit, torchlight and battery-operated radio with extra batteries.
          Teach family members how to turn off electricity, gas, etc.
          Identify places in the house that can provide cover during an earthquake.
          It may be easier to make long distance calls during an earthquake.  Identify an out-of-town relative
or friend as your family’s emergency contact.  If the family members get separated after the
earthquake and are not able to contact each other, they should contact the designated relative/friend. 
The address and phone number of the contact person/relative should be with all the family members.

 
Safeguard your house
      Consider retrofitting your house with earthquake-safety measures.  Reinforcing the foundation and
frame could   make your house quake resistant.  You may consult a reputable contractor and follow
building codes.
      Kutchha buildings can also be retrofitted and strengthened.

 
During quake
Earthquakes give no warning at all. Sometimes, a loud rumbling sound might signal its arrival a few
seconds ahead of time. Those few seconds could give you a chance to move to a safer location. Here are
some tips for keeping safe during a quake.

 
      Take cover. Go under a table or other sturdy furniture; kneel, sit, or stay close to the floor. Hold on to
furniture legs for balance. Be prepared to move if your cover moves.
      If no sturdy cover is nearby, kneel or sit close to the floor next to a structurally sound interior wall.
Place your      hands on the floor for balance.
      Do not stand in doorways. Violent motion could cause doors to slam and cause serious injuries. You
may also be hit be flying objects.
      Move away from windows, mirrors, bookcases and other unsecured heavy objects.
      If you are in bed, stay there and cover yourself with pillows and blankets
      Do not run outside if you are inside. Never use the lift.
      If you are living in a kutcha house, the best thing to do is to move to an open area where there are no
trees, electric or telephone wires.

 
If outdoors:
      Move into the open, away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires. Once in the open, stay there
until the shaking stops.
      If your home is badly damaged, you will have to leave. Collect water, food, medicine, other essential
items and important documents before leaving.
      Avoid places where there are loose electrical wires and do not touch metal objects that are in touch
with the loose wires.
        Do not re-enter damaged buildings and stay away from badly damaged structures.

 
If in a moving vehicle:
Move to a clear area away from buildings, trees, overpasses, or utility wires, stop, and stay in the vehicle.
Once the shaking has stopped, proceed with caution. Avoid bridges or ramps that might have been
damaged by the quake.

 
After the quake
Here are a few things to keep in mind after an earthquake. The caution you display in the aftermath can
be essential for your personal safety.

 
      Wear shoes/chappals to protect your feet from debris
      After the first tremor, be prepared for aftershocks.  Though less intense, aftershocks cause additional
damages and may bring down weakened structures.  Aftershocks can occur in the first hours, days,
weeks, or even months after the quake.
      Check for fire hazards and use torchlights instead of candles or lanterns.
       If the building you live in is in a good shape after the earthquake, stay inside and listen for radio
advises. If you are not certain about the damage to your building, evacuate carefully. Do not touch
downed power line.
        Help injured or trapped persons. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured
persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. In such cases, call for help.
      Remember to help your neighbours who may require special assistance-infants, the elderly, and
people with disabilities.
       Listen to a battery-operated radio for the latest emergency information.
       Stay out of damaged buildings.
      Return home only when authorities say it is safe. Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches or gasoline or
other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals.
Open closet and cupboard doors cautiously.
      If you smell gas or hear hissing noise, open windows and quickly leave the building. Turn off the
switch on the top of the gas cylinder.
      Look for electrical system damages - if you see sparks, broken wires, or if you smell burning of
amber, turn off electricity at the main fuse box.  If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box, call
an electrician first for advice.
      Check for sewage and water lines damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using
the toilets. If water pipes are damaged, avoid using water from the tap.
      Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
      In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility
during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), develop a plan for reuniting after
the disaster.  Ask an out of state / district relative or friend to serve as the “family contact”.  Make sure
everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number(s) of the contact person (s).

FLOODS
A flood is an expance of water submerging land. A flood is caused by excess water in a location, usually
due to rain from a storm or thunderstorm or the rapid melting of snow. A flood happens when an area
of land, usually low-lying, is covered with water. The worst floods usually occur when a river overflows
its banks. The flood is constituted not only of the overflowing water but also of all other waters that are
unable to drainoff into water channels.

Causes of floods
1) When snow on a mountain melts or when a river or a lake of some sort overflows

2) Flooding from water displacement, such as in a landslide,

3) The failure of a dam,

4) An earthquake induced tsunami,

5) A hurricane’s storm surge or melt water from volcanic activity.

6) Flooding of Coastal areas by high tides or by tsunami waves caused by undersea earthquakes.

7) A flood that rises and falls rapidly with little or no advance warning is called a flash flood. Flash floods
usually result from intence rainfall over a relatively small area.

Elements at risk
1) Buildings built of earth (mud),weak foundation and water soluble material.

2) Basement of buildings.

3) Utilities such as sewerage, water supply.

4) Agricultural equipment and crops, vehicles, fishing boats etc.

Effects of flood
o Physical damage- structures such as buildings get damaged due to flood water. Landslides can also
take place. Top soil gets washed away

o Causalities - people and livestock die due to drowning. It can also lead to epidemics and diseases.

o Water supplies- Contamination of water. Clean drinking water becomes scarce.

o Crops and food supplies- shortage of food crops can be caused due to loss of entire harvest.

SAFETY TIPS 

This guide lists simple things you and your family can do to stay safe and protect your property from floods.  

Before flooding occurs.

 All your family members should know the safe route to nearest shelter/ raised pucca house.
 If your area is flood-prone, consider alternative building materials. Mud walls are more likely to be
damaged during floods. You may consider making houses where the walls are made of local bricks up to
the highest known flood level with cement pointing.
 Have an emergency kit on hand which includes a:
o A portable radio, torch and spare batteries;
o Stocks of fresh water, dry food (chura, mudi, gur, biscuits), kerosene, candle and matchboxes;
o Waterproof or polythene bags for clothing and valuables, an umbrella and bamboo stick (to
protect from snake), salt and sugar.
o A first aid kit, manual and strong ropes for tying things
 

When you hear a flood warning or if flooding appears likely

  Tune to your local radio/TV for warnings and advice.
o Keep vigil on flood warning given by local authorities
o Don’t give any importance to rumours and don’t panic
o Keep dry food, drinking water and clothes ready
 Prepare to take bullock carts, other agricultural equipments, and domestic animals to safer places or to
higher locations.
 Plan which indoor items you will raise or empty if water threatens to enter your house
 Check your emergency kit
 

During floods

 Drink boiled water.

 Keep your food covered, don’t take heavy meals.
 Use raw tea, rice-water, tender coconut-water, etc. during diarrhoea; contact your ANM/AWW for ORS
and treatment.
 Do not let children remain on empty stomach.
 Use bleaching powder and lime to disinfect the surrounding.
 Help the officials/volunteers distributing relief materials.
 

If you need to evacuate

 Firstly pack warm clothing, essential medication, valuables, personal papers, etc. in waterproof bags, to be
taken with your emergency kit.
 Take the emergency kit
 Inform the local volunteers (if available), the address of the place you are evacuating to.
 Raise furniture, clothing and valuables onto beds, tables and to the top of the roof (electrical items
highest).
 Turn off power.
 Whether you leave or stay, put sandbags in the toilet bowl and over all laundry / bathroom drain-holes to
prevent sewage back-flow.
 Lock your home and take recommended/known evacuation routes for your area.
 Do not get into water of unknown depth and current.
 
If you stay or on your return

       Stay tuned to local radio for updated advice.

       Do not allow children to play in, or near, flood waters.

       Avoid entering floodwaters. If you must, wear proper protection for your feet and check
depth and current with a stick. Stay away from drains, culverts and water over knee-deep.

       Do not use electrical appliances, which have been in floodwater until checked for safety.

       Do not eat food, which has been in floodwaters.

      Boil tap water (in cities) until supplies have been declared safe. In case of rural areas, store
tube well water in plastic jars or use halogen tablets before drinking.

      Be careful of snakes, snakebites are common during floods.

LANDSLIDE
 
During a Landslide:
       Stay alert and awake. Many debris-flow fatalities occur when people are sleeping. Listen to a Weather
Radio or portable, battery-powered radio or television for warnings of intense rainfall. Be aware that
intense, short bursts of rain may be particularly dangerous, especially after longer periods of heavy rainfall
and damp weather.
 
      If you are in areas susceptible to landslides and debris flows, consider leaving if it is safe to do so.
Remember that driving during an intense storm can be hazardous. If you remain at home, move to a second
story if possible. Staying out of the path of a landslide or debris flow saves lives.
 
      Listen for any unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders
knocking together. A trickle of flowing or falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides. Moving
debris can flow quickly and sometimes without warning. 
 
       If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and for a
change from clear to muddy water. Such changes may indicate landslide activity upstream, so be prepared
to move quickly. Don't delay! Save yourself, not your belongings.

      Be especially alert when driving. Embankments along roadsides are particularly susceptible to landslides.
Watch the road for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of possible debris flows.
 
What to Do if You Suspect Imminent Landslide Danger:
       Contact your local fire, police, or public works department. Local officials are the best persons able to
assess potential danger.
 
       Inform affected neighbors. Your neighbors may not be aware of potential hazards. Advising them of a
potential threat may help save lives. Help neighbors who may need assistance to evacuate.
 
      Evacuate. Getting out of the path of a landslide or debris flow is your best protection.
Media and Community Education Ideas:
      In an area prone to landslides, publish a special newspaper section with emergency information on
landslides and debris flows. Localize the information by including the phone numbers of local emergency
services offices, the Red Cross, and hospitals.

      Report on what city and county governments are doing to reduce the possibility of landslides. Interview
local officials about local land- use zoning regulations.

      Interview local officials and major insurers. Find out if debris flow is covered by flood insurance policies
and contact your local emergency management office to learn more about the program.
 
      Work with local emergency services to prepare special reports for people with mobility impairments on
what to do if evacuation is ordered.
 
      Support your local government in efforts to develop and enforce land-use and building ordinances that
regulate construction in areas susceptible to landslides and debris flows. Buildings should be located away
from steep slopes, streams and rivers, intermittent-stream channels, and the mouths of mountain channels.
 
After the Landslide:
       Stay away from the slide area. There may be danger of additional slides.
 
       Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide, without entering the direct slide area. Direct rescuers
to their locations.
 
      Help a neighbor who may require special assistance - infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities.
Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or
who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations.
 
       Listen to local radio or television stations for the latest emergency information. 
 
      Watch for flooding, which may occur after a landslide or debris flow. Floods sometimes follow landslides
and debris flows because they may both be started by the same event. 

 
      Look for and report broken utility lines to appropriate authorities. Reporting potential hazards will get the
utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazard and injury.
 
      Check the building foundation, chimney, and surrounding land for damage. Damage to foundations,
chimneys, or surrounding land may help you assess the safety of the area. 

 
       Replant damaged ground as soon as possible since erosion caused by loss of ground cover can lead to
flash flooding.
 
      Seek the advice of a geotechnical expert for evaluating landslide hazards or designing corrective
techniques to reduce landslide risk. A professional will be able to advise you of the best ways to prevent or
reduce landslide risk, without creating further hazard.

Media and Community Education Ideas:

      In an area prone to landslides, publish a special newspaper section with emergency information on
landslides and debris flows. Localize the information by including the phone numbers of local emergency
services offices, the American Red Cross chapter, and hospitals. 
  
      Report on what city and county governments are doing to reduce the possibility of landslides. Interview
local officials about local land- use zoning regulations.

      Interview local officials and major insurers regarding the National Flood Insurance Program. Find out if
debris flow is covered by flood insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program and contact
your local emergency management office to learn more about the program.
 
      Work with local emergency to prepare special reports for people with mobility impairments on what to do
if evacuation is ordered.
 
      Support your local government in efforts to develop and enforce land-use and building ordinances that
regulate construction in areas susceptible to landslides and debris flows. Buildings should be located away
from steep slopes, streams and rivers, intermittent-stream channels, and the mouths of mountain channels.
 
Before a Landslide: How to Plan:
Develop a Family Disaster Plan. Please see the "Family Disaster Plan" section for general family planning
information. Develop landslide-specific planning.
Learn about landslide risk in your area. Contact local officials, state geological surveys or departments of natural
resources, and university departments of geology. Landslides occur where they have before, and in identifiable
hazard locations. Ask for information on landslides in your area, specific information on areas vulnerable to
landslides, and request a professional referral for a very detailed site analysis of your property, and corrective
measures you can take, if necessary.
 
If you are at risk from landslides:
              Talk to your insurance agent. 
              Develop an evacuation plan.  
              Discuss landslides and debris flow with your family. Everyone should know what to do in case all
family members are not together. Discussing disaster ahead of time helps reduce fear and lets everyone
know how to respond during a landslide or debris flow.
Cyclone The name cyclone was first coined by Captain Henry Piddington, Chairman of Marine Court,
Calcutta in 1848. It is derived from Greek word means coil of a snake. Cyclone is an meteorological
phenomena in which an area of low pressure characterized by inward spiraling winds that rotate
counter clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere of the earth.
Near the places of their origin they are only 80 Km in diameter, but well developed cyclones have their
diameter ranging from 300 to 1500 km. They move at faster rate over the oceans than over the land
because the irregularities of the land surface retard their speed. The six main types of cyclones are polar
cyclone, polar low, extra tropical, subtropical, tropical and mesoscale. 14 Polar cyclone Polar or arctic
cyclones are vast areas of low pressure. A polar cyclone is a low pressure weather system usually
spanning 1,000-2000 kilometers per hour, in which the air circulates in a counterclockwise fashion in the
northern hemisphere. Polar low A polar low is a small-scale, short-lived atmosphere system (depression)
that is found over the ocean areas in both the Northern and southern hemispheres. They are part of the
larger class of meso scale weather systems. Polar lows can be difficult to detect using conventional
weather reports and are a hazard to high latitude operations, such as shipping and gas and oil platforms.
Polar lows have been referred to by many other terms, such as comma cloud, mesocyclone, polar meso
scale vortex, Arctic hurricane, Arctic low and depression. Extra-tropical An extra tropical cyclone
sometimes inaccurately called a cyclone is a synoptic scale low pressure weather system that has neither
tropical nor polar characteristics. The “extra-tropical” refers to the fact that this type of cyclone
generally occurs outside of the tropics, in the middle latitudes of the planet. These systems may also be
described as “mid-latitude cyclones” or “post-tropical cyclones. Sub-tropical A sub-tropical cyclone is a
weather system that has some characteristics of an extra-tropical cyclone. It can in a wide band of
latitude, from the equator to 50°C. ZIYAD is a very dangerous cyclone now affecting Mauritius. Tropical A
tropical cyclone is a low-pressure cyclonic storm system. It is caused by evaporated water which comes
off the ocean and becomes a storm. Typical cyclones are the worst natural hazards in the tropics. They
are large revolving vortices in the atmosphere extending horizontally from 150-1000 km and vertically
from the surface from 12-14 km. Strong winds spiraling anti-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere blow
around the cyclone center at the low level. At the higher levels, the sense of rotation is just opposite to
that at the lower level. They generally move 300-5000 km per day over the ocean. 15 While moving over
the ocean, they pick up energy from the warm water of the ocean and some of them grow into a
devastating intensity. On an average, about 5-6 tropical cyclones form in the Bay of Bengal and the
Arabian sea every year, out of which 2-3 may be severe. Depending on their location and strength, there
are various terms by which tropical cyclones are known, such as hurricane, typhoon, tropical storm,
cyclonic storm and tropical depression. They are all cyclonic storm systems that form over the oceans.
Tropical cyclones can produce extremely strong winds, tornadoes, torrential rain, high waves, and storm
surges. The heavy rains and storm surges can produce extensive flooding. Although one cannot control
cyclones, the effects of cyclones can be mitigated through effective mitigation policies and strategies. o
Installation Of Earth Warning Systems : Such systems fitted along the coastlines can greatly assist
forecasting techniques, thus helping in early evacuation of people in the storm surge areas. o
Developing communication infrastructure Amateur Radio has today emerged as second line
unconventional communications systems and is an important tool for disaster mitigation. o Developing
shelter belts: Shelter belts with plantations of trees can act as effective wind-and tide-breakers. Apart
from acting as effective windbreakers and protecting soil crops from being damaged, they also prevent
soil erosion. o Developing community cyclone shelters: Cyclone shelters at strategic locations can help in
minimizing the loss of human life. In the normal course of life, these shelters can be used as public utility
buildings. o Construction of permanent houses: There is a need to build appropriately-designed concrete
houses that can withstand high winds and tidal waves. o Training and education: Public awareness
programs that inform the population about their response to cyclone warnings and preparedness can go
a long way in reducing causalities. o Land use control and settlement planning: Ideally, no residential
and industrial units should be permitted in the coastal belt of 5 km from the sea, as it is the most
vulnerable belt. No further growth of settlements in this region should be permitted. Major settlements
and other important establishments should be located beyond 10 km from the sea.