Disaster and its Impacts

1. “Disasters, types, impacts of
disasters”
Presented by- Supervisor
Taniskha Lokhonary Fathima Hasanath
MASW (Public Health) PHD Scholar (DPSSDM)
TISS Guwahati off-campus NIMHANS

2. Origin of the word “Disaster”
The term “DISASTER” owes its origin from French word “Disastre”,
a combination of two words “Des” means “Bad: and “aster” meaning
“Star” thus the term disaster refers to “Bad or Evil star”.

3. What is a Disaster?

4. “A disaster is an occurrence disrupting the normal conditions of
existence and causing a level of suffering that exceeds the
capacity of adjustment of the affected community.”(WHO,
1992)
OR
“A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a
society involving widespread human, material, economic or
environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability
of the affected community or society to cope using its own
resources.” (UNISDR, 2009)

5. Types of disaster
● Natural disasters
● Human induced disasters

6. Natural Disasters
Natural disasters are catastrophic events that threaten the safety and function of a
community. It can damage both public and private properties significantly.
Natural disasters are beyond human control. It is often termed as “ Act of God.”
There are 5 major types of natural disasters. These are:
● Geological
● Hydrological
● Metrological
● Biological
● Climatological

8. Gujarat Earthquake 2001

9. Uttarakhand Flash Floods, 2013

10. Human induced disasters
The technological or manmade disasters result from some human activities, such
as explosions, fire, the release of toxic chemicals or radioactive materials, bridge
or building collapse, crashe, war etc.
In human induced disaster, some human act can be considered as the cause of the
disaster. Two different categories can be made in man made disaster are:
● Environmental
● Technological

12. India witnessed the world’s worst chemical (industrial) disaster “Bhopal Gas Tragedy” in
the year 1984. The Bhopal Gas tragedy was the most devastating chemical accident in
history, where over 2500 people died due to accidental release of toxic gas Methyl
Isocyanate (MIC). Investigations later established that substandard operating and safety
procedures at the understaffed plant had led to the catastrophe.

13. 26/11 Mumbai Attacks

14. On November 23, 2008, ten Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists from Pakistan, left Karachi for
Mumbai via sea. They hijacked a Indian fishermen ship and killed them en route. They entered
India three days later on November 26. They attacked on Taj Hotel at the Gateway of India,
Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Terminus and other places in Mumbai. More than 160 people were
killed and around 310 others were injured. Nine terrorists were killed and one was captured alive
by Indian Security forces.

15. Natural Disaster Risk in India
India, the second most populated country in the world, is highly exposed to natural disasters. Due
to its geographical location, seismic risk zone and intertropical convergence point, the Indian
subcontinent also faces recurring atmospheric phenomena: heavy monsoon rains, floods, episodes
of high heat, drought, etc.
According to the report of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR),
the total number of people who died between 2000 and 2019 is 79,732.

16. Breakdown of natural disasters in India per type of event and nature of
losses
Natural Disasters Material loss Human loss
Floods 52% 63% 32%
Hurricanes 30% 19% 32%
Landslides 10% - 2%
Earthquakes 5% 10% 33%
Droughts 3% 5% 1%
Source: World Bank 2014-17

18. Impacts of disasters
● Physical impact: The Physical impact of each disaster
would differ in different cases depending upon the kind of
disaster it is.
● Economic impact: Lack of basic supplies, like foods, raw
materials. Loss of agriculture lands, impacts of livelihood.

19. ● Social impact: The normal life routines, education, family
structure, social structure, cultural rituals will be
affected.
● Emotional impact: Helplessness, hopelessness,
frustration, repeated thoughts, fear, anxiety,
sleeplessness.

20. Conclusion
Disasters cannot be completely avoided. Even the most resilient structures has a
chance of falling down. While we focus on preventing disasters we should also put
our attention to after disaster recovery. And recovery should be in such a way that we
build even better than before. We can work on the following points to have a better
disaster management system :
● Proper implementation of disaster risk management plans
● Building capacities of the people at ground level
● Proper coordination between the different mechanisms of relief mechanisms
● More investment in building disaster resilient strategies

21. References
United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. Terminology. Geneva, Switzerland: UNISDR;
2009. http://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/terminology
Carter, W. N. (1992). Disaster management: A disaster manager's handbook. Information Office.
Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, Disaster Management in India
Sena, L. (2006). Disaster prevention and Preparedness - Humanitarian Library. Retrieved December 1, 2022, from
https://www.humanitarianlibrary.org/sites/default/files/2013/07/DisasterPreventionPreparedness.pdf
Balasubramanian, A. (2014, March 14). Types of disasters. Retrieved December 1, 2022, from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309782796_Types_of_Disasters
Natural disasters risk in India. Atlas Magazine: Actualité de l'Assurance et de la Réassurance. (2021, January 21). Retrieved December 1,
2022, from https://www.atlas-mag.net/en/article/natural-disasters-risk-in-india