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M.P.A.-18
Disaster Management
Disclaimer/Special Note: These are just the sample of the Answers/Solutions to some of the Questions given in the
Assignments. These Sample Answers/Solutions are prepared by Private Teacher/Tutors/Auhtors for the help and Guidance
of the student to get an idea of how he/she can answer the Questions of the Assignments. We do not claim 100% Accuracy
of these sample Answers as these are based on the knowledge and cabability of Private Teacher/Tutor. Sample answers
may be seen as the Guide/Help Book for the reference to prepare the answers of the Question given in the assignment. As
these solutions and answers are prepared by the private teacher/tutor so the chances of error or mistake cannot be denied.
Any Omission or Error is highly regretted though every care has been taken while preparing these Sample Answers/
Solutions. Please consult your own Teacher/Tutor before you prepare a Particular Answer & for uptodate and exact
information, data and solution. Student should must read and refer the official study material provided by the university.
SECTION I
Q. 1. Define disaster and discuss various environmental concerns.
Ans. Hazard can be a phenomenon, physical event, or human activity which has potential to damage life, property
and environment. It can be natural or man-made. It may occur and affect once, continuously or in combined. Hazard
analysis studies and monitors a hazard to know about its origin, capacity to damage and various features.
Environmental resources can be environmental hazards. For example, water under control is water resources, but
when water is out of control it becomes flood hazard. Similarly, a benign atmosphere becomes hostile when damaging loo
is produced.
A disaster can be natural or induced by human activities. It suddenly disrupts normal life and causes large scale
damage to life and property. A distinction can be made between hazard and disaster. For example, floods and cyclones are
hazards which can become disasters. Disaster is the catastrophe which actually has happened.
Disaster is a large-scale destructive event caused when endogenous and exogenous factors combine to excite the
event which has potential to damage. Disaster becomes a destructive event of large magnitude when it goes on unchecked
over a period of time.
Disaster disrupts equilibrium which can be repaired by proactive policies. Traditional perception that disaster is
beyond human intervention is a misinterpretation. It thus gives way to a system perspective that includes ecological and
social perspectives to disasters. In human activities over long periods of time, underlying hazards can turned to become
disasters. Systemic understanding of hazard can be a catalyst as it brings forth underlying tensions.
Disaster Management tries to understand how a hazard becomes a disaster, identify the causes and repair them
through various public policies. There are administrative factors like poor building in an earthquake prone area, poor land
use planning in flood prone zone and poor laws leads to disasters. Studies in disaster management have been pointing
human causatives behind disasters. Thus, the issue of sustainable development emerges.
Disaster management has thus been considered as a policy issue. In the 10th Five Year Plan, Disaster Management
has been treated as calamity relief under an exclusive chapter. It was included under non-plan expenditure. After the
Yokohama Conference (1994), there was a policy change in the plan allocations also. Now under respective sector plan
heads, there is an allocation for disaster mitigation. The reasoning is that disasters could be controlled through better
management of the environment.
Environmental Concerns: Main environmental concerns are indiscriminate and rampant exploitation of natural
resources which has led to imbalance between man and nature. Overuse of natural resources and disasters like forest fires
and oil leaks cause irreparable damage to the environment. Measures for safety and maintenance of resources must be
taken for sustainable development. Given below are some environmental concerns:
(i) Global Warming and Extreme Climate: Global warming is a major concern for the mankind. It can completely
alter the Earth.
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Glaciers are shrinking and sea levels are rising because of global warming. India faces floods as well as water
shortages since the entire water system is being disrupted due to shrinking glaciers. El Nino and La Nina are disastrous
for the human lives and property.
According to scientific research, the Himalayan glaciers would stop producing the water levels in the next fifty to
sixty years. That would lead to tremendous social upheaval. There will be no water downstream. It would be difficult for
agricultural economies of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to survive. Similarly, the coastal areas would be inundated and that
would cause displaced population and loss of properties.
Environmental change is resulting in extreme weather conditions. Heat and cold waves in northern and coastal parts
of India have been causing a large number of deaths.
(ii) Agro-forestry: Increasing population and developmental activities have led to excess use of natural resource resulting
in various types of environmental disasters. In recent years India has witnessed frequent floods, cyclones, earthquakes,
landslides, forest fires and desertification. These disasters have caused economic losses and claimed a large number of
human lives. Excessive biotic and abiotic interferences are the main causes of these excessive uses of natural resources.
Rampant deforestation and mismanagement have led to various kinds of environmental degradations such as soil
erosion, water depletion and global warming. Deforestation is the main factor in increasing the frequency of floods. It
also leads to drought and desertification. Increasing demand for food and fodder has led to destruction of forests. Mining
and other human activities have led to over exploitation of natural resources. Degradation of the Himalayan ecosystem is
a danger to the greenery of the Indo-Gangetic basin and thus to the country. About two-thirds of the 142 million ha of
agricultural land in India is drought-prone and about 40 million ha area is vulnerable to flood. About 56 per cent of the
country is vulnerable to earthquake.
India's population is now more than one billion and the livestock population has crossed 445 million. The per capita
availability of farm land has dropped from 0.53 ha in 1950 to 0.15 ha in 2000 and is expected to decline to 0.12 ha by
2015. India would need 275 million tonnes of food grains, 1083 million tonnes fodder and 235 million m3 fuel wood to
meet the needs of 1.2 billion people and 600 million livestock population by 2015. If the current level of production is
maintained, there will be a shortfall of 73 million tonnes food grains, 570 million tonnes, fodder and 195 million m3 of
fuel wood. Pressure on forest resources would further worsen land degradation. There is a rise in food production from 51
million tonnes in 1950-51 to 203 million tonnes in 2000-01, but uneven development of agriculture has widened the
disparity between the rich and poor farmers. It has led to low levels of productivity. Agriculture in the hilly regions has led
to soil loss. The government has thus now been giving importance to sustainable development in rainfed zone.
Use of land can be diversified to meet various needs, control soil erosion, ensure sustainable production on a longterm basis and reduce risks caused by weather aberrations. Agro-forestry is a multiple use concept of land management.
Agro-forestry is an important tool for disaster management. It is a technique of growing food crop along with woody
perennials. It minimises the risk of environmental degradation, maximizes the use of natural resources and reduces the
requirements for inputs. It can lead to stability and sustainability in production to provide ecological and economic
security. Agro-forestry has been included in various developmental schemes in the Five Year Plans with an objective to
prevent natural disasters and to help the affected people. Some of the programmes that the government has introduced are
Agriculture Development Programmes, Integrated Rural Development Programmes (IRDP), Forestry Development Scheme
and Drought Prone Area Development Programme (DPADP).
Environmental benefits of agro-forestry are: It reduces soil erosion, minimizes desertification, controls floods, reduce
drought, reduces groundwater pollution, improves biodiversity, increases food security, checks deforestation, reduces
pressure on forests, reduces carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and helps in disaster prevention.
(iii) Urban Risks: Indian urban population has doubled in just two decades. According to the estimate, 25.7 per cent
(1991) urban population will be more than 50 per cent by 2025. By 2011, urban population has a share of 32 per cent.
Urbanisation and metropolitanisation will result in creation of huge urban agglomerates. Some of them today have
more than 10 million people. The population in such agglomerates will continue to rise. Cities will be thus at greater risk
of loss and damage to life and property if a disaster happens.
Urbanisation increases the vulnerability. Urban population is vulnerable to natural hazards, fires, flooding, earthquake,
collapse, road accident. Urbanisation dramatically increases vulnerability, whereby communities are forced to squat on
environmentally unstable areas such as steep hillsides prone to landslide, by the side of rivers that regularly flood, or on
poor quality ground, causing building collapse.
Q. 2. Discuss Post-Modern trends in disaster management.
Ans. Post-Modern Trends: In the post-industrial society, the trend is towards participatory and accountable form of
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governance. The government policy is sustainable development-oriented. Pluralism and decentralisation are required for/
in good governance. In post-modernism, emphasis has been given on aesthetic and spiritual aspects of life. The central
theme in sustainable development is ecology. In disaster management, indigenous resilience strategies have been
emphasised. Traditional knowledge has got the importance. For example, it has been found out that the skills of traditional artisans in traditional building techniques can be used in stone masonry construction which can resist earthquakes.
In post-modern organisational theory, teamwork, cooperation, participatory management and peoples participation
have got more importance. Both secular and religious organisations have accepted these. There is more suspicion towards
monocentric authority. Post-modernism argues for more political space. The trend is focus on harmony/balance in aspects
of life.
Trends in Disaster Management Preparedness: The post-disaster situation can be worse than the disaster event.
Thus, preparedness towards disaster reduction should be given importance.
Rapid population rise and increasing human settlements in disaster prone areas are putting more people and their
assets to the risk of natural hazards. The number of disasters worldwide has increased three times in the past ten years.
Economic losses have surged to eight times exceeding US$ 60 billion per year.
Natural hazards like floods, earthquakes and cyclones are a part of our environment. Preventive measures can be
taken to reduce the impact these natural hazards. Thus its worst effects can be minimised. Everybody gets affected by
natural disasters. The weaker sections however are the most affected by natural disasters.
National governments, International and regional organisations, private firms, local administrations and voluntary
organisations are involved in disaster management, but what is required is involvement of all communities so that lives
cam be saved before the disaster happens.
Principles of Mitigation and Preparedness
The following principles should be adopted before disaster mitigation and preparedness activities are undertaken
before any disaster strikes.
Assessment of risk
Priority should be given to disaster prevention and preparedness
Disaster Prevention and preparedness should be incorporated in developmental policy and planning at various levels.
Effective communication about impeding disasters is very important for disaster prevention
Participation of the local community at various levels makes disaster prevention more effective.
Application of proper design and patterns of development can reduce vulnerability
International cooperation to share technology to prevent disasters is crucial and technology should be available to all.
Every country has the responsibility to protect its people and its assets from the impact of disasters. The need of the
hour is that the international community should come together to utilise their resources to prevent disasters so that the
losses to humam lives and the damage to property can be minimized.
Q. 3. Discuss major objectives of Urban Earthquake Vulnerability Project.
Ans. A GoI-UNDP vulnerability reduction demonstration project with an aim to develop capacities was undertaken
in 38 cities.
The following are the objectives of the Programme:
To develop Disaster Management Plans at state and district levels
To develop Disaster Risk Management and Response Plans at village, gram panchayat and block levels
To set up Disaster Management Teams and Disaster Management Committees at village, gram panchayat, block,
district and state levels.
To buildup capacities of DMTs
To provide special training to women for emergency situation.
To spread awareness about cyclone and earthquake resistant features for houses and retrofitting, and provide
training on them.
To incorporate disaster management plans with development plans at panchayati raj institutions.
To provide training on disaster management at all levels.
To involve specialist urban planning organisations in preparing plans for disaster situations.
The Programme objectives broadly are Awareness Generation, Earthquake Preparedness Plan, Developing a TechnoLegal framework, Capacity Building and Networking.
1. Awareness Generation
It aims to spread awareness about disaster management among the community, government functionaries NGOs and
other stakeholders. The campaign will use print and electronic media and interactive sessions with various stakeholders
to disseminate information about earthquake resistant techniques and other critical response activities.
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dust mask, Hammer, screw driver, axe, spade, pickaxe, 50-foot rope, torch and battery cells.
Simple Rescue Methods
Rescue equipments are helpful for carrying out rescue operation, but if equipment is not available it can be undertaken in ordinary methods.
There are two types of methods for rescuing the affected people. They are:
(iv) The
(i) Single Person Methods and
(ii) Two Person Methods.
A. Single Person Methods
Firemens Lift
If the victim is unconscious and there is one rescuer, this method is used to undertake rescue operation. The victim is
laid on his abdomen. The rescuer lifts the victim by his armpits and positions him in such a manner that the neck of
rescuer stays below the waist of the victim.
Human Crutch
Human Crutch is used if the victim is injured in one of his legs. First, the rescuer ties the wounded leg of the victim
with his opposite leg with a handkerchief. If the right leg is injured, the rescuer will tie the injured leg with his own left
leg. Then he holds the victims waist and let the victim walk slowly by supporting his wounded leg.
Pick a back
Pick a back method is used if the victim in injured on his leg and is unable to walk long distances, but can use his hand
to support himself. First, the rescuer gets down on one knee and let the victim to fall on his back. The rescuer then holds
the victim at the thighs and the victim get supports on the rescuers neck.
Staircase drag
Staircase drag method is used is the victim is unconscious and trapped in the upper floor of the affected building.
First, the victim is laid down on his back. The hands and feet of the victim are them tied with a handkerchief. After that the
rescuer holds the victims armpits and drags him down the stairs.
Firemens Crawl
Firemens Crawl method is used if the victim is unconscious and trapped in a smoke filled area or building. First, the
rescuer ties the hands of the victim and then inserts his head in the loop made by the victims hands. He then drags the
affected person to safety by pushing against the ground.
Tow Drag
Tow drag method is used if the victim is located in such a place where there is very little space to undertake the rescue
work. Whether the victim is unconscious or not, the rescuer first inserts his feet into the victims armpits and pulls him out
of the place. After taking him out, the rescuer lift the victim appropriately and bring him to safety.
B. Two Person Methods
Fore and Aft
Fore and Aft method is used if the victim has an abdominal injury. Two rescuers are needed to undertake rescue. First,
the victim is laid down flat on his back. One rescuer holds the victim from the armpits and another rescuer holds his legs.
Both then lift him and take him to safety.
Two Hand Seat
Two Hand Seat method is used when the victim has injuries on one leg. Two rescuers first stand face to face on either
side of the victim. They then put their arms under the victims back below the shoulders, lift him and place their outside
arms under his thighs and hold each others hands. The victim places his hands around the necks of the rescuers.
Three Hand Seat Method
Three Hand Seat Method is used if the victim is injured on one leg and rescuers need one hand to support his one leg.
First, one rescuer grasps his own right wrist with his left hand. The second rescuer holds the right wrist of first rescuer
keeping his left hand free to support the victims injured leg.
Four Hand Seat Method
Two rescuers use Four Hand Seat method when the victim is heavy and can support himself with his hand. First one
rescuer holds his left wrist with his right hand, grasping the second rescuers right wrist with his left hand.
Carry Chair
Rescuers use Carry Chair method if the victim is a disabled or a very aged person. The victim sit on a chair and then
the rescuers carry the chair to safety.
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There are both in routine situations and crises and management principles can be applied in both the situations.
Emergency operations are required to be carried out during the crisis situations. Preventive and rehabilitation phases are
non-crisis situations. For instance, building a dam or embankments in a flood prone area is a project to be carried out
during non-crisis situation.
Disaster management includes multifaceted activities. There is a shift in disaster management. Accordingly, the role
of disaster manager is also changing. Earlier manager job was confined to relief provision and discharging certain specific ad hoc activities during or after an emergency. Now manager job has become development-oriented.
The disaster manager job is to minimise vulnerabilities to hazards, meet the needs and expectations of the community.
Managers have to be entrepreneurial, result-oriented and innovative while managing disasters and disaster management organisations are becoming responsive in governance.
Today disaster managers have to become more people-oriented in providing services. The table given below shows
the difference:
Traditional
Contemporary
Stress on relief
Approach is reactive
Approach is proactive
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After the disaster, the manager has to aim at improving the response. The affected people should be properly compensated. A host of rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts need to be carried out after the disaster.
Control of Events
After a disaster struck, it becomes a crisis situation and a manager has to take the following measures:
(i) Understanding the cause and effect of events,
(ii) Taking measures to reduce disaster,
(iii) Gathering information to assess and prioritise response activities,
(iv) Taking appropriate steps to meet disaster requirements,
(v) Identifying the problem and applying appropriate strategy,
(vi) Involve the people in various programmes targeted to meet their needs,
(vii) Bringing discipline in all disaster management activities for effective functioning; and
(viii) Ensuring that disaster victims get fair treatment and compensation.
Resource Management
A manager has to manager various types of resources such as financial, personnel, information and logistics. Managerial techniques and skills are required to manage these resources effectively. Managers are now applying innovative
practices to manage resources. The communities are now being mobilized to contribute to mitigation activities either in
cash, kind or labour.
Apart from these functions, disaster managers are expected to perform some broad functions. Managerial functions
can be divided into three categories:
(i) Managing Organisations
(ii) Managing Operations, and
(iii) Managing People
Managing Organisations
Managers undertake POSDCoRB (Planning, Organising, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting and Budgeting), monitoring, evaluation and resource management.
Planning refer to making strategy in advance about the activities to be conducted and the methods to be followed to
attain the objectives. In disaster management, planning includes contingency planning, forward planning and strategic
planning.
Contingency Planning is taken to meet a crisis situation. In a situation of uncertainty, managers take actions to put
thinks in order.
Forward Planning is taken when a disaster is about to happen. Managers take forward planning to as precautions to
impending crisis.
Strategic Planning is taken as long-term measures to meet exigencies in future.
Organising refers to setting up formal structure of authority and dividing, arranging and coordinating works accordingly. It also implies arranging activities to be carried out to implement the strategies.
Disaster management activities are related to prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. The roles and responsibilities are assigned to all concerned. Inter-agency and inter-departmental arrangements are made to support control,
coordination and planning.
Staffing refers to hiring of personnel at various levels, providing training, building team and motivating them to carry
out the task.
Directing is providing required directions for carrying out activities to achieve the purpose.
Coordinating means bringing together the activities of various units to work towards the targeted goals. In an
organisation, there may be top management, middle and field management, the manager has to coordinate the activities of
all the teams. In disaster management, appropriate pooling of resources is required. Different types of activities will be
carried out at a time and the manager has to carry out it.
Reporting refers to organisation reports to the higher level. For example, a manager may requires to report to the
senior manager or the general manager.
Budgeting is fiscal planning and accounting. A manager has to plan the budget which includes expenses, the sources
of funds and the present funds.
Managing People
It means assigning functions and responsibilities to people, supervising their activities and maintaining communication and resolving conflicts.
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Managing Operations
Managing various operations related to different phases of disasters. It can be related to logistics, emergency, information and crisis handling.
The following are some of the aspects:
Logistics Management
Logistics management is managing resources between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to
meet some requirements. The resources managed in logistics can include physical items, such as food, materials, equipment, liquids, and staff, as well as abstract items, such as time, information, particles, and energy. The logistics of physical
items usually involves the integration of information flow, material handling, production, packaging, inventory, transportation, warehousing, and often security. Management of logistics is very crucial in any disaster situation. It shows the
managers ability to identify the resources required for effective disaster management.
Managing inventory is vital in logistics management. It requires a proper inventory control system. It refers to procuring and supplying right quantity and quality at the right time and right place. Some materials such as food grains and
medicines are required in large quantities during disasters. Managers use inventory control techniques like ABC (Always
Better Control) and VED (Vital, Essential and Desirable) to control inventory. With ABC analysis, a manager can determine the quantity of consumption required and the value of the items.
Managers may require to categorise, catalogue and record the logistic requirements before, during and after disasters
situations. The inventory can be of the following:
(i) Essential commodities
(ii) Sources of supplies which may include government, international aid agencies and NGOs.
(iii) Facilities for storage such as warehouse
(iv) Transport facilities and means
Managers carry out assessment of logistics which are required to undertake disaster management activities. In case of
flood, assessment will be made about:
(i) Accessible and inaccessible areas for carrying out relief work
(ii) Likely during of the crisis situation
(iii) Essential commodities to be supplied to rescued people, and
(iv) Taking measures to protect and preserve commodities.
A logistics management plan includes the following aspects:
(i) Requirements of fuel, oil, tents, food, water, etc.
(ii) Procurement of all the required items
(iii) Security for food items
(iv) Making inventory of targeted beneficiaries
(v) Warehouse and store facilities
(vi) Transport means
(vi) Distribution of dry ration and wet ration
Information Management
Information management for disasters is a vital component of disaster response and relief. It is based on the premise
that accurate and timely information is available before, during and after disasters. Information management involves
coordination, delivery of relief assistance, beneficiary involvement, marketing and external relations, monitoring and
evaluation.
Information about the community, topography of the affected area, weather conditions, infrastructure available are
required for carrying out various activities. Various actors such as government, private sector, NGOs and international
agencies now generate data. All these data need formatting so that the information can be used for meaningful purpose. A
disaster management information system with a network connecting those who provide the data, the government and the
community is required.
Well-equipped Management Information System (MIS) with the required infrastructure and expertise to monitor the
risk profile of possible disasters is needed
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