Short Notes - Being Prepared - A Vital Part of Disaster Management, Class 8 PDF Download

Facts that Matter

• Natural hazards such as cyclones, earthquakes, droughts, floods, landslides, etc. occur in different parts of India frequently. In other words, India is a hazard-prone country. This is due to its geophysical characteristics, which make hazards possible, and its huge population which is at risk.   
• There are regions where one hazard is more likely to happen than another. There are hazards which have no possibility of happening at a certain place. Coastal areas are under the threat of cyclones, plateaus and mountainous areas under the threat of landslides and earthquakes, and floods are common in plains and river valleys.
• In order to protect ourselves from the harmful effects of disasters, we need to prepare ourselves beforehand, so that we face them in a better way. Disaster preparedness is a process involving activities that help us face disasters more efficiently.
• Whenever a disaster occurs, the first people to face it are the local people. They are called the first responders. The government or other agencies can contribute only after some time has elapsed. So it is essential for locals to be aware of how to face hazards, so as to minimise the damage to life and property.
• A region where more than one hazard is likely to occur because of its geographical characteristics is called a multi-hazard zone. An example is an area vulnerable to both earthquakes and floods.
• A hazard is not necessarily a disaster. It becomes a disaster when it causes a huge amount of loss to life and property. So a hazard is a potential disaster. We can’t prevent hazards, but if we are prepared and aware, then we can let them remain a hazard and not become a disaster.
• Disasters are of two types: Natural and Manmade.
• The hazards that occur naturally and can’t be prevented are called natural disasters. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, droughts, floods, cyclones, etc. are examples.
• An earthquake is a hazard in which the earth around a certain region shakes for some seconds. It is caused by the collision of plates beneath the earth’s surface, which releases energy.
• A tsunami is an earthquake which occurs under water.
• A drought is a phenomenon in which there is deficiency of surface or sub-surface water and rainfall. It happens when rainfall is below normal in a region. Environmental degradation is a major factor that intensifies the hazard. Some causes of droughts are deforestation, loss of biodiversity and excessive use of ground or surface water.
• Floods are phenomena in which water rises above its normal level in a certain region. Due to this, areas get submerged under water. They usually occur due to excessive rainfall.
• Cyclones are storms that occur due to pressure difference of air over the warm waters of oceans. Cyclonic winds come with strong winds and severe rainfall. Tidal waves also cause floods. These winds are powerful enough to uproot trees, destroy buildings, and wash away homes.
• Man-made disasters are those which are caused by major accidents or inadvertent or deliberate actions of individuals, groups or governments. Terrorist activities, use of nuclear weapons, industrial accidents, biological disasters, etc are examples.
• Man-made disasters are generally caused by misuse and spread of dangerous chemicals.
• Obviously, man-made disasters can be prevented.
• Natural disasters can also be mitigated to a certain extent. Taking care of our environment may help in preventing some natural hazards. Economic development should be done in such a way that it does not result in environmental degradation.
• To face disasters in a better way, it is necessary to understand the causes and effects of disasters. The society needs to be made disaster-resilient to face them.

Words that Matter

• Hazard. A hazard is an event occurring naturally or due to a human cause, which, if not faced properly, may result in loss of life and property.
• Disaster. A disaster is the form a hazard if it causes severe destruction of life and property.
• Disaster Management. Disaster management is the set of activities designed to minimise the effects of disasters.
• Disaster-Proneness. If a particular disaster is unusually likely to occur in a particular region, we say that the region to prone to that disaster.
• Vulnerability. It is the risk posed to human beings or a community in general due to a hazard.
•  Disaster Preparedness. Disaster preparedness is a process involving activities that help us to face disasters more efficiently.
• First Responders. The first people to face the disaster happening in front of them and tackle it are the first responders.
• Multi-hazard Zone. A region where more than one hazard is likely to occur because of its geographical characteristics is called a multi-hazard zone.
• Natural Hazards. The hazards that occur naturally and can’t be prevented are called natural disasters.
• Man-made Disasters. Man-made disasters are those which are caused by major accidents or inadvertent or deliberate actions of individuals, groups or governments.
• Earthquake. An earthquake is a hazard in which the earth around a certain region shakes for some seconds.  
• Tsunami. A tsunami is an earthquake which occurs under water.
• Drought. A drought is a phenomenon in which there is deficiency of surface or subsurface water and rainfall.
• Floods. Floods are phenomena in which water rises above its normal level in a certain region.   
• Cyclones. Cyclones are storms that occur due to pressure difference of air over the warm waters of oceans.
• Mitigation. Mitigation consists of actions that reduce the severity of damage caused by disasters to life and property.   
•  Disaster-Resilient Society. A disaster-resilient society is one that can endure the effects of a disaster, by minimising the occurrence where possible, and the destruction that can be caused by it.