The following questions for the course on Disaster management and mitigation have actually appeared on previous final examination question papers!

The following questions for the course on Disaster management and mitigation have actually appeared on previous final examination question papers!

Differentiate between hazard and disaster on any three aspects (3m)
What is meant by disaster reduction (2m)
What are the causes for landslides (3m)
Differentiate between drought and famine (2m)
Give three examples of human induced disasters (3m)
List reasons for traffic accidents (2m)
Identify images for cyclones, floods and droughts (3m)
What are the remote sensing data types used in GIS (2m)
Describe the role of NGO's in disaster mitigation (3m)
List the importance of forecasting disasters (2m)
Draw and explain disaster management cycle (5m)
What are the impacts of disasters on the socio-economic aspects of country (5m)
Analyse the reasons and ill-effects of any two disastrous cyclones: national & global (5m)
Explain hydrometeorological disasters (5m)
Describe seismic zonation map of india (5m)
What are the steps taken by government to manage seismic disasters (10m)
What are the reasons for major power breakdowns. Explain their ill-effects and preventive measures (5m)
How can we manage and mitigate major accidents on major corridors of a metropolitan area (5m)
Integrating GIS and Remote Sensing is essential for proper mitigation and management of disasters. Illustrate and explain (5m)
Describe major power break-downs in India (5m)
Describe the latest trends and development in warning and forecasting disasters (5m)
Explain chemical industrial hazards in India (5m)
Write short notes on:
1. Risk and vulnerability analysis (4m)
2. Avalanche (3m)
3. Environmental disasters (3m)
Differentiate between natural and human-made disasters (3m)
Describe causes for occurrence of cyclones and hurricanes (3m)
List the reasons for occurrence of landslides (3m)
How does GIS help in preventing traffic accidents (2m)
Explain disaster mitigation (2m)
What is the contribution of meteorology in loss prevention (2m)
What are the losses caused by industrial hazards (2m)
Describe the role of an individual and his contribution to disaster mitigation (2m)
What are the consequences of heavy floods (5m)
Describe flood control measures and management of floods (5m)
List reasons for occurrence of earthquakes (5m)
List the safety measures that can be taken to reduce damage due to earthquake (5m)
Describe the effects of a tsunami (5m)
Describe disaster details caused by the Indian ocean tsunami (5m)
Describe in detail the hazards caused by chemical disasters (5m)
Describe the Bhopal Gas Tragedy (5m)
Describe the role of remote sensing in prevention of disasters (5m)
Write short notes on:
1. Landslides (5m)
2. Jungle fires (5m)
List importanr steps taken by National, State and Other agencies for prevention and mitigation of natural disasters (5m)
Discuss disaster management cycle with suitable examples (5m)
Write about IDNDR
Explain hydrometeorological disasters
List causes for industrial hazards
Define cyclone and tsunami
Explain desertification
Name two basins in India frequently affected by flood and explain warning dissemination system of India in flood affected areas
Write about forest fires
Explain people participation in disaster management
Explain risk and vulnerability
Differentiate human-induced vs human-made disasters
List the goals and objectives of International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction
Explain the characteristics of a cyclone
Explain in detail the conditions necessary for the formation of a cyclone
List the adverse effects of a power breakdown.
Write about recent power breakdown in Andhra Pradesh
Describe in detail chemical industrial disasters
What is remote sensing and how does it help in prevention of disasters
List the applications of GIS in disaster risk reduction
Describe the disaster management structure in India
What is meant by disaster preparedness
List the objectives of International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
What is the influence of world conference on disaster reduction on risk reduction
How can awareness be created in the area of risk reduction
Describe the methods to teach awareness regarding disaster management
Compare developmental planning and disaster
List important points regarding underground faults
Write about measurement of seismic waves
Write in detail about ISDR
Discuss risk identification
Discuss Management Information Systems in the context of Disaster Management and Mitigation
Discuss decision support system in the context of Disaster Management and Mitigation
Explain trigger mechanism in the context of Disaster Management and Mitigation
Describe methods of education in terms of risk reduction
Explain Disaster Information Network
Explain public awareness on disaster reduction
Explain disaster implementation plan for:
1. Hydro power station
2. Thermal power plant
3. Atomic power station
Explain emergency response
Explain in detail about seismic waves
Discuss earthquake disaster in detail with a specific case-study
How is magnitude of an earthquake measured
Explain tsunami with a specific case study
Define disaster mitigation
Describe causes of earthquakes
List the precautionary measures to be taken in case of construction of dams and buildings
List the causes and types of landslides
Describe the remedial measures to control landslides
Describe a tsunami and list the precautions to be taken before a tsunami strikes
List the effects of an avalanche
What are the implications of a major power breakdown
Write short notes on:
1. Drought
2. Desertification
3. Cyclones

4. Flood

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT & MANAGEMENT

Discuss Sustainable management of natural resources is essential to provide livelihood and environmental security'.
Define Total Disaster Risk Management Approach and refer to its pertinence for Disaster Management Cycle.
Highlight development perspective to disaster management with focus on disaster management in riverine regions.
Discuss major issues involved in disaster preparedness,
Discuss the role of Information Technology in disaster prevention.
Discuss the importance of Rescue and highlight various rescue methods.
Shelter rehabilitation is concerned with various aspects'. Discuss.
What are the major features of Emergency Operations Centre
Discuss.the various types of damages required to be considered for undertaking effective damage assessment.
Highlight guiding principles of rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Define the term 'disaster' and describe its classification.
Write a note on disaster cycle.
Describe the trends in disaster management.
Explain the different methods of risk mapping.
Describe structural and non-structural mitigation measures in disaster management.
Describe the different steps in relief distribution in disaster management
Discuss the essential features of damage assessment.
Examine the problems in relief administration.
Bring out the importance of people as the first responders in disaster management.
Elucidate different skills and techniques adopted by a disaster manager.
Highlight key environmental concerns pertaining to disasters,
Analyse the important facets of disaster management in mountainous regions.
Define vulnerability and discuss the process of vulnerability analysis.
Examine the role of corporate social responsibility as an emerging avenue in managing disasters.
Define disaster mitigation and discuss the contribution of United Nations agencies in it.
Warehousing and stockpiling form a very important component during disaster relief phase-Analyse
Discuss the important steps in relief distribution. Examine the problem areas during recovery phase of disaster management,
Explain the concept of first responder with special reference to the role of the government in first response..
Write a note in brief on important disaster management strategies
Define vulnerability and discuss the vulnerability profile of India,
Describe in brief the major facets of disaster management in riverine regions.
Highlight the significance of planning for ensuring disaster prevention.
Write a note on key community based disaster management strategies.
Discuss in brief - Corporate Social Responsibility
Discuss in detail Search and Rescue (SAR)
Discuss the important steps in relief distribution,Explain the different types of damages that occur due to disasters.
'The relationship between disaster and development depends on the development choices made by the individual, community and the nation'. Discuss.
Discuss the leadership theories and styles.
Discuss Emergency Operations Centre and Stockpiling practices in disaster  Management.
Define disaster and refer to major environmental concerns. Discuss recent trends in disaster management with special reference to India.
Discuss the significance of disaster prevention and highlight issues involved.
Describe the methods for conducting risk assessment.
What do you understand by disaster mitigation ? Discuss the guiding principles underlying it
Discuss the significance and phases of Search and Rescue in disaster management.
Briefly highlight the steps involved,in relief distribution
Describe the objectives and features of damage assessment in case of natural disasters.
"Disasters can provide development opportunities," Discuss.
Explain the role and functions of a disaster manager
Define Total Disaster Risk Management Approach and examine its pertinence to Disaster Management cycle
Throw light on the development perspective to Disaster management.
Discuss the guidelines for Flood Prevention,  "There is emerging focus on building resilience through risk skating and transfer."
Briefly examine. Define Disaster Mitigation: and discuss the major mitigation measures.
Highlight the general precautions observed in Search and Rescue operations,.
Discuss, the major problems encountered in Relief Administration.
Write a note on interlinkages between Recovery and Development.
Discuss Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Process.
Examine the changing complexion of disaster management in the contemporary context.
Describe the important phases of disaster cycle
Discuss the importance of disaster preparedness with special reference to issues and problems in it
Define Risk Assessment and underline the methodologies for conducting risk assessment.
Discuss the guiding principles of disaster mitigation and elaborate the problem areas in disaster mitigation.
Discuss the concept of community based Disaster Management and highlight its principles and Challenges.
What is Emergency Operations Centre ? Describe its organizational set-up,
Define damage assessment and highlight major types of damages.
Discuss the important guiding principles of rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Discuss the role and functions of disaster manager.
Disaster management has undergone an enormous change in the recent times', Discuss.
Define 'Disaster and write an overview of natural disasters in India.
India has witnessed a shift from relief to mitigation and preparedness planning'. Discuss.
Discuss the major facets of disaster management in coastal regions.
Write a note on capacity building for Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction.
Discuss the significance of disaster prevention and highlight major issues involved in it.
Define Search and Rescue and discuss its significance and phases,
Discuss guidelines for provision of shelter management.
Write a note on Incident Command System.
Describe damage reports on disaster assessment.
Examine the interlinkages between disaster and recovery.
Discuss the relationship between disaster and development with the help of examples from developed and developing countries.
Describe issues and responses to disaster Management in mountainous regions.
Define vulnerability and describe its relationship with capacity.
Examine the types and characteristics of corporate social responsibility with respect to disaster Management.
Discuss the principles of community based disaster management.
Describe the various management guidelines for temporary shelter provision during disasters.
Explain the different types of damage reports. Identify the different types of rehabilitation.
Examine the role of sustainable development in disaster management.
Discuss the role of disaster management authorities in disaster management.
Discuss key stages of Disaster Cycle.
Make an overview of Recent Trends in Disaster Management.
Bring to light major initiatives on Disaster Preparedness in India.
Discuss the process of Risk Assessment.
Write a note on Community Based Disaster Management.
Discuss various methods for rescuing affected persons in a disaster situation.
Discuss the guiding principles for Shelter provision.
Bring to light major problems in Relief distribution.
Write a note on Disasters and Development.
Discuss the role and functions of a Disaster Manager.
What is disaster?
What is natural disaster?
What is man made disaster?
What is flood?
What are tropical cyclones?
What is hazard?
Define Vulnerability?
What is an avalanche?
Define land use planning.
Define emergency.
What are the effects of disaster?
Define mangroves.
Define landslides.
What are the typical adverse effects of floods?
What are the typical effects of deforestation?
Define disaster.
Define SOP.
What is biological weapon?
Mention the types of avalanches.
What is chemical weapon?
What are the types of drought?
What is drought?
Explain oil fires-well fires.
Explain terrorism.
Types of terrorism.
What is mitigation?
Mention the steps involved in disaster management cycle.
What is the meaning of warning?
What is Risk assessment?
What is risk assessment?
What is disaster preparedness?
What is recovery?
What is response?
What is rehabilitation?
What is risk sharing?
What is risk identification?
Explain the types of disasters?
Describe the disaster management cycle?
Explain various disaster management schemes offered by government of India?
Explain basic types of hazards?
Discuss about present status of mangroves in India?
Discuss the role of India in disaster management?
Discuss the role of armed forces and other agencies in disaster management?
Explain the various facilities required to tackle any disasters?
Describes the features and factors involved in disasters?
Write about state and national level disaster management programmers?
Write about state and International level disaster management programmers?
Write about risk analysis & assessment?
Explain the key activities in response phase?
Explain the principle of risk partnership?
Explain in detail about ISDR?
Describe the management plan for various disasters?
What is database? Give examples?
What is RDBMS? Give examples?
Define MIS?
Define decision support system?
What is Intranets?
What is extranets?
What is video teleconferencing?
What is Trigger mechanism?
Define remote sensing?
Define GIS?
What is GPS?
What is knowledge base?
What is expert system?
What is scenario analysis?
What are all the software parts in GIS system?
What are all the basic components of remote sensing?
Write are types of satellites used in remote sensing? Give examples/
Explain data processing in Remote Sensing?
Draw the processing steps in GIS operation?
What is Video-conferencing?
Differentiate between remote sensing & GIS?
Write the software involved in DM?
What is the role of space technology in DM?
How GIS Works?
What is GIS Technology?
Explain the Application of various technologies in Disaster management?
Write the contribution of remote sensing and GIS to disaster risk reduction?
Explain in detail about the application of MIS and databases in disaster management?
Explain in detail about GIS?
Explain in detail about remote sensing?
Describes the systems that involved in disaster management?
Describe the operation in GIS?
Write about the disaster databases?
Explain in detail about ICST & sits roles?
Explain the application of Intranets & Extranets in disaster management?
Write about the GIS technologies?
Explain different types of software tools used in Disaster Management?
What is Trigger Mechanism?
Write the objectives of Trigger mechanism?
Draw the flow chart for trigger mechanism?
Draw the trigger mechanism network?
Write about disaster risk management programmes.
What is disaster information network?
What is disaster awareness?
What is NGO?
What is disaster response?
What is rain fall insurance?
Where international assistance required in disasters?
Write the role of education in risk reduction.
Write the role of public awareness reduction
Write the various awareness programmes in India.
Draw the disaster information network.
Explain various programmes of disaster risk management.
Explain in detail about Trigger Mechanism.
Explain in detail about the constitution of Trigger Mechanism.
Describe the disaster information network.
How education helps to reduce the risk in Disaster Management?
Explain the public awareness in risk reduction.
Explain the various Awareness programmes in Disaster Management.
Define statistical seismology.
What is media?
Define epidemics.
Define bio-terrorism.
What do you mean epidemics?
What do you mean casualties?
What you mean statistical seismology?
What do you mean quick reconstruction technologies?
Illustrate the role of media in disasters.
How do you manage epidemics?
Draw the strategies for managing the bio-terrorism.
List out the benefits of statistical seismology.
How do you mitigate the bio-terrorism?
List out the use quick reconstruction technologies?
Depict the uses of media in disaster.
Critically examine the use of the media in information dissemination.
Explain the types of media and their information needs.
Analyse the statistical seismology in disaster management.
Critically examine the need of quick reconstruction technologies in disaster management.
Enumerate the role of media in disasters.
Identify the strategies for management of epidemics.
Determine the methods for mitigate the bio-terrorism.
How do you forecasting of casualties? Explain it.
Portray the key to sustainable measures in disaster management.

1.What is Seismology?
2.What is Applied Seismology?
3.What are the instruments of Seismology?
4.What is seismic graph?
5.What is Seism city?
6.What is Epicenter?
7.What are Tectonic plates?What are the faults of Earthquake?
Define Magnitude.
Define Intensity.
What are the damages caused by Earthquake?
How Earthquake is measure?
What is a seismic wave?
Why do earthquake happen?
What is Tsunami?
What are causes of tsunamis?
What are the reasons for disastrous effects of Tsunamis?
Explain in detail about the Tsunami.
Explain in detail about the Earthquakes.
How Earthquake is measured and what are all the damages caused by Tsunami.
Discuss possible way to mitigate the impact of Earthquakes.
Differentiate between Natural Disasters and Manmade Disasters.
Mention some objectives of ISDR programme.
What is meant by video teleconferencing?
Define RDBMS.
What is trigger mechanism?
Define hazard assessment.
What is meant by emergency response?
What is “financial arrangements”?
What is underground mining?
What are the necessary steps to be avoid dangerous epidemics after a flood disaster?
“Steps in the process of disaster preparedness”. Elucidate.
Discuss the various types of natural disasters and highlight the specific efforts to mitigate disasters in India.
What is GIS? Explain its techniques.
Explain i) Types of remote sensing. & Data acquisition techniques
Explain how the public awareness in helpful in risk reduction.
Discuss about the disaster information network.
Explain the legal / financial problems the management has to face if safely measures taken
by them are found to be in-adequate.
Explain various community based disaster management.
What are the factors to be considered while planning the rebuilding works after a major
disaster due to earthquake?
What the cause for the Tsunami 2004 which inflicted heavy loss to life and property along
the coast Tamilnadu? Specify its epicentre and magnitude.
What is hydrometeorology .
What is a flood.
What is a cyclone. What are the different names given to cyclones in different parts of the world.
What is a drought. How is it different from a famine. What are the consequences of a drought.
What is desertification ?
Define Hazard, Risk, Exposure, Vulnerability and Response and relate them mathematically.
What are landslides and landslips ?
What is a tsunami ?
What are the implications of a disaster.
List a few major natural disasters that occurred in India.
Draw a sketch indicating the characteristics of Natural Disasters
List the different types of disaster trauma with suitable examples
List the approaches to disaster management
List the key issues in disaster management
Differentiate between Hazard and Disaster
List the major factors contributing to increase of disaster risk.
List the activities that trigger human-induced disasters.
How is weather related to climate
Define and classify disasters
What is an earthquake ?
What is an epicenter ?
How are earthquakes measured ?
List a few examples of man-made and human-induced disasters ?
Draw and explain the disaster management cycle ?
List the impacts of disasters on the socioeconomic aspects of a country ?
Explain the seismic zonation map of India and the steps taken by the government to manage severe seismic zones in the country.
Describe major chemical industrial hazards in India
Write short notes on avalanches and environmental disasters
List the causes for cyclones, hurricanes, landslides, tsunamis and earthquakes in India and the losses due to industrial hazards.
List the earthquakes in India & losses due to industrial hazards
List the causes and consequence of heavy floods and the control measures to manage heavy floods
Describe the causes and effects of Tsunamis
Describe the Bhopal Gas Tragedy
What are landslides and junglefires
What are the steps taken by national, state and other agencies for prevention and mitigation of natural disasters
Differentiate between disaster and hazard on any three aspects
Elaborate disaster reduction
What are the causes of landslides
List three examples of human induced disasters
Describe the PDCA cycle
Explain the KIDA and AIDMA models
Expand the abbreviations: UNISDR, IDNDR, HFA, IDRC, IRDC, UNDRO, DRR, DRM, ISDR, GDRC, WCDR, TIEMS,
List the impacts of human-induced disasters
List the various mitigation strategies that can be adopted to prevent, mitigate or respond to human-induced disasters.
India is prone to disasters. Elaborate.

Disaster Management Questions

What is meant by Disaster Management? What are the different stages of Disaster management?
Differentiate Natural Disasters and Man made Disasters with examples.
Describe the necessity of Risk identification and Assessment Surveys while planning a project.
What is Disasters recovery and what does it mean to an Industry?
What are the factors to be considered while planning the rebuilding works after a major disaster due to flood / cyclone / earthquake? (Any one may be asked)
List out the public emergency services available in the state, which could be approached for help during a natural disaster.
Specify the role played by an Engineer in the process of Disaster management.
What is the cause for Earthquakes? How they are measured? Which parts of India are more vulnerable for frequent earthquakes?
What was the cause for the Tsunami 2004 which inflicted heavy loss to life and property along the coast of Tamilnadu ? Specify its epicenter and magnitude.
Specify the Earthquake Hazard Zones in which the following towns of Tamilnadu lie: (a) Chennai (b)Nagapattinum (c) Coimbatore (d) Madurai (e) Salem.
Which parts of India are experiencing frequent natural calamities such as (a) heavy rain fall (b) huge losses due to floods (c) severe cyclones
Define basic wind speed. What will be the peak wind speed in (a) Very high damage risk zone – A, (b) High damage risk zone, (c) Low damage risk zone.
Specify the minimum distance from the Sea shore and minimum height above the mean sea level, desirable for the location of buildings.
Explain how the topography of the site plays a role in the disasters caused by floods and cyclones.
Explain how the shape and orientation of buildings could reduce the damages due to cyclones.
What is a cyclone shelter? When and where it is provided? What are its requirements?
What Precautionary measures have to be taken by the authorities before opening a dam for discharging the excess water into a canal/river?
What are the causes for fire accidents? Specify the remedial measures to be taken in buildings to avoid fire accidents.
What is a fire escape in multistoried buildings? What are its requirements?
How the imamates of a multistory building are to be evacuted in the event of a fire/Chemical spill/Toxic Air Situation/ Terrorist attack, (any one may be asked).
Describe different fire fighting arrangements to be provided in an Industry.
Explain the necessity of disaster warning systems in Industries.
Explain how rescue operations have to be carried out in the case of collapse of buildings due to earthquake / blast / Cyclone / flood.
What are the necessary steps to be taken to avoid dangerous epidemics after a flood disaster?
What relief works that have to be carried out to save the lives of workers when the factory area is suddenly affected by a dangerous gas leak / sudden flooding?
What are the difficulties faced by an Industry when there is a sudden power failure? How such a situation could be managed?
What are the difficulties faced by the Management when there is a group clash between the workers? How such a situation could be managed?
What will be the problems faced by the management of an Industry when a worker dies because of the failure of a mechanical device due to poor maintenance? How to manage such a situation?
What precautionary measures have to be taken to avoid accidents to labourers in the Industry in a workshop / during handling of dangerous Chemicals / during construction of buildings / during the building maintenance works.
Explain the necessity of medical care facilities in an Industry / Project site.
Explain the necessity of proper training to the employees of Industries dealing with hazardous products, to act during disasters.
What type of disaster is expected in coal mines, cotton mills, Oil refineries, ship yards and gas plants?
What is meant by Emergency Plan Rehearsal? What are the advantages of such Rehearsals?
What action you will take when your employees could not reach the factory site because of continuous strike by Public Transport workers?
What immediate actions you will initiate when the quarters of your factory workers are suddenly flooded due to the breach in a nearly lake / dam, during heavy rain?
What steps you will take to avoid a break down when the workers union of your Industry have given a strike notice?
List out few possible crisis in an organization caused by its workers? What could be the part of the middle level officials in managing such crisis?
What types of warning systems are available to alert the people in the case of predicted disasters, such as floods, cyclone etc.
Explain the necessity of Team work in the crisis management in an Industry / Local body.
What factors are to be considered while fixing compensation to the workers in the case of severe accidents causing disability / death to them?
Explain the legal / financial problems the management has to face if safely measures taken by them are found to be inadequate.
Describe the importance of insurance to men and machinery of an Industry dealing with dangerous jobs.
What precautions have to be taken while storing explosives in a match/ fire crackers factory?
What are the arrangements required for emergency rescue works in the case of Atomic Power Plants?
Why residential quarters are not constructed nearer to Atomic Power Plants?

Important material for disaster management (Overall in brief - few topics in the syllabus might not be covered)

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

EARTHQUAKES
Definition and Measurement

"An earthquake is a sudden motion or trembling of the ground produced by the abrupt displacement of rock masses".
Most earthquakes result from the movement of one rock mass past another in response to tectonic forces.

The focus is the point where the earthquake's motion starts,

The epicenter is the point on the earth's surface that is directly above the focus.

Earthquake Magnitude is a measure of the strength of an earthquake as calculated from records of the event made on a calibrated seismograph.

In 1935, Charles Richter first defined local magnitude, and the Richter scale is commonly used today to describe an
earthquake's magnitude.

Earthquake Intensity.
In contrast, earthquake intensity is a measure of the effects of an earthquake at a particular place. It is determined from observations of the earthquake's effects on people, structures and the earth's surface.

Among the many existing scales, the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale of 12 degrees, symbolized as MM, is frequently used

Earthquake Hazards
Earthquake hazards can be categorized as either direct hazards or indirect hazards.
Direct Hazards
¨     · Ground shaking;
¨     · Differential ground settlement;
¨     · Soil liquefaction;
¨     · Immediate landslides or mud slides, ground lurching
       and avalanches;
¨     · Permanent ground displacement along faults;
¨     · Floods from tidal waves, Sea Surges & Tsunamis

Indirect Hazards
¨     · Dam failures;
¨     · Pollution from damage to industrial plants;
¨     · Delayed landslides.
Most of the damage due to earthquakes is the result of strong ground shaking. For large magnitude events, trembling has been
felt over more than 5 million sq. km.

Site Risks
Some common site risks are:
(I) Slope Risks - Slope instability, triggered by strong shaking may cause landslides. Rocks or boulders can roll considerable distances.
(ii) Natural Dams - Landslides in irregular topographic areas may create natural dams which may collapse when they are filled.
This can lead to potentially catastrophic avalanches after strong seismic shaking.
(iii) Volcanic Activity - Earthquakes may be associated with potential volcanic activity and may occasionally be considered as precursory phenomena.
Explosive eruptions are normally followed by ash falls and/or pyroclastic flows, volcanic lava or mud flows, and volcanic gases.

CYCLONE.

The term "cyclone" refers to all classes of storms with low atmospheric pressure at the centre, are formed when an organized system of revolving winds, clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere, anti-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, develops over tropical waters.
Cyclones are classified on the basis of the average speed of the wind near the centre of the system as follows:
 Wind Speed                            Classification
¨     Up to 61 km/hr                    Tropical Depression
¨     61 km/hr - 115 km/hr          Tropical Storm
¨     Greater than 115 km/hr       Hurricane

Hurricane.
A hurricane is a low pressure, large scale weather system which derives its energy from the latent heat of condensation of water vapor over warm tropical seas. A mature hurricane may have a diameter ranging from 150 to 1000 km with sustained wind speeds often exceeding 180 km/hr near the centre with still higher gusts.

A unique feature of a hurricane is the Eye. The eye provides a convenient frame of reference for the system, and can be tracked with radar, aircraft or satellite.

Classification
The Saffir/Simpson scale is often used to categorize hurricanes based on their wind speed and damage potential. Five categories of hurricanes are recognized:
¨     Minimal, Moderate, Extensive, Extreme & Catastrophic

The destructive potential of a hurricane is significant due to the high wind speeds, accompanying torrential rains which produce
flooding, and storm surges along the coastline
TSUNAMIS

Tsunamis are Ocean Waves produced by Earth Quakes or Underwater land slides.

The word is Japanese and means “Harbor Waves”

Tsunami is actually a series of waves that can travel at speeds from 400-600 mph in the open ocean. As the waves approach the coast, their speed decreases, but their amplitude increases.

Unusual wave heights of 10-20 ft high can be very destructive and cause many deaths and injuries.

Most deaths caused by Tsunamis are because of Drowning.

Associated risks include
·       Flooding
·       Contamination of Drinking Water
·       Fires from ruptured gas lines and tanks
·       Loss of vital Community Infrastructure [police, fire, medical]
·       Areas of greatest risks are
-Less than 25 feet above sea level
-Within 1 mile of the shore line.
Environmental Conditions left by the Tsunamis may contribute to the transmission of the following diseases
From Food or Water
·       Diarrhea illnesses;  Cholera, Acute Diarrhea, Dysentery
·       Hepatitis-A, Hepatitis-E
·       Typhoid Fever
·       Food borne illnesses;Bacterial;Viral;Parasitic;Non-infections;
From Animals or Mosquitoes
        Leptospirosis, Plague, Malaria, J.E, Dengue, Rabies
Respiratory Diseases;    Avian flu, Influenza, Measles
EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST

The effects of nuclear holocaust will result into blasts,
heat storms, secondary fires, fire, ionizing radiation and fall outs.

These effects fall into 3 categories;

1). Immediate, 2). Short term and 3). Long term effects.

¨     The immediate effects include blast effects, heat effects, electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects and radiation effects.

¨     The short term effects include problems connected with water supply, sanitation, food, dispersal of excreta, wastes and dead bodies, break down of vector control measures and outbreak of infections. Radioactive contamination of water and food are major concerns. The affected area creates a lot of other problems for the survivors and the rescue teams.

Major problem among survivors is of bone marrow depression resulting in leucopenia, which increases their susceptibility to infections.

¨     Long term effects; the knowledge about the long-term effects is still incomplete. Some well known effects include radiation injuries due to radiation fallout, suppression of body immunity, chronic infection and other associated illnesses.

Persistent radiation hazards will lead to prolonged contamination of water supply, increased ultraviolet radiation, climatic and ecological disturbances, psychological disturbances and genetic abnormalities.

Current World Concern

In the light of the above facts the current world concern about the use of nuclear weapons is justified.

The world already possess an estimated total of 30,000 megatons of nuclear weapons with a total explosive power 50-100 times greater than that of all the explosives used during the Second World War.

Even if 1% of the nuclear weapons now possessed are used on urban populations, they can cause more deaths in a few hours than during the entire period of the Second World War.

The fundamental aspects of Disaster Management Program

¨     Disaster Prevention
¨     Disaster preparedness
¨     Disaster response
¨     Disaster mitigation
¨     Rehabilitation
¨     Reconstruction

 3 Fundamental Aspects of Disaster Management

1.    Disaster response

2.    Disaster Preparedness

3.    Disaster Mitigation  


These 3 aspects of Disaster Management corresponds to the
2 phases in the Disaster Cycle, ie,

1, Risk Reduction Phase, before a Disaster

2. Recovery Phase, after a Disaster  

 DISASTER RESPONSE
 OBJECTIVES

¨     Appropriate application of current technology can prevent much of the death, injury, and economic disruption resulting from disasters
¨     Morbidity and mortality resulting from disasters differ according to the type and location of the event.
¨     In any disaster, prevention should be directed towards reducing

(1) Losses due to the disaster event itself
(2) Losses resulting from the Mismanagement of disaster relief.

Therefore, the public health objectives of disaster management can be stated as follows:

1.    Prevent unnecessary morbidity, mortality, and economic loss resulting directly from the disaster.

2.    Eliminate morbidity, mortality, and economic loss directly attributable to Mismanagement of disaster relief efforts.

Nature and Extent of the Problem

Morbidity and mortality, which result from a disaster situation, can be classified into four types:
1.    Injuries,
2.    Emotional stress,
3.    Epidemics of diseases,
4.    Increase in indigenous diseases.

The relative numbers of deaths and injuries differ on the type of disaster.

Injuries usually exceed deaths in explosions, typhoons, hurricanes, fires, famines, tornadoes, and epidemics.

Deaths frequently exceed injuries in landslides, avalanches, volcanic eruptions, tidal waves, floods, and earthquakes.

Disaster victims often exhibit emotional stress or the "disaster shock" syndrome. The syndrome consists of successive stages of shock, suggestibility, euphoria and frustration.

Each of these stages may vary in extent and duration depending on other factors.

Epidemics are included in the definition of disaster; however, they can also be the result of other disaster situations.

Diseases, which may be associated with disasters, include
¨     specific food and/or water bone illnesses
     (e.g., typhoid, gastroenteritis and cholera),
¨     vector bone illnesses
    (e.g., plague and malaria),
¨     diseases spread by person-to-person contact
     (e.g., hepatitis A and shigellosis)
¨     Diseases spread by the respiratory route
     (e.g., measles and influenza).


·       The current status of environmental sanitation, disease surveillance, and preventive medicine has led to a significant reduction in the threat of epidemics following disaster.

·       Immunization programs are rarely indicated as a specific post disaster measure.

·       A disaster is often followed by an increase in the prevalence of diseases indigenous to the area due to the disruption of medical and other health facilities and programs.


Morbidity and Mortality from Mismanagement of Relief

Ideally, attempts to mitigate the results of a disaster would not add to the negative consequences;

However, there have been many instances in which inappropriate and/or incomplete management actions taken after a disaster contributed to unnecessary morbidity, mortality, and a waste of resources.

Many of the Causalities and much more of the Destruction occurring to natural disaster are due to ignorance and neglect on the part of the individuals and public authorities.

There is a plethora of literature describing the inappropriate actions taken to manage past disasters. Many of the same mismanagement problems tend to recur.
¨     Physicians and nurses have been sent into disaster areas in numbers far in excess of actual need.
¨     Medical and paramedical personnel have often been hampered by the lack of the specific supplies they need to apply their skills to the disaster situation.
¨     In some disasters, available supplies have not been inventoried until well after the disaster, resulting in the importation of material which is used or needed.

In a study of past disaster mismanagement problems and their causes, these problems were categorized as follows:

1.    Inadequate appraisal of damages
2.    Inadequate problem ranking
3.    Inadequate identification of resources
4.    Inadequate location of resources
5.    Inadequate transportation of resources
6.    Inadequate utilization of resources

Geo-spatial technologies in disaster management

The use of geospatial technology in disaster management is a natural fit because almost every aspect of a disaster is referenced by location.

Geospatial Technology is defined as "a computer system capable of capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographically referenced information." That is, data identified according to location. It also includes the procedures, operating personnel, and spatial data that go into the system. The power of a geospatial technology comes from the ability to relate different information in a spatial context and to reach a conclusion about this relationship.

The following technologies fall in the ambit of geo-spatial technology

1. GIS

2. GPS

3. Remote sensing

Geo-spatial technologies help in disaster mitigation and management in the following ways:

The use of geospatial information for managing disasters is a key area in which earth observation already plays an important role, and in which we can also see the use of many different types of geospatial data.

Earth observation satellites have demonstrated their utility in providing data for a wide range of applications in disaster risk management. Pre-disaster uses include risk analysis and mapping; disaster warning, such as cyclone tracking, drought monitoring, the extent of damage due to volcanic eruptions, oil spills, forest fires and the spread of desertification; and disaster assessment, including flood monitoring and assessment, estimation of crop and forestry damages, and monitoring of land use/change in the aftermath of disasters.

Remotely sensed data also provide a historical database from which hazard maps can be compiled, indicating which areas are potentially vulnerable. Information from satellites is often combined with other relevant data in geographic information systems (GIS) in order to carry out risk analysis and assessment. GIS can be used to model various hazard and risk scenarios for the future planning and the development of an area.

A proposed concept of a geo-space system for prediction and monitoring earthquakes and other natural and man-made catastrophes, which is based on a system capable of monitoring precursors of earthquakes in the ionosphere and magnetosphere of the Earth and using these precursors to make short-term forecast of earthquakes. Investigations on the interaction between ionosphere’s F layer variations and different variations occurring in circumterrestrial environment (atmosphere, ionosphere and magnetosphere) associated with seismic activity, and detected by means of ground base and satellite monitoring. This method and others like GPS measurements for long distances are providing useful parameters for earthquake forecasting. Remotely sensed data can help greatly in disaster risk management by studying and recommending the implementation of an integrated operational global system, especially through international cooperation, to manage natural disaster mitigation, relief and prevention efforts through Earth observation, communications and other space related services, making maximum use of existing capabilities and filling gaps in worldwide coverage.

United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN SPIDER) by promoting effective application of space technology in disaster reduction and management at the global level, and in developing countries in particular.

Another area of disaster management is flooding. Airborne interferometric SAR (IfSAR) is particularly suitable for this purpose, giving an economic data source to cover large areas, and is often complemented by airborne LiDAR data to give more detail in critical areas. Satellite data is widely used for monitoring flooding after it has taken place and can also be used to predict flooding by providing data to input to hydrological models. 

Determination of the potential earthquake centers, the path of the wave-energy must can be modeled. In case of an earthquake, the geological structure transports the various waves. In the event of a tsunami, the bathymetric conditions, the vertical water column and the run-up-path are of interest. Geological and hydrological data build the basic layers in a geodatabase.

Remotely sensed data can assist to detect significant changes from the air or the orbit. Radar data can monitor even very small changes in the terrain that indicate stress in the geological structures. Hyper-spectral sensors can assist to detect anomalies in the environment.

For modeling tsunamis, terrain models of the seafloor, the shore and the coastline must be established. Besides classical hydrological methods e.g. via echo sounder, LIDAR technologies, using water penetrating laser, assist in the off-shore areas for bathymetric measurements. DTM (digital terrain models) and DSM (Digital Surface Models) which include artificial structures are important to compute reliable hydrodynamic runup Simulations. This is very important for tsunami Modeling.

Aerial surveys use airborne cameras and/or airborne LIDAR sensors and are able to deliver a high dense DTM and DSM. In combination with land use data, risk estimations and generalization of the city into certain risk-levels can be done. 

Major power breakdowns as a disaster

Major power breakdowns as a disaster:
CASE STUDY: India is the world's third largest producer and consumer of electricity after U.S. and China. Indian electrical infrastructure is considered unreliable. Almost 27% of energy generated is lost in transmission or stolen. India suffers from power outages for as long as 10 hours. On 30th july 2012, the
400 KV Bina-Gwalior line tripped and power failure cascaded through the grid, causing an estimated
32 GW power shortage. Officials described it as "the worst power failure in a decade".
It was speculated that some states attempted to draw more power than permitted due to high consumption. However, electrical services were restored in "record time".
On 31st july 2012, the system failed again due to a "relay problem" near Taj Mahal.
22 out of 28 states in India were without power.
The impacts due to such power breakdowns are listed below:
- Approximately 25% of Indian population was without power.
- Railways and some airports were shutdown
- Traffic signals were non-operational
- Trains were stalled for three to four hours
- Hospitals reported interruption in health services
- Water treatment plants were shut down for several hours
- Millions were unable to draw water from wells powered by electric pumps
- Almost 200 miners were trapped underground in eastern India in eastern India due to lifts failing.

Traffic accidents as a disaster:
A traffic accident, motor vehicle collision, motor vehicle accident,
car accident, automobile accident, road traffic collision, road
traffic accident, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle,
pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction, such
as a tree or utility pole. Traffic collisions may result in injury,
death, vehicle damage, and property damage.

A number of factors contribute to a traffic accident. For example,
vehicle design, speed of operation, road design, road environment,
driver skill and/or impairment, and driver behaviour.

Traffic collisions can be classified by type of collision. For
example, head-on, road departure, rear-end, side collisions, and
rollovers.

The main elements of good driving are:

-controlling a car including a good awareness of the car's size and
capabilities
-reading and reacting to road conditions, weather, road signs and the
environment and
-alertness, reading and anticipating the behavior of other drivers.

In order to minimise accidents, several measures have been taken-up including:

-law enforcement policies (drink-driving laws, setting of speed
limits, and speed enforcement systems such as speed cameras, use of
seat belts)
Impacts due to traffic accidents:
-Loss of life or injury or life-long disability
-Loss of property
-Psychological stress (PTSD)
-Increased insurance costs
-Associated social discrimination

Warning and forecasting methods in disaster management

Forecasting of natural disasters is not possible but awareness of calamity (earthquake / flood / cyclones) prone areas is also crucial.

Forecasting and modelling technology
Several countries have early warning systems based on seasonal-to-interannual climate forecasts. These systems are based on using monitoring data, including temperature and rainfall values, and state-of-the art climate models. Climatologists analyse the observations and model-based predictions to predict climate anomalies one or two seasons ahead. Radar estimates of rainfall and general weather forecasting techniques are popularly used for this purpose. Anticipating floods before they occur allows for precautions to be taken and warning people so that they can be prepared in advance for flooding conditions. In order to make the most accurate flood forecasts, it is recommended to have a long series of historical data related to past rainfall events.

Remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) applications
Remote sensing and GIS applications have significantly advanced famine early warning systems. Regional mapping predicts harvests half way through the growing season to give advance warning on food security before the end of the season. In addition, flood monitoring is now regularly informed by remote sensing that obtains information on soil types, water resources, settlements, cropped areas and forests.

Satellite communication technology
Improvements in satellite communication have helped decrease the lag time between data collection and warning. For example, the Pacific Tsunami Warning System works by a recorder on the seabed relaying data on anomalies to a buoy on the surface. This data is then transmitted via satellite to ground stations every 15 seconds.

Mobile phone technology
With the global spread of mobile phones and networks, this technology is now increasingly used to communicate warnings and coordinate preparation activities — particularly SMS alerts for disseminating mass messages. For example, upon detection of p-waves that precede earthquake shaking, Japanese agencies send out SMS alerts to all registered mobile phones in the country.

ICTs for crowdsourcing
The use of 'crowdsourced' data is gaining traction with increasing Internet connectivity and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as mobile phones. Crowdsourcing allows local people, mapping experts and other stakeholders to communicate what they saw and heard on the ground to produce information that could be used by humanitarian workers. Crowdsourcing can also help with pre-disaster activities, specifically risk identification and early warning.

Vulnerability and Risk in disaster management

Human vulnerability is the extent to which an individual, community, sub-group, structure, service or geographical area is likely to be damaged or disrupted by the impact of a particular disaster hazard. The variety of factors that determine vulnerability include physical, economical, social,political, technical, ideological, cultural, ecological, institutional and organizational.
Vulnerability is the potential for experiencing loss.

Risk is generally defined as the expected impact caused by a particular phenomenon. It combines:
the likelihood or probability of a disaster happening and the negative effects that result if the disaster happens
Risk is hazard multiplies by vulnerability less the capacity of the population to cope.
Therefore, risk increases according to:
The potential impact of the hazard and
How vulnerable the affected populations are.
Risk is defined as the the probability of a damaging event or circumstance.

GIS in disaster management

GIS can be useful in the following ways in disaster management:
1. GIS can be used to create hazard inventory maps
2. GIS can be used to locate critical facilities
3. GIS can be used to create and manage associated databases
4. GIS can be used for effective vulnerability assessment

GIS

Define GIS
GIS is defined as a system for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, manipulating, analysing and displaying data which are spatially referenced to the earth.

Remote Sensing

Define remote sensing
Remote sensing is defined as the art and science of obtaining information about an object, area or phenomena, through the analysis of data acquired by a device that is not in contact with the object, area or phenomena under investigation.