| Disaster Relief
India is vulnerable, in varying degrees, to a large number of natural
as well as man-made disasters.
58.6% of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of moderate to very
high intensity;
over 40 million hectares (12 per cent of land) is prone to floods
and river erosion;
of the 7,516 km long coastline, close to 5,700 km is prone to cyclones
and tsunamis;
68% of the cultivable area is vulnerable to drought and hilly areas
are at risk from landslides and avalanches.
Vulnerability to disasters/ emergencies of Chemical, Biological,
Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) origin also exists. Heightened vulnerabilities
to disaster risks can be related to expanding population, urbanization
and industrialization, development within high-risk zones, environmental
degradation and climate change
In the context of human vulnerability to disasters, the economically
and socially weaker segments of the population are the ones that
are most seriously affected. Within the vulnerable groups, elderly
persons, women, children - especially women rendered destitute and
children orphaned on account of disasters and the differently abled
persons are exposed to higher risks.
A disaster refers to a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence
from natural or man-made causes, which is beyond the coping capacity
of the affected community. DM involves a continuous and integrated
process of planning, organising, coordinating and implementing measures
which are necessary or expedient for:
Prevention of danger or threat of any disaster.
Mitigation or reduction of risk of any disaster or its severity
or consequences.
Capacity building including research and knowledge management.
Preparedness to deal with any disaster.
Prompt response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster.
Assessing the severity or magnitude of effects of any disaster.
Evacuation, rescue and relief.
Rehabilitation and reconstruction.
A typical DM continuum comprises six elements; the pre-disaster
phase includes prevention, mitigation and preparedness, while the
post-disaster phase includes response, rehabilitation, reconstruction
and recovery.
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