Showing posts with label DISASTER MANAGEMENT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DISASTER MANAGEMENT. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

NATURAL HAZARDS AND DISASTERS

                                                           

Friday, June 22, 2012

First Rimes Ministerial Conference Inaugurated at New Delhi

The First Ministerial Conference on the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) for Africa and Asia was inaugurated at New Delhi on June 21.  The meeting is being attended by Ministers/Ambassadors/ Representatives of RIMES Member States.

            RIMES owes its existence to a proposal by the Royal Thai Government to the Special ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting on 6th January 2005 and subsequently to the Phuket Ministerial Meeting on Tsunami Early Warning Arrangement in January 2005, to establish a tsunami early warning system in a multi-hazard framework for Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean.  For the last 3-years, RIMES has been built as an international and intergovernmental institution owned by the member countries, to operate and manage regional early warning arrangements through suitable financial mechanisms for sustaining its activities.

Inaugurating the conference, the Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences  Vilas Rao Deshmukh said that India is leading the establishment of this very important regional technical cooperation platform called RIMES focusing on building state of the art monitoring, detection, early warning of other multi-hazards. 

            The Minister highlighted the areas of collaboration between RIMES and the Government of India on-going through national institutions like NCMRWF, Noida and INCOIS, Hyderabad.  He reiterated the continued support of Government of India in the institutional development of RIMES, and in providing resources for RIMES to meet the needs and demands of Member States.

Deshmukh announced that funding proposals of RIMES to be implemented in Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, Philippines, Nepal and Bhutan are under active consideration for full support.  He said that one of the mechanisms identified is a funding support from Government of India to RIMES to address priorities identified by RIMES Member States and Collaborating Countries.

Highlighting the areas in which India could share its expertise to RIMES Member Countries, the Minister identified special areas in which the Indian experience could be shared.  They include:

  • Expertise of India in building agro-meteorological advisory services to minimize the impact of adverse weather conditions on food production.
  • Fishing zone advisory system for the benefit of the coastal fishermen about fish abundance locations along with local weather conditions and sea state.
  • The totally indigenous and environmental friendly Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) technology for conversion of sea water into potable safe drinking water.
  • Various satellite based multi-sensor payload based products over the data sparse regions of Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal for enhancing the quality of meteorological and oceanic services rendered to various sectors of the economy.
  • Providing satellite derived products for real time monitoring of adverse weather conditions.
 13 Member States:
 Bangladesh, Cambodia, Comoros, India, Lao PDR, Maldives, Mongolia, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste.

18 Collaborating Countries:
 Afghanistan, Armenia, Bhutan, China, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Somalia, Tanzania, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Yemen.

About RIMES:
The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) is an international and intergovernmental institution, owned and managed by its Member States, for the generation and application of early warning information. RIMES evolved from the efforts of countries in Africa and Asia, in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, to establish a regional early warning system within a multi-hazard framework for the generation and communication of early warning information, and capacity building for preparedness and response to trans-boundary hazards. RIMES was established on 30 April 2009, and was registered with the United Nations on 1 July 2009. RIMES operates from its regional early warning center located at the campus of the Asian Institute of Technology in Pathumthani, Thailand.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

11th International & 2nd North American symposium on landslides

The Canadian Geotechnical Society, the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists and the Joint Technical Committee on Landslides (JTC-1) organize the 11th International Symposium on Landslides (ISL) and the 2nd North American Symposium on Landslides at the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada from June 2 to 8, 2012. The theme of the symposium will be Landslides and Engineered Slopes: Protecting Society through Improved Understanding.

The symposium theme Landslides and Engineered Slopes: Protecting Society through Improved Understanding was selected because it is believed by the SL/NASL 2012 Technical Committee that the profession is undergoing a revolution, as unprecedented amounts of quantitative data become available through new measurement and analysis techniques. Therefore, perhaps it is time to stress understanding of landslide mechanisms and behaviour. How do we make sense of all the numbers that are now available to us?


Several session themes are proposed that authors are being asked to consider when submitting their abstracts:


1. Landslides and Society: Processes and Impacts

2. Understanding Landslide Mechanisms
3. Advances in Investigation, Characterization and Modelling Tools for Hazard Assessment
4. Application of New Monitoring Technologies for Improved Landslide Hazard Management
5. Evaluation and Control of Landslides: Avoidance, Prevention and Protection Strategies

In addition, several "Key Issues" sessions will be developed to highlight initiatives of the JTC-1 as well as fundamental and strategic challenges being faced by landslide professionals. These include:


6. Classification of Landslides: Strategies and Requirements

7. Managing, Understanding and Using Complex Data Sets arising from New Technologies
8. Slope Stability in Forest Management
9. Impacts of Climate Change on Landslide Risk
10. Sub-Marine Landslides: Impacts, Assessment and Control

4th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC Davos 2012

After three successful IDRC Davos conferences the GRF Davos team is already in the preparation for IDRC Davos 2012, which will take place from 26 to 30 August 2012 in Davos, Switzerland.
Risks in a changing and global world are complex and interconnected, even more so in a globalized world consisting of many societies at very different levels of development. The frequency and severity of natural disasters have increased markedly worldwide. Economic losses associated with natural hazards are increasing exponentially in developing countries, where local risk-transfer markets are generally weak. Promoting integrative risk management is more then ever a pressing issue.
At IDRC Davos 2012 a multi- and interdisciplinary group of stakeholders will discuss new findings and exchange experiences about the broad spectrum of risks societies are facing today in plenary and parallel sessions, workshops and training courses, and poster exhibitions.

Information on Disaster Risk Reduction of India

India having 3,287,263 sq km (including disputed region with China) land, India occupies most of the Indian subcontinent. It borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar on land, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia at sea. Upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north.

Overview of Disasters

India is a disaster-prone country with frequent earthquakes, floods, cyclones, drought, tsunami, landslide, and avalanches.

Recent Major Disasters

Indian Ocean Tsunami (December 2004)
The Indian Ocean Tsunami which took place off the Sumatra Island on 26 December 2004 killed 16,389 people, injured 6,913 people and affected about 65 million people. The total damage is about US10 billion.

M7.7 earthquake occurred in Gujarat Province (western India) on 26 January 2001. At least 20,005 people were killed, 166,812 injured, approximately 360,000 buildings destroyed and 15 million people affected in Gujarat. The total damage is US4.6 billion.

A massive cyclone that hit Orissa (northeast of India) on 29 October 1999 killed 9,887, affected approximately 13 million people, and destroyed 800,000 houses.

Disaster Management System

Legal System:
The Indian Government formulated a national disaster management framework in 2004 and promulgated the Disaster Management Act, 2005- DM ACT in 2005.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister of India, is in charge of creating and implementing disaster management policies, DM plans and guidelines. State level DM bodies are the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs).
Under the umbrella of the NDMA, there is an institution promoting capacity building for disaster mitigation and emergency response which is called the National Institute of Disaster Management, NIDM, and emergency disaster response force which is called the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Plan
Although there is no sector-specific disaster management plans, there is a clear statement that emphasizes the need for the development plans safe from disasters in the chapter on environment and climate change in the 11th national five-year national plan period (2007-2012).
Since the Disaster Management Act requires the formulation of disaster management plan, the NDMA published the National Disaster Management Guidelines: Preparation of State Disaster Management Plans in July, 2007.

ADRC Counterpart
Ministry of Home Affairs

Asian Disaster Reduction Center

The Asian Disaster Reduction Center was established in Kobe, Hyogo prefecture, in 1998, with mission to enhance disaster resilience of the member countries, to build safe communities, and to create a society where sustainable development is possible. The Center works to build disaster resilient communities and to establish networks among countries through many programs including personnel exchanges in this field.
The Center addresses this issue from a global perspective in cooperation with a variety of UN agencies and international organisations/initiatives, such as the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), the Office for the Coodination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pasific (ESCAP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO/WPRO). 

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is a non-profit organization supporting the advancement of safer communities and sustainable development, through implementing programs and projects that reduce the impact of disasters upon countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific, by:
  • Developing and enhancing sustainable institutional disaster risk management capacities, frameworks and mechanisms, and supporting the development and implementation of government policies;
  • facilitating the dissemination and exchange of disaster risk management expertise, experience and information; and
  • raising awareness and enhancing disaster risk management knowledge and skills.
At the recommendation of UN Disaster Relief Organization (UNDRO) - now known as UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) - ADPC was established in 1986 as an outreach activity of the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok , Thailand , with the aim of strengthening the national disaster risk management systems in the region. In 1999, ADPC became an independent entity, which is governed and guided by a Board of Trustees (21 members representing 15 countries) and advised by a Regional Consultative Committee (32 members from 26 countries) and Advisory Council (55 members from a wide range of agencies.)

Workshop on "Disaster Management in SAARC Nations" at Dhaka, Bangladesh, 22-24 May 2012

The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) organised the workshop on disaster management in SAARC nations at Dhaka, Bangladesh on 22-24 May 2012. The workshop was attended by about 40 senior level officers of SAARC member states. The DG- NDRF, Executive Director- NIDM and Director SAARC Disaster Management Centre and Joint Secretary- NDMA, GOI participated in the three days workshop.
The inaugural programme was attended by the Honble Minister Home of Bangladesh Ms Shahara. She said that an agreement on rapid response to natural disaster has been signed in the SAARC 17th Summit to ensure that no member state is overwhelmed by a natural calamity.
Disaster Management and Relief Division Secretary Dr M Aslam Alam Neal Walker, UN resident coordinator, were present among others at the ceremony, which was presided over by Brig Gen (Retd) Abu Nayeem Md Shahidullah, Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Annual Conference on Disaster Management

Annual Conference of Relief Commissioners/ Secretaries, Department of Disaster Management of States/ UTs will be held on 28th May, 2012 in New Delhi to review the status of preparedness for dealing with crisis situations resulting from the South-west Monsoon, 2012 and to discuss other disaster management related issues. Representatives of concerned Central Ministries/ Organizations rendering Emergency Support Functions will also participate besides representatives of Central Armed Police Forces.

The Conference will be inaugurated by R.K. Singh, Union Home Secretary and will be presided over by A.E. Ahmad, Secretary (Border Management), Ministry of Home Affairs.

India Meteorological Department, Central Water Commission, Ministry of Defence, National Disaster Management Authority, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, National Disaster Response Force, Snow and Avalanche Studies Establishment and Indian Space Research Organization will also participate in the conference. The role of these organizations in preparedness and further enhancement of their capabilities to deal with the disasters will be discussed. The various issues related to disaster preparedness and other disaster management relating to the States/UTs will be reviewed/discussed.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

World Disaster Report 2010

According to the World Disaster Report 2010 published by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), during the period 2000 to 2009, as many as 85 percent of the people affected by disasters belonged to the Asia Pacific region. The Global Assessment Report 2011 published by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN ISDR) estimates that more than 90 percent of the global population exposed to floods live in South Asian, East Asian and the Pacific countries. Among the disaster-prone countries in South Asia, India and Bangladesh are highly vulnerable due to the large population exposed to disasters in India and the geographical, riverine and topographical features of coastal areas of Bangladesh vulnerable to floods and cyclones. In India as many as 200 million people are exposed to recurring floods every year. The high disaster risk and exposure of millions of people in India living in vulnerable areas prone to geological disasters, hydro-meteorological disasters and man-made and technological disasters makes it imperative that a national campaign on mission mode is launched to strengthen disaster preparedness, prevention and mitigation efforts in India.

India ranks 2nd in natural disasters in Asia

India occupies the second position in Asia where the most number of natural disasters occur, according to a senior UN expert. Sixty percent of India’s landmass is susceptible to earthquakes, 14 million hectares are prone to floods and 8000 km of the country’s coastline is prone to cyclones.
The direct losses from natural disasters in India total up to two percent of the national GDP or 12 percent of the central government’s revenues, according to a World Bank report.
Twentyseven states of the country are prone to natural disasters and the World Bank report shows that the country losses a significant chunk of its earnings in disasters. Hence we must work a proactive strategy in dealing with the disasters rather than merely concentrating on disaster response.
According to UN estimates, there were 373 natural disasters across the world in 2010 which killed 296 thousand people and rendered another 20 million homeless. The natural disasters in 2010 cost the world 110 billion US dollars; 77percent of these disasters were geophysical like earthquakes or Tsunami and 19 percent were climatological including cyclones and floods. According to the UN experts, the intensity and frequency of natural disasters in the Indian subcontinent has seen a significant rise in the recent years. “The year 2010 has been recorded as the deadliest year in the last two decades owing to the number of disasters the year has witnessed.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Cyclones

A tropical cyclone is  an intense  low pressure area or a whirl in the atmosphere over tropical or sub-tropical waters, with organised convection (i.e. thunderstorm activity) and winds at low levels, circulating either anti-clockwise (in the northern hemisphere) or clockwise (in the southern hemisphere).  From the centre of a cyclonic storm, pressure increases outwards.  The amount of the pressure drop in the centre and the rate at which it increases outwards gives the intensity of the cyclones and the strength of winds.
As per the criteria adopted by the World Meteorological Organisation (W.M.O.), India Meteorological Department classifies the low pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal and in the Arabian Sea   into 7 classes. Low pressure areas with maximum sustained surface winds of speed between 31 & 61 km.p.h. (17 to 33 knots) are called tropical depressions. 
  Once the winds around the low pressure area reach at least 62 km.p.h, it is called a tropical cyclone and is assigned a name.  When wind speed is between 89 & 118 km.p.h (48 & 63 kt) it will be a Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS), between 119 & 221 km.p.h (64 & 119 kt) it is Very SCS and when exceeds 221 km.p.h (119 knots), the cyclone is called a Super Cyclonic Storm. Kerala coast have been affected by low pressure systems upto the category of severe cyclonic storm (max. wind speed 118 km.p.h)

How do  cyclones form?
Tropical cyclones require certain conditions for their formation.  These are
  • A source of warm, moist air derived from tropical oceans with sea surface temperature normally near to or in excess of 27 °C
  • Winds near the ocean surface blowing from different directions converging and causing air to rise and storm clouds to form
  • Winds which do not vary greatly with height - known as low wind shear. This allows the storm clouds to rise vertically to high levels; 
  • Coriolis force / spin induced by the rotation of the Earth. The formation mechanisms vary across the world, but once a cluster of storm clouds starts to rotate, it becomes a tropical depression. If it continues to develop it becomes a tropical storm, and later a cyclone/ super cyclone.
Naming of Cyclones
Tropical cyclones are named to provide ease of communication between forecasters and the general public regarding forecasts and warnings. Since the storms can often last a week or even longer and more than one cyclone can be occurring in the same region at the same time, names can reduce the confusion about what storm is being described.
Names were first used in World War II and were subsequently adopted by all regions. In most regions pre-determined alphabetic lists of alternating male and female names are used. However, in the north-west Pacific the majority of names used are not personal names. While there are a few male and female names, majority are names of flowers, animals, birds, trees, foods or descriptive adjectives. By the mid-1960s names were used for all tropical storms except those in the North Indian Ocean . The names currently in use and those to be used in future years are listed.  Various meteorological organisations have responsibility of naming them.
The names of cyclones in Indian Seas are not allocated in alphabetical order, but are arranged by the name of the country which contributed the name. It is usual practice for a storm to be named when it reaches tropical storm strength (winds of 34 knots).The list of names to be used for the North Indian Seas is given below:
The names selected  for North Indian Ocean cyclones from 2004 onwards
 IIIIII IV
Contributed byNameNameNameName
BangladeshOnilOgni (2006)Nisha(2008)Giri
IndiaAgni (2004)AkashBijliJal(2010)
MaldivesHibaruGonuAilaKeila
Myanmar PyarrYemyinPhyanThane(2011)
OmanBaazSidr (2007)Ward (2009)Mujan
PakistanFanoos (2005)Nargis  LailaNilam
Sri LankaMalaRashmiBanduMahasen
ThailandMukdaKhai-Muk Phet Phailin
 VVIVIIVIII
Contributed byNameNameNameName
Bangladesh Helen ChapalaOckhi Fani
IndiaLehar MeghSagar Vayu
Maldives MadiRoanuMekunuHikaa
Myanmar Na-nauk Kyant Daye Kyarr
Oman Hudhud Nada Luban Maha
Pakistan NilofarVardah Titli Bulbul
Sri Lanka Priya Asiri GigumSoba
ThailandKomenMora PhethaiAmphan
The names in the list are being used sequentially. The first name in any given year is the one immediately following the last name from the previous year. The year is included in parentheses after the last name used in that year.

CYCLONES : TYPES, CAUSES, DO’S AND DON’TS

Cyclones are caused by atmospheric disturbances around a low-pressure area distinguished by swift and often destructive air circulation. They are usually accompanied by violent storms and bad weather. The air circulates inward in an anticlockwise direction in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere. Cyclones are classified as: (i) extra tropical cyclones (also called  temperate cyclones); and (ii) tropical cyclones.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO, 1976) uses the term ‘tropical cyclone’ to cover weather systems in which winds exceed ‘gale force’ (minimum of 34 knots or 63 Kph). Tropical cyclones are the progeny of ocean and atmosphere, powered by the heat from the sea, driven by the easterly trades and temperate westerlies, the high planetary winds and their own fierce energy.
In India, cyclones are classified due to the:

Strength of the associated winds,
Storm surge and
Exceptional rainfall occurrences.

Extra tropical cyclones occur in temperate zones and high latitude regions, though they are known to originate in the polar regions. Cyclones that developin the regions between the tropics of Capricorn and Cancer are called tropical cyclones. Tropical cyclones are large-scale weather systems developing over tropical or subtropical waters, where they get organized into surface wind circulation. Cyclones are given many names in different regions of the world – they are known  as typhoons in the China Sea and Pacific Ocean; hurricanes in the West Indian islands in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean; tornados in the Guinea lands of West Africa and the southern USA.; willy-willies in north-western Australia and tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean. The word cyclone  is derived from the Greek word `Cyclos’ meaning the coils of a snake. It was coined by Henry Peddington because the tropical storms in the Bay of Bengal and in the Arabian Sea appeared like the coiled serpents of the sea.

The criteria below has been formulated by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), which classifies the low pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea on the basis of the capacity to damage, which is adopted by the WMO.

Type of Disturbances Wind Speed in Km/h Wind Speed in Knots
Low Pressure Lees than 31 Less than 17
Depression 31-49 17-27
Deep Depression 49-61 27-33
Cyclonic Storm 61-88 33-47
Severe Cyclonic Storm 88-117 47-63
Very Sever Cyclonic Storm 117-220 63-119
Super Cyclone More than 221 More than 120
1 knot – 1.85 km per hour
Cyclones are classified into five different levels on the basis of wind speed. They are further divided into the following categories according to their damage capacity.
Cyclone Category Wind Speed in Km/h Damage Capacity
01 120-150 Minimal
02 150-180 Moderate
03 180-210 Extensive
04 210-250 Extreme
05 250 and above Catastrophic
Storm surges (tidal waves) are defined as the rise in sea level above the normally predicted astronomical tide. The major factors include:
A fall in the atmospheric pressure over the sea surface
The effect of the wind
The influence of the sea bed
A funnelling effect
The angle and speed at which the storm approaches the coast
The tides
The very high specific humidity condenses into exceptionally large raindrops and giant cumulus clouds, resulting in high precipitation rates. When a cyclone makes landfall, the rain rapidly saturates the catchment areas and the rapid runoff may extensively flood the usual water sources or create new ones.

How Cyclones are formed
The development cycle of tropical cyclones may be divided into three stages:

i) Formation and Initial Development Stage
The formation/ initial development of a cyclonic storm depends upon various conditions. These are:
A warm sea (temperature in excess of 26 degrees Celsius to a depth of 60 m) with abundant and turbulent transfer of water vapour to the overlying atmosphere by evaporation.
Atmospheric instability encourages formation of massive vertical cumulus clouds due to convection with condensation of rising air above ocean surface.

ii) Mature Tropical Cyclones
When the tropical storm intensifies, the air rises in vigorous thunderstorms and tends to spread out horizontally at the tropopause level. Once air spreads out, a positive perturbation pressure at high levels is produced, which accelerates the downward motion of air due to convection. With the inducement of subsidence, air warms up by compression and a warm ‘eye’ is generated. Generally, the ‘eye’ of the storms has three basic shapes: (a) circular; (b) concentric; and (c) elliptical. The main physical feature of a mature tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean is a concentric pattern of highly turbulent giant cumulus thundercloud bands.

iii) Modification and Decay
A tropical cyclone begins to weaken in terms of its central low pressure, internal warmth and extremely high speeds, as soon as its source of warm moist air begins to ebb, or is abruptly cut off. This happens after the landfall or when it passes  over cold waters. The weakening of a cyclone does not mean the danger to life and property is over.

Indian Context

The Indian subcontinent is one of the worst affected regions in the world. The subcontinent with a long coastline of 8041 kilometre is exposed to nearly 10 per cent of the world’s tropical cyclones. Of these, the majority have their initial genesis over the Bay of Bengal and strike the east coast of India. On an average, five to six tropical cyclones form every year, of which two  or three could be severe. More cyclones occur in the Bay of Bengal than the Arabian Sea and the ratio is approximately 4:1. Cyclones occur frequently on both the coasts (The west coast – Arabian Sea; and the east coast – Bay of Bengal). An analysis of the frequency of cyclones on the east and west coasts of India  between 1891 and 1990 shows that nearly 262 cyclones occurred (92 severe) in a 50 km wide strip on the east coast. Less severe cyclonic activity has been noticed on the west coast, with 33 cyclones occurringin the same period, out of which 19  of these were severe.
Tropical cyclones occur in the months of May-June and October-November. The cyclones of severe intensity and frequency in the north Indian Ocean are bi-modal in character, with their primary peak in November and secondary peak in May.  The disaster potential is particularly high at the time of landfall in the north Indian Ocean (Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea) due to the accompanying destructive wind, storm surges and torrential rainfall.  Of these, storm surges are the greatest killers of a cyclone, by which sea water inundates low lying areas of coastal regions and causes heavy floods, erodes beaches and embankments, destroys vegetation and reduces soil fertility.
Cyclones vary in diameter from 50 to 320 km but their effects dominate thousands of square kilometers of ocean surface and the lower atmosphere. The perimeter may measure 1,000 km but the powerhouse is located within the 100-km radius. Nearer the eye, winds may hit 320 kmph. Thus tropical cyclones, characterized by destructive winds, torrential rainfall and storm surges disrupt normal life with accompanying the phenomena of floods due to the exceptional level of rainfall and storm surge inundation into inland areas. Cyclones are characterized by their devastating potential to damage structures, viz. houses; lifeline infrastructure-power and communication towers; hospitals; food storage facilities; roads, bridges and culverts; crops etc. The most fatalities come from storm surges and the torrential rain  flooding  the lowland areas of the coastal territories.

CYCLONES – Do’s & Dont’s

The actions that need to be taken in the event of a cyclone threat can broadly be divided into four classes, viz., (i) immediately before the cyclone season; (ii) when cyclone alerts and warnings are on;(iii) when evacuations are advised; and (iv) when the cyclone has crossed the coast.
(i) Before the Cyclone season: 

Check the house; secure loose tiles, carry out repair works for doors and windows
Remove dead woods or dying trees close to the house; anchor removable objects like lumber piles, loose tin sheds, loose bricks, garbage cans, sign-boards etc. which can fly in strong winds
Keep some wooden boards ready so that glass windows can be boarded if needed
Keep a hurricane lantern filled with kerosene, battery operated torches and enough dry cells
Demolish condemned buildings
Keep some extra batteries for transistors
Keep some dry non-perishable food always ready for emergency use
(ii) When the Cyclone starts
Listen to the radio (All India Radio stations give weather warnings).
Keep monitoring the warnings. This will help you to prepare for a cyclone emergency.
Pass on the information to others.
Ignore rumours and do not spread them; this will help to avoid panic situations.
Believe in the official information
When a cyclone alert is on for your area continue normal working but stay alert to the radio warnings.
Remember that a cyclone alert means that the danger is within 24 hours. Stay alert.
When your area is under cyclone warning get away from low-lying beaches or other low-lying areas close to the coast
Leave early before your way to high ground or shelter gets flooded
Do not delay and run the risk of being marooned
If your house is securely built on high ground take shelter in the safer part of the house. However, if asked to evacuate do not hesitate to leave the place.
Board up glass windows or put storm shutters in place.
Provide strong suitable support for outside doors.
If you do not have wooden boards handy, paste paper strips on glasses to prevent splinters. However, this may not avoid breaking windows.
Get extra food, which can be eaten without cooking. Store extra drinking water in suitably covered vessels.
If you are to evacuate the house move your valuable articles to upper floors to minimize flood damage.
Have hurricane lantern, torches or other emergency lights in working conditions and keep them handy.
Small and loose things, which can fly in strong winds, should be stored safely in a room.
Be sure that a window and door can be opened only on the side opposite to the one facing the wind.
Make provision for children and adults requiring special diets.
If the centre of the cyclone is passing directly over your house there will be a lull in the wind and rain lasting for half and hour or so. During this time do not go out; because immediately after that very strong winds will blow from the opposite direction.
Switch off electrical mains in your house.
Remain calm.
(iii) When Evacuation is instructed
Pack essentials for yourself and your family to last you a few days, including medicines, special foods for babies and children or elders.
Head for the proper shelter or evacuation points indicated for your area.
Do not worry about your property
At the shelter follow instructions of the person in charge.
Remain in the shelter until you have been informed to leave
(iv) Post-cyclone measures
You should remain in the shelter until informed that you can return to your home.
You must get inoculated against diseases immediately.
Strictly avoid any loose and dangling wires from the lamp posts.
If you are to drive, drive carefully.
Clear debris from your premises immediately.
Report the correct loss to appropriate authorities.
Source : NDMA

Bangladesh Cyclones

(chronological order)
Cyclone 1960 Cyclone and tidal wave hit the Gulf of Bengal and killed about 6,000 people, 10 October 1960.
Cyclone 1963 Killed about 22,000 people along coast of the Bay of Bengal, 20-23 May 1963.
Cyclone 1965 I Killed some 12,000 people, 11-12 May 1965.
Cyclone 1965 II Second cyclone in less than a month killed 35,000 people along the Ganges River, 1-2 June 1965.
Bhola Cyclone 240 KPH cyclone made landfall on the East Pakistan coastline during the evening of 12 November 1970, around the same time as a local high tide, killing an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 people. Though the exact death toll is not known, it is considered the deadliest tropical cyclone on record. The highest loss of life and destruction occurred on the low lying islands of the Ganges Delta south of Dhaka. In particular the island and district of Bhola, where casualties may have exceeded 100,000 alone, with the towns of Charfasson and Tazumuddin being devastated. The city of Chittagong was also badly affected. The official death toll was put at 150,000, with 100,000 people missing. However many estimates put the true figure as high as 500,000, 12-13 November 1970.
  1. Bhola cyclone impact Week after the landfall, President Khan conceded that his government had made "slips" and "mistakes" in its handling of the relief efforts for a lack of understanding of the magnitude of the disaster.
  2. East Pakistan reaction Statement released by eleven political leaders in East Pakistan ten days after the cyclone hit, charged the government with "gross neglect, callous indifference and utter indifference". They also accused the president of playing down the magnitude of the problem in news coverage. On 19 November 1970, students held a march in Dhaka protesting the slowness of the government response. Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani addressed a rally of 50,000 people on 24 November 1970, where he accused the president of inefficiency and demanded his resignation.
Cyclone 1974 Cyclone and floods ravaged Bangladesh and some 4,000 were killed, 15 August 1974.
Cyclone 1985 Cyclone ravaged the Meghna River delta of Bangladesh. Some 10,000 people and 500,000 head of cattle died; hundreds of thousands were left homeless, 25 May 1985.
Cyclone 1988 At least 1300 were killed after a cyclone hit Bangladesh. Half a million were left homeless, 1 December 1988.
Hurricane 1989 Hurricane in Bangladesh killed 500, 27 April 1989.
Cyclone 1991 Cyclonic tidal wave kills up to 138,000, 9 million were left homeless. Thousands of survivors died from hunger and water borne disease. 30-31 April 1991.
Severe storm 1996 Severe storm in north Bangladesh killed at least 447 and injured more than 50,000 in the district of Tangail. Winds had surged to 125 mph, 13 May 1996.
Cyclone 1997 Cyclone pounded the country and 50,000 people were evacuated from the flat coastal region. As many as 350 people were reported killed, 18-19 May 1997.
Cyclone 2000 At least 60 people were killed in Bangladesh by a cyclone that hit the Bay of Bengal, November 2000.
Cyclone Sidr Raced up the Bay of Bengal with winds of 150mph, triggering a five meter (15ft) high tidal wave that washed away three coastal towns, demolished houses, crops, trees and shrimp farms. The number of homes destroyed was estimated to be more than 750,000. Many ships were missing. It is estimated that at least half the coastal crop was destroyed in a matter of hours. Deaths spiralled above 3,000, with fears that thousands more bodies have yet to be found. 15 November 2007.

Monday, April 23, 2012

India Disaster Statistics by Disaster Type Of the affected people and Economic damage 1990 - 2011

Number of Events 1990 - 2011 320
Number of people Killed 110768
Average no of people killed per year 5538.4
Number of people affected 915310733
Average no of people affected per year 45765536.65
Economic damage (USD X 1000) 44295667
Economic damage per year (USD X 1000) 2214783.35

India - Disaster Statistics

Natural Disasters from 1980 - 2008


Overview
No of events: 395
No of people killed: 139,393
Average killed per year: 4,807
No of people affected: 1,506,794,740
Average affected per year: 51,958,439
Ecomomic Damage (US$ X 1,000): 45,184,830
Ecomomic Damage per year (US$ X 1,000): 1,558,098

Natural Disaster Occurence Reported

Average Disaster Per Year
Drought: 0.21
Earthquake*: 0.55
Epidemic: 1.90
Extreme temp: 1.17
Flood: 5.79
Insect infestation: 0.03
Mass mov. dry: 0.03
Mass mov. wet: 1.07
Volcano: ...
Storm: 2.79
Wildfire: 0.07



Top 10 Natural Disasters Reported


Affected People
Disaster Date Affected (no. of people)
Drought 1987 300,000,000
Drought 2002 300,000,000
Flood 1993 128,000,000
Drought 1982 100,000,000
Drought 2000 50,000,000
Flood 2002 42,000,000
Flood 1982 33,500,000
Flood 2004 33,000,000
Flood 1995 32,704,000
Flood 1980 30,000,023

Killed People
Disaster Date Killed (no. of people)
Earthquake* 2001 20,005
Earthquake* 2004 16,389
Storm 1999 9,843
Earthquake* 1993 9,748
Epidemic 1984 3,290
Epidemic 1988 3,000
Storm 1998 2,871
Extreme temp. 1998 2,541
Flood 1994 2,001
Flood 1998 1,811

Economic Damages
Disaster Date Cost (US$ X 1,000)
Flood 1993 7,000,000
Flood 2006 3,390,000
Flood 2005 3,330,000
Earthquake* 2001 2,623,000
Storm 1999 2,500,000
Flood 2004 2,500,000
Flood 2005 2,300,000
Storm 1990 2,200,000
Storm 1996 1,500,300
Earthquake* 2004 1,022,800


Statistics Per Event


Killed People
Drought: 53.33
Earthquake*: 3,108.19
Epidemic: 274.78
Extreme temp: 320.56
Flood: 225.01
Insect infestation: ...
Mass mov. dry: 45.00
Mass mov. wet: 90.26
Volcano: ...
Storm: 279.99
Wildfire: 3.00

Affected People
Drought: 125,195,833.33
Earthquake*: 1,741,700.25
Epidemic: 7,205.18
Extreme temp: 6.62
Flood: 4,005,617.70
Insect infestation: ...
Mass mov. dry: ...
Mass mov. wet: 123,677.55
Volcano: ...
Storm: 624,422.81
Wildfire: ...

Economic Damages
Drought: 340,187.00
Earthquake*: 318,893.75
Epidemic: ...
Extreme temp: 16,000.00
Flood: 164,938.27
Insect infestation: ...
Mass mov. dry: ...
Mass mov. wet: 1,758.06
Volcano: ...
Storm: 120,139.25
Wildfire: 1,000.00

Statistics By Disasters Type





*: Including tsunami

India Disaster Management Congress

First India Disaster Management Congress:
The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) had organized the First India Disaster Management Congress in Vigyan Bhavan New Delhi on 29-30 November 2006. Dr. Manmohan Singh Prime Minister of India inaugurated the Congress. More than 1200 hundred delegates from all over the country attended and 350 technical papers were presented in 18 Thematic Sessions organized around Thematic Clusters. This was the largest knowledge conference on disaster management ever held in this part of the world.
Encouraged by the resounding success of the First India Disaster Management Congress, NIDM has decided to organize the Second India Disaster Management Congress in New Delhi on 4-6 November, 2009 on an even larger scale. The Congress shall be held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi and a total of 26 Technical Sessions are proposed to be organized in around 13 Thematic Clusters. The Second India Disaster Management Congress is expected to bring together 1500 scientists, scholars and practitioners working on different aspects of disaster risk reduction and management across the world.

Second India Disaster Management Congress:
The second India Disaster Management Congress will be held in New Delhi on 4 November 2009. The three day Congress is expected to bring together 1500 scientists, scholars and practitioners working on different aspects of disaster risk reduction and management across the world. Each Thematic Session shall have a minimum of six paper presentations.

A number of issues pertaining to disaster risk reduction, management, emergency response and various cross cutting issues during disaster events will be the focus of discussion in this congress. A total of 28 Technical/ Thematic Sessions are proposed to be organized in around 13 Thematic Clusters namely: Geological disasters (Earthquake, Landslide and Avalanche), Hydro Meteorological Disasters ( Flood, Cyclone, Drought), Man Made Disasters ( Industrial and Chemical, Nuclear Emergencies & Road Accidents), Science & Technology ( Early Warning and Disaster Communication, Geo-Information System), Social and Economic Issues (Gender, children and Financing Disaster Management), Disaster, Development and Governance (Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction in Development and Involvement of Communities, Civil Society and NGOs in Disaster Management), Education, Training and Capacity Building for Disaster Management, Disaster Response ( Role of Armed Forces, NDRF, Police and Civil Defense and Incident Command System), Emergency Health Management ( Public Health Emergencies and Mass Causality Management, Psycho-social Care and Pandemics), Emerging Issues and Concerns ( Climate Change and Urban Risk Management), Corporate Sector in Disaster Management, Role of Media in Disaster Management and Post Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction: International Experiences and Best Practices.

The congress will have participants from various Government and Non-governmental, international organizations, research and academic institutions which are concerned with various issues related to disaster management. International experts have been invited as guest’s speaker from across the globe namely Ms. Kit Miyamoto, President & CEO, Miyamoto International Inc., California, Prof. Hiroyuki Maeda, Deptt. Of Civil & Envt. Engg., National University Corporation, Kitami Institute of Technology, Japan, Dr. Vernon Singhroy from Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, Natural recources, Canada, Dr. Suzanne Lacasse, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Prof. Dr. Roslan Zainal Abidin, Director International Research Centre on Disaster Prevention, Malaysia, Seyed Amir Shamsnia, Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Iran, Mr. Debanjan Upadhyay, International Institute of Geo-information Science & Earth Observation, The Netherlands, Prof. Madhav Badami, Associate Director, McGill School of Environment, McGill University, Canada, Dr. Nibeditta Ray-Bennet, UK, Ms. Susanna Hoffman, USA, Ms. Sarah Bradshaw, London, Ms. Yoko Saito, Japan, Ms. Simin Saedi, Iran, Ms. Ancila Bere , Indonesia, Ms. Tanty S. Thamin, Indonesia, Mr. David J. Schonfeld, Sh. Bijan Yavar & Sh. Maisam Mirtaheri, Iran, Ms. Zenaida Delica Wilson South-south Disaster Risk reduction Advisor, Regional centre in Bangkok, UNDP Thailand, Dr. Marla Petal, Switzerland, D. Amaratanga, Salford, UK, Dr. Akhilesh Surjan, Japan, Shri Arjun Katoch, UNOCHA, Geneva, Supt. Brian J. Graham NSW Rural Fire Service Australia, Satchit Balsari, MD, MPH Weill Cornell Medical College, Dr. Allen R Dyer Prof. Of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences USA, Colin Fernandes, Programme Officer, Austcare, BandaAceh, Indonesia, Prof J Shukla, President, Institute of Global Environment, & University Professor, George Mason University, USA, Dr. Goh Moh Heng, President BCMI, Singapore, W. Craig Fugate, Office of Administrator, FEMA, Dr. S.K.Singh, Director Training Division Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) Chameli House, 17, Topkhana Road, Dhaka, Ronju Ahammad Bangladesh.

The valedictory session will be chaired by the former President of India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. The valedictory session will be an opportunity to highlight and bring to notice issues, challenges, shortcomings and opportunities and road map ahead in the field of disaster management.

The Congress is being organized by NIDM in collaboration with the Ministry of Home affairs, National Disaster Management Authority, United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, United Nations Children’s Fund, United Nations Development Programme, United States Agency for International Development, World Health Organization and Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery.

The idea of holding the India Disaster Management Congress was conceived in order to provide a platform for interaction and integration of knowledge on various aspects of disaster risk reduction and management. The first India Disaster Management Congress was held at New Delhi in November 2006 which was the largest knowledge conference on disaster management ever held in this part of the world. More than 1200 delegates from all over the country attended it and 350 technical papers were presented. The First India Disaster Management Congress had 7 Thematic Clusters and 18 Thematic Sessions. 

Thursday, April 19, 2012

SAARC DISASTER MANAGEMENT CENTRE

 SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC) was set up in October 2006 at the premises of National Institute of Disaster Management in New Delhi. The Centre has the mandate to serve eight Member Countries of South Asia Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - by providing policy advice and facilitating capacity building services including strategic learning, research, training, system development and exchange of information for effective disaster risk reduction and management in South Asia.

The Centre is a sleek body of professionals working on various dimensions of disaster risk reduction and management in South Asia. The Centre is networking through the National Focal Points of the Member Countries with the various Ministries, Departments and Scientific, Technical, Research and Academic institutions within and outside the Government working on various aspects of disaster risk reduction and management.
The Centre conducts studies and research, organizes workshops and training programmes, publishes its reports and documents provides various policy advisory services to the Member Countries.
The Centre has the Vision to be recognized as a vibrant Centre of Excellence for knowledge, research and capacity building on disaster management in South Asia and in the rest of the world.

INDIA Basic Facts

   

Geographic Coordinates20 00 N, 77 00 E
Total Area Sq. Km3,287,590
Coastline Km7000
Lowest Elevation in Meters0
Highest Elevation in Meters8598
Percentage of Arable Land48.83
Total Population1,129,866,154
Annual Population Growth %1.6
Total Literacy Rate %61
Percentage of People Living in Urban Areas28.1
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) US$4.164 Trillion
GDP Per Capita US$3800
GDP Growth rate %9.4
BPL Population %2.5

Main Natural Hazards Earthquake, drought, flood, flash flood, cyclone, landslides, tsunami, avalanche, heat and cold wave, forest fire

Major Disasters in Recent Past

EventYearDeadAffected
Quake199394751 million
Cyclone19991008615 million
Quake2001138051.8 million
Tsunami2004124053.5 million

Monday, April 16, 2012

Disaster Management Authorities & Institutions in India

Central Disaster Management Authority:
 (Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Natural Disaster Management http://ndmindia.nic.in)

It is the apex body for natural disaster management and mitigation. For effective implementation of relief measures in the wake of natural calamities, the Government of India (GOI) has set up a Standing National Crisis Management Committee under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary GOI. A Natural Disaster Management Control Room has been set up at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. An organizational chart depicting disaster management organization in India. Chart

National Center for Disaster Management, New Delhi

A new center "National Centre for Disaster Management (NCDM)" has been established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. NCDM is setup in Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) with the objectives of : 
1. providing training programs for senior and middle level administrative government officials and to sensitize them for disaster mitigation,
 2. coordinate the research activities in different aspects of disaster management at national level.  http://www.ncdm-india.org


National Information Center of Earthquake Engineering- IIT
 Kanpur, U.P.

A National Information Center of Earthquake Engineering (NICEE) has been set up at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. The Center is sponsored by HUDCO, Telecom Commission, Railway Board, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Atomic Energy and AICTE. NICEE-India will meet the needs of the country in terms of “information” on Earthquake Engineering. The NICEE-India at IIT Kanpur will eventually aim at being responsible for acquiring and disseminating information and capacity building of the neighbouring nations. Institutes mandate is to create and maintain a good storehouse of information/publications/ other audio-visual materials on earthquake engineering.  http://www.nicee.org 

Disaster Management Institute, Bhopal, M.P.

The Disaster Management Institute established by the MP government in the backdrop of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, offers training, research and consultancy services on subjects related to prevention, mitigation and management of disasters. It organizes training for working managers and government officials relating to the areas of management of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, drought, famine and cyclones; on-site and off-site emergency planning; risk analysis; identification of major hazards; etc. 

Disaster Mitigation Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Disaster Management Institutes mission is to equip the disaster victims individuals or groups or agencies — with the resource to develop progressive solutions to physical, social and economical challenges of relief and reconstruction of facing them. DMI strives to become a premier centre for disaster mitigation and prevention by assisting and strengthening the decision making process and making the critical and objective analysis  available to the policy makers. In the wake of Gujarat Earthquake of January 2001 this Institutes provides real life example of the need and necessity of such an institute.  http://www.southasiadisasters.net/ 


Environment Protection Training and Research Institute, Hyderabad

EPTRI was set up by Government of Andhra Pradesh with the assistance and support of Government of India.  Government of India had also taken the initiative for EPTRI’s technical collaboration with Swedish International Development Agency under bilateral assistance. Risk Analysis and Disaster Management Plan is a safety and contingency management plan to safeguard people and property from disasters. EPTRI provides training and consultancy in Risk Assessment and Safety Control. EPTRI has an MoU with Process Safety Centre of Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad.  http://www.eptri.com/risk_analysis_disaster.html


Joint Assistance Centre, Gurgaon, Haryana


The Joint Assistance Centre (JAC) was established in New Delhi as an All India Voluntary Agency for assistance in disaster situations in 1970 in the aftermath of the terrible cyclone of November 1977 that devastated the Chirala-Divi region of Andhra Pradesh, killing over 10,000 people.  http://www.jacindia.org/



Centre for Disaster Management (CDM), Pune, Maharastra

The Centre for Disaster Management was set up at Yashada (Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration), Pune with the support of the National Disaster Management Division, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of India. The CDM is collaborating with the IGNOU to launch a PG Diploma in Disaster Management in English, Hindi and Marathi. Training programmes on Management of Earthquakes, Workshop on Community participation in Disaster Management, and allied topics are conducted at CDM periodically.  http://www.yashada.org/courses  


National Civil Defence College, Nagpur, Maharastra

National Civil Defence College, Nagpur, conducts various courses in Civil Defence and Disaster Relief Management. Since natural calamities tend to be unavoidable and earthquakes unpredictable, efforts have to be made to withstand the aftermath of catastrophes. Disaster Management training is useful for NGOs or social work students or volunteers providing support and rehabilitation measures during disasters (natural and man-made), personnel of home guards, paramilitary organizations, civil defence personnel, scientists, meteorologists, and environmentalists as well as functionaries of rural development and primary health centres, administrative services, relief workers, etc.  http://ncdcnagpur.nic.in/prog-offered.htm

Some International & National organization providing support: