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1.1 Introduction
This chapter is an overview on disasters and disaster management both current and traditional.
The definitions related to disasters and disaster management are presented. The process of the
formation of disaster is reviewed. The general classification of disasters by the disaster
managers and traffic managers is reviewed, and then selection criteria for the disaster
classification adopted for this study are clarified. Disaster characteristics are studied based on
four parameters
frequency of natural and manmade disasters,
fatality of disasters,
geographical impact of disasters, and
economic impact of disasters.
The conclusions are then presented based on the disaster characteristics. The processes and
the sub-processes involved in the disaster management are introduced. The aims, objectives
and the phases of the disaster management are established in the disaster management
conceptual process. The traditional and contemporary approaches of disaster management are
studied and commented. The stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of
disaster management processes are identified. Finally, the status-quo of disaster management
in India and Germany with respect to their organisational structures is studied and conclusions
are made.
Vulnerabilities Hazards
Social &
Physical State Economic State Environmental State Trigger events
Demographic State
• ......
[Source: adapted from Wisner Ben, Piers Blaikie et al.(1994)]
Collision with: Vehicle conditions Weather conditions People conditions Other conditions
Small to
TORNADO/HURRICANE Very large Usually (days)
large
EARTHQUAKE Large None (no time) Large
Figure 1-3: Worldwide number of registered disasters 1975 to 2003 (ADRC 2003, 2004)
Economic impact of natural disasters: Although Earthquakes account for more deaths than
floods, windstorms and floods accounts for more disaster damages than earthquakes. These
damages are quantified in terms of infrastructure damage and disruption, and the loss of
economic activities during the disaster period.
From the analysis it is concluded that floods are the most frequent of all disasters. Floods are
the most fatal disasters. Floods also have the widest area of impact when considered other
disasters in all continents. Last but not least, floods cause the most damages world-wide.
Three disasters demand special consideration in disaster management planning world-wide
which are: (i) Floods, (ii) Cyclones and (iii) Earthquakes.
It is noticed that the total damages resulting from disaster events vary significantly between the
developing and the developed world, as does the ratio between the numbers of those affected
and killed. For example, the databases on natural disaster in 2003 reveal that Asia is the most
disaster-prone region in the world. The majority of the disasters (36%) occurred in Asia in the
year 2003. This has surpassed the disaster occurrences in previous years. It is followed by
Africa, America, and Europe respectively. Oceania stands as the least affected area in the world
accounting for only 5% of the total natural disasters.
Accordingly, the majority of the people killed by natural disasters in the year 2003 lived in Asia
with 57% of the total deaths by natural disasters in the world (decreased from 78% from the
previous year). Another significant region is Europe with 35% of total deaths from disasters
especially due to occurrence of the heat-wave conditions that hit Europe in 2003 (2% increase
from the previous year 2002). The databases on disasters demonstrate that Asia experience
most vulnerable conditions and severe disasters in the world. The amount of damages that the
Asian-region encounters is approximately 40 % of the overall disaster damages in the world.
Introduction
Disaster-affected or disaster-prone regions pose a serious threat to sustainable development.
Sustainable development is not possible, unless proper disaster management is adequately
acknowledged and practiced to eliminate or reduce the impacts caused by disasters. Disaster-
affected or disaster-prone regions also expose the intrinsic vulnerabilities due to the existing
physical, social, economic and environmental state.
The importance of the vulnerability suggests town planners and regional planners must consider
the disasters in their planning approaches and methods. The subject of disaster management
(DM) needs to be included in the process of urban planning and other planning areas.
“Disaster management means a continuous and integrated multi-sectoral, multi-
disciplinary process of planning and implementation of measures aimed at prevention &
mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery of disasters” (Green Paper, 1998).
In the process of disaster management the holistic approach should be adopted; and the
governments, institutions and agencies (disaster management stakeholders) should be
reorganised for a more effective response and recovery from natural and manmade disasters to
provide for more integrated prevention, mitigation and preparedness in anticipation of disaster.
Disaster management therefore refers to programs and measures designed to prevent, mitigate,
prepare for, respond to and recover from the effects of disasters. In cases where the underlying
causes, intensity, and time of occurrence of disasters are not fully known, disaster
preparedness measures are practiced. For example the occurrence of natural disasters such as
earthquakes and hurricanes is not preventable; the approaches of DM are oriented towards the
mitigation of impacts of such disasters on the habitats to minimum. An example of a preventive
measure adopted in flooding is changing the course of the river. However, in cases where river
courses cannot be changed, preparedness measures are adopted to minimise the flood impact
on humanity and property. In the traditional approach of disaster management, the actions or
measures of disaster management were limited to the disaster response and the disaster
recovery. Contrary to this traditional approach, a contemporary approach is being developed
and followed which emphasises the prevention of occurrence of a disaster through the
implementation of effective mitigation and preparedness measures. However, a lack of
systematic approach, co-ordination, committed research, and developmental inputs are some
challenges for an effective disaster management (Sahni and Ariyabandu, 2003).
Mitigation
Response
Prevention
Recovery
Development
Disaster Support
Disaster Support Desks Functions
State Disaster (operations)
Operation Centre Medical Care Army Battalions
Logistics
( Affected State/s) Disaster Control
Facility Management Housing & Shelter
Food & Water Supply
Finance and Human Resources
Energy Supply
Information Coordination Public Health & Sanitation
Public Works & Engineering
State Disaster Security
Communications Other Voluntary
Operation Centre (
Economy Organisations
Non-affected State/s)
Education
Environment
Logistics and Transport
.....
• Deutsche Bahn AG
• Order • Deutsche Post AG
• Social Affairs Personnel / Situation Decision- • Military
• Health Affairs Internal Assessment making and • Navy
• Construction Affairs Deployment • Police
• Public services • Forest administration
• Transport services • Power supply
• ………. • Trade and commerce
Provision/ Press & Information • Port authorities
Supply Media Affairs and • .......
Communi-
cation
[Source: Katastrophen Schutz in Hessen Ministry of Interior and Sports, Aug 2002]
1.6 Summary
A disaster is a state or an event which disrupts the functioning of a community or a society. The
local communities mostly cannot resolve of their own in the disasters. The disaster selection
criteria in this study are based on the geographical scale of a disaster, the warning time of a
disaster occurrence, the number of injuries and deaths resulting from a disaster, the traffic
demand resulting from the activities of a disaster and the resultant transport supply available
after a disaster.
The study on disaster characteristics revealed the foremost importance of floods. Similarly,
cyclones and earthquakes were regarded equally important for disaster management. Disaster
management is a well-established and integrated process of planning and implementation of
pro-active and reactive measures. Unlike the traditional approach of disaster management, the
contemporary approach considers the aggregation of disaster management phases and
measures. The organisational structure of both countries India and Germany exhibited well-
defined roles of disaster management stakeholders but failed to fully describe the involvement
of the transport sector and many private stakeholders.