EFFECTS OF MAJOR DISASTERS

Disasters throughout  history have had significant impact on the numbers, health status and life style of populations.

¨     Deaths

¨     Severe injuries, requiring extensive treatments

¨     Increased risk of communicable diseases

¨     Damage to the health facilities

¨     Damage to the water systems

¨     Food shortage

¨     Population movements

Health problems common to all Disasters

¨     Social reactions

¨     Communicable diseases

¨     Population displacements

¨     Climatic exposure

¨     Food and nutrition

¨     Water supply and sanitation

¨     Mental health

¨     Damage to health infrastructure

India's Natural Disasters Proneness

On the basis of geographic and climatic considerations, India can be divided into 5 Zones according to its disaster proneness to natural disasters;

1.    Northern mountain region including foot hills; this region is prone to strong Snow Storms leading to Land slides and strong Cold waves and also is Earthquake prone belt with violent subterranean Volcanic activity.

2.    Indo-gangetic plains; heavy rains during monsoon make these plains vulnerable to Floods.

3.    Deccan plateau; a Drought prone area.

4.    The western desert; a Drought prone area.

5.    Coastal areas; they are prone to Sea erosion, Cyclones and Tidal waves

India’s Disaster Ridden  History

·       About 60% of India’s land mass is prone to Earth Quakes

·       Over 40 million Hectares are prone to Floods

·       Nearly 3 lakh  sq. km are at risk of Cyclones

·       The Earth quake in Bhuj killed 14,000 people

·       Cyclone in Orissa took away 10,000 lives.

·       Between 1990 and 2000 an average of about 3400 people lost their lives annually.

·       About 3 crore people were affected by Disasters every year.

·       About 17,000 people perished by the Tsunami on 26 Dec.04