Natural disasters are extreme, sudden events caused by environmental factors that result in significant damage to life, property, and the environment.
They occur due to natural processes of the Earth and can disrupt normal life, leading to economic and humanitarian crises
Types of Natural Disasters:
1. Geological Disasters:
- Earthquakes : Sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust, causing ground shaking, damage, and loss of life. (2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquake, February 6, 2023)
- Volcanic eruptions : Release of hot ash, gas, and rock from a volcano, potentially causing widespread damage and pyroclastic flows. (2022 Tonga Volcanic Eruption, January 15, 2022)
- Landslides : Sudden movement of rock, soil, or debris down a slope, often caused by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human activities. (2022 Petropolis Landslide, Brazil, February 15, 2022)
- Tsunamis : Large ocean waves caused by earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions, leading to coastal flooding and damage(2018 Sulawesi Tsunami, Indonesia, September 28, 2018)
2. Hydrological Disasters:
- Floods: Overflow of water from rivers, lakes, or oceans, causing damage to properties, infrastructure, and agriculture (2022 Pakistan Floods, June 2022)
- Droughts : Prolonged shortage of water supply, affecting agriculture, industry, and human consumption.(2022 European Drought, summer 2022)
3. Meteorological Disasters:
- Cyclones : Large-scale rotating storm systems with strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges. (2022 Cyclone Tauktae, India, May 2022)
- Hurricanes: High-intensity tropical cyclones with strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges.(2022 Hurricane Ian, USA, September 2022)
- Tornadoes : Rotating columns of air touching the ground, causing damage and destruction. (2022 Kentucky Tornado Outbreak, USA, December 2022)
- Blizzards : Severe snowstorms (2022 Buffalo Blizzard, USA, December 2022)
4. Climatological Disasters:
- Heatwaves : Prolonged periods of abnormally hot weather, potentially causing health issues and mortality (2022 European Heatwave, summer 2022)
- Cold waves : Prolonged periods of abnormally cold weather, potentially causing health issues and mortality. (2022 North American Cold Wave, USA, February 2022)
5. Biological Disasters:
- Pandemics: Widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases, affecting large populations and causing significant morbidity and mortality.(COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-2022)
- Epidemics :Outbreaks of infectious diseases, affecting smaller populations and causing significant morbidity and mortality. (2022 Monkeypox Outbreak, global, May 2022)
Important Terms and Topics for UPSC Perspective
- 1.Disaster Management Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery (MPRR)
- 2.National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
- 3. State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs)
- 4. District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs)
- 5. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
- 6. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- 7. Climate Change Adaptation(CCA)
- 8. Early Warning Systems (EWS)
- 9. Emergency Response Funds(ERF)
- 10. International Cooperation and Agreements (e.g., Sendai Framework)
Crucial Points
- 1. Understanding the types and causes of natural disasters
- 2. Knowledge of disaster management frameworks and institutions
- 3. Familiarity with recent examples and case studies
- 4. Importance of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation
- 5. Role of government, NGOs, and international organizations in disaster management
