Gujarat: Natural hazards and other related information | Gujarat State PSC (GPSC) Preparation: All subjects - GPSC (Gujarat) PDF Download

Natural Disasters in Gujarat

• Gujarat has been severely impacted by natural disasters over the last decade, causing immense destruction and halting various development programs. The state's unique geographical setting makes it highly susceptible to natural disasters such as droughts, floods, cyclones, and earthquakes. In the past decade, the entire state or significant portions of it have experienced extreme weather conditions or significant natural events.
• The state has faced severe droughts, resulting in acute scarcity situations and desertification in some areas, where economic activities have exacerbated fragile ecologies and environmental degradation. The past decade has been dominated by disasters such as droughts, epidemics, floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and other human-made calamities. 
• In 1994, Surat was severely affected by a pneumonic plague. Subsequent drought years followed by heavy rains led to floods across the state. In 1997, 12 districts of Gujarat, particularly North Gujarat, were flooded, followed by floods in South Gujarat, especially Surat city, in 1998. That same year, a cyclone struck Kandla port and other coastal areas, causing extensive damage.
• The following year saw another cyclone and scarcity year, and in 2000, Ahmedabad, the state's economic capital, was flooded, resulting in economic losses in the thousands of crores. In 2001, the most devastating earthquake hit the state, and in 2002, communal riots further disrupted the region. These disasters have caused not only temporary economic losses and casualties but have also stalled the state's development process, as resources earmarked for development were diverted to address disaster recovery and its aftermath.
• Over the past 40 years since Gujarat's inception, 23 years have been marked by drought. Since 1850, the state has been struck by 24 cyclones and nine earthquakes, three of which were highly destructive. South Gujarat and the central regions continue to experience frequent flooding. Gujarat's concentration of chemical industries, particularly along a 400-kilometer stretch from Ahmedabad to Vapi, known as the 'Golden Corridor,' adds to the state's vulnerability. Ankleshwar in Bharuch district is Asia's largest chemical zone. The state's high level of industrialization, combined with its multi-hazard industries, indicates the potential for significant destructive effects. With a large number of chemical and pharmaceutical industries, petroleum facilities, and major ports, Gujarat's susceptibility to catastrophes is heightened. Despite improvements in prediction techniques, telecommunications, and emergency relief and rehabilitation efforts, natural disasters continue to occur frequently.
• Gujarat's geographical position, climatic conditions, and geological setting have made it prone to disasters of varying magnitudes throughout history. The lack of moisture for much of the year, combined with the state's predominantly arid and semi-arid landscape, makes it particularly vulnerable to drought. On the other hand, heavy rainfall over a short period leads to high runoff, causing floods and waterlogging problems. 
• The tectonic movements of the Indian subcontinent's plates make the state susceptible to severe seismic disturbances, while cyclones originating from the Arabian Sea frequently target the 1,600 km coastline of the Saurashtra peninsula and Kutch.
• It is clear that Gujarat is vulnerable to multiple hazards with a multiplier effect. Out of the state's 25 districts, Ahmedabad, Bharuch, Surat, and Valsad are prone to all four major hazards, while other districts, except Rajkot, are susceptible to three. As a result, nearly the entire state is at risk from various natural hazards, with more people now vulnerable than ever before. Additionally, hazards are striking areas where they are unexpected and at higher magnitudes. The industrialized and coastal regions, with their major ports and massive industries, hold significant potential for devastation due to the multiplier effect of natural phenomena affecting these units or areas.
• The Kandla port was severely impacted during the 1998 cyclone. The port handles chemicals that could become extremely hazardous in the event of a disaster. The cyclone hazard map shows that the coastline from Ahmedabad district to Kutch, starting from the shore and extending several kilometers inland, lies in a very high damage risk zone B (with wind speeds of 50 m/sec). Areas from Kheda district to Valsad, Silvassa, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli fall into the moderate risk zone (47 m/sec wind speed). Consequently, all ports and industries within this belt are highly vulnerable to severe damage. 
• The Earthquake Hazard Maps and Flood Hazard Maps further indicate the state's physical vulnerability. The Earthquake Hazard Map highlights underlying deep-seated faults, both major and minor. Although the Flood Hazard Map does not specifically indicate low-lying areas, it can be useful when combined with local data for planning purposes. The Earthquake Hazard Map shows that nearly the entire state lies within seismic zones of probable Intensity IX (severest) to VII (moderate) on the M.S.K. Intensity Scale.
• Kutch district, with 80.3% of its area in the Intensity IX Zone, has a long history of devastating earthquakes. Gujarat is situated in the Himalayan collision zone, where the Indo-Australian tectonic plate slides under the northern Eurasian plate at a rate of 2 centimeters per year, compressing the region and forcing the crust into folds of young deposits. This process creates active fault lines known as "blind thrust faults," which do not rupture the surface but create rolling hills. There is evidence of at least four such hill patterns in Gujarat.
• Most of the state's coastal areas fall within the 50 m/s (180 km/h) wind velocity zone, while other areas fall into 47 m/s, 44 m/s, and 39 m/s velocity zones. From 1850 to 2000, Gujarat experienced 24 cyclone crossings, 11 of which were severe cyclonic storms. The maximum surge height expected to strike the coast is as much as 5 meters above the concurrent tide level, with incidences during the 1998 cyclone reaching heights of 8 meters. 
• A significant proportion of buildings in the state are at risk of moderate (M) to very high (VH) damage from high-velocity winds. Nine districts fall within the high-risk zone for cyclones, either partially or fully, including Junagadh, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Kheda, Surat, Bharuch, and Kutch.
• Gujarat is moderately prone to flood hazards. The Flood Hazard Map shows that flood-prone areas are primarily along the state's principal rivers. The problems associated with these rivers include inundation due to riverbank overflow, inadequate drainage, and erosion of banks. The Narmada, Sabarmati, and Mahi basins frequently experience river floods due to heavy upstream rainfall, while the Saurashtra region has experienced floods from excessive rainfall in the years 1982, 1983, and 1988. While earthquakes, although rare, have the potential to cause the most devastating effects in Gujarat, cyclones and floods, though less frequent, can also cause significant damage. 
• The state's Golden Corridor, though situated in the Moderate Damage Risk Zone (MSK VII), holds the potential for great economic losses even from lower intensity earthquakes. Major ports, the Golden Corridor, and the Silver Corridor of Gujarat could face catastrophic consequences if the potential multiplier effects of natural hazards are not considered in long-term mitigation and preparedness planning. The increase in disaster-related damage is largely due to the growing concentration of people in disaster-prone areas, a trend that reflects increasing and changing vulnerability.

Brief about common hazards in Gujarat

Cyclone

• Gujarat lies in a region susceptible to tropical cyclones, especially due to its extensive 1,600 km coastline, making it highly vulnerable to associated hazards such as floods and storm surges. 
• Most of the cyclones that impact the state originate in the Arabian Sea, typically moving northeast and striking the coast, particularly affecting Southern Kutch, Southern Saurashtra, and the western part of Gujarat. The state experiences two cyclonic storm seasons: May to June (during the advancing southwest monsoon) and September to November (during the retreating monsoon).

Drought

• Gujarat is one of the most drought-prone states in India, with an average annual rainfall of only about 700 mm. More than half of the talukas in Gujarat receive rainfall in the range of 200-400 mm. 
• Large portions of the state are arid to semi-arid, with North Gujarat and Saurashtra particularly vulnerable due to the lack of alternative irrigation sources. Overexploitation of groundwater exacerbates drought conditions, leading to falling water tables and added stress on crops and water supplies.

Flood

• Gujarat's climate is influenced by the Arabian Sea to the west and three hill ranges along its eastern border. The state's long coastline occasionally leads to very high rainfall in arid regions like Saurashtra and Kutch, causing flash floods. These heavy rainstorms are responsible for most of the floods in the state. While the northern part of Gujarat is mostly arid and semi-arid, the southern part is humid to sub-humid, with extremes in climate being common. 
• Major rivers in Gujarat pass through flat terrain before reaching the sea, making these lowlands prone to flooding, especially in cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, and Bharuch. Concentrated runoff from heavy rainfall can also cause flash floods in the small river basins of Saurashtra and Kutch, due to their impervious catchments and steep slopes.

Earthquake

• Gujarat is exposed to varying levels of earthquake risk, as indicated by its classification into seismic zones III to V on India's seismic zoning map. 
• The Kachchh region, spanning approximately 300 km by 300 km, falls into zone V, where earthquakes of magnitude 8 can occur. Surrounding areas, including North Saurashtra and the eastern part of Kachchh, are in zone IV, where intensity VIII earthquakes are expected, largely due to seismic activity in Kachchh and along the North Kathiawar Fault in northern Saurashtra. 
• The rest of Gujarat lies in zone III, where intensity VII earthquakes can result from moderate local quakes or stronger ones originating in Kachchh.

Tsunami

• Gujarat is at risk of tsunamis due to its long coastline and the possibility of submarine earthquakes in the Arabian Sea. The Makran Subduction Zone (MSZ), located southwest of Karachi, is an active fault area capable of generating high-magnitude underwater earthquakes, potentially leading to tsunamis. 
• Historically, the Kandla coast was struck by a tsunami with a 12-meter wave height in 1945, caused by an earthquake along the Makran fault line. Tsunami-prone areas in Gujarat include coastal villages in the districts of Kutch, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Anand, Ahmedabad, Bharuch, Surat, Navsari, and Valsad.

Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA)

• The Gujarat Government has established the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) under the Gujarat State Disaster Management Act of 2003. The GSDMA was constituted on 1st September 2003, with the Hon’ble Chief Minister serving as its Chairman. 
• The Government of Gujarat has adopted a multi-hazard holistic approach to disaster management, focusing on reducing risk and vulnerability through policy, legislation, capacity building, education, and communication to mitigate the impact of disasters and improve preparedness.

Disaster Risk Management Programme (DRM Programme)

• Disaster Risk Management Programme (DRMP): GSDMA has shifted from the traditional model of Relief and Rehabilitation to a proactive approach of Preparedness and Mitigation. The Disaster Risk Management Programme (DRMP) has been implemented across all 33 districts and 8 municipal corporations in Gujarat. The DRMP focuses on empowering communities, local governments, and administrations to manage disasters effectively. Activities include preparing Disaster Management Plans at various levels (Village, Taluka, City, Municipal Corporation, and District), capacity-building initiatives such as orientation programs, training, practical demonstrations, and awareness generation. The plans and preparedness are regularly assessed through periodic mock drills and exercises. Additionally, GSDMA has established the State Disaster Response Network (SDRN), an online portal containing information on available resources at the village, taluka, and ULB levels for prompt disaster response.
• Training Programme on Operation of Satellite Phones: To enhance disaster communication, GSDMA has provided satellite phones to district administrations. An annual training program is conducted before the monsoon season at the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) for officers responsible for handling and operating satellite phones at both the State and District levels. Recently, GSDMA procured 9 satellite phones for 7 new districts and other government offices.
• State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC): GSDMA has established the SEOC as the central command and control facility for emergency preparedness and disaster management in Gujarat. The SEOC aims to restore normalcy in affected areas as quickly as possible. Its primary objectives include reducing the time between receiving disaster warnings and dissemination, enhancing warning capabilities, and supporting decision-making during disasters. GSDMA also plans to implement an Information and Communications Technology System (ICTS) for effective disaster response.
• District Emergency Operation Centers (DEOC): GSDMA has taken active measures to construct and equip District Emergency Operation Centers in all 33 districts of Gujarat. Currently, these centers are operational in 26 districts, with construction ongoing in the remaining 7 new districts.
• Emergency Response Centers (ERC): The Gujarat government has established five Regional Emergency Response Centers (ERCs) in strategic locations across the state—Rajkot, Vadodara, Surat, Gandhidham, and Gandhinagar. These centers are designed to respond effectively within the critical "golden hour" following a disaster. A tripartite MoU has been signed between Municipal Corporations/District Collectors, the Commissioner of Relief, and the CEO of GSDMA for the operation and maintenance of these ERCs.
• Taluka Emergency Operation Center (TEOC): TEOCs are part of the Information and Communications Technology system of GSDMA and serve as extensions of the SEOC. Critical operations from the State Emergency Operations Centre are transferred to the Taluka EOCs. Plans include establishing 29 Taluka Emergency Operations Centers across Gujarat, with construction and equipping completed in 9 talukas.
• School Safety: GSDMA is committed to conducting a School Safety Week in all schools across Gujarat. The initiative aims to raise awareness and build the capacity of principals, teachers, and students regarding disaster management. In 2016, School Safety Week was celebrated in 3,150 schools across Kutch, Jamnagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka districts, and in the municipal corporations of Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Gandhinagar. Activities included 23 mock drills for Earthquake Safety conducted by NDRF, 144 fire safety drills conducted by the Fire Department, and educational sessions on earthquakes and tsunamis by the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR). First aid demonstrations were conducted by the Indian Red Cross Society and 108 GVK EMRI. Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials, such as games, charts, and pamphlets, were distributed in schools, along with lectures, drawing competitions, and evacuation drills.
• Smrutivan Construction: GSDMA is constructing 'Smrutivan,' a memorial in honor of the 13,805 victims of the 26th January 2001 earthquake. The site for Smrutivan has been identified on Bhujiyo Hill in Bhuj, and a vision plan has been approved. The project includes the construction of a compound wall, reservoirs, a sunset point, fort wall repairs, lighting, a museum building, tree plantations, conference and art facilities, a library, a documentation and research center, and an Eco Park. The compound wall is completed, and the construction of reservoirs, the sunset point, pathways, landscaping, and plumbing works is 90% finished.
• National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project: Given Gujarat's 1,600 km coastline, which makes the state highly vulnerable to cyclones, GSDMA is implementing the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project in collaboration with the World Bank and NDMA. The project includes the construction of 128 multipurpose cyclone shelters, 43 approach roads, and underground cabling in Gandhidham city. The work on these components has been initiated.
• International Institute of Chemical Safety & Research (IICSR): The Gujarat government has established the International Institute of Chemical Safety & Research (IICSR) to serve as an apex institute for the management of hazardous chemicals in the state. The institute aims to provide state-of-the-art education, training, and research in hazardous chemical management. The IICSR has been registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950.