Disaster
Disaster: According to the UNISDR, a disaster is a significant disruption in the functioning of a society, leading to extensive human, material, or environmental
losses that surpass the affected community's ability to manage using its own resources.
• Disasters are commonly understood as the outcome of multiple interacting factors, including:
• The type of hazard involved,
• The level of exposure to the hazard,
• The existing vulnerabilities within the affected area, and
• The capacity or preparedness measures in place to mitigate or respond to the adverse impacts.
Table: Classification of Natural Disasters
The consequences of disasters may involve loss of life, injuries, and diseases, along with various adverse effects on physical, mental, and social well-being. Additionally, disasters can lead to property damage, asset destruction, disruption of essential services, economic and social
instability and environmental deterioration.
Figure: Dimensions of Disaster Risk
•
• A disaster takes place when a hazard affects vulnerable individuals or communities in a specific area. It occurs when their limited ability to mitigate the potential adverse effects exceeds their capacity to respond and recover.
DEFINITION OF DISASTER AS PER DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT, 2005
A catastrophe, mishap, calamity, or severe event occurring in any region due to natural or human-induced causes, accidents, or negligence, leading to significant loss of life, human suffering, property damage or destruction, and environmental harm. Such an event is of such scale or severity that it exceeds the affected community’s ability to manage and respond effectively.
Figure: Basic Categories of Disasters
• Capacity: Refers to the combined strengths, attributes, and resources available within a community, society, or organization that can be utilized to achieve specific objectives.
• It encompasses infrastructure, physical resources, institutions, societal coping mechanisms, human knowledge, skills and collective attributes such as social networks, leadership, and management. Capacity is also sometimes referred to as ‘capability’.
• Capacity assessment is the process of evaluating a group's existing capabilities in relation to set goals, identifying gaps that require further action.
(Natural Hazard × Vulnerability Risk)
Capacity
= DISASTER RISK
Figure: Disaster Risk Equation