Hazard | Disaster |
* Hazard is a threat. *A hazard is a dangerous physical condition or event. | *A Disaster is an event. It is a calamity or tragedy or a consequence of a hazard. *Natural hazards that cause great loss to human life and economy are called disasters and catastrophes. A disaster disrupts the normal function of a society. |
*Earthquakes, floods, volcanic erruption, landslides, droughts etc. are called natural hazards before they cause great loss of life and damage to property. | *It causes damage to property and loss of life but it also disrupts the opportunities of employment. |
*Small number of people are effected | *A large number of people are effected |
*It may cause injury, loss of life or damage of property. | *It causes wide spread loss to life and property. |
*Earthquakes, floods, volcanoes, tsunami, land slide, drought etc. are natural hazards. | *It affects the society to such an extent that external aid becomes sate the losses. |
What is vulnerability? The vulnerability may be defined as “The extent to which a community, structure, services or geographic area is likely to be damaged or disrupted by the impact of a particular hazard, on account of their nature, construction, and proximity to hazardous terrains or a disaster-prone area.” Vulnerabilities can be categorized into physical and socio-economic vulnerability. Disasters occur when hazards meet vulnerability. |
Q-1 Disaster management is more than just reactive responses to crises, it is a complete process that needs a fresh look in light of frequent natural calamities. Examine
Q-2 There has to be a change from focussing only on managing natural disasters to improving resilience. Comment in the context of India’s preparedness for disasters and its disaster policy.