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103 Natural Disaster Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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Natural disasters are events that occur in nature and can cause significant destruction and loss of life. They can take many forms, including hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and tsunamis. Writing an essay on natural disasters can be a daunting task, but with the right topic and approach, you can create a compelling and informative piece of writing. Here are 103 natural disaster essay topic ideas and examples to help you get started:

  • The impact of climate change on natural disasters
  • How do natural disasters affect the environment?
  • The role of technology in predicting and mitigating natural disasters
  • The psychological effects of natural disasters on survivors
  • The economic impact of natural disasters on communities
  • The social impact of natural disasters on vulnerable populations
  • How do natural disasters affect wildlife and ecosystems?
  • The role of government in responding to natural disasters
  • The importance of disaster preparedness and planning
  • The relationship between poverty and vulnerability to natural disasters
  • The connection between deforestation and increased risk of natural disasters
  • The impact of natural disasters on global food security
  • The role of international aid in responding to natural disasters
  • The long-term effects of natural disasters on communities
  • The ethics of disaster response and recovery efforts
  • The role of media in reporting on natural disasters
  • The impact of natural disasters on mental health
  • The connection between natural disasters and climate refugees
  • The role of education in preparing communities for natural disasters
  • The impact of natural disasters on infrastructure and development
  • The relationship between natural disasters and disease outbreaks
  • The connection between natural disasters and conflict
  • The role of insurance in mitigating the financial impact of natural disasters
  • The impact of natural disasters on agriculture and food production
  • The connection between natural disasters and water scarcity
  • The role of NGOs in responding to natural disasters
  • The impact of natural disasters on tourism and the economy
  • The relationship between natural disasters and climate justice
  • The role of community resilience in recovering from natural disasters
  • The impact of natural disasters on coastal communities
  • The connection between natural disasters and mental health stigma
  • The role of technology in tracking and monitoring natural disasters
  • The impact of natural disasters on indigenous communities
  • The relationship between natural disasters and climate change adaptation
  • The role of gender in disaster response and recovery efforts
  • The impact of natural disasters on human rights
  • The connection between natural disasters and urbanization
  • The role of social media in disaster response and recovery efforts
  • The impact of natural disasters on education and schools
  • The relationship between natural disasters and biodiversity loss
  • The role of community-based organizations in responding to natural disasters
  • The impact of natural disasters on clean water access
  • The connection between natural disasters and food insecurity
  • The role of preparedness drills in communities at risk of natural disasters
  • The impact of natural disasters on children and families
  • The relationship between natural disasters and displacement
  • The role of volunteer groups in disaster response and recovery efforts
  • The impact of natural disasters on cultural heritage sites
  • The connection between natural disasters and environmental racism
  • The role of early warning systems in predicting natural disasters
  • The impact of natural disasters on small businesses and local economies
  • The relationship between natural disasters and social inequality
  • The role of faith-based organizations in disaster response and recovery efforts
  • The impact of natural disasters on mental health access and services
  • The connection between natural disasters and climate migration
  • The role of community gardens in disaster recovery efforts
  • The impact of natural disasters on access to healthcare
  • The relationship between natural disasters and food deserts
  • The role of cultural competency in disaster response and recovery efforts
  • The impact of natural disasters on LGBTQ communities
  • The connection between natural disasters and environmental justice
  • The role of indigenous knowledge in disaster preparedness and response
  • The impact of natural disasters on marginalized communities
  • The relationship between natural disasters and gentrification
  • The role of intersectionality in disaster response and recovery efforts
  • The impact of natural disasters on mental health disparities
  • The connection between natural disasters and climate denial
  • The role of community centers in disaster response and recovery efforts
  • The impact of natural disasters on immigrant communities
  • The relationship between natural disasters and housing insecurity
  • The role of community art projects in disaster recovery efforts
  • The impact of natural disasters on access to public transportation
  • The connection between natural disasters and environmental activism
  • The role of community health clinics in disaster response and recovery efforts
  • The impact of natural disasters on access to clean energy
  • The relationship between natural disasters and environmental policy
  • The role of community shelters in disaster response and recovery efforts
  • The impact of natural disasters on access to affordable housing
  • The connection between natural disasters and community organizing
  • The role of community colleges in disaster response and recovery efforts
  • The impact of natural disasters on access to mental health services
  • The relationship between natural disasters and community gardens
  • The impact of natural disasters on access to public libraries
  • The connection between natural disasters and community resilience
  • The role of community-based organizations in disaster response and recovery efforts
  • The impact of natural disasters on access to affordable healthcare
  • The relationship between natural disasters and community art projects
  • The connection between natural disasters and environmental policy
  • The relationship between natural disasters and community organizing
  • The connection between natural disasters and community gardens
  • The relationship between natural disasters and community resilience
  • The connection between natural disasters and community art projects

These natural disaster essay topics cover a wide range of issues and perspectives, allowing you to explore different aspects of this important and timely subject. Whether you choose to focus on the environmental impact of natural disasters, the social and economic consequences, or the role of communities in responding and recovering, there are plenty of opportunities to explore and analyze in your essay. By selecting a topic that interests you and conducting thorough research, you can create a compelling and informative essay that sheds light on the complexities of natural disasters and their effects on our world.

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Natural Disasters Essay

Madhuri Thakur

Natural Disasters Essay – Introduction

Natural disasters are powerful and dangerous events that are caused by nature. Disasters happen suddenly with little or no warning and cause severe damage to people, property, and the entire environment. It can be earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. This essay will further elaborate in detail on natural disasters.

Today, natural disasters are becoming increasingly common. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the number of disasters in the United States has tripled since the 1960s. It can be because of climate change, population growth, and urbanization. And as the Earth’s climate becomes warmer, such natural disasters will become more common.

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There are three levels of natural disasters: small, medium, and large-scale. The events that do not cause too much harm in the world are small-scale, like lightning, storms, etc. Medium Scale disasters are riskier and more harmful than small-scale disasters, like blizzards or landslides. Meanwhile, professionals who  write papers for money often analyze the impact of large-scale disasters, which cause significant environmental damage, including tsunamis, wildfires, etc.  The disasters that cause too much environmental damage, such as tsunamis, wildfires, etc., are large-scale disasters.

This natural disasters essay will talk about the types of natural disasters as well their causes and impacts.

List of Natural Disasters

Some common natural disasters, along with their nature of impact and consequences, are provided in the table below:

Shakes the ground and can collapse buildings Injuries, loss of life
Big storms with strong winds and heavy rain Flooding, destruction of homes
Too much water causes damage to homes and roads Property damage, displacement
Spreads quickly and destroys everything in its path Destruction of vegetation, property
Giant waves that flood coastal areas Flooding, destruction of infrastructure
Releases lava, ash, and gasses damaging surrounding areas Property damage, respiratory problems

Types of Natural Disasters

There are different ways that natural disasters can happen. Some of the types are as follows,

Internal: It includes all the disasters that happen when there are some changes under the earth’s surface. These include earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, etc. We cannot easily predict these events.

External: It is when there is a disturbance above the earth’s surface. It is generally because of us humans who change the environment. These are usually landslides, floods, etc.

Temperature: When the temperature of the air or ocean changes, it can cause disasters like tornadoes and hurricanes. Even drought and glacier melt occurs because of the change in temperature of the environment.

Biological: These disasters occur because of viruses and bacteria that cause harmful diseases that can kill people. For instance, COVID-19, Ebola virus, etc., are some examples.

Causes of Natural Disasters

There are different causes for each natural disaster.

  • Too much rain can overfill the dams and flood a large area near the dam. It can cause damage to nearby buildings and homes.
  • When a storm forms over the ocean due to warm water, it is known as a Hurricane. There are also strong winds that can push the ocean water to the seashore and cause floods.
  • Tornadoes form when two different air temperatures clash, i.e., damp air from the ground collides with dry air from above. It creates a spiral of air that can be very powerful.
  • When two pieces of the Earth’s crust move against each other, it creates vibrations that we can feel on the ground. As these vibrations are too strong, they can cause buildings to fall and cause damage.
  • Volcanoes are mountains that release hot gasses, ash, and lava from below the earth’s surface to the above ground.

Natural Disasters Effects

Natural disasters can have long-term impacts, including economic and social disruption, displacement, and health problems. The severity of the disaster depends on factors such as the event’s intensity, location, and effectiveness of the disaster management system.

Material and financial loss, social unrest, and political instability are common impacts of natural disasters. Homelessness and a lack of access to basic necessities can occur after a natural disaster, leading to social disruption and decreased economic activity.

Emotional and psychological damage, as well as long-term health problems, can result from natural disasters. Air pollution can cause respiratory problems, and trauma and stress can lead to mental health issues.

Natural disasters can also impact the environment, causing soil erosion, water pollution, and a decrease in biodiversity. These impacts can have long-term consequences and require efforts for recovery and rebuilding.

Natural Disaster Management

It’s really important to be ready for natural disasters and keep ourselves safe. Countries that are ready to face natural disasters have to suffer less damage. So, governments should have disaster management policies for prevention, response, and recovery. Here are a few precautions we can take for some common natural disasters:

Earthquake Preparedness

  • Building strong structures so they don’t break during earthquakes.
  • Creating early warning systems that can alert people before an earthquake happens.
  • Educating people about the dangers of earthquakes and what to do when they happen.

Hurricane Preparedness

  • Developing evacuation plans and identifying safe locations to stay during a hurricane.
  • Establishing systems to provide early warnings and updates on approaching hurricanes.
  • Ensuring proper drainage systems to mitigate flooding caused by heavy rain during hurricanes.

Flood Preparedness

  • Implementing measures to manage water flow and prevent flooding.
  • Educating individuals on flood risks and providing guidance on evacuation procedures.
  • Creating emergency response plans to provide immediate assistance during and after a flood.

Wildfire Preparedness

  • Promoting fire safety practices and educating individuals on the prevention of wildfires.
  • Clearing dry leaves and vegetation around homes to reduce fire risks.
  • Cooperating with firefighting agencies and having evacuation plans in place during wildfire emergencies.

Tsunami Preparedness

  • Raising awareness about tsunamis and educating coastal communities on evacuation routes.
  • Establishing warning systems near coastal areas to provide early alerts for tsunamis.
  • Conducting drills and exercises to ensure that individuals know how to respond to a tsunami.

Volcano Preparedness

  • Monitoring volcanic activities and studying eruption patterns to predict volcanic eruptions.
  • Establishing communication systems to disseminate timely warnings about volcanic eruptions.
  • Collaborating with scientists and experts to develop evacuation plans and safe zones during volcanic emergencies.

Overall Disaster Management

Individuals should develop personal emergency plans and be aware of the risks of different types of disasters. Governments and individuals can be better prepared to respond to natural disasters by having emergency plans. Thus, taking these precautions can lower the risk of disasters and protect ourselves and our communities.

Conclusion – Natural Disasters Essay

Natural disasters can cause immense destruction, pain, and loss of life. So, to lessen the impacts of these disasters, taking disaster management measures is necessary.

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Natural Disaster Essay: How to Write, Topics, & Examples

What would you do if someone told you that a tsunami would wipe out your house tomorrow afternoon? You won’t believe them. It always seems that natural disasters happen in someone else’s life. But every year, millions of people worldwide suffer from various natural calamities. This article attempts to systemize the chaos of nature for you to write an impressive natural disaster essay. You will get acquainted with the seven types of disasters, get a long list of topics and examples of natural disaster essay in 200 words and 300 words.

  • 🌪️ Natural Disaster: The Basics
  • 💡 114 Essay Topics
  • 📑 Outlining Your Essay
  • 🌊 Essay Sample (200 Words)
  • 🏜️ Essay Sample (300 Words)

🌪️ Natural Disaster Essay: What Is It About?

A natural disaster is a large-scale meteorological or geological event that can to cause loss of life or massive damage to people’s property. Floods and severe storms are the most reported acts of nature in the US, but other incidents also happen from time to time. That is why you can dedicate your essay on natural disasters to earthquakes, droughts, wildfires, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, or tornadoes.

The picture lists the 7 main types of natural disasters.

It is a powerful funnel-shaped cloud that rotates and demolishes buildings, hurls cars, and uproots trees. Tornadoes appear from cumulonimbus clouds, pending with their smaller part to the ground. This column of air has a wind speed of up to 300 mph. In your disaster management essay, you can suggest reasonable precautions to save as many people and property as possible in a tornado area.
It is a tropical cyclone that affects the coastal population of the southern Atlantic Ocean, eastern , Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. These acts of nature may include heavy winds, floods, and tornadoes. For this reason, you can describe natural disasters’ impact on human life in the essay.
Floods are the most common natural disaster in the US. They usually occur when the volume of water in a stream is larger than the channel’s capacity. Then, the land that is typically dry gets submerged. Streamflow depends on numerous factors making floods hard to predict.
This Japanese word (‘tsu’ for harbor and ‘nami’ for wave) denominates powerful waves caused by an underwater earthquake, land slumping, landslides on the seafloor, meteorite impact, or volcanic eruption in the ocean. In a tsunami disaster essay, you could describe a historical tragedy and analyze its causes.
This type of disaster starts when lightning hits a tree in the wood or due to man-made causes. It is an unplanned and uncontrolled spread of fire in natural areas with combustible vegetation.
It is an extended lack of water in a given region. A drought can happen due to the below-normal precipitation. It causes crop damage and water shortage in the area. It can last for years or end in weeks.
It is the result of seismic waves in the Earth’s crust. Tectonic plates shake or move, damaging everything that stands or lives on them. Some of them may be caused by anthropogenic factors.

💡 114 Natural Disasters Essay Topics

What could you write in a natural disaster essay? You can invent your own topic about various types of natural disasters, their causes, and aftermath, or their impact on human life and the economy. Depending on the discipline, you can also describe historic calamities that changed the direction of human civilization. Alternatively, choose one from our comprehensive list below.

  • Why are the Great Plains of the central US ideal for tornado formation?
  • Global Warming and Climate Change Legislation.
  • Research the atmospheric parameters inside a tornado.
  • Energy, Technology and Climate Change.
  • Why are the boundaries of Tornado Alley in the US so debatable?
  • The global climate change as a manmade disaster.
  • Which actions should you never do when a tornado is nearby?
  • Volunteers’ Role During Disasters.
  • Suggest your opinion on the best action strategy in a hurricane.
  • The Columbia Disaster and safety violations.
  • What were the causes and effects of a flood?
  • Analysis on Climate Change and Global Impact.
  • Describe the most devastating wildfires in the US and find their common features.
  • Earthquake Engineering Considerations and Methods.
  • Brainstorm ideas to prevent wildfires.
  • Global warming and the greenhouse effect.
  • How can building dams cause earthquakes?
  • Climate Change and Its Impact on Freshwater.
  • Analyze the impact of droughts on tourism.
  • Climate Change Effect on Coral Reef Communities.
  • Describe the most extended droughts in human history.
  • Marine and Coastal Climate Change in Australia.
  • Write an essay on natural disasters and earthquakes in particular.
  • Air pollution and mortality rates
  • What are the distinctive features of droughts in third-world countries?
  • Global Warming, Climate Change, and Society’s Impact on the Environment.
  • Study the relationship between global warming and droughts.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After a Hurricane.
  • Evaluate the damage caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017.
  • Social Media’s Role in Disaster Response.
  • Classify the effects of natural disasters in an essay.
  • Sustainability and Climate Change.
  • Describe the 1815 volcanic eruption of Mt. Tambora, Indonesia.
  • Hurricane Katrina: Overview, Impact, Response.
  • Each new leap of civilization causes new responses of nature.
  • Animal Exploitation. Animal Agriculture and Climate Change.
  • Think of any positive effects a volcanic eruption may have.
  • In Arizona, Collaboration Averts Water Disaster.
  • Children are the poorest victims of any disaster.
  • A Solution to Remedy Climate Change.
  • Which ways of disaster risk reduction do you know?
  • An Emergency Operations Center During Hurricane Harvey.
  • Research the current problems in disaster management.
  • Disaster Recovery Plan for Information Technology Organizations.
  • Analyze ineffective disaster management in an essay about hurricane Katrina.
  • Nurse Competencies and Scope of Practice in Disaster.
  • What should a household have at home in the case of a disaster?
  • Hurricane Katrina: The Powerful Natural Disaster.
  • Describe the humanitarian disaster during the drought in Somalia.
  • Technology in Disaster Preparedness.
  • Can man-made disasters entail natural calamities?
  • Disaster Management in Philadelphia.
  • Review the criteria for disaster classification.
  • Jeddah Floods and Adaptation Strategies in the City of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • Search for real examples of hybrid disasters.
  • Natural Disasters Prevention: A Tabletop Exercise.
  • Who is responsible for casualties after a natural disaster?
  • The Sand Storms: Remote Sensing and Meteorological Variables.
  • List the lessons we could learn from our past disaster experience.
  • Fire Development, Growth, and Spreads.
  • The ice storm and silver thaw: A gentle disaster.
  • Fire Crisis Management in the UAE.
  • Rockslides: A pressing issue for rural areas.
  • 1d – 2d Flood Modeling Using PCSWMM.
  • What are the psychological benefits of disaster preparedness?
  • Structural Control and Origin of Volcanism in the Taupo Volcanic Zone.
  • When does a blizzard become a disaster?
  • Extreme Weather Events + Geographies of Globalization.
  • Research the causes of dust storms and name the affected areas.
  • Strategies for Sustainable Integrated Oil Disaster Management in West Africa.
  • Why did the San Francisco earthquake (1906) cause devastating fires?
  • Causes of Climate Change.
  • What could be done to help people who lost their homes in an earthquake?
  • Book Review: Energy and Global Climate Change.
  • Analyze the role of World Vision in humanitarian aid after disasters.
  • Tangshan earthquake of 1976 showed that high population density is disastrous.
  • The Role of Carbon Dioxide in Climate Change.
  • Rock avalanche: Why water is the most powerful geological agent.
  • Aspects of Climate Change.
  • When do extreme weather conditions turn into a disaster?
  • Climate Change: Reasons, Kyoto Protocol.
  • Write an article on shelter-providing organizations for disaster victims.
  • Establishing an IT Disaster Recovery Plan.
  • Describe earthquake cycles in Haiti.
  • Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture and Food.
  • How can nature damage ecology in natural disasters?
  • Climate Change. Problems. Effects.
  • Disaster management should include psychological help to the survivors.
  • Climate Change Causes: Position and Strategies.
  • Suggest ways to prevent damage caused by debris flow.
  • HAT 4: Disaster in Franklin Country.
  • How did the lack of evacuation after the Bhola cyclone (1970) result in the massive death toll?
  • The Effects of Climate Change.
  • The most significant Yellow River flood: 2 million deaths in 1887.
  • Resilience Building Against Natural Disasters in the Caribbean Islands.
  • Sinkholes: A natural disaster or attraction for cavers and water-divers?
  • Global Climate Change and Health.
  • Describe the dynamics of landslides in California.
  • Which early-warning systems to detect avalanches do you know?
  • Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action.
  • Pyroclastic flow: The deadliest volcanic hazard.
  • Communication During Disaster Response.
  • Describe the volcano eruption of Vesuvius that destroyed the Herculaneum and Pompeii.
  • Disaster Planning for Families.
  • Disaster prevention measures: Investments that save millions of lives.
  • Natural Disaster Management and Historical Prospective Study in the UAE.
  • Research the PTSD in survivors of natural disasters.
  • Are the latest disasters the nature’s fightback to humanity?
  • Estimate the human impact on natural disasters.
  • List the countries with the largest number of disasters and find their standard features.
  • Everyday Communication on Climate Change.
  • Insurance coverage against disasters: Our inevitable future.
  • Emergency Planning Before and After Hurricane Katrina.
  • One natural disaster could bring the world to its end.

Haven’t found a suitable topic in the list above? Use our essay topic generator to get more ideas.

📑 Natural Disaster Essay Outline

Outlines differ, depending on the assigned length and essay type. It is a reference sample. Feel free to modify it, extending some points and narrowing the others. Still, the overall structure should remain the same. We have chosen the “Causes of Earthquakes” essay topic for demonstrative purposes.

  • Hook . There are millions of possible ways to start your essay, from a rhetorical question to any imaginable scenario. The point is to grab the reader’s attention, showing them that your writing is unique and creative. For example: We are always concerned with the consequences of a natural disaster. But what brought us into such a calamity in the first place?
  • Concepts. Natural disasters can be studied in the framework of various disciplines. But in all cases, they are linked with geology, biology, chemistry, geography, and some other subjects with broad and complicated terminology. Explain the terms that could be elusive for your readers here. For example: For the purposes of this essay, an earthquake is a sudden displacement of the land surface.
  • Background. How did you come to think of this problem? Why is it topical? The causes of earthquakes are numerous and often unrelated. To understand them as a system, we need a strict classification.
  • Thesis statement . Clearly state the aim of your essay. This essay attempts to group the causes of earthquakes to determine which factors can be tackled by human forces.
  • Transition sentence. It comes in the previous sentence (for paragraphs 2 and 3) and ensures smooth reading. E.g.: Tectonic movements are the most powerful causes of earthquakes, and we cannot influence them. But still, there is something we could do.
  • Topic sentence . What will you explain in this paragraph? Human interference with nature can also cause earthquakes.
  • Evidence. How can you confirm the topic sentence? Heavy clubbing of dam water can disturbance the crustal balance. Nuclear bombing causes shockwaves that penetrate the surface, changing the tectonic plates and their natural alignment. Mining can also cause earthquakes by removing extensive volumes of stone from under the ground.
  • Warrant. Why does the reader need this information, and how does it relate to the thesis statement? Knowing these facts can help us change the old-fashioned approaches and lessen the ecological damage to our planet.
  • Summary. Collect and summarize all your arguments here. Tectonic movements, volcano eruptions, and geological faults cause a significant part of earthquakes worldwide. But various man-made causes bring us to the same result.
  • Rephrased thesis. We cannot stop the tectonic movements or hinder volcanic eruptions, but we can use natural resources with more care.

🌊 Natural Disaster Essay 200 Words

Below you will find a short natural disaster essay for 200 words. It explores the causes and effects of the tsunami in Japan in 2011.

Tsunami in Japan: Causes and Effects The proximity of the deadliest disasters is often unpredictable. As a result, the consequences of a tsunami can exceed any possible expectations. This essay looks for the decisive factors that caused the tsunami in Japan in 2011 and its results for the local population and other countries. The causes were out of human control and could not be predicted. The Pacific plate moved in the horizontal and vertical plane, advancing beneath the Eurasian Plate. It displaced the seawater above and entailed several destructive waves. The disaster had enormous consequences for the Japanese people and their economy. It killed almost 16,000 people, although the country had a sophisticated alarming system. Besides, the earthquake caused fires and explosions at oil factories. The cooling system of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant went out of service. Two people were lost, and many were injured. Nissan, like many other large corporations, had to suspend the operation of its four factories. The economic losses due to the catastrophe amounted to 300 billion dollars. But the disaster moved to other places. On 24 March 2011, the earthquake in the east of Myanmar claimed the lives of 60 people and destroyed 300 buildings. As we can see, everything is linked on our planet. Movements of the earth’ crust in any part of the world bring about earthquakes and tsunami in other countries. The series of waves in Japan was caused by the underwater earthquake and had horrible consequences.

🏜️ Natural Disaster Essay 300 Words

If your assignment is longer, you will have to provide your opinion in the essay. Or, you can make your argumentation more detailed. Below you can check our 300-word sample of a disaster essay.

The Economic Effects of the Dust Bowl Drought When someone says “a natural disaster,” we usually imagine an earthquake or a tsunami. Buildings are destroyed, and property is lost. But imagine a scenario of a devastating drought, which happened in the US in the 1930s. Its effect is less visible because it lies in the domain of the national economy. This essay reveals the economic consequences of the Dust Bowl drought. During the third decade of the XX century, strong winds raised choking dust in the southern states, from Texas to Nebraska. People and animals died as the crops failed in the area for several years in a row. The Dust Bowl lasted for almost a decade and was also called “the Dirty Thirties.” This drought intensified the impact of the Great Depression. Local farmers had to migrate to urban areas in search of better conditions and other sources of living. About 2.5 million people moved West from the worst-hit states, namely New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kansas. But they found only discrimination, meager salaries, and inhuman working conditions. Many had to live in tents near irrigation ditches. They were called “Okies,” a disdainful name for migrants of any state. Regular rains returned to the southern states by the end of 1939, closing the drought. However, the economic aftermath persisted. The counties that suffered the most failed to recover the agricultural value of their land till the 1950s. Thus, the local population kept decreasing for twenty years. Although a drought does not ruin property, it can tangibly lower human life levels. The Dust Bowl threw people into a lose-lose situation. Their farms were unfit for gaining any profit, and the new places of living gave them no better opportunities. It took two decades to restore public wellbeing in the Southern States.

Researching the worst acts of nature can teach you to value what you have. We hope that this article has made your creative writing more manageable and pleasurable. You can write an essay of any length by simply following our outline. All you will need to do after that is make a cover page for it.

Please share your natural disaster essay ideas in the comments below.

❓ Natural Disaster Essay FAQ

How to write an essay about natural disaster.

Your approach should depend on the discipline. But in any case, you can discuss the types of disasters, their consequences, characteristics, and preconditions. The excellent idea is to select a past disastrous event and analyze it from the economic, social, or individual point of view.

What Is a Disaster Essay?

A disaster essay explores the stages of a natural or man-made calamity and seeks the possible ways to prevent similar emergencies in the future. An article on disaster management studies the correct and efficient activities to lower the casualties and property loss after a disaster.

What Is Disaster Preparedness Essay?

This type of writing analyzes the level of readiness of a region or municipality to an unexpected natural disaster. You can highlight the vulnerable groups of the population that will suffer the most. Or, you may invent measures that could reduce the disaster response and coping time. Such assignments teach you strategic thinking and a systematic approach to problem-solving.

How to Describe a Natural Disaster for an Essay?

You should specify that the event was unexpected and led to many deaths and property loss. The most critical things include the causes of the disaster, its progress and duration, and the negative consequences for the locals. You can also specify the negative effect on the economy and humanitarian condition of the area.

🔗 References

  • Natural Disasters and Severe Weather | CDC
  • Types of Disasters | SAMHSA
  • Natural Disaster – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
  • Natural Disasters – National Geographic
  • What Is Disaster Management: Prevention and Mitigation

88 Natural Disaster Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Writing about risks or management of catastrophes caused by nature? Our experts have prepared a list of topics and essay questions about natural disasters – check them out!

🏆 Best Natural Disaster Essay Topics & Examples

📌 catchy essay titles for natural disasters, 👍 good essay topics on natural disaster, ❓ essay questions about natural disasters.

  • Effects of Natural Disasters Essay Various factors influence the effects that a disaster on a country among them the magnitude of the disaster, the geography of the area affected and recovery efforts directed towards reducing the immediate effects of a […]
  • Natural Disaster Risks Overview The Resilinc indicators provide analysis of the riskiness of the locations, such as real-time monitoring of the disruptions, analysis of the multiple risk indicators, assessment of the suppliers in the risky countries, and analysis of […]
  • “Natural Disaster Management Planning” by Perry Perry writes the article Natural disaster management planning: A study of logistics manager responding to the tsunami with the aim of analysing the tsunami disaster that occurred in 2004, as well as providing comprehensive overview […]
  • How Can a Company’s Knowledge Base Be Protected in the Event of a Natural Disaster? In any cases if there is a sudden disaster and there is loss of any data, it becomes highly difficult for the managers to get back the knowledge of the business and also if there […]
  • Incident Command System: Natural Disaster Prevention Planning The disaster brought considerable financial losses to the states, and the Sonora government had to provide funding and support in the form of $30 million for the purpose of residential relief.
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Disaster Management Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on disaster management.

Nature has various manifestations both gentle as well as aggressive. We see how sometimes it is so calm while the other times it becomes fierce. The calm side is loved by everyone, of course, however, when the ferocious side is shown, devastation happens. As humans cannot control everything, certain things of nature are out of our control.

Disaster Management Essay

Similarly, when natural disasters happen, humans cannot control them. However, we can prevent them. In other words, whenever a calamitous situation arises that may disturb the life and ecosystem, we need emergency measures to save and preserve lives. As natural disaster are not predictable, they can take place anywhere at any time. To understand disaster management thoroughly, we need to first identify the types of disasters.

Types of Disasters

If we look at the disasters that have taken place earlier, we can easily say that nature is not merely responsible for them to happen. They happen due to other reasons too. This is why we have classified them in different categories. First comes the natural disasters which are caused by natural processes. They are the most dangerous disaster to happen which causes loss of life and damage to the earth. Some of the deadliest natural disasters are earthquakes , floods, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, and more.

preparation for natural disasters essay

As no country is spared from any kind of disasters, India also falls in the same category. In fact, the geographical location of India makes it a very disaster-prone country. Each year, India faces a number of disasters like floods, earthquakes, tsunami, landslides, cyclones, droughts and more. When we look at the man-made disasters, India suffered the Bhopal Gas Tragedy as well as the plague in Gujarat. To stop these incidents from happening again, we need to strengthen our disaster management techniques to prevent destructive damage.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Disaster Management

Disaster management refers to the efficient management of resources and responsibilities that will help in lessening the impact of the disaster. It involves a well-planned plan of action so we can make effective efforts to reduce the dangers caused by the disaster to a minimum.

Most importantly, one must understand that disaster management does not necessarily eliminate the threat completely but it decreases the impact of the disaster. It focuses on formulating specific plans to do so. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in India is responsible for monitoring the disasters of the country. This organization runs a number of programs to mitigate the risks and increase the responsiveness.

Proper disaster management can be done when we make the citizens aware of the precautionary measures to take when they face emergency situations. For instance, everyone must know we should hide under a bed or table whenever there is an earthquake. Thus, the NDMA needs to take more organized efforts to decrease the damage that disasters are causing. If all the citizens learn the basic ways to save themselves and if the government takes more responsive measures, we can surely save a lot of life and vegetation.

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Cause & Effect Essay: Natural Disasters and Their Causes

Natural disasters happen all over the world, and they can be utterly devastating for people’s lives and the environments in which they live. Although natural disasters are caused by nature and there is nothing that we can do to prevent them happening, there are many different natural causes that lead to natural disasters, and being aware of these causes enables us to be better prepared when such disasters do arrive.

One common natural disaster is flooding, which occurs when a river bursts its banks and the water spills out onto the floodplain. This is far more likely to happen when there is a great deal of heavy rain, so during very wet periods, flood warnings are often put in place. There are other risk factors for flooding too: steep-sided channels cause fast surface run-off, while a lack of vegetation or woodland to both break the flow of water and drink the water means that there is little to slow the floodwater down. Drainage basins of impermeable rock also cause the water to run faster over the surface.

Earthquakes are another common natural disaster that can cause many fatalities. The movements of the plates in the earth’s crust cause them. These plates do not always move smoothly and can get stuck, causing a build-up of pressure. It is when this pressure is released that an earthquake occurs. In turn, an earthquake under the water can also cause a tsunami, as the quake causes great waves by pushing large volumes of water to the surface.

Tsunamis can also be caused by underwater volcanic eruptions. Volcanic eruptions are another natural disaster, and they are caused by magma escaping from inside the earth. An explosion takes place, releasing the magma from a confined space, which is why there are often also huge quantities of gas and dust released during a volcanic eruption. The magma travels up the inside of the volcano, and pours out over the surrounding area as lava.

One of the most common natural disasters, but also one of the most commonly forgotten, is wildfires. These take place in many different countries all over the world, particularly during the summer months, and can be caused by a range of different things. Some of the things that can start the wildfires can be totally natural, while others can be manmade, but the speed at which they spread is entirely down to nature. The two natural causes of wildfires are the sun’s heat and lightning strikes, while they can also be caused by campfires, smoking, fireworks and many other things. The reasons that they spread so quickly are prolonged hot, dry weather, where the vegetation dries out, which is why they often take place in woodland.

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Disaster Preparedness, Essay Example

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Individuals and societies are on a daily basis exposed and prone to disaster and calamities. Disaster is any event or occurrence, which might cause damage to property, deaths, health deterioration and disruption to ecology. Disaster affects and disrupts daily activities at both individual level and society as a large. Examples of disasters include fires, floods, epidemics, and explosions among others. It is important to note that disaster being a sudden, extraordinary, or a catastrophe, need preparedness to handle and curb the situation (Endsly, 1988). The control measures and precautions achieved through disaster preparedness.

Disaster preparedness is a state of being ready to counter the effects of a foreseen event with the aim of minimizing and reducing the risks and dangers involved. Disaster preparedness does involve the provision of assistance by offering assistance and stepping after the occurrence of a disaster. Disaster preparedness can be immediate or long-term; the immediate response usually known as emergency preparedness. The process involves risk identification and mitigation with the intention of developing a plan and ways of implementing it. The process involves risk identification and mitigation with the intention of developing a plan and implementing it. There are several organizations and institutions, which assist disaster victims and devising ways of controlling future occurrences of the risks. These organizations are usually prepared they have device ways and methods of disaster preparedness achieved by getting facts about the nature of the possible disasters, gathering necessary resources and equipping personnel with appropriate skills  to handle risks in case of occurrence of a risk. Related to disaster is bio-surveillance.

Bio-surveillance involves mitigation measures, which entails gathering, integrating, interpreting and communicating essential information related to hazards and diseases, which is a threat to life (Cuny & Fredrick, 1983). The process achieves its objectives by detecting the occurrence of an incident in time a creating health awareness of the problem in question, for effective decision-making. There is a need for every community to adopt a bio-surveillance process. There is a need for bio-surveillance in the community as it creates awareness in threats associated with health. The community will be in a position to device effective ways to curb the problem. Through the process, further discussion concerning pest events and associated risks promoted; this has been of significance in devising new methods to solve the problem. Bio-surveillance is normally conducted by federal, state, local, or private entities.

The 2001 Anthrax spores release as a terrorist weapon became the biggest threat to life, since it can be inhaled when released to the air. Several cases of respiratory problems were reported. It is clear that the inhalation can cause death to individuals exposed. The United States militants as a way of attacking its enemies used the method. Being a threat to life and exposing human life to dangers, the militants should have used different ways as a weapon of attacking terrorists. The anthrax outbreak caused many deaths and several were left with respiratory problems, fatigue, breathing difficulties and memory loss. Different weapons for attacking terrorists should have been used, for example, use of nuclear weapons as since it has less effect to human health compared to anthrax spores.

RAIN (Recognize, Avoid, Isolate and Notify) concept in disaster preparedness assists individuals and organizations reduce the risks associated with hazard occurrence. The concept involves four steps; recognize the hazard or risk likely to occur, device ways and means of recognizing and look for a possible solution. Hazard avoidance is the next steps, after recognizing the likelihood of occurrence, try to avoid the risk done achieved through various ways like using alternative ways  rather than watching occur. Isolation is done through ways such as evading the place where the hazard is the likelihood of occurrence, in cases of infectious diseases; persons with the disease are isolated from the rest to curb its spread. Hazard notification is the last alternative after all the steps fail or is not applicable. With notification, public are notified concerning the occurrence of the hazard they are made aware. RAIN concept overtime has been a useful tool when dealing with disaster; it has achieved its objectives.

The 2009 Influenza A (HINI1 virus) was a serious threat to human, many cases of the infection were reported. The infection cause many deaths, as the virus was transmitted through various ways. The nursing staff was a higher risk of being infected when dealing with patients. CDC thus step in and device safety guidance for nurses and other workers to follow. Facemasks and respirators use was recommended for them. N95 facemasks were appropriate for nurses dealing with severe illnesses of both HIN1 and influenza. This was effective in reducing the number of nurses being infected and to reduce the transmission of the infection.

Broad, B. & William J. (2002). “Geographic Gaffe Misguides Anthrax Inquiry “. New York, NY: The New York Times.

Cuny, M. & Frederick, C. (1983). Disasters and Development . New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Endsley, M. (1988). Design and evaluation for situation awareness enhancement. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 32 Annual Meeting . Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors Society.

Krimgold, G. & Frederick, S. (1974). The Role of International Aid For Pre-Disaster Planning in Developing Countries . Avdelningen For Arkitektur,  Stockholm.

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Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Natural Disasters — Natural Disasters: Causes and Impacts

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Natural Disasters: Causes and Impacts

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Published: Jan 31, 2024

Words: 682 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, definition of natural disasters, causes of natural disasters, environmental effects of natural disasters, economic effects of natural disasters, social effects of natural disasters, mitigation and preparedness measures.

  • Callaghan, K., & Alexander, M. (2018). Hurricane Harvey on the Gulf Coast: A Comprehensive Analysis of Impacts. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Kennedy School.
  • IPCC. (2014). Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Cambridge University Press.
  • McMahon, J., & Keefer, J. (2016). Social Vulnerability and Tropical Cyclones in Sint Maarten. Journal of Water and Climate Change , 7(2), 396-408.
  • UNDRR. (2017). Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction. United Nations.
  • Vos, F., Dykes, J., & Pierce, L. (2017). Flood Preparedness and Early-warning System Effectiveness in the Philippines. Disasters, 41(S1), S16-S37.

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The Importance of Being Prepared for a Natural Disaster

preparation for natural disasters essay

By Constance Gustke

  • Jan. 8, 2016

AS hot, wind-fed wildfires swirled around her town in early September, Darlene Simmons, 76, was busy cooking spaghetti in her kitchen. As a resident of Middletown, a small town in Northern California, she had been through wildfires before. But her home, where she had lived for 45 years, had never been harmed.

So Ms. Simmons was staying put — until a police officer knocked on the door. He told her that she must leave immediately. She grabbed her medications and an address book, but was forced, reluctantly, to leave everything else behind, including her cane and family photos.

“I’m glad that I was forced to leave,” said Ms. Simmons, who was near tears as she recalled the day. “I could hear propane tanks exploding as I drove away.”

That night, Ms. Simmons’s house burned down. The wildfire, one of the worst in California history, bent her refrigerator in half and melted metal. Her entire block was reduced to ashes.

Natural disasters, which appear to be on the rise in part because of climate change, are especially hard for older adults. They are particularly vulnerable because many have chronic illnesses that are worsened during the heat of a fire or the high water of a flood. And many are understandably reluctant to leave homes that hold so much history.

Studies show that over half the people who died in Katrina, the hurricane that hit New Orleans and the surrounding Gulf Coast 10 years ago, were 65 or older. Many were trapped in their homes; some died of health complications caused by flooding.

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Essay on Natural Disaster

Students are often asked to write an essay on Natural Disaster in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

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100 Words Essay on Natural Disaster

Introduction.

Natural disasters are extreme, sudden events caused by environmental factors that injure people and damage property. They include earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, tsunamis, and other geologic processes.

Types of Natural Disasters

Earthquakes are sudden shaking of the ground. Floods occur when water overflows onto dry land. Hurricanes are intense wind storms. Tornadoes are violently rotating winds. Wildfires destroy forests and lands. Tsunamis are sea waves caused by underwater earthquakes.

Impact of Natural Disasters

Natural disasters can lead to loss of life, economic damage, and displacement of populations. They can also cause environmental damage, impacting biodiversity and ecosystems.

Understanding natural disasters and their effects can help us prepare and reduce their harmful impacts. It’s crucial to educate ourselves and take protective measures.

250 Words Essay on Natural Disaster

Natural disasters are catastrophic events triggered by environmental factors that kill people and cause damage to property and natural resources. They include earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, tsunamis, and other geologic processes.

The Cause and Effect of Natural Disasters

Natural disasters occur due to the movement of tectonic plates, weather changes, and geological processes. Earthquakes, for instance, are caused by the movement of tectonic plates. Floods and hurricanes are usually the result of extreme weather conditions. The effects are often devastating, leading to loss of life and property, displacement of people, and economic damage.

Human Interaction and Natural Disasters

Human activities can exacerbate the severity of natural disasters. Deforestation, urbanization, and climate change contribute to the frequency and intensity of these disasters. Climate change, driven by human activity, is causing more severe weather patterns, leading to increased instances of floods and hurricanes.

Prevention and Mitigation Measures

Prevention and mitigation of natural disasters involve predicting possible disasters and preparing for them. Technological advancements have made it possible to predict some disasters, enabling timely evacuations. Infrastructure can be designed to withstand natural disasters, and reforestation can help prevent landslides and floods.

Natural disasters are inevitable, but their impact can be reduced through innovative technology, proper planning, and sustainable practices. Understanding the causes and effects of these disasters is crucial for developing effective prevention and mitigation strategies.

500 Words Essay on Natural Disaster

The science behind natural disasters.

Understanding the science behind natural disasters involves studying the Earth’s interacting systems. For instance, earthquakes occur due to the movement of tectonic plates. When these plates move, they cause the Earth’s crust to break and shake, leading to an earthquake. Similarly, hurricanes form over warm ocean waters and are fueled by the heat and water vapor they provide.

Impacts of Natural Disasters

The impacts of natural disasters are multifaceted and far-reaching. They not only cause immediate loss of life and destruction of infrastructure but also have long-term effects on the socio-economic fabric of the affected regions. Natural disasters can lead to economic losses due to the destruction of infrastructure like buildings, bridges, and roads, disrupting trade, and causing a decline in tourism.

Climate Change and Natural Disasters

Disaster management and mitigation.

In conclusion, natural disasters are a significant global issue, causing immense loss and damage. Understanding the science behind these disasters, their impacts, and the influence of climate change can help us develop effective disaster management strategies. As we move forward, it is crucial that we continue to improve our resilience to these events, not only through scientific and technological advances but also by fostering global cooperation and community preparedness. After all, natural disasters are a shared global risk, and addressing them effectively requires collective action.

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Disaster Management Essay

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Essay on Disaster Management

Disaster Management is the arrangement and management of the resources following a disaster, be it natural or man-made. There are so many organizations who are dealing with various types of disastrous situations from the humanitarian aspect. Some disasters are just the consequences of human hazards and some are caused by natural calamity. However, we can prevent them by taking the necessary emergency measures to save and preserve lives. As natural disasters cannot be predicted, they can take place anywhere at any time. 

Vedantu has provided an essay on Disaster management on this page. Students who have received an assignment to write an essay on Disaster Management or preparing an essay for examination can refer to this page to understand the pattern. Any student or parent can directly visit Vedantu site or download the app on the phone to get access to the study materials.  

Disaster Management’ is the simple term of management which embraces loads of disaster-related activities. Disaster occurs frequently in some parts of the world. Japan is the best example of it. Japanese people are annoyed on Tsunamis and earthquakes. The local scene is not much different from the global one. No one could forget the cyclone in Orissa, Earthquake in Gujarat or even the Mumbai Terrorist Attack.

Natural and man-made are the two categories of the disaster. Natural disasters are those which occurred due to sudden changes in the environment or topography causing uncountable human as well as economic loss. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods and cloudbursts are few of the natural disasters. Manual intentional made disasters are man-made disasters. For example, Gas leakage, terrorist attacks, fire, oil spills. Man-made disasters are the result of human intentions or might be because of workmanship or technical errors. The count of man-made and natural disasters is rising rapidly.

Here are a few things which will help us to deal with earthquakes. The significant information about Natural calamities is predicted easier and is being shared within the public by the central bureau. Furthermore, earthquake-resistant structures are constructed considering, ‘Precaution is Better Than Cure’. Reflexes are made so strong that cover of solid platforms such as a table and chair should be taken as soon as the danger is sensible while the cover of trees, electric poles or buildings is avoided as far as possible. Keep in touch with local news during heavy rainy days. Any flood is preceded with significant time. Making proper use of divine buffer time for safety is advisable. Strategically planning of water reservoirs, land uses, tree plantation, rainwater harvesting techniques help us increase immunity power to fight against the drought. 

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, International Association of Emergency Managers etc. are the best disaster management authorities. NDMA is a core body which obeys the law of Disaster Management. The reputed disaster managers are stuck in finding plans for rescuing from the loss of disaster. Moreover, to counteract the effect of disaster Rajya Sabha passed the ‘Disaster Management Act’ on 23 December 2005 which includes 11 chapters and 79 sections in it. Honourable Prime Minister of India Mr Narendra Modi holds the position of chairman of it. 

Youngsters should motivate themselves to learn and practice plenty of disaster management techniques and arrange the camps regarding it. Today, everyone is fighting against one of the breathtaking disasters named COVID-19 which is as big as fighting in world war. Avoiding the crowd, wearing the mask are the basic precautions suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO) during this period of fighting. This disease spreads mostly amongst the people who come in close contact with the infected one. So, it's suggested to keep a safe distance of around 3 meters within the others. This is being termed as ‘Social Distancing’. Nature is not cruel nor is it human. Just small management skills help us withstand before, in and after disasters. Uncountable suggestions and instructions in disaster management but few which apply every time must be followed.

Stages of Disaster Management

With proper implementation and structured action, we can prevent or lessen the impact of natural or man-made disasters. There are certain stages involving the cycle for disaster management plan which incorporates policies and emergency responses required for a prospectively complete recovery. The stages are –

The most preferred way to deal with disasters is to be proactive in their prevention rather than rushing later for their cure. This implies recognition of potential hazards and working towards infrastructure to mitigate their impact. This stage in the management cycle involves setting up permanent measures to minimize disaster risk.

Setting up an evacuation plan in a school, training the teachers to lead the students towards safe structures in the event of earthquake, tornado or fire, planning a strong base for high raised sky-scrapers to prepare for earthquakes and designing a city in such a manner that reduces the risk of flooding are some examples of measures takes for disaster prevention.

Mitigation is the first and the foremost attempt to save human lives during the time of disaster or their recovery from the aftermath. The measures which are taken can be both structural and non-structural.

Structural mitigation measures could include transforming the physical characteristics of a building or the surroundings to curb the effect, for example, clearing out of the trees around your house, ensuring that storms don’t knock down the trees and send them crashing into the house. Non-structural measures could include amending the building or locality codes to enhance safety and prevent disasters.

Preparedness

Preparedness is a process that involves a social community where the trained, or the head of the community, businesses and institutions demonstrate the plan of action which is supposed to be executed during the event of a disaster. It is an ongoing continuous process with anticipation of a calamity, which involves training, evaluating and taking corrective action with the highest level of alertness. Some examples of such prevention measures are fire drills, shooter drills and evacuation rehearsals.

The response is the action taken after the disaster has occurred to retrieve some life from it. It includes short-term and long-term responses. In ideal situations, the disaster-management leader will coordinate the use of resources in the restoration process and minimize the risk of further property damage.

During this stage, the area of the calamity is cleared if it poses any further threat to human as well as environmental life. For example, evacuation of the city of Chernobyl, Ukraine, is a responsive action against a disaster.

The fifth and last stage in the process of the disaster management plan is the recovery stage. This can sometimes take years or decades to happen. The larger mass of a city is also sometimes part of the recovery from a disaster. The greatest and the most infamous example of this is the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear attacks on Japan, it took the people of those cities years and decades to recover from that man-made calamity.

It took years of effort to stabilize the area and restore essential community or individual functions. The recovery stage prioritizes the basic essential needs of human survival like food, drinkable water, utilities, transportation and healthcare over less-essential services. Eventually, this stage is all about coordinating with individuals, communities and businesses to help each other to restore a normal or a new normal, as in the case of Covid-19.

How to Act as a Responsible Person During a Time of Disaster?

Some people have more experience than others with managing natural or man-made disasters and their prevention of them. Although this is that subject of life which should be studied and implemented by every business or community. As it is said rightly, “prevention is better than cure”, and any organization or an individual or a community can be hit by a disaster sooner or later, whether it's something as minor as a prolonged power cut or a life-threatening hurricane or an earthquake. Usually, the pandemics train us, as a social and political community, to deal with natural calamities and compel the organizations responsible for it, to build an infrastructure for its prevention.

To act responsibly and pro-actively during the event of a disaster, we have got to be prepared and equipped as a nation, individually and as a social community. To be well-educated and read with the aspects of disaster management is to be responsible for the handling of it.

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FAQs on Disaster Management Essay

1. What is Disaster Management?

In simpler words, disaster management can be defined as the arrangement of resources and precautions to deal with all humanitarian aspects during an emergency. Disasters are the consequences of natural or human hazards. Earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes are some of the deadliest natural disasters to name a few. Examples of man-made disasters are bomb blast, radiations, transport accidents, terrorist attacks etc.

2. What is the Main Aim of Disaster Management?

The main aim of disaster management is prevention, rescue and recovery from the trauma, and development.

3. How to Write an Essay on Disaster Management?

Disaster management refers to the response to an emergency situation to make it as normal as possible. While writing an essay on Disaster Management, you can start with an introduction, then go on with the definition, the types of disaster management, a little in-depth explanation along with examples, and finish it off with a conclusion. 

4. Can I Get a Sample Essay on Disaster Management from Vedantu?

Yes, the essay mentioned on this page is about Disaster Management. This essay has been written by the experts of Vedantu keeping the understanding ability of the students of each class. 

5. What are the career opportunities in the field of Disaster management?

People looking for career opportunities in the field of disaster management have many pathways to approach it. Some examples of the jobs relating to this line of work are crisis-management leader, disaster-assistance specialist and emergency-planning coordinator. These are the roles which call for varying levels of responsibility in preparing a city or a company for catastrophic events. The job roles can be approached with earning a master’s degree in emergency and crisis management.

Geography Notes

Essay on disaster management: top 11 essays | geography.

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Here is a compilation of essays on ‘Disaster Management’ for class 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Find paragraphs, long and short essays ‘Disaster Management’ especially written for school and college students.

Essay on Disaster Management

Essay Contents:

  • Essay on the Awareness Programmes for Disaster Management

Essay # 1. Introduction to Disaster Management:

India has been traditionally vulnerable to natural disasters on account of its unique geo- climatic conditions. Floods, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes and landslides have been recurrent phenomena. About 60% of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of various intensities; over 40 million hectares is prone to floods; about 8% of the total area is prone to cyclones and 68% of the area is susceptible to drought.

In the decade 1990-2000, an average of about 4344 people lost their lives and about 30 million people were affected by disasters every year. The loss in terms of private, community and public assets has been astronomical. At the global level, there has been considerable concern over natural disasters.

Even as scientific and material progress is made, the loss of lives and property due to disasters has not decision. In fact, the human toll and economic losses have mounted. It was in this background that the Nations General Assembly, in 1989, declared the decade 1990-2000 as the International Natural Disaster Reduction with the objective to reduce loss of lives and property and restrict economic damage through concerted international action, especially in developing countries.

Over the past couple of years, the Government of India has brought about a paradigm shift in approach to disaster management. The new approach proceeds from the conviction that develop cannot be sustainable unless disaster mitigation is built into the development process. Another stone of the approach is that mitigation has to be multi-disciplinary spanning across all sectors.

The new policy also emanates from the belief that investments in mitigation are much cost effective than expenditure on relief and rehabilitation. Disaster management occupies an important place in this country’s policy framework as it is poor and the under­privileged who are worst affected on account of calamities/disasters.

The steps being taken by the Government emanate from the approach outlined above. The app: has been translated into a National Disaster Framework [a roadmap] covering institutional mechanic; disaster prevention strategy, early warning system, disaster mitigation, preparedness and response human resource development.

The expected inputs, areas of intervention and agencies to be in at the national, state and district levels have been identified and listed in the roadmap. This road has been shared with all the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.

Ministries Departments of Government of India, and the State Governments/UT Administrations have been develop their respective roadmaps taking the national roadmap as a broad guideline. There is, therefore: now a common strategy underpinning the action being taken by the entire participating organisation stakeholders.

The approach is being put into effect through:

1. Institutional changes

2. Enunciation of policy

3. Legal and techno-legal framework

4. Mainstreaming Mitigation into development process

5. Funding mechanism

6. Specific schemes addressing mitigation

7. Preparedness measures

8. Capacity building

9. Human resource development and, above all, community participation.

In India, the role of emergency management falls to National Disaster Management of India, a government agency subordinate to the Ministry of Home Affairs. In recent years, there has been a shift in emphasis, from response and recovery to strategic risk management and reduction, and from a government-centered approach to decentralized community participation.

Survey of India, an agency within the Ministry of Science and Technology, is also playing a role in this field, through bringing the academic knowledge and research expertise of earth scientists to the emergency management process.

Essay # 2. Meaning of Disaster Management:

Disaster management means a systematic response to a disaster. Earlier the approach to disaster was relief centric and was limited to providing relief to the disaster affected area. For the first time, the Tenth Five Year Plan devoted a chapter to disaster management. The approach subsequently changed and pre-empting the disaster, assessing disaster risk and taking preventive measures has also become a part of disaster management.

The Disaster Management Act was notified on 26th December, 2005 which defines disaster management as “a continuous and integrated process of planning, organising, coordinating and implementing measures which are necessary or expedient for-prevention of danger or threat of any disaster; mitigation or reduction of risk of any disaster or its severity or consequences; capacity building; preparedness to deal with any disaster; prompt response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster; assessing the severity of magnitude of effects of any disaster; evacuation, rescue and relief; and rehabilitation and reconstruction.”

The Act provided for a dedicated and institutionalized framework to coordinate various aspects of disaster management. A National Policy on Disaster Management, which provided detailed guidelines on disaster management, was announced in 2009.

Essay # 3. Institutions of Disaster Management:

The Disaster Management Act 2005 has provided the legal and institutional framework for disaster management in India at the national, state and district levels. In the federal policy of India the primary responsibility of disaster management vests with the State Governments.

The Central Government lays down policies and guidelines and provides technical, financial and logistic support while the district administration carries out most of the operations in collaboration with central and state level agencies.

In the Central Government there are existing institutions and mechanisms for disaster management while new dedicated institutions have been created under the Disaster Management Act of 2005.

The Cabinet Committee on Management of Natural Calamities (CCMNC) oversees all aspects relating to the management of natural calamities including assessment of the situation and identification of measures and programmes considered necessary to reduce its impact, monitor and suggest long term measures for prevention of such calamities, formulate and recommend programmes for public awareness for building up society’s resilience to them. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) deals with the matters relating to nuclear, biological and chemical emergencies.

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the Cabinet Secretary oversees the Command, Control and Coordination of the disaster response. The Disaster Management Act, 2005 has created new institutions at the national, state, district and local levels.

The new institutional framework for disaster management in the country is as under:

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister is the apex body responsible for laying down policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management and for coordinating their enforcement and implementation throughout the country.

The policies and guidelines will assist the Central Ministries, State Governments and district administration to formulate their respective plans and programmes. NDMA has the power to approve the National Plans and the Plans of the respective Ministries and Departments of Government of India. The general superintendence, direction and control of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are vested in and will be exercised by the NDMA.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) is mandated to assist the NDMA in the discharge of its functions and further ensure compliance of the directions issued by the Central Government. The NEC comprises of the Union Home Secretary as the Chairperson, and the Secretaries to the GOI in the Ministries/Departments of Agriculture, Atomic Energy, Defence, Drinking Water Supply, Environment and Forests, Finance (Expenditure), Health, Power, Rural Development, Science and Technology, Space, Telecommunications, Urban Development, Water Resources and the Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff of the Chiefs of Staff Committee as members.

Secretaries in the Ministry of External Affairs, Earth Sciences, Human Resource Development, Mines, Shipping, Road Transport and Highways and Secretary, NDMA are special invitees to the meetings of the NEC. The National Executive Committee is responsible to prepare the National Plan and coordinate and monitor the implementation of the National Policy and the guidelines issued by NDMA.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the Central Government has the overall responsibility for disaster management in the country.

For a few specific types of disasters the concerned Ministries have the nodal responsibilities for management of the disasters, as under:

The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) has the mandate for human resource development and capacity building for disaster management within the broad policies and guidelines laid down by the NDMA. NIDM is required to design, develop and implement training programmes, undertake research, formulate and implement a comprehensive human resource development plan, provide assistance in national policy formulation, assist other research and training institutes, state governments and other organizations for successfully discharging their responsibilities, develop educational materials for dissemination and promote awareness among stakeholders in addition to undertake any other function as assigned to it by the Central Government.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is the specialized force for disaster response which works under the overall supervision and control of the NDMA.

At the State Level the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), headed by the Chief Minister, lays down policies and plans for disaster management in the state. It is also responsible to coordinate the implementation of the State Plan, recommend provision of funds for mitigation and preparedness measures and review the developmental plans of the different departments of the state to ensure integration of prevention, preparedness and mitigation measures.

The State Disaster Management Department (DMD) which is mostly positioned in the Revenue and Relief Department is the nodal authority.

In the district level the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is headed by the District Magistrate, with the elected representative of the local authority as the Co-Chairperson. DDMA is the planning, coordinating and implementing body for disaster management at district level. It will, inter alia prepare the District Disaster Management Plan and monitor the implementation of the National and State Policies and the National, State and the District Plans.

DDMA will also ensure that the guidelines for prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response measures laid down by the NDMA and the SDMA are followed by all departments of the State Government at the district level and the local authorities in the district.

The Local Authorities both the rural local self-governing institutions (Panchayati Raj Institutions) and urban local bodies (Municipalities, Cantonment Boards and Town Planning Authorities) These bodies will ensure capacity building of their officers and employees for managing disasters, carry out relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the affected areas and will prepare DM Plans in consonance with guidelines of the NDMA, SDMAs and DDMAs.

Disaster Management Act (2005):

The Disaster Management Act, 2005 came into the statute book on 26 December, 2005 by a Gazette notification, exactly on the first anniversary of the devastating tsunami of 2004, which killed nearly 13,000 people in India alone and affected 18 million people. The Act provides a legal and institutional framework for “the effective management of disasters and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.”

It provides for establishment of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMA) at the National, State and District levels with adequate financial and administrative powers and creation of the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) with the mandate of undertaking training and capacity building, Develop Training Modules on various aspects of disaster management, Undertake Research and Documentation, Formulate and implement comprehensive HRD Plan covering all aspects of DM, Provide assistance in national level policy formulation and Provide assistance to state governments and State Training Institutions.

The act also provides guidelines for creation of National Disaster Response Fund, National Mitigation Fund, Establishment of funds by State Government and Allocation of funds by Ministries and Departments for Emergency Procurement. The act also provides for establishment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

National Policy on Disaster Management in 2009 :

The National Policy on Disaster Management was approved by the Government in November 2009. This comprehensive policy document lays down policies on every aspect of holistic management of disasters in the country.

The policy has thirteen chapters as under:

1. Preamble

2. Approach and Objectives

3. Institutional and Legal Arrangements

4. Financial Arrangements

5. Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Preparedness

6. Techno-Legal Regime

7. Response

8. Relief and Rehabilitation

9. Reconstruction and recovery

10. Capacity development

11. Knowledge management

12. Research and development

13. Road ahead

Salient Features of India’s National Policy on Disaster Management:

India’s National Policy on Disaster Management was approved by the Union Cabinet of India on 22nd October, 2009 with the aim to minimize the losses to lives, livelihoods and property, caused by natural or manmade disasters with a vision to build a safe and disaster resilient India by developing a holistic, proactive, integrated, Multi-disaster oriented and technology driven strategy.

With this national policy in place in India, a holistic and integrated approach will be evolved towards disaster management with emphasis on building strategic partnerships at various levels. The themes underpinning the policy include Community based Disaster Management, Capacity development in all spheres, Consolidation of past initiatives and best practices and Cooperation with agencies at national and international levels with multi-sectoral synergy.

The Policy is also intended to promote a culture of prevention, preparedness and resilience at all levels through knowledge, innovation and education. It encourages mitigation measures based on environmental sustainability. It seeks to mainstream disaster management into the developmental planning process and provides for institutional and financial arrangements at national, state, and district-levels for Disaster Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness and Response as it ensures adequate budgeting for disaster mitigation activities in all Ministries and Departments.

I. State Policies on Disaster Management:

The States of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala have formulated State Disaster Management Policies. Tamil Nadu, Chattisgarh, Uttrakhand, Meghalaya, Bihar, Rajasthan, Delhi, Orissa and West Bengal have prepared draft policies.

II. State Relief Codes/DM Codes:

Many States have manuals and codes for management of drought, floods etc. Now many states are in the process of changing their State Relief codes into Disaster Management Manuals.

Essay # 4. Disaster Management Cycle:

Earthquakes, landslides, floods, hurricanes, famines typhoons, and other disasters affect millions of people and cause a lot of financial loss to the nation every year. Many of these events are impossible to predict precisely, but with the disaster response community has a variety of tools that can employ to reduce thereafter effects.

The community understands these tools as arrayed across a “disaster management cycle” that includes work from prevention efforts all the way through long-term recovery and “building back better.”

The disaster management cycle includes several phases:

1. Mitigation:

Disaster mitigation work involves directly preventing future emergencies and/or minimizing their negative effects. It requires hazard risk analysis and the application of strategies to reduce the likelihood that hazards will become disasters, such as flood-proofing homes or buying insurance.

2. Preparedness:

Disaster preparedness efforts include plans or preparations made in advance of an emergency that help individuals and communities get ready. Such preparations might include the stocking of food and water, medicine, or the gathering and screening of willing volunteers.

3. Response:

Disaster response work includes any actions taken in the midst of or immediately following an emergency, including efforts to save lives and to prevent further property damage. Ideally, disaster response involves putting already established disaster preparedness plans into motion. Typically, this phase of the disaster life cycle draws the most attention.

4. Recovery:

Disaster recovery happens after damages have been assessed, and involves actions to return the affected community to its pre-disaster state or better-and ideally to make it less vulnerable to future risk. Risk identification includes understanding the nature of hazards as well as understanding the nature of vulnerabilities. Subsequent efforts may range from physical upgrades to education, training, and public awareness campaigns.

Essay # 5. Plan Preparation for Disaster Management:

Programme staff has selected 100 villagers (including women) who will be given intensive disaster management training. This will include preparation for post-earthquake, cyclone and fire situations. The objective of the programme is to help build up, within a short period of time, a mechanism that can respond to natural calamities and help save lives.

Results of the training should include better coordination with relief and rescue efforts of the government and humanitarian agencies so as to avoid the common mismanagement that often hampers relief operations following natural disasters.

By prioritising measures for vulnerability reduction in a transparent, accountable and inclusive way, the programme aims to shape future disaster response and related development projects in other areas of Gujarat, as well as in other drought prone states.

Disaster Contingency Plan Preparation :

A good disaster contingency plan consists of organizing resources, assessing risks, developing a plan, implementing the plan and monitoring it. The plan is a constantly changing document. The plan needs to be flexible because communities and resources change over time.

The goal of the plan is to reduce or eliminate the loss of life. The plan strives to do the same for property damage resulting from natural hazards. Understand that your plan might be different for different types of emergencies.

You would respond differently to a house fire than you would a state emergency for disaster:

1. Organize your resources. Take an inventory of resources that would be needed and available in the event of various emergencies. Resources can be other people as well as organizations. Create an emergency list of contacts. Be sure to include area codes, especially if you have younger children. Create an inventory of household items and family assets. Keep it in a water and fire-proof safe.

2. Assess your risks. Determine the potential problems in your household and in your community. Include tornadoes or wind storms in your plan if you live in an area prone to these meteorological events.

3. Develop a plan and set priorities. Make an evacuation map of your house. Include each room and possible escape routes from each room. Consider where your family would meet if a disaster happened while your children were at school and you were at work. Learn how to turn off your utilities. Include your pets in your planning.

4. Implement the plan and monitor its progress. Hold regular drills at home. Make sure everyone knows where to go and what to do in an emergency.

5. Make an emergency kit. Include blankets, food and snacks high in protein, water, a flashlight and batteries. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency also recommends a first aid kit, extra clothes, a tool kit, duct tape, a towline, a utility knife, and extra medication if applicable.

Disaster Management Plan Preparation :

The preparation of plans must fulfill the statutory requirements as laid down in the Disaster Management Act and must ensure that efforts have been made by the department to fulfill statutory duties-failure of which invites stringent liabilities including criminal proceedings by the law of the State.

This planning exercise is an effort made to mainstream all issues concerned with emergency preparedness, response and mitigation/risk reduction activities.

The department should include the following components in the department plan:

1. Planning on emergency response at all levels.

2. Planning on providing relief and recovery support (post-disaster).

3. Planning on prevention and mitigation issues (including mainstreaming mitigation into the development)

4. Programmes supported by schemes financed by the state government (multilateral bilateral and donor institutions).

5. Planning for resources such as financial and human resource to fulfill the above three components.

The roles and responsibilities (in fulfilling the above four components) of all the actors and agencies within the department should be clearly spelt out in the plan. This will avoid ambiguity and confusion while executing the plan in the times of crisis. Thus, the roles and responsibilities under the above listed heads/sections should be prepared and the responsibilities assigned.

Department plan must clearly identify and assess the current capacity of the department. In other words, the department assess the availability of human resources/manpower, equipment, need for training and further capacity building through human resource development plan. In addition, existing resource allocation by the department on disaster management functions and requirements of additional funds for a minimum period of next three years must be indicated in the plan.

Essay # 6. Principles of Disaster Management:

The principles of disaster management are:

1. Disaster management is the responsibility of all spheres of government. No single service or department in itself has the capability to achieve comprehensive disaster management. Each affected service or department must have a disaster management plan which is coordinated through the Disaster Management Advisory Forum.

2. Disaster management should use resources that exist for a day-to-day purpose. There are limited resources available specifically for disasters, and it would be neither cost effective nor practical to have large holdings of dedicated disaster resources. However, municipalities must ensure that there is a minimum budget allocation to enable appropriate response to incidents as they arise, and to prepare for and reduce the risk of disasters occurring.

3. Organisations should function as an extension of their core business. Disaster management is about the use of resources in the most effective manner. To achieve this during disasters, organisations should be employed in a manner that reflects their day-to-day role. But it should be done in a coordinated manner across all relevant organisations, so that it is multidisciplinary and multi-agency.

4. Individuals are responsible for their own safety. Individuals need to be aware of the hazards that could affect their community and the counter measures, which include the Municipal Disaster Management Plan, that are in place to deal with them.

5. Disaster management planning should focus on large-scale events. It is easier to scale down a response than it is to scale up if arrangements have been based on incident scale events. If you are well prepared for a major disaster you will be able to respond very well to smaller incidents and emergencies, nevertheless, good multi agency responses to incidents do help in the event of a major disaster.

6. Disaster management planning should recognise the difference between incidents and disasters. Incidents, e.g., fires that occur in informal settlements, floods that occur regularly, still require multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional coordination. The scale of the disaster will indicate when it is beyond the capacity of the municipality to respond, and when it needs the involvement of other agencies.

7. Disaster management operational arrangements are additional to and do not replace incident management operational arrangements. Single service incident management operational arrangements will need to continue, whenever practical, during disaster operations.

8. Disaster management planning must take account of the type of physical environment and the structure of the population. The physical shape and size of the Municipality and the spread of population must be considered when developing counter disaster plans to ensure that appropriate prevention, preparation, response and recovery mechanisms can be put in place in a timely manner.

9. Disaster management arrangements must recognize the involvement and potential role of non-government agencies. Significant skills and resources needed during disaster operations are controlled by non-government agencies. These agencies must be consulted and included in the planning process.

Goal of Disaster Management:

1. Reduce or avoid losses from hazards

2. Assure prompt assistance to victims

3. Achieve rapid and effective recovers. 

Essay # 7. Financial Agreements for Disaster Management:

Financing of Relief Expenditures :

The policy arrangements for meeting relief expenditure related to natural disasters are, by and large, based on the recommendations of successive finance commissions. The two main windows presently open for meeting such expenditures are the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) and National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF). The Calamity Relief Fund is used for meeting the expenditure for providing immediate relief to the victims of cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood and hailstorm.

Expenditure on restoration of damaged capital works should ordinarily be met from the normal budgetary heads, except when it is to be incurred as part of providing immediate relief, such as restoration of drinking water sources or provision of shelters etc., or restoration of communication links for facilitating relief operations.

The amount of annual contribution to the CRF of each State for each of the financial years 2000-01 to 2004-05 is as indicated by the Finance Commission. Of the total contribution indicated, the Government of India contributes 75 per cent of the total yearly allocation in the form of a non-plan grant, and the balance amount is contributed by the State Government concerned. A total of Rs.11,007.59 crore was provided for the Calamity Relief Fund from 2000-05.

Pursuant to the recommendations of the Eleventh Finance Commission, apart from the CRF, a National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) Scheme came into force with effect from the financial year 2000-01 and would be operative till the end of the financial year 2004-05.

NCCF is intended to cover natural calamities like cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood and hailstorm, which are considered to be of severe nature requiring expenditure by the State Government in excess of the balances available in its own Calamity Relief Fund.

The assistance from NCCF is available only for immediate relief and rehabilitation. Any reconstruction of assets or restoration of damaged capital should be financed through re-allocation of Plan funds. There is need for defining the arrangements in this regard.

The initial corpus of the National Fund is Rs.500 crore, provided by the Government of India. This fund is required to be recouped by levy of special surcharge for a limited period on central taxes. An amount of about Rs.2,300 crore has already been released to States from NCCF. A list of items and norms of expenditure for assistance chargeable to CRF/NCCF in the wake of natural calamities is prescribed in detail from time to time.

Financing of Disaster Management through Five Year Plans :

Although not specifically addressed in Five Year Plan documents in the past, the Government of India has a long history of using funds from the Plan for mitigating natural disasters. Funds are 11 provided under plan schemes i.e., various schemes of Government of India, such as for drinking water, employment generation, inputs for agriculture and flood control measures etc.

There are also facilities for rescheduling short-term loans taken for agriculture purposes upon certification by the District/ State administration. Central Government’s assets/ infrastructure are to be repaired/rectified by the respective Ministry/Department of Government of India.

Besides this, at the occurrence of a calamity of great magnitude, funds flow from donors, both local and international, for relief and rehabilitation, and in few cases for long- term preparedness/preventive measures. Funds for the latter purposes are also available from multilateral funding agencies such as the World Bank. These form part of the state.

There are also a number of important ongoing schemes that specifically help reduce disaster vulnerability.

Some of these are:

a. Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP),

b. Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP),

c. Desert Development Programme (DDP),

d. Flood Control Programme,

e. National Afforestation and Eco-development Programme (NA & ED),

f. Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP),

g. Crop Insurance, Sampurn Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY),

h. Food for Work etc.

Initiatives Proposed by Various Bodies Regarding Financing under the Plan :

References have recently been made to the role of the Plan in disaster management by the High Power Committee (HPC) on Disaster Management, as well as by the Eleventh Finance Commission. The HPC was constituted in 1999 and submitted its Report in October 2001. The HPC took an overview of all recent disasters (natural as well as manmade) in the country and identified common response and preparedness mechanisms on the basis of a series of consultations with a number of government, non-government, national and international agencies and media organisations.

An important recommendation of the Committee was that at least 10 per cent of plan funds at the national, state and district levels be earmarked and apportioned for schemes which specifically address areas such as prevention, reduction, preparedness and mitigation of disasters.

The Eleventh Finance Commission too paid detailed attention to the issue of disaster management and, in its chapter on calamity relief, came out with a number of recommendations, of which the following have a direct bearing on the Plan:

1. Expenditure on restoration of infrastructure and other capital assets, except those that are intrinsically connected with relief operations and connectivity with the affected area and population, should be met from the plan funds on priority basis.

2. Medium and long-term measures be devised by the concerned Ministries of the Government of India, the State Governments and the Planning Commission to reduce, and if possible, eliminate, the occurrences of these calamities by undertaking developmental works.

3. The Planning Commission, in consultation with the State Governments and concerned Ministries, should be able to identify works of a capital nature to prevent the recurrence of specific calamities. These works may be funded under the Plan.

Essay # 8. Challenges in Disaster Management:

Logistics and supply chain management underpin responses to humanitarian crises. Disaster management cannot be handled by single agency.

Following are the real factors that affect the most in any location:

1. Reconstruction challenges

2. De-forestation

3. Climate change

4. Geographical locations

5. Speed of delivery

6. Movement of people from disastrous zones

7. Influx of humanitarian staff

8. Gaps in NGO capacity

9. Funding biasness

10. Lack of depth in knowledge

11. Lack of investment in technology and communication

Essay # 9. Role of Indian Armed Forces and Government in Disaster Management:

Role of Indian Armed Forces in Disaster Management:

Whenever a disaster strikes, either it is natural or man-made, the Indian armed forces are called upon to handle the situation. They are always ready to move to any kind of disaster- affected areas and have the guts to work under adverse conditions.

India is one of the most vulnerable nations in the world, susceptible to multiple natural disasters owing to its unique topographic and climatic conditions. Its coastal states, particularly the eastern coast and Gujarat are exposed to cyclones, 40 million hectares (eight per cent) of land mass is flood prone, 68 per cent faces drought threat, 55 per cent of the area is in seismic zones III-IV and falls under earthquakes-prone belt and sub-Himalayan region and Western Ghats are threatened by landslides.

Moreover, India is increasingly getting susceptible to man-made disasters related to industrialization, transportation, environmental degradation and terrorist attacks. Besides, there is no legal ratification either at the Union or the state governments level to deal with such disasters in comprehensive manner as the subject of disaster management is not specified under any of the three lists (Central, state and concurrent) of Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The government of India is aware of the urgent need for better disaster response mechanism, but the overall trend in the nation has indicated that the level of preparedness of the Centre as well as the states is extremely uneven and requires considerable strengthening.

Fortunately, the Centre and a number of states have displayed growing appreciation for the need of effective disaster management strategies. Of late, the nodal agency for coordination of relief, response and overall natural disaster management is positioned under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

However, when any disaster occurs in India, the armed forces under the Ministry of Defence are called upon to intervene and handle the situation. As the development oriented Indian Civil Administration is ill equipped for undertaking disaster response activities in the event of major disasters, they merely rely on the armed forces.

At the same time, the Indian armed forces, being one of the most dedicated, professional, modernised armed forces in the world with rapid strides in technology development, adequately equipped with the necessary technical competence, man power and material resources undertakes rescue and relief operations of any disasters.

For instance, when tsunami occurred in December 2004, the Indian army, navy and the air force coordinated by the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) efficiently executed the relief, rescue and evacuation assignments under Operation Sea Wave, and also extended aid to Sri Lanka and Maldives under Operation Rainbow and Operation Castor at the request of their respective governments for assistance.

Whether the Kashmir earthquake of 2005, the cyclone in Bangladesh on 15 November, 2007, the fire breakout at Burrabazar in Kolkata on January 12, 2008, or the recent serial blasts at Bangalore and Ahmedabad on July 2008, the role played by the Indian armed forces is commendable.

Above and beyond its primary role, i.e., to defend the nation against any external aggression the Indian armed forces are inevitably involved in securing the country from diverse unconventional fronts. They are always in the state of operational readiness to move to any kind of disaster-affected areas and have the daring to work under adverse ground and climatic conditions, which is of immense help in assisting the civil authority during disasters.

Their performance in rescue and response action after disasters has been exemplary and with the ever increasing frequency of disasters in the South Asian region, they will continue to play a vital role in the years to come.

Furthermore, in spite of the disaster rescue and relief responsibilities, there is need for decisive modus operandi for operational coordination between the civil administration and the armed forces. Since, the armed forces’ effective response depends on immediate information made available by the state administration, delay in information has often caused loss of precious time due to lack of proper communication and coordination with the civil authority and concern for loss of lives. In this regard, the state institutions must appreciate the operational line of action in which the armed forces function.

The armed forces professional ethics are autonomous in character and do not encourage civil interference. At the same time, the armed forces need to acknowledge that the source of primary information for disaster response lies with the state.

As disaster management plan should incorporate the role expected of the armed forces so that the procedure for deploying them is well-organized, there is a need to encompass an interface personnel correlation between the state government and the armed forces for immediate effective delivery of relief to the victims affected by disasters.

Role of Government in Disaster Management:

i. Funding Mechanisms:

The policy and the funding mechanism for provision of relief assistance to those affected by natural calamities is clearly laid down. These are reviewed by the Finance Commission appointed by the Government of India every five years. The Finance Commission makes recommendation regarding the division of tax and non-tax revenues between the Central and the State Governments and also regarding policy for provision of relief assistance and the share of expenditure thereon.

A Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) has been set up in each State as per the recommendations of the Eleventh Finance Commission. The size of the Calamity Relief Fund has been fixed by the Finance Commission after taking into account the expenditure on relief and rehabilitation over the past 10 years.

The Government of India contributes 75% of the corpus of the Calamity Relief Fund in each State. 25% is contributed by the State. The requirement of funds for response and relief is met from the CRF. Overall norms for relief assistance are laid down by a national committee with representatives of States as members.

Different States can have State-specific norms to be recommended by State level committee under the Chief Secretary. Where the calamity is of such proportion that the funds available in the CRF will not be sufficient for provision of relief, the State seeks assistance from the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF).

When such requests are received, the requirements are assessed by a team from the Central Government and thereafter the assessed requirements are assessed by a Central team and thereafter the requirements are placed before an Inter-Ministerial Group chaired by the Home Secretary.

A High Level Committee chaired by the Home Minister with the Agriculture Minister, Finance Minister and the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission take decision regarding the release of assistance from the NCCF based on the report of the Central Team and the recommendations of the IMG thereon. In brief, the institutional arrangements for response and relief are well established and have proved to be robust and effective.

ii. Role of Central Government :

At the national level, the Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal Ministry for all matters concerning disaster management except drought, which continues to be handled by the Ministry of Agriculture. The Central Relief Commissioner (CRC) in the Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal officer for coordinating relief assistance for the natural and manmade disasters.

The CRC receives information relating to forecasting/warning of a natural calamity from India Meteorological Department (IMD) or from Central Water Commission of Ministry of Water Resources on a continuing basis. These forecasts are also concurrently passed on to the State by the Agencies responsible for early warning.

Whenever assistance is required by the States for handling a natural calamity, the assistance is coordinated by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Nodal Officers have been appointed in each Ministry/Department responsible for emergency support functions in the event of a disaster. The Central Relief Commissioner coordinates with the Nodal Officers to ensure that the requisite assistance is made available to the State.

Essay # 10. National Policy on Disaster Mana gement:

Despite the fact that we lose thousands of lives and property worth thousands of crores each year in disasters, we have not had a National Policy on Disaster Management. Where a number of Ministries or where a broad segment of Government is involved; it is useful to have a National Policy as it serves as a framework for action by all the relevant Ministries/ Departments. A National Policy on Disaster Management has been drafted. In line with the changed focus, the policy proposes to integrate disaster mitigation into developmental planning.

Institutional Changes :

The primary objective is to change the focus from relief and rehabilitation to mitigation and preparedness. MHA is working towards putting in place institutions which will reflect this holistic approach. The States have been advised (HS had written to all Chief Secretaries and the former Dy.

Prime Minister has also written to all Chief Ministers in this regard) to convert their Departments of Relief and Rehabilitation into Department of Disaster Management. 10 States/UTs: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Nagaland, Andaman & Nicobar Administration and Lakshadweep have already acted on this.

The exercise of reducing vulnerabilities of mitigation or of preparedness or in fact of response is multi-disciplinary. It involves a number of Ministries/ Departments. Unfortunately, till date all Departments have had the feeling that disaster management/response is the responsibility of the Department of Relief and Rehabilitation alone.

The States have, therefore, been advised to set up Disaster Management Authorities under the Chief Minister with the Ministers of Water Resources, Agriculture, Home, Health, PWD, Animal Husbandry, Urban Development and other Ministers who may be relevant as members. 11 States and UTs: Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Orissa, Gujarat, Kerala, Nagaland, Delhi, Goa, A&N administration and Chandigarh Administration have notified the authority.

The other States are in the process of setting up similar authorities. At the National level, a National Emergency Management Agency is being set up. The proposal for setting up NEMA and building up specialised capabilities was considered by the Committee of Secretaries (COS) on 21st April, 2004. Based on the recommendations of the COS, the Note for the Empowered Group of Ministers on Disaster Management is being revised for submission to Home Minister for approval.

Disaster Management Codes :

In line with the changed approach, we are converting the Relief Codes into Disaster Management Codes by building into it the process necessary for drawing up disaster management and mitigation plans as well as elements of preparedness apart from response and relief. A Committee constituted under the Executive Director, National Institute of Disaster Management is expected to submit the draft to the Ministry by 30th June, 2004.

Essay # 11. Awareness Programmes for Disaster Management:

i. School Safety Programme :

An Initiative under Govt of India (GOI) and UNDP Disaster Risk Management Programme:

The School Safety Programme under the GOI-UNDP Disaster Risk Management Programme essentially targets in promoting a culture of safety in school and draw in the commitment of providing safe learning environment for children and education professionals.

Primary strategies are to help inform, persuade, and integrate the issues of safety to create safe schools, while the goal of the programme is to promote a culture of disaster preparedness in the school community. The objective is to sensitize children and the school community on issues of disaster preparedness and safety measures and to motivate key stakeholders through direct participation in activities that would foster towards a disaster resilient community.

The School Safety Programme includes a series of ongoing activity. Following is the list of activity undertaken to create safe schools — placing of school safety in the education agenda —awareness raising, education, training and capacity building of the Government Officials, Educational Administrators, Teachers.

Students, Engineers, Masons, parents and community — development of School Disaster Management Plan / building level emergency response plan and practicing through mock drills — structural and non-structural mitigation (incorporate structural safety parameters into the new constructions) knowledge networking and capacity building of the institutions to address the challenge.

The programme is spearheaded by the School Safety Advisory Committee/ School Disaster Management Committee supported by representatives from all sections of the school community Educational Administrators, School Administrators, Emergency officials, Civil Defence, Engineering / Public Works Department, Local Administration Officials, Health and Emergency Response Officials and the local community.

The implementation framework and the programme strategies have been highlighted in the School Safety Handbook. The programme draws in key risk reduction elements and it encompasses-preparedness and mitigation measures.

ii. Safety Awareness Programs:

Objectives:

The purpose of Safety Awareness Programs is to promote interest, increase safety awareness, and gain acceptance of safe work practices. The aim is to secure maximum employee participation through the effective use of media and individual or group recognition. The cooperation of the local safety and health committee in the promotion of safety is to be encouraged.

Local Needs :

Effective promotional programs must be based on a thorough study of local needs. Accurate planning and analysis are essential to achieve program objectives.

Districts, plants, and other installations should procure or develop and distribute posters, publications, films, bulletins, pamphlets, newsletters, displays, etc., based on current and projected accident trends. The display of safety posters distributed by Headquarters must be kept current. Budgeting for safety promotional needs must be included in program planning.

Implementing 7 Steps to School Safety:

1. Develop and equitably enforce a Code of Conduct for the district and building :

School district must have a Code of Conduct that is updated annually. Students and parents are all given a copy of this booklet at the beginning of the year. Additionally, the assistant principal also reviews the contents of the code of conduct in an assembly with students at the beginning of the year.

Students and parents are required to sign and return a form acknowledging the understanding of its contents as well. Teachers are also given training during staff development on the proper procedures for filling out referral forms for breaches of the code of conduct and for the proper protocol for handling classroom removals.

2. Develop district safety plans and building emergency response plans to deal with serious situations and conduct drills, table tops and functional exercises to increase the level of preparedness. School regularly holds practice drills to ensure that students and staff are familiar with the proper procedures and protocols for emergency situations. Substitute folders are also equip with information and protocols for handling emergency situations for whenever there is a substitute teacher in the building.

3. Personalize the school environment:

School personalized its environment by having students in the school Tech class build “Help Boxes”. These colorful boxes have been placed throughout the school building. Students can fill out an anonymous “help slip” if they have a problem that they need help with and drop it in the locked box.

If the student chooses to include their name, one of the school counselors will address the issue with them discreetly. Anonymous issues are usually read aloud during the morning announcements, and a suggestion for handling the issue is offered by the principal.

4. Analyze Violent and Disruptive Incident Reports (VADIR) and other student conduct data to provide information regarding pockets of concern that require attention and program strengths that could be replicated. As mandated reporters to this system, our district has a SAVE team that meets regularly to address these reports. Data from these reports issued to help revise and update our district annual Code of Conduct.

5. Implement programs and activities that have a proven record of achieving positive results; Evaluate programs periodically for their effectiveness and potential improvement. District has annually provided an after school program for students. This program provides homework help as well as elective type courses where students can engage in activities that are of interest to them.

Additionally, city also has two other community based programs affiliated with the district where students can go for after school support. Finally, local library also has a homework help program for elementary students. For two hours after school daily, these students can simply drop by with their homework and receive assistance from certified teachers for free.

6. Actively involve and engage parents and other community members in addressing issues and concerns. School must maintain a policy of communicating with parents whenever there is an incident of misconduct. Teachers are required to inform parents via phone or email communication whenever there is an incident of concern in the classroom. Administrators also actively contact parents whenever a referral is issued. Additionally, the district also has attendance teachers that specifically address attendance and truancy issues.

7. Make sure students, teachers, parents, administrators, and other school staffs are aware of warning signs of violence and the need to communicate to others.

Warning signs of youth violence that have been seen as an educator include:

1. Anger and aggression toward other students and adults

2. Isolating oneself from friends and loved ones

3. Arguing with group members during paired group activities

4. Complaints from other students about behaviour or language

5. Bullying behaviors

6. Attempting to justify violence as rough “horseplay”

7. Students bullying their parents or sibling in the home environment

8. Signs of gang affiliation

9. Frequent bruises or disheveled appearance

10. Long sleeves, coats during hot weather could be signs of a self-mutilator (cutting on various parts of the body). 

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500+ Words Essay on Natural Disasters For Students

From the towering walls of water that sweep across coastlines to the ground-shaking tremors that ripple through the earth’s surface, natural disasters are a stark reminder of the immense power of nature and the fragility of our existence. These catastrophic events strike without warning, leaving in their wake a trail of destruction, displacement, and heartbreak.

Table of Content

Types of Natural Disasters

Causes of natural disasters, effects of natural disasters, precautions and preparedness, 500 words essay on natural disasters.

Natural disasters can take many forms, each with its unique characteristics and consequences. Some of the most devastating types include:

1. Earthquakes: Triggered by the sudden release of energy within the Earth’s crust, earthquakes can cause massive structural damage, trigger tsunamis, and disrupt vital infrastructure.

2. Tsunamis: Towering waves generated by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, tsunamis can inundate coastal regions with incredible force, sweeping away everything in their path.

3. Hurricanes and Cyclones: These powerful rotating storm systems, fueled by warm ocean waters, bring destructive winds, torrential rain, and storm surges that can devastate entire communities.

4. Floods : Caused by excessive rainfall, melting snow, or dam failures, floods can submerge vast areas, disrupting lives and destroying property.

5. Wildfires: Driven by dry conditions, high winds, and human activities, wildfires can consume vast swaths of land, threatening lives, homes, and natural habitats.

6. Volcanic Eruptions: The explosive release of molten rock, ash, and gases from the Earth’s interior can bury entire regions in a blanket of destruction.

7 . Droughts : Prolonged periods of abnormally low rainfall can lead to water scarcity, crop failures, and even famine in some regions.

While some natural disasters are triggered by geological processes deep within the Earth, others are influenced by human activities and the changing climate. Factors such as deforestation, urbanization, and the burning of fossil fuels can increase the risk and intensity of certain disasters.

Climate change, in particular, is playing an increasingly significant role in the frequency and severity of many natural disasters. Rising global temperatures are contributing to more intense hurricanes, prolonged droughts, and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, which can exacerbate coastal flooding.

The impact of natural disasters can be catastrophic, affecting every facet of human life and the environment. Some of the most significant effects include:

1. Loss of Life: Natural disasters can claim countless lives, leaving families and communities devastated by the loss of loved ones.

2. Destruction of Infrastructure: Roads, bridges, buildings, and critical infrastructure can be severely damaged or destroyed, hampering relief efforts and hindering recovery.

3. Economic Losses: The damage caused by natural disasters can result in staggering economic losses, affecting businesses, industries, and entire economies.

4. Displacement of Populations: Disasters often force people to abandon their homes and seek shelter elsewhere, leading to humanitarian crises and long-term displacement.

5. Environmental Degradation: Natural disasters can disrupt ecosystems, pollute water sources, and contribute to soil erosion and habitat loss, threatening biodiversity and natural resources.

6. Psychological Trauma: Survivors of natural disasters often grapple with the psychological toll, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.

While it is impossible to prevent many natural disasters, proactive measures can be taken to mitigate their impact and enhance preparedness. Some of these measures include:

1. Effective Early Warning Systems: Developing and implementing robust early warning systems can provide valuable lead time for evacuation and emergency response efforts.

2. Disaster Risk Reduction: Identifying and addressing vulnerabilities through measures such as land-use planning, building codes, and infrastructure improvements can minimize potential damages.

3. Community Preparedness: Educating and empowering communities on disaster preparedness, including emergency plans, evacuation routes, and survival skills, can save lives and facilitate quicker recovery.

4. Resilient Infrastructure: Investing in resilient infrastructure, such as earthquake-resistant buildings and flood control systems, can reduce the impact of natural disasters.

5. Environmental Protection: Conserving and restoring natural ecosystems, such as wetlands and forests, can act as natural buffers against certain disasters and mitigate their effects.

6. International Cooperation: Fostering global partnerships and collaborations can facilitate knowledge-sharing, resource allocation, and coordinated response efforts during disasters.

Throughout human history, civilizations have grappled with the unpredictable and often merciless power of nature. Natural disasters, ranging from earthquakes and tsunamis to hurricanes and wildfires, have left indelible scars on communities worldwide, reminding us of our fragility in the face of nature’s might.

At their core, natural disasters are events triggered by the Earth’s natural processes, such as tectonic shifts, atmospheric disturbances, or geological phenomena. However, their consequences extend far beyond the physical realm, profoundly impacting lives, livelihoods, and the very fabric of societies.

The destructive force of these events is unparalleled. Earthquakes can reduce towering structures to rubble in mere seconds, while hurricanes and cyclones unleash winds of incredible ferocity, capable of obliterating entire coastlines. Wildfires, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, consume everything in their path, leaving smoldering landscapes and displaced communities in their wake.

The human toll of natural disasters is staggering. Lives are tragically lost, families are torn apart, and survivors are left to grapple with the psychological trauma of witnessing such overwhelming devastation. Beyond the immediate loss of life, the aftermath often brings a cascade of challenges, including displacement, lack of access to essential resources, and the daunting task of rebuilding shattered communities.

The economic impact of natural disasters is equally profound. Infrastructure is crippled, businesses are disrupted, and entire industries can be brought to a standstill. The ripple effects of these events can reverberate throughout local and global economies, hampering recovery efforts and exacerbating existing vulnerabilities.

Moreover, the environmental consequences of natural disasters are far-reaching. Ecosystems are disrupted, delicate habitats are destroyed, and biodiversity is threatened as species struggle to adapt to the altered landscapes. The long-term effects on the natural world can be felt for generations, further compounding the challenges faced by impacted communities.

Addressing the threat posed by natural disasters requires a multifaceted approach that spans prevention, preparedness, and resilience-building efforts. Investing in robust early warning systems, fortifying infrastructure, and promoting disaster risk reduction strategies are crucial steps in minimizing the impact of these events.

Furthermore, addressing the underlying drivers of climate change is paramount, as many natural disasters are exacerbated by the effects of global warming. By transitioning towards more sustainable practices and reducing our carbon footprint, we can mitigate the intensity and frequency of certain disasters, safeguarding both human and environmental well-being.

Ultimately, natural disasters serve as a humbling reminder of the immense power of nature and the fragility of our existence. While we cannot control the forces that give rise to these events, we can cultivate resilience, foster global cooperation, and prioritize preparedness efforts to better withstand their fury.

As we navigate the unpredictable landscape of natural disasters, let us embrace our shared responsibility to protect lives, safeguard communities, and forge a more sustainable relationship with the natural world. By doing so, we can forge a path towards a future where the devastating impacts of these events are minimized, and humanity emerges stronger and more resilient in the face of nature’s challenges.

Also Read: My Aim in Life Essay For Students: 100, 200 & 500 Words Essay My Village Essay in English For Students 500+ Words Essay on Importance of Education in English

Natural disasters underscore our need for resilience and preparedness. By bolstering infrastructure, safeguarding the environment, and addressing climate change, we can lessen their impact. Emphasizing risk reduction and sustainable practices, we aim to protect lives, economies, and ecosystems. Together, through resilience and cooperation, we can build a future where communities coexist with nature’s forces.

Essay on Natural Disasters- FAQs

What is disaster 1 paragraph.

A disaster is a major disturbance in the operation of a community or society resulting in widespread human, material, economic, or environmental losses and impacts that surpass the afflicted community’s or society’s ability to manage using its own resources.

What are the 2 main types of disasters?

Disasters are typically divided into two categories: natural and man-made. Natural catastrophes are typically related with weather and geological occurrences such as severe temperatures, floods, storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and drought.

What are 5 man-made disasters?

A. Man-made disasters involve human intent, neglect, or error in the breakdown of a man-made system, as opposed to natural disasters caused by natural hazards. Such man-made calamities include crime, arson, civil unrest, terrorism, war, biological/chemical threats, cyber-attacks, and so on.

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Home / Essay Samples / Environment / Natural Disasters / When Disaster Strikes: The Vital Role of Preparedness

When Disaster Strikes: The Vital Role of Preparedness

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  • Topic: Natural Disasters , Natural Environment , Philippines

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