DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Just some fodder points which can be used in questions related to Disaster Management.

Ex - Measures needed to be undertaken in wake of floods in Uttarakhand:

Immediate measures : 

1. Search and rescue

2. Cleanup, Cremation of bodies etc to check spread of epidemic

3. Medical help to injured

4. Ensuring pilgirms can reach back homes safely

Short term measures :

1. Providing cheap credit to those whose livelihood has been affected

a) to repair their homes/shops/hotels

b) to those farmers whose crops/ orchards have been damaged etc

2. Repairing roads to ensure connectivity - so that 

a) essential medicines, food supply can reach

b) tourism which is the backbone of the economy of this hill state can revive to     some extent 

c) farmer can take his produce to markets  

3. Settling insurance claims in speedy, transparent and efficient manner

Medium Term measures :

1. Implementing Eco Senitive Zone from gaumukh to Uttarkashi (already declared but not implemented)

2. Stengthen National and State Disaster Response Forces and Disaster Mgt Centres ( training, equipments)

3. Strict guidelines for slope destabilizing activities ( mining, construction,roads etc)

4. Regulating the no. of tourists allowed to visit there at any particular time

Long Term measures :

1. Extensive R and D in low cost disaster resistant structures

2. R and D in Himalayan geology to prevent landslides, modernizing Early Warning systems, Meterological Observation Centres

3. Afforestation programs, choosing dam sites after proper studies, awareness among

People

Source : No specific source; compilation of points from The Hindu, Express and common sense; Goodwill contribution

written by : Akshat Agarwal