'Learning the sandbox thing'

The term 'Disaster' DISASTER occurs with such tragic frequency in news reports today, that it seems superfluous to define it. 'Official' definitions are suggested by the United nations and the Disaster Management Act. Simply put, a disaster is a rapidly occuring event that leads to loss of lives and property. Loss is the defining characteristic of a disaster. With the exception of industrial and other manmnade accidents, the cataclysmic events that lead to this loss are necessary landforming mechanisms.

Earthquakes, floods and resultant landslides, cyclones, and other such events are the processes through which the earth relieves pressure that might be building up in the crust, reforms river beds, and relieves buildup of atmospheric pressure. When humans are caught in the midst of these events and suffer damage and loss, the events are termed disasters.

It is not to be denied that these events can be catastrophic in their impact. The Bhola cyclone, in 1970, caused the deaths of 5 lakh people in India. Three decades later, the Orissa cyclone in 1999 killed 10,000 people.

1. ==Types of disaster==

Natural Disasters Infographic (Source: Alexandra Curtis) Disasters, events that lead to a considerable loss of life and property, can occur in several ways. The broadest means of classfication are as manmade and natural disasters. Manmade disasters include industrial and chemical disasters, stampedes, nuclear emergencies, transportation accidents (road, rail, air and sea), and mines. These, while important, are not withing the purview of the India Water Portal. The discussion therefore will be confined to natural disasters. Natural disasters of course can be exacerbated by human interference such as in the case of landslides which are intensified by blasting in mountain areas, and floods which are intensified by inappropriate channelization of river courses.

2. Dealing with disasters

Traditional means of managing disasters has been confined to response. This is the rescue and aid that is given immediately after an event. In some cases, rehabilitation has been done, which is ensuring that the aid that disaster victims need to begin their lives over again is available. In recent years though, the purview of disaster management has expanded across the continuum of disasters to include mitigation and reconstruction. *These now include: