Different Forms of Disasters
Different Forms of Disasters
Different Forms of Disasters
1
Discuss in detail different forms of disasters? Quote examples
from real world to clarify these forms?
1. Flood
2. Cyclone
3. Tornado
4. Hailstorm
5. Cloud Burst
6. Thunderstorm & Lightning
7. Snow avalanches
8. Heat & Cold wave
9. Coastal Sea Erosion
10. Drought
EOC
An emergency operations center, or EOC, is a central command and control
facility responsible for carrying out the principles of emergency preparedness and
emergency management, or disaster management functions at a strategic level in
an emergency situation, and ensuring the continuity of operation of a company,
political subdivision or other organization. An EOC is responsible for the strategic
overview, or "big picture", of the disaster, and does not normally directly control
field assets, instead making operational decisions and leaving tactical decisions to
lower commands. The common functions of all EOC's is to collect, gather and
analyze data; make decisions that protect life and property, maintain continuity of
the organization, within the scope of applicable laws; and disseminate those
decisions to all concerned agencies and individuals. In most EOC's there is one
individual in charge, and that is the Emergency Manager. It has two approaches:
Q. 3
What do you understand by the concept of prediction and
discuss the instruments used for data collection?
Prediction
There are three stages involved in prediction:
1. Data collection
2. Analyzing data to assess the hazard
3. Translate data into a warning, and disseminating it to the general public
and the disaster task force.
Many natural and manmade hazards can be predicted before their onset. In most
cases, technology now makes it possible to actbefore disaster strikes. Predicting
different hazards requires different methods, technologies and equipment.
Each country has different organizations that possess equipment and monitoring
systems for different types of hazards. Prediction is based on the scientific data
and information collected from different sources, which is simulated through
various models, and finally analysed to determine the impacts that an identified
hazard can have.
In fact prediction is a means for hazards assessment, warnings and alert systems.
Most natural hazards are linked to atmospheric and climatic changes, which are
predictable. Within industrial and commercial settings many technical hazards can
laso be predicted using different alarm systems. For example, it is possible to
predict the onset of major storms or torrential rains and floods with fair accuracy,
often a few days in advance.
1. Surface observations
Wind speed and direction; atmospheric pressure; air temperature; clouds;
visibility; rainfall; radiations; dew poin temperature; and ground
temperature.
2. Sea observations
Sea surface temperature; wave speed; direction; period; and swell.
The sources of the majority of these observations are normally the meteorological
stations on land. Some observations at sea can be made by the merchant ships
and research vessels
Today several new sources of weather data are ready available for use in water
management practice. Present precipitation radar information, especially when
calibrated, can be of great help in obtaining well performing rainfall-runoff
models. Such precipitation data is not ready for use, but has to be cleaned and
converted into a hydrological load per sub catchment of a water system.
The availability of the ensemble weather forecast data permits stochastic analysis
with hydrological models. Such models present probability distributions of
forecasted excess water, water levels and inundation of land per unit of time. This
is an important advance in application of precipitation data to day-to-day water
management.
Q. 4
Briefly discuss frequently occurring hazards and how they can
be best managed?
The earth’s weather is very mysterious. One day it is sunny the next it is raining. In
fact, sometimes as you are driving down the road, you hit the “wall” between a
sunny day and a sever thunderstorm. Man has spent years trying to predict
weather patterns but it is still an inexact science. This is a list of the most common
occurring disasters of nature:
Landslide
Avalanche
Drought
Wildfire
Tsunami
Volcanic eruption
A volcanic eruption is the point in which a volcano is active and releases lava and
poisonous gasses in to the air. They range from daily small eruptions to extremely
infrequent supervolcano eruptions (where the volcano expels at least 1,000 cubic
kilometers of material.) Some eruptions form pyroclastic flows, which are high-
temperature clouds of ash and steam that can travel down mountainsides at
speeds exceeding that of an airliner.
Tornado
Tornadoes are violent, rotating columns of air which can blow at speeds between
50 and 300 mph, and possibly higher. Tornadoes can occur one at a time, or can
occur in large tornado outbreaks along squall lines or in other large areas of
thunderstorm development. Waterspouts are tornadoes occurring over water in
light rain conditions.
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust that
creates seismic waves. Earthquakes are recorded with a seismometer, also known
as a seismograph. The magnitude of an earthquake is conventionally reported on
the Richter scale, with magnitude 3 or lower earthquakes being mostly
imperceptible and magnitude 7 causing serious damage over large areas. Intensity
of shaking is measured on the modified Mercalli scale. At the Earth’s surface,
earthquakes manifest themselves by shaking and sometimes displacement of the
ground.
Hurricane
Hurricanes, tropical cyclones, and typhoons are different names for the same
phenomenon: a cyclonic storm system that forms over the oceans. It is caused by
evaporated water that comes off of the ocean and becomes a storm. The Coriolis
Effect causes the storms to spin, and a hurricane is declared when this spinning
mass of storms attains a wind speed greater than 74 mph. Hurricane is used for
these phenomena in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans, tropical cyclone in
the Indian, and typhoon in the western Pacific.
Management
Cyclone Management
The most striking advantage of the earth observation satellite data has been
demonstrated during the recent Orissa super-cyclone event. A severe cyclonic
storm with a wind speed about 260 kmph hit the Orissa coast at Paradip on 29-
oct-99 causing extensive damage to human life, property, live stock and public
utilities. The National Remote Sensing Agency acted promptly and provided
spatial extent of inundated areas using pre-cyclone IRS LISS-III data collected on
11th October, 1999 and Radarsat Synthetic Aperture Radar(SAR) data of 2nd
November, 1999 since cloud -free optical sensor data over the cyclone-hit area
were not available (Fig.3). The map showing inundated area as on 2nd Nov, 1999
was drapped over topographical map, and was delivered to the Orissa
Government on 3rd Nov,1999. Information, thus generated, was effectively used
by various departments of Orissa Government involved in relief operations.
Subsequently, the recession of inundated areas was also studied using Radarsat
and IRS data of 5th,8th,11th,13th and 14th November, 1999. An estimated 3.75
lakh ha in Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jajpur, besides Cuttack,
Khurda and Puri districts had been found to be inundated. In addition, the crop
damage assessment was also made and maps along with block-wise statistics
derived using pre-and post-cyclone NDVI image from IRS WiFS data were also
provided to Orissa Government.
Floods
India is the worst flood-affected country in the world after Bangladesh and
accounts for one-fifth of the global death count due to floods. About 40 million
hectares or nearly 1/8th of India's geographical area is flood-prone. An estimated
8 million hectares of land are affected annually. The cropped area affected
annually ranges from 3.5 million ha during normal floods to 10 million ha during
worst flood. Flood control measures consists mainly of construction of new
embankments, drainage channels and afforestation to save 546 towns and 4700
villages. Optical and microwave data from IRS, Landsat ERS and Radarsat series of
satellites have been used to map and monitor flood events in near real-time and
operational mode(Fig.4). Information on inundation and damage due to floods is
furnished to concerned departments so as to enable them organising necessary
relief measures and to make a reliable assessment of flood damage. Owing to
large swath and high repetivity, WiFS data from IRS-1C and -1D hold great
promise in floods monitoring.
Based on satellite data acquired during pre-flood, flood and post-flood along with
ground information, flood damage assessment is being carried out by integrating
the topographical, hydrological and flood plain land use/land cover information in
a GIS environment. In addition, spaceborne multispectral data have been used for
studying the post-flood river configuration, and existing flood control structures ,
and identification of bank erosion-prone areas and drainage congestion, and
identification of flood risk zones.
Earthquake
Earthquakes are caused by the abrupt release of strain that has built up in the
earth's crust. Most zones of maximum earthquake intensity and frequency occur
at the boundaries between the moving plates that form the crust of the earth.
Major earthquakes also occur within the interior of crustal plates such as those in
China, Russia and the south-east United States. A considerable research has been
carried out to predict earthquakes using conventional technologies, but the
results to date are inconclusive. Seismic risk analysis based on historic
earthquakes and the presence of active faults is an established method for
locating and designing dams, power plants and other projects in seismically active
areas. Landsat-TM and SPOT images, and Radar interferograms have been used to
detect the active faults (Merifield and Lamer 1975; Yeats et al.1996; Massonnet et
al. 1993). Areas rocked by Landers earthquake (South California) of magnitude 7.3
were studied using ERS-1 SAR interferometry which matched extremely well with
a model of the earth's motion as well as the local measurements (Masonnet and
Advagna 1993). Active faults on the seafloor could also be detected by side-scan
sonar system (Prior et al, 1979). The earthquake prediction is still at experimental
stage. Successful prediction of minor earthquake have, however, been reported.
Among the major earthquakes, Chinese scientists predicted an earthquake 1-2
days ahead in 1975 (Vogel, 1980). Information on earthquake is ,generally,
obtained from a network of seismographic stations. However, very recently the
space geodetic techniques and high resolution aerial and satellite data have been
used for earthquake prediction. Space geodetic technique with Global Positioning
System (GPS) provides an accuracy of a centimetre over 1000 km and , thus, helps
in measuring the surface deformations and monitoring accelerated crystal
deformations prior to earth quakes with required accuracy.
Earthquake risk assessment involves identification of seismic zones through
collection of geological / structural, geophysical (primarily seismological) and
geomorphologic data and mapping of known seismic phenomena in the region,
(mainly epicenters with magnitudes). Such an effort calls for considerable amount
of extrapolation and interpolation on the basis of available data. There is also a
tendency for earthquake to occur in "gaps" which are in places along an
earthquake belt where strong earthquake had not previously been observed. The
knowledge of trends in time or in space helps in defining the source regions of
future shocks (Karnik and Algermissen, 1978). Satellite imagery could be used in
delineating geotectonic structures and to clarify seismological conditions in
earthquake risk zones. Accurate mapping of geomorphologic features adjoining
lineaments reveals active movement or recent tectonic activity along faults. The
relationship between major lineaments and the seismic activity has been
observed in Latur area of Maharastra, India. Space techniques have overcome the
limitations of ground geodetic surveys/measurements and have become an
essential tool to assess the movement/displacements along faults/plate
boundaries to even millimetre level accuracy.
Using Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), it has been possible to record
accurately the plate movement of the order of centimetre along baseline of
hundreds of kilometre. Similarly, satellite-based Global Positioning system (GPS)
has emerged as a powerful geodetic tool for monitoring (geological) changes over
time which is the key for understanding the long-term geo-dynamical
phenomena. GPS has been particularly useful in measuring the more complex
deformation patterns across plate boundaries where large and regional scale
strain builds up. Plate movements, slips along faults etc. have been measured
using differential GPS to an accuracy of sub-centimetres.
Volcanic Eruption
Many times precursors of volcanic eruptions have been observed in various areas
of volcanic activity. Ground deformations, changes in the compositions of gases
emitting from volcanic vents, changes in the temperatures of fumaroles, hot
springs and crater lakes as well as earth tremors are preceding volcanic eruptions.
Thermal infrared remote sensing has been applied for volcanic hazard
assessment. However, deficiencies of equipment and coverage suggest that
thermal infrared has not been adequately evaluated for surveillance of volcanoes.
The National Remote Sensing Agency has demonstrated the potential of multi-
temporal Landsat-TM thermal band data in the surveillance of active volcanoes
over Barren island volcano which erupted during March 1991 to September 1991
(Bhatacharya et al. 1992). In the last three decades, aircraft and satellite-based
thermal infrared (TIR) data have been used extensively to detect and monitor
many of the active volcanoes around the world. Repetitive coverage, regional
scale, and low cost of thermal infrared images from satellites make it an
alternative tool for monitoring volcanoes. Although the spatial resolution of
NOAA environment satellite is too coarse to record details of surface thermal
patterns, the plumes of smoke and ash from volcanoes could be detected which is
useful in planning the rehabilitation of affected areas. Studies have shown that
the upward migration of magma from the earth's crust just before eruption
inflates the volcanic cone. Such premonitory signs can easily and quickly be
detected with the aid of differential SAR interferometry. Extensive calibrations in
a variety of test areas have shown that by using this technique, changes on the
earth's surface can be detected to a centimetre accuracy.
Landslides
Aerial photographs and large-scale satellite images have been used to locate the
areas with the incidence of landslide. Higher spatial resolution and stereo imaging
capability of IRS -IC and -1D enable further refining the location and monitoring of
landslides. A number of studies have been carried out in India using satellite data
and aerial photographs to develop appropriate methodologies for terrain
classification and preparation of maps showing landslide hazards in the Garhwal
Himalayan region, Nilagiri hills in south India and in Sikkim forest area. Such
studies have been carried out using mostly aerial photographs because of their
high resolution enabling contour mapping with intervals of better than 2m in
height. The availability of 1m resolution data from the future IRS mission may
help generating contour maps at 2m intervals making thereby space remote
sensing a highly cost effective tool in landslide zonation.
Forest Fire
Several thousands of hectares of forests are burnt annually due to manmade
forest fires causing extensive damage to forest wealth. The behaviour of forest
fire depends upon three parameters: fuel, weather, and topography. Each
parameter has several characteristic parameters. The most important task in the
preparedness phase is to assess the risk. For risk assessment variables such as
land use/land cover, demography, infrastructure and urban interface are
considered. Effective mitigation of forest fire involves fuel (land cover, weather,
terrain, vegetation type and moisture level) mapping, identification of fire risk
areas, rapid detection, local and global fire monitoring and assessment of burnt
areas. The analysis of near-real time low spatial resolution (1km) and high
repetivity data from NOAA and high spatial resolution data with low repetivity
from earth resources satellites could provide the information on areas under fire.
The IRS satellite data have been used for monitoring forest fires over Nagarhole
Wild Life Sanctuary of Southern India.
Cyclone
The intense tropical storms are known in different part of the world by different
names. In the Pacific ocean, they are called 'typhoons', in the Indian ocean they
are called 'cyclones' and over North Atlantic, they are called 'hurricane'. Among
various natural calamaties, tropical cyclones are known to claim a higher share of
deaths and distruction world over. Records show that about 80 tropical cyclones
form over the globe every year. India has a vast coast line which is frequently
affected by tropical cyclones causing heavy loss of human lives and property.
Cyclones occurs usually between April and May (called pre-monsoon cyclonic
storms) and between October and December (called post-monsoon cyclonic
storms). While cyclonic storms can't be prevented, the loss of lives and damage to
the properties can be mitigated if prompt action is taken after receiving timely
warnings.
Q. 5
Write a detailed note on techniques used for capacity building
and training?
• Hospital staff at both primary and secondary levels has recently been trained on
providing Psychosocial Support and on Mass Casualty Management.
• A multi-sectoral core group formation plan is now in place, and training modules
with training of trainers (TOT) will be updated through workshops from October
2008.
• WHO and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) will conduct joint
simulation exercises in most of the cyclone-prone districts in October-November
2008, in collaboration with MOF&DM, UN Agencies, and INGOs & NGOs.
• Consultative meetings with the Government and other stakeholders are being
held from August 2008 on EHA benchmarks, Standard Operating Procedures for
Emergencies and development of an earthquake/Infrastructure collapse response
plan for the Health Sector.
• In order to create greater awareness of the three basic principles of EMS & on
response to emergency, triage & mass casualty management, communications
material such as short video films, manuals, booklets, placards & posters are
being prepared. The films will be broadcast through national TV channels, radios,
cinema houses as trailers. The print material will be distributed at all levels.
• Emergency medical equipment and drugs are being procured to replenish buffer
stock, so that they can be readily available if a disaster occurs.
• Caregivers are being trained on grief counseling techniques, so that they can
extend psychosocial support to all who need it, through counseling and proper
referral systems, in the Sidr affected areas.
• A handbook for identifying vulnerable areas by category, and for assessing the
environmental impact on human health, will be prepared for the health managers
and health workers of governments, NGO and INGOs. It is expected to help in
formulating preparedness plans, and in efficient resource management.
WHO Bangladesh is monitoring the the flood situation regularly. Civil Surgeons in
all districts that are likely to be affected have been kept on alert to combat any
possible occurrence of communicable diseases.
• Control rooms at district & Upazila levels have been made operational and
regular reporting to the central level have been established.
• WHO is maintaining regular liaison with other UN agencies through UN-DER
subgroup meetings. Apart from the Emergency and Humanitarian Action unit,
other WHO programmes (CSR, IVD, EH, VBD) have also been involved.