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Preface This is my second book on spreading general awareness on disasters especially at individual, family and community levels. The response to the first book on, ‘All you wanted to know about disasters’ encouraged me to share my knowledge and experience acquired over the last five years serving NDMA with the readers. My better-half, who has also since acquired MBA degree in Disaster Management helped me in all the field and analytical work and graciously joined me as my co-author. Since my last book, I joined the National Disaster Management Authority on 09 August 2005, much before its constitution, on 28 Sep. 2005, at the behest of Gen NC Vij, its founding Vice Chairman. Hence I can proudly say that I was part of the support team which raised this apex body on DM in India. This gave me an opportunity to be involved in formulation of national policy on DM,  issuance of guidelines on various types of disasters and other initiatives taken by it. The Vice Chairman, specifically entrusted me with the task of implementation of the initiative of inculcating the culture of preparedness in the  community and the first responders in the country. This was to be executed through conduct of table top & mock exercises on various types of perceived disasters. Starting from scratch, this initiative has taken off in the right direction and has aroused enthusiastic and overwhelming response from community, first responders, district administration and state authorities.

The aim of this book is to further strengthen the knowledge of readers on management of disasters so that they are better prepared to cope with more frequently occurring natural and manmade disasters. The process that helps us to face disasters effectively is commonly known as disaster preparedness.  When a disaster strikes, it affects us directly and immediately. While as the government, international agencies such as United Nations, Red Cross Society, non government organizations, like Ramakrishna Mission, OXFAM, CARE, resident welfare associations in urban areas and panchayats in rural areas assist us when faced with disasters the community, invariably remains the first responders. Hence, the individuals as a part of community should prepare adequately to prevent, face and respond to disasters effectively. History has  shown that where communities have prepared adequately to confront disasters, losses to life and property have been less and environment could be protected. People living in an area may be prone to more than one type of disaster. For example Kutch District of Gujarat is vulnerable to floods, drought, cyclones and to earthquakes. Such an area is called ‘multiple hazard’ zone.

The United Nations had declared the decade of 90s (1990-1999) as the International Decade for National Disaster Risk Reduction to enable developing countries to build up their capacity to cope up with disasters. The Government of India also set up a High Powered Committee (HPC), in August 1999, to review the preparedness and mitigation of natural and manmade disasters and recommend measures for strengthening the organisational structures and a comprehensive model plan for management of disasters at national, state and district level. The HPC after due deliberatons submitted the report in Feb. 2001. The HPC identified the disasters under the following types (categories) :

Appendix-'A'    :    Standard Operating Procedure for Administration      Appendix-'B'    :    Standard Operating Procedure for Individuals      Case Study    :    Assam Floods 2004         :    Peerchu Lake - A Disaster

Introduction Drought is temporary reduction in water or moisture availability significantly below the normal or expected amount for a specific period. This condition occurs either due to inadequacy of rainfall or lack of irrigation facilities, unexploitation or deficient availability for meeting the normal crop requirement in the context of the agro-climatic conditions prevailing in any particular area. This has been scientifically computed as Moisture Index (MI). Drought in this context can be defined as adverse MI or adverse water balance which may be attributable not only to a prolonged dry spell due to lack or sufficient rainfall but also due to such other factors as excessive evapo-transpiration losses, high temperature, low soil holding etc.

Appendix-'C'    :    Damage Prevention and Rehabilitation by Retrofitting      Appendix-'D'    :    Dos and Don'ts While Constructing Buildings      Case Study    :    Bhuj Earthquake 26th January, 2001             Eyjafjallajoekull (Iceland) Volcano - 2010

Introduction Landslides are simply defined as mass movement of rock, debris or earth down a slope and have come to include broad range of motions whereby falling, sliding and flowing under the influence of gravity dislodges earth material. They often take place in conjunction with earthquakes, floods and volcanoes. At times, prolonged rainfall cause heavy landslides, that block the flow of river for quite sometime.

Case Study    :    Orissa Super Cyclone 1999

Introduction Road traffic in cold snowy regions during winter season faces problems, like icing of road, snow compaction and snow storms that obstruct visibility. In snowy region there is also danger of damage due to snow avalanches. Avalanches often severely damage road service facilities or road structures. Quick response and corrective actions are required to cope with the damages, if any avalanche occurs.

Introduction Forests face many hazards but most common is forest fire. They pose threat to not only forest wealth but also to entire region of fauna and flora seriously disturbing the bio-diversity, ecology and environment of a region. During summer, forests are littered with dry senescent leaves and twigs which could burst into flames ignited by the slightest spark. Forest cover in India is 675,538 km and constitute 20-25% of geographical area.

Case Study    :    Indian Ocean Tsunami - 2004

Appendix-'E'    :    How can Cummunity Reduce Carbon              Footprints

Appendix-'F'    :    Chemical and Industrial Disaster Mitigation      Appendix-'G'    :    Emergency Procedure for Handling Chemical Disasters      Case Study    :    Bhopal Gas Tragedy 1984

Appendix-'H'    :    Do's & Don'ts During Commercial Nuclear Disasters

Appendix-'I'    :    Mock Drill Reporting Format      Appendix-'J'    :    Suggested Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders

Appendix-'K'    :    Supreme Court Directions on School Safety      Case Study    :    Kumbakonam School Fire Tragedy

Glossary      Bibliography      Colour Plates      Index