Roadmap for Answer Writing

Disaster Mitigation and Management

1. Introduction

• Begin by briefly defining both natural hazards and natural disasters to set up a clear distinction.
• Emphasize that while these terms are often used interchangeably, they represent different levels of impact.

2. Differentiating Natural Hazards from Natural Disasters

• Definition of Natural Hazards:
  • Describe natural hazards as environmental phenomena with the potential to cause harm but not necessarily resulting in immediate damage. Include examples like ocean currents, unstable mountainous slopes, and extreme climates in deserts or glacier areas.
  • Fact: “Natural hazards are natural elements with the potential to harm people or property. They are often inherent environmental aspects that may be swift or long-term, but don’t automatically lead to disaster.” (Source: National Disaster Management Authority).
• Definition of Natural Disasters:
  • Explain that natural disasters occur when a natural hazard escalates to cause large-scale destruction, loss of life, and social disruption.
  • Fact: “A hazard becomes a disaster when its magnitude leads to widespread destruction, property loss, and significant societal impact, often requiring large-scale response efforts.” (Source: NDMA Guidelines).

3. Stages in Disaster Mitigation and Management

• Break down the stages of disaster management into pre-disaster, response, and post-disaster phases, explaining each stage and its components clearly.
• Pre-Disaster Management:
  • Prevention: Outline actions like identifying risks, implementing building codes, land-use planning, and early warning systems.
    • Fact: “Prevention measures, such as land-use planning and strict building codes, are essential for reducing vulnerability to potential hazards.” (Source: Ministry of Urban Development).
  • Preparedness: Describe actions taken to ensure readiness, such as creating evacuation plans, stockpiling emergency supplies, and training personnel.
    • Fact: “Preparedness includes planning, stockpiling supplies, and training responders, ensuring communities are equipped for quick response.” (Source: NDMA).
• Response During the Disaster:
  • Explain that this stage focuses on immediate rescue and relief operations, such as evacuating people, providing essentials, and setting up temporary shelters.
    • Fact: “Effective response efforts, including evacuation and relief supplies, are critical for saving lives during disasters.” (Source: Ministry of Home Affairs).
• Post-Disaster Operations:
  • Recovery: Outline steps to help communities rebuild, restore infrastructure, and offer psychological support.
    • Fact: “Recovery efforts focus on financial aid, infrastructure repair, and community support to restore normalcy.” (Source: NDMA).
  • Mitigation: Explain efforts taken to reduce the risk of future disasters, such as strengthening building codes, upgrading infrastructure, and improving land-use planning.
    • Fact: “Mitigation measures like upgraded infrastructure and improved land-use planning reduce vulnerability to future disasters.” (Source: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs).

4. Conclusion

• Summarize the importance of understanding the difference between hazards and disasters and highlight the need for a structured approach in disaster management to build resilient communities.
• Mention the role of the National Disaster Management Authority in India in coordinating these efforts under an integrated framework.

This roadmap provides a logical structure, ensures the use of relevant facts, and allows clear distinctions and explanations of disaster management stages.