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Types of Disasters

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 TYPES OF DISASTERS

BY
Prof A. BALSUBRAMANIAN
CENTRE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES IN EARTH SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF MYSORE
MYSORE-6

Introduction:

Disaster is a serious, dangerous and intolerable phenomena frequently occurring on the planet earth.
Thousands of people die in a moment. Thousands of people may become homeless and parentless
within a day. Huge infrastructures get damaged within a few seconds or minutes.
Disasters are the catastrophic events shocking the whole world and making the humanity to feel very
sad and depressed.
All life and life-support systems are also affected by these unexpected incidences. What is
required, ultimately, is to minimize the effects of these disaster by the application of certain disaster
management practices.
The subject of disaster management is a compulsory part of learning by all students and the public at
large.

What is a Disaster?

By definition "disaster" means a catastrophe, a mishap, a calamity or grave danger event occurred in
an area and affected life and properties. It may be arising from natural or man- made causes, or by
accident or due to negligence. This sudden event results in the substantial loss of life or create much
suffering to humans and other life. It also includes much damage to, and destruction of, property, or
damage to, or degradation of the environment.

A disaster is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of
the affected area. Dozens of types of disasters happen all over the world at one time or the other. It is
necessary to have an understanding of the types of disasters, their causes, characteristics and impacts.

The purpose of this report is to provide the details of the following aspects:
1) Types and Effects of Disasters
2) Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Volcanic eruptions
3) Floods, Cyclones and Hurricanes
4) Landslides, Bushfires and Droughts
5) Epidemic, Accidents and Civil unrests.

It is important to analyze the effects of disasters in relation to their own local circumstances.

1. Types and effects of Disasters

Different types of disasters are distinguished in terms of their nature and extent of impacts.
The following are the major types of disasters that are commonly encountered:

• Earthquake,
• Volcanic eruption,
• Tsunami,
• Tropical cyclone (typhoon, hurricane),
• Flood,
• Landslide,
• Bushfire (or wildfire),

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• Drought,
• Epidemic,
• Major accident, and
• Civil unrest.

Disasters like earthquakes, hailstorms, avalanches, landslides, etc. occur quite suddenly.

Similarly, floods and cyclones occur with some element of .warning yet their occurrence is confined
to a short duration.

Drought, on the other hand, spans over a much longer time-frame and its adverse impact will be on
the economic activities of people and on the life of an area. The effects are more of a long-lasting
nature.

Natural disasters may be broadly grouped into major and minor types depending upon their potential
to cause damage to human life and property.

The disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, droughts, floods and cyclones could be regarded
as major types. The disasters like hailstorms, avalanches, landslides, fire accidents, etc. whose impact
is localised and the intensity of the damage is much less than the others may be categorized as minor
disasters.

Minor disasters like hailstorms, avalanches, landslides and forest fires also occur without any
appreciable degree of warning. Almost all of them cause damage to properties and lives. However,
areas prone to be affected by such disasters could be identified. Certain precautionary measures could
also be taken in the context of potential threat requiring general awareness and preparedness for
appropriate responses on the part of the local administration.

In addition to these, wartime civil defense or protection measures are also coming under this concept.

General Effects of Disasters

The typical effects of disasters may be one or more of the following:

• Loss of life,
• Injury,
• Damage to and destruction of property,
• Damage to and destruction of plantations and crops,
• Disruption of production,
• Disruption of lifestyle,
• Disruption of transport
• Loss of livelihood and occupation to people
• Disruption to essential services like electricity, water supply and gas supply,
• Damage to national infrastructure
• Disruption of communication and other networks
• Disruption to government systems and schemes,
• Shortage of food resources
• Spreading of diseases
• National economic loss, and
• Sociological effects and
• Psychological after effects.

Some are direct and primary Consequences and some may be Secondary and indirect Consequences.
Whenever a natural disaster occurs, it will certainly cause an economic crisis, starvation, epidemic,
migration, landlessness, homelessness, orphanage to some children and massive deaths.

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 2. Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Volcanic eruptions

Earthquakes are shaking of the earth’s crustal blocks due to the movement of plates and their rocks
along a fault or plate boundaries. The rocks under stress accumulate strain energy over a period of
time. When the stress exceeds the strength of the rocks, then the rock gets broken. The strain energy
is released as seismic waves. The longer that energy is stored up and is maintained without release,
the more likely that a strong earthquake will occur.

For an earthquake to occur, there will be no warning. However, after the occurrence of a major
earthquake, secondary shocks may indicate of a further earthquake. The speed of onset of an
earthquake may be usually sudden. For this purpose, the earthquake-prone areas are generally well
identified and defined/ demarcated. Major impacts and effects come mainly from land movement,
fracture, or slippage. Due to lack of warning, a severe loss to life occurs during earthquakes.

People of seismic prone-areas must go for seismic resistant constructions, analysing the terrain
conditions, providing proper safety systems, dam protection and circuit controls in gas and electricity
lines. Post-earthquake activity mainly involves proper and immediate medical assistance, rescue of
victims, damage and needs assessment, relief to survivors, clearing of roads, re-establishing
communication channels, supply of food, blankets, clothes and other materials.

Rehabilitation includes, repair and re-construction, setting the lines of water, electricity and sewage
lines. Economic programs to provide jobs, credit assistance and donations are the life giving solutions.

Tsunami (Seismic Sea Wave):

Tsunamis are huge seismic sea waves that are generated by the earthquakes originating under the sea.
If the earthquake displaces the sea surface, waves are generated that can grow while moving over the
sea surface.

The main characteristics of tsunamis are:

• The velocity of the wave depends on the depth of water where the seismic disturbance occurs.
• The initial wave velocity may be as high as 900 kilometer per hour (kph), slowing to
approximately 50 kph as the wave strikes the land.
• The warning time depends on the distance from the point of wave origin.
• The Speed of onset varies. Their impacts on a shoreline can be preceded by a marked recession
of normal water level prior to the arrival of a wave. This can result in a massive outgoing tide,
followed by the incoming tsunami wave. People may be trapped when they investigate the
phenomenon of the outgoing tide and then be struck by the incoming wave.
• The tsunami wave can be very destructive. The wave heights may be of 30 meters or more.
• A tsunami can also cause flooding; saltwater contamination of crops, soil, and water supplies.
• Destruction and damage to buildings, structures, and all shoreline vegetation.

Volcanic Eruptions:

Sudden eruptions of volcanoes can create a lot of damages.

Characteristics

• Volcanoes which are likely to constitute a disaster threat are internationally well documented and, in
many cases, monitored for possible activity. Usually, therefore, major eruptions can be predicted.
• Volcanic blast can destroy structures and environmental surrounds, and also cause fires, possibly
including forest fires.
• Land surface cracking, resulting from volcanic explosion, may affect buildings and other structures.
• Lava flow can bury buildings and crops. It may also cause fires and render land unusable.

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• Ash, in its airborne form, can affect aircraft by ingestion into engines.
• Ground deposit of ash may destroy crops and also affect land use and water supplies.
• Ash may also cause respiratory problems.
• Mud flows may arise from associated heavy rain.

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 3. Floods, Cyclones and Hurricanes

Floods

Floods have the greatest damage potential when compared to the other natural disasters, over the
environment. Floods are also considered to be both social and economic disasters. A flood is a body
of water overflowing the river channels. Floods are associated with some extreme natural events that
happen over a drainage basin. Floods are defined as relatively high flows which overtakes the natural
channels provided for the runoff. The level at which water flows along streams is called as the river
stage. During flood, the stage of a river is high. The river water during a flood usually overflows its
banks.

Characteristics
• Long, short, or no warning, depending on the type of flood (e.g., flooding within parts of a major
river system may develop over a number of days or even weeks, whereas flashfloods may give no
usable warning);
• Speed of onset may be gradual or sudden;
• There may be seasonal patterns to flooding; and
• Major effects arise mainly from inundation and erosion; specifically, they may include isolation of
communities or areas, and involve the need for large-scale evacuation.

Every flood, affects the long term economic growth. Inflation, unemployment and more financial
burden are the other effects.

Flood hazard maps,

flood proofing of existing buildings,
flood detection,
facilities to reduce flood damage,
construction of more open channels and
detention facilities are needed.

Floods are controlled by construction of reservoirs,

river channels,
natural detention basins,
inter-basin water transfer,
construction of levees and
flood walls,
diversion canals,
bank stabilization,
best agronomic practices,
afforestation and
catchment zone management.

These are done to modify the susceptibility of flood damage,

through flood plain management,
structural changes,
flood proofing,
disaster preparedness,
flood forecasting and
flood warning.

Disaster management methods are adopted to reduce the loss though emergency evacuation, flood
fighting, public health, disaster relief, flood insurance and tax remission.

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Cyclones:

A Cyclone is defined as any large system of winds that rotates about a centre of low atmospheric
pressure with a speed over 100 kmph. This swirling action happens in a counterclockwise direction
north of the Equator and in a clockwise direction to the south.

The diameter of the ring of swirling winds may range from 500 to 1500 km. It is a highly dynamic
movement and the direction of its transgression is not precisely predictable. Anticyclones have a flow
opposite to that of cyclones--i.e., an outward-spiraling motion, with the winds rotating clockwise in
the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. They are usually not as
strong as the cyclonic storms and bring no rainfall.

The tropical cyclones are called as hurricanes in the Atlantic and Caribbean,
as typhoons in the western Pacific , Phillipines and China , and
as willy-willies off the coasts of Australia.

Characteristics
• Usually long warning, derived from systematic international meteorological observation (including
remote sensing);
• Speed of onset gradual;
• Tends to conform to seasonal pattern;
• Major effects arise mainly from destructive force winds, storm surge (producing inundation), and
flooding from intense rainfall.
Landslides may follow flooding and heavy rainfall; and
• Destruction and/or severe damage to buildings and other structures, roads, essential services, crops,
and the environment generally.
Major loss of life and livestock may occur.

Warning and tracking of tropical cyclones are essential tasks of the people.

Cyclone warning, can help people to vacate the zones of danger and prepare for advance relief
measures.

Attempts to forecast tropical cyclones date back to the nineteenth century.

Cyclone and Pressure Monitoring ships, provide warning of any storm within the range.

Earth Observation Satellites transmit live images of any part of the globe and its cloud systems.

Methods to protect the environment against tornadoes, are a permanent requirement in some places.

Weather monitoring stations, obtain information from local observers, radar stations, and the pilots of
aircraft when weather conditions appear to be dangerous.

The receiving stations issue warning messages to the people in the area of the tornado.

Every country , having a long coastal belt ,has to establish a Cyclone Warning Network.

Wind tunnel research, is a major activity to propose cyclone resistant houses and structures.

It is very difficult to protect the vegetation, without constructing sea walls and shelter belts.

Ports and harbors need frequent maintenance operations and hence they need to evolve certain
precautionary measures.

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The origin of a cyclone may be spotted out using a satellite image at least two days in advance.

This is one of the major advantages of organizing precautionary measures and relief related activities.

4. Landslides, Bushfires and Droughts

Landslides:

Landslide is a general term used to describe the downslope movement of soil, rock, and organic
materials under the effects of gravity and also the landform that results from such movement.
Landslides can be classified into different types on the basis of the type of movement and the type of
material involved. The material in a landslide may be either a rock or soil (or both). The latter is
described as earth if mainly composed of sand-sized or finer particles and debris if composed of
coarser fragments. The type of movement describes the actual internal mechanics of how the landslide
mass is displaced: fall, topple, slide, spread, or flow.

Characteristics
• Warning period may vary. Little or no warning may be available if the cause is an earthquake.
However, some general warning may be assumed in the case of landslide arising from continuous
heavy rain. Minor initial landslips may give warning that heavy landslides are to follow. Natural
movement of land surface can be monitored, thus providing long warning of possibility of landslides.
• Speed of onset is mostly rapid.
• Damage to structures and systems can be severe (buildings may be buried or villages swept away).
• Rivers may be blocked, causing flooding.
• Crops may be affected. Sometimes areas of crop-producing land may be lost altogether (e.g., in the
major slippage of surface soils from a mountainside).
• When landslides are combined with very heavy rain and flooding, the movement of debris (e.g.,
remains of buildings, uprooted trees) may cause high levels of damage and destruction.

Bushfire (or Wildfire):

It is also called as forest fires.

Characteristics
• Most bushfire-prone areas are well-known and well defined.
• Bushfire threat tends to be seasonal.
• Speed of onset may vary. It can be rapid under conditions of high temperatures and high wind, when
major fire fronts advance very quickly. Also, fragments of fire from a main front may be carried
forward by the wind, starting new fires further ahead. This is sometimes known as “spotting.”
• Effects can be very destructive, especially in loss of buildings, timber, and livestock (and human life
if counter-disaster arrangements are inadequate).
• Recovery from effects on the environment may take several years.
• Evacuating communities may be difficult and dangerous in the face of a major fire front.

Droughts:

This is arising due to recurring failure of monsoons. The area affected by drought becomes dry and
waterless. Food security will be affected. Water scarcity prevails everywhere. People die due to
hunger.

Characteristics
• Major areas liable to drought are usually well-known;
• Periods of drought can be prolonged;
• Area(s) affected may be very large;
• Long warning;

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• Effects on agriculture, livestock, rural industry production, and human habitation may be severe.
This may lead to prolonged food shortages or famine;
• Long-term effects can be in the form of severe economic loss, erosion which affects future
habitation and production, and sometimes abandonment of large tracts of land;
• Man-made activities may aggravate the possibility and extent of the drought problem (e.g.,
overgrazing of agricultural land, destruction of forests or similar areas); and
• The inability and/or unwillingness of the population to move from drought-prone areas may
exacerbate the problem.

5. Epidemic, Accidents and Civil Unrests

Epidemic is the spread of sudden outbreak of contagious diseases due to some natural or man-made
reasons.

• Disaster-related epidemic arises generally from the disrupted living conditions which follow disaster
impact.

• Epidemic may arise from:

food sources;
water sources;
inadequate medical and health facilities/standards;
malnutrition; and
vector-borne sources (e.g., mosquitoes).

• Types of disease include:

hepatitis,
typhoid,
diptheria,
malaria,
cholera,
influenza,
enteritis,
diarrhea,
skin diseases, and
food poisoning.

• Under post-impact conditions, when personnel and facilities may be limited, outbreaks may prove
difficult to contain and control.
This may particularly apply if community health education is substandard.
• Warning (i.e., risk) is self-evident in most post-impact circumstances.
• Speed of onset is mostly rapid.

Major Accidents:

Accidents are sudden incidenusing severe loss of life and properties. ces, mostly unexpected, c

Characteristics
• Usually violent in nature (e.g., industrial or other explosion, aircraft crash, major fire, train
collision);
• Can have limited or widespread effect.
Mostly limited or no warning, though there may be longer warning of effects of, say, chemical or oil
spill; and the speed of onset usually rapid.

Civil Unrests:

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 This is humanly-induced activity. It creates a lot of problems to well-being. The causative factors are
many.

Characteristics
• Violent and disruptive activities occur (e.g., bombing, armed clashes, mob demonstrations, and
violence);
• Patterns of civil unrest are difficult to predict. Therefore, effective warning may also be difficult;
• In many civil unrest circumstances, especially terrorism, the instigators have the initiative, thus
complicating the task of law enforcement authorities.

Other Disasters:

In some countries, disasters in addition to those listed in paragraph 2 of this chapter may apply (e.g.,
severe outbreaks of animal diseases that threaten rural industries, food production, and so on). In such
cases, it is suggested that disaster managers should assess the particular disaster(s) along the above
lines.

Conclusion:

Disaster management is the only way to mitigate the effects of all these hazards. India has efficiently
handled the recent cyclones and reduced the effects to bare minimum level.
It was possible due to advance planning. Advance planning is always needed to keep the items of
emergency for any disaster.

Guidelines are also to be prepared in the form of booklets and circulated to the educated individuals.

Awareness camps are to be organised for public. Training is yet another initiative. Training involves
the
duties and responsibilities,
efforts to sustain,
role of employees/NGOs,
risks, errors, behavioural patterns,
recovery techniques,
communication channels,
safety rules,
priorities and security measures.

Knowledge of water quality,

sanitation,
first aid,
emergency medicines,
electricity controls and
gas usage are needed.

Evacuation, reporting and alert procedures, are the other major initiatives.

Proper insurance policies, alterations to existing buildings, changes in business locations and other
resources are to be planned, for future disaster mitigation.

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