10. Disaster Management

• An authority has been set up at every level of government for disaster control and coordination, under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• National Authority – Chairman: Prime Minister
• State Authority – Chairman: Chief Minister
• District Authority – Chairman: Collector
• Taluka Authority – Chairman: Tahsildar
• Village level committee – Chairman: Sarpanch
• Organisations giving warnings, social and private organisations, and the general public help these authorities in rescue and rehabilitation work.

• Disaster management means improving our ability to face disasters through scientific observation and analysis of data.
• It has two parts: pre-disaster management (preparation and planning) and post-disaster management (help, rescue and rehabilitation).
• Disasters cannot be planned, but losses can be reduced in a planned manner.
• It needs public participation, and plans should change with the location, time and nature of the disaster.
• The disaster management cycle includes preparation, redemption, preparedness, impact, response, resurgence and restoration.

• A mock drill is a practice to check how well we are prepared to face a disaster.
• An imaginary disaster situation is created, and the reaction time and working of the plan are checked.
• Fire fighters arrange mock drills in schools: putting out fire, rescuing people from higher floors, and saving persons whose clothes have caught fire.
• Objectives: evaluating the response, improving coordination between departments, knowing our own abilities, quick response, checking the plan, and finding errors and risks.

• This act was passed in India in 2005 for effective management of disasters.
• Under it, disaster management authorities were formed at national, state, district, taluka and village levels.
• The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was established under this act. It has 12 divisions, with headquarters in Delhi.
• In Maharashtra, the NDRF works through the State Reserve Police Force. It rescues people in cyclones, landslides, building collapses and other disasters.

• It is set up immediately after a disaster strikes or after a warning is received.
• It reviews all aspects of the disaster.
• It keeps continuous contact with the army, air force, navy, telecommunication department and paramilitary forces for help.
• It coordinates the help of voluntary organisations in rescue and relief work.

• Increasing population and its increasing needs.
• Greed for economic progress, which disturbed the balance of nature.
• Economic inequality, and racial and religious differences, which cause instability.
• Terrorism and abduction becoming common.
• Production of harmful chemicals, and the risk of radiation leakage from atomic energy plants (for example, Chernobyl).

1. Saving human life during the calamity and releasing trapped people.
2. Supplying essential commodities to reduce the effect of the disaster.
3. Restoring normal life in the region.
4. Rehabilitating disaster victims.
5. Taking protective measures so that such disasters do not happen again, or their intensity is reduced.

• Accidents, burns, snake bites, electric shocks and other emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time.
• Victims need primary help before a doctor or ambulance arrives.
• Correct first aid can save lives, stop the victim’s condition from getting worse, and relieve pain.
• Wrong handling can harm the victim. So proper training is essential.

Methods: the stretcher method, the cradle method, carrying on the back, carrying on two hands (two-hand seat), the fireman’s lift (on the shoulder), and giving support while walking.

Why: the method depends on the victim’s condition, such as the type of injury and whether the person is conscious. Using the right method moves the patient safely and quickly without making the injury worse.

Reasons: heavy continuous rainfall, release of water from dams, blocked drains and building on river banks.
Effects: water entered houses, roads were closed, crops were damaged, and diseases spread due to dirty water.
Remedial measures: people were moved to safe places, relief camps and food were arranged, drinking water was boiled, and drains were cleaned.

Reasons: less rainfall and overuse of groundwater.
Effects: scarcity of drinking water, crop failure, shortage of fodder and migration of people.
Remedial measures: water supply by tankers, fodder camps, rainwater harvesting and building check dams.

• Strength of the building and safety of staircases – to avoid collapse during an earthquake.
• Emergency exits and clear passages – for quick evacuation without a stampede.
• Fire extinguishers and their working condition – to control fire immediately.
• First aid kit and trained staff – to give primary help to the injured.
• Electric wiring – to avoid short circuits and electric shocks.
• Alarm / warning bell and a list of helpline numbers – to warn everyone and call help quickly.
• Regular mock drills – so that students and teachers know what to do.

These are hazard warning symbols, seen on chemical containers. Read left to right, row by row:

• In a mock drill, an imaginary disaster is created and people practise what to do.
• It checks the reaction time and whether the disaster plan works properly.
• It improves coordination between departments and our ability to respond quickly.
• Mistakes and risks in the plan are found and corrected before a real disaster.
• People do not panic in a real disaster, because they have already practised.

• Pre-disaster management identifies disaster-prone areas and prepares hazard maps.
• People get training and awareness, so they know what to do.
• Help centres, rescue teams and materials are kept ready.
• Lessons from earlier disasters improve the plan.

So when a disaster comes, losses of life and property are reduced.

Pre: Check the regulator and pipe regularly, and switch off the regulator after use. Keep the kitchen well ventilated.
Post: Close the regulator and do not switch on any light or switch, as a spark may cause fire. Open all doors and windows, move everyone out, and call the gas agency or fire brigade (101).

Pre: Do not push others, or run on staircases and in crowded places. Keep a first aid kit ready.
Post: Give first aid: stop bleeding and support injured limbs. Carry the injured person safely and call a teacher, doctor or ambulance (108).

Pre: Listen to weather warnings. Keep food, drinking water, a torch, medicines and important documents ready. Know the way to a safe, high place.
Post: Move to higher places and do not enter flood water. Drink boiled water, and help rescue teams. After the flood, clean the house and prevent diseases.

Pre: Follow warnings. Keep an emergency kit ready, fix loose objects, and shift to a cyclone shelter if told.
Post: Stay indoors until the all-clear is given. Keep away from fallen electric wires and damaged buildings, and help the injured.

1. Form teams: warning, evacuation, first aid, and search and rescue.
2. Choose a disaster (fire or earthquake) and prepare a plan and exit routes with your teacher.
3. Inform everyone that it is a drill, so that no one panics.
4. Ring the alarm; students leave quickly and in order, and gather at the assembly point.
5. Take attendance, give first aid to ‘injured’ students and note the time taken.
6. Afterwards, discuss mistakes and improve the plan.