Strategies for Disaster Mitigation

 

What? Action which can be taken against natural disasters to reduce the long-term risk to human life and property is mitigation.

 

Disaster Mitigation Strategies to prevent Floods and Earthquakes

Which steps can be taken to prevent natural disasters like floods and earthquakes?

 

Initially, it is always tried to prevent any disaster. But if we talk about natural disasters or any such disaster which cannot be prevented, we should always try to reduce its effects. Developing a disaster mitigation strategy involves identifying the potential hazards, evaluating, and then assessing the risk involved in it. After assessing the risk, we adopt mitigation plans. Let�s have a look at some strategies for mitigating floods and earthquakes.

 

Floods

 

Floods are one of the common natural disasters. It causes damage to buildings, industries, etc. which results in huge economic loss. This kind of disaster cannot be prevented but we can always adopt some safety measures which can reduce the losses.

 

Actions which can be taken before a flood:

� Large-scale reforestation and afforestation in hilly areas prevent surface runoff due to high-intensity rainfall. Forests help in delaying the flow of rainwater to the rivers due to the leaf litters covering the ground and holding water.
� Barriers like levees, embankments, and floodwalls can be constructed to confine floodwater within the valley.
� Construction of flood-control storage reservoirs could help in controlling the volume of floodwater. Have you heard of dams and reservoirs? These help in controlling floods and one such example is the construction of dams and reservoirs on the Damodar River by Damodar Valley Corporation.
� Understand the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning. Flood Watch means flooding is possible while a warning means a flood is already occurring and will extend more.

 

Actions which can be taken when a flood is imminent:

 

� We should pack a bag with important items including required medications.
� Evacuate your home immediately if it is required.
� Move to the upper floor in case of floods and move the essential items as well.
� Turn off utilities as the main switch and disconnect electrical appliances.

Actions to be taken during a flood:

 

� Avoid walking through moving water as even 6 inches of water can make you fall down.
� In case you have to walk through the water, look for the area where the water is still and use a stick to check the firmness of the ground.
� Do not drive in flooded areas as the water can rise around the car and can cause trouble. In case the water rises, leave the vehicle and try to move to a safer place that is high above the ground.
� Do not touch electrical equipment with wet hands or while standing in water.

 

Actions to be taken after the flood:

 

� Listen to the radio and news to figure out whether it is safe to drink the water supplied by the community. Avoid floodwaters as they might be contaminated.
� Be aware of areas where the land can collapse.
� Stay away from buildings where the floodwater is still present and look for areas where the water has been removed.

Earthquakes

 

Rock masses below the Earth�s surface displaces which causes sudden shaking or trembling of the ground and results in earthquakes. Let�s have a look at some strategies which can be adopted to reduce losses.

Disaster mitigation strategies to be taken before an earthquake:

� Design your buildings properly to prevent an earthquake hazard by consulting a professional.
� Look for a place in every room where nothing is likely to fall on you.
� Avoid constructing buildings in high-risk prone areas.
� Look for some safe routes to opt for during any case of emergency.
� Be ready with an emergency communication plan in case you are separated from your close ones.
� Make sure that you have proper canned food, a first-aid kit, 3 gallons of water per person, dust masks and goggles, a working radio, and flashlights.

Safety measures during an earthquake:

� If you are inside a building and cannot move out immediately then try not to rush. Get inside the tables or beds. Avoid windows and chimneys.
� If you are outside the house, then stay away from multistorey buildings, high walls, electric wires, and damaged buildings.
� If you feel an earthquake while driving, stop the vehicle and stay inside it.

 

Disaster mitigation strategies to prevent fires

 

What can be the preventive measures for fire caused in buildings, forests or due to industrial and nuclear accidents, terrorism?

Disaster mitigation strategies to Prevent Fires

 

Fire is useful for us till the time it is under our control. Once it goes out of control, it can cause a lot of destruction. It can be caused due to electric short circuits, overloading, overheating, improper electrical wiring, carelessness, etc.

Steps to be taken in case of Fire in Buildings:

 

Whenever someone thinks of fire, the first thing that comes to our mind is using water to put it out. But, there can be several measures to be taken in such cases. Let�s have a look at some of them.

� Do not keep highly inflammable liquids on the premises.
� Switch off the electrical and gas appliances before leaving the house.
� Fire extinguishers should be available in every building.
� Matches, lighters, or any such equipment which causes fire should be kept away from children.
� Cigarette-smokers should throw the cigarette ends in the ashtray after extinguishing it.
� Water tanks should be full so that you have water in case of fire. Make sure that you do not use water to extinguish fire caused by electrical appliances.
� Use I.S.I. certified appliances and good quality fuses, miniature circuit breakers, and earth leakage circuit breakers.
� If there is smoke in the air, stay close to the floor as there is less smoke near the ground in comparison to the smoke in the air.
� Always remember the emergency number to call the Fire Station in such circumstances.

Steps to be taken in case of Forest Fires:

� It should not be allowed to burn a piece of land near a forest. Shifting cultivation should be banned.
� People should not throw lighted matches or cigarette ends near or inside the forest area.
� In case of the smallest fire in a forest, report it to the concerned authorities.
� Dry leaves and deadwood should be removed from the forest area.
� Digital landscapes can be constructed by scientists by combining topographic maps, satellite-derived vegetation data, ecological knowledge, and weather data. It would prevent forest fires.

Steps to be taken in case of Industrial and Nuclear Accidents:

� Regularly check the machinery used in industries and repair any faulty equipment at the earliest.
� An evacuation plan should always be made in case of any emergency.
� People living in the industry premises should be informed about any accident and should be asked to evacuate the place immediately.

Steps to be taken in case of Terrorism:

� Be aware of your surroundings and report anything unusual to the police immediately.
� Do not share your personal information with strangers.
� Do not touch any unidentified object in public places and remain vigilant.
� Look at your surroundings before taking a seat in public transport and make sure that there is no unidentified object lying around.

Disaster Mitigation Strategies - Exercise

1. Which of the following activities cannot cause an uncontrollable fire?
a) Overheating of an electrical appliance
b) Carelessness
c) Improper electrical wiring
d) Lighting a candle

 

2. Which of the following measures should be taken in case of fire in a building?
a) Light candles in the place of fire
b) Spill oil around the fire
c) Hide under the table
d) Call the fire station immediately

 

3. Which of the following should be adopted to avoid forest fires?
a) Throw cigarette butts without extinguishing fire near the forest
b) Promote shifting cultivation
c) Promote deforestation
d) Remove dry leaves and deadwood from the forest

 

4. Which of the following measures should be taken to avoid a nuclear accident?
a) Avoid working in a nuclear industry
b) Do not set up any industry
c) Do not allow people to evacuate the place near the industry
d) Prepare an emergency plan to evacuate the place immediately

 

5. Which of the following measures should be taken to avoid any accident due to terrorism?
a) Remove dry leaves from your surroundings
b) Never go to the police station
c) Ignore any unidentified object in public places
d) Report anything unusual to the police

 

Disaster Mitigation Strategies - Exercise

1. Which of the following actions should be taken before a flood?
a) Hide below the table or bed.
b) Drive into the water
c) Walkthrough moving water
d) Know the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning

 

2. Which of the following actions should be taken after a flood?
a) Avoid news and radio
b) Stay close to electrical equipment
c) Get inside the house surrounded by floodwater
d) Avoid floodwater

 

3. �In case of emergency, walk where the water is not moving� is an action to be taken:
a) During an earthquake
b) When the flood is imminent
c) Before the flood
d) During a flood

 

4. Stay away from high walls and tall buildings during a/an:
a) Volcano
b) Fire
c) Flood
d) Earthquake

 

5. Stay inside the vehicle in case of:
a) Landslide
b) Flood
c) Fire
d) Earthquake

Read More: What is Man Made Disaster? Fire Hazards, Forest Fires, Terrorism and Other