Types of Disasters

• Natural Disasters Geological Disasters – Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides
  Hydrometeorological Disasters – Cyclones, floods, droughts, storms
  Climatic Disasters – Heatwaves, wildfires, extreme cold
  Biological Disasters – Epidemics (COVID-19, Ebola), locust infestations
  
• Man-Made Disasters
  Industrial Disasters – Chemical spills, gas leaks (e.g., Bhopal Gas Tragedy)
  Nuclear Disasters – Radiation leaks (e.g., Chernobyl, Fukushima)
  Terrorism & War – Bombings, cyber-attacks, biological warfare
  Environmental Disasters – Oil spills, deforestation, pollution





Phases of Disaster Management




• Prevention & Mitigation
  Building disaster-resistant structures
  Flood control measures (dams, embankments)
  Early warning systems (cyclone, tsunami alerts)
  Public awareness campaigns
• Preparedness
  Disaster drills and mock exercises.
  Training emergency response teams (firefighters, paramedics)
  Stocking emergency supplies (food, water, medicines)
  Setting up emergency shelters
• Response
  Search and rescue operations
  Medical aid and evacuation
  Providing food, water, and temporary shelter
  Restoring communication and transport systems
• Recovery & Rehabilitation
  Rebuilding damaged infrastructure
  Rebuilding damaged infrastructure.
  Psychological and social support for victims
  Economic recovery programs
  Policy changes to prevent future disasters




Disaster Management Strategies & Technologies




• Early Warning Systems – Weather satellites, tsunami buoys, earthquake sensors
• Geospatial Technology – GIS and Remote Sensing for disaster mapping.
• Disaster-Resistant Infrastructure – Earthquake-proof buildings, flood barriers
• Medical & Emergency Response – Mobile hospitals, emergency communication networks




Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)






Disaster Risk Reduction aims to minimize the impact of disasters by improving the resilience of communities and systems. The key strategies for DRR include:


Risk Assessment
Identifying hazards, vulnerabilities, and exposure to risks in various areas (urban, rural, coastal).
Using geospatial technologies (GIS, remote sensing) to assess risks

Disaster-Proof Infrastructure Building earthquake-resistant buildings, flood barriers, and tsunami shelters.
Urban planning and zoning laws to avoid construction in disaster-prone areas.

Community-Based Disaster Management
Empowering communities to develop their own disaster management plans.
Training local leaders and volunteers to enhance readiness.





Role of Technology in Disaster Management






Remote Sensing & GISGeospatial Information Systems (GIS) help in disaster mapping, resource allocation, and post-disaster recovery planning.
Remote sensing technologies (satellite imagery, drones) are used to assess real-time damage, detect fires, and track storm paths..

Social Media and Crowdsourcing
Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have been used for real-time disaster reporting.
Crowdsourcing efforts allow communities to report their status and needs, helping first responders prioritize efforts.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data
AI models can predict natural disasters, such as storms and earthquakes, by analyzing historical data and patterns.