BSc Level · Comprehensive Study Notes

Disaster Risk Management

Complete syllabus coverage — Science / Social Science & Arts / Commerce streams

Types of Disaster Risk & Vulnerability Preparedness Response Rehabilitation & Recovery

★
Course Learning Objectives

This course provides a general conceptual framework covering:

●​ Dimensions of disasters caused by natural forces beyond human

 control

●​ Disasters and environmental hazards induced by human

activities

●​ Emphasis on preparedness, response, and recovery strategies

Key Concept

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) is an interdisciplinary field

integrating physical sciences, social sciences, engineering,

public health, and policy studies.

01
Introduction — Different Types of Disaster

Definition of Disaster
 UNDRR Definition: A serious disruption of the functioning of a

community or society at any scale due to hazardous events

interacting with conditions of exposure, vulnerability, and

capacity, leading to one or more of the following: human,

material, economic, and environmental losses and impacts.

A disaster occurs when a hazard meets a vulnerable community

that lacks the capacity to cope. The equation is:

Disaster = Hazard × Vulnerability / Capacity

A) Natural Disasters

Natural disasters originate from natural processes of the Earth.

They are largely beyond human control but their impact can be

reduced through preparedness.

1. Floods

●​ Definition: Overflow of water that submerges usually dry land.

●​ Types: River (fluvial) floods, Flash floods, Coastal floods, Urban

floods

●​ Causes: Heavy rainfall, snowmelt, dam failure, storm surges

●​ Effects: Loss of life, crop damage, spread of waterborne diseases

(cholera, typhoid), infrastructure damage

●​ Examples: Bihar floods (India), 2022 Pakistan floods

2. Cyclones (Tropical Storms / Hurricanes / Typhoons)

●​ Definition: Rapidly rotating storm systems with low pressure

centers, strong winds, and heavy rain

●​ Classification: Category 1 (weakest) to Category 5 (strongest) on

Saffir-Simpson Scale

●​ Causes: Warm ocean waters (≥26°C), atmospheric instability,

Coriolis effect

●​ Effects: Storm surge, wind damage, flooding, landslides

●​ Indian Examples: Cyclone Amphan (2020), Cyclone Fani (2019)

3. Earthquakes

●​ Definition: Sudden release of energy in Earth's lithosphere,

creating seismic waves

●​ Measurement: Richter Scale (magnitude); Mercalli Scale

(intensity)

●​ Causes: Tectonic plate movement, volcanic activity,

underground explosions

●​ Effects: Ground shaking, liquefaction, tsunamis, landslides,

building collapse

●​ Seismic Zones (India): Zone II (least) to Zone V (highest risk —

Himalayan belt, NE India)

●​ Examples: Bhuj Earthquake 2001 (7.7 Mw), Nepal 2015

4. Landslides

●​ Definition: Mass movement of rock, earth, or debris down a

slope

●​ Types: Rockfall, Debris flow, Earth slide, Mudflow

●​ Causes: Heavy rainfall, earthquakes, deforestation, slope

undercutting, volcanic eruptions

●​ Vulnerable areas: Himalayan region, Western Ghats, Northeast

India

Other Natural Disasters

●​ Tsunamis: Series of ocean waves triggered by large underwater

earthquakes or volcanic eruptions (Indian Ocean Tsunami 2004 —

2,30,000+ deaths)

●​ Droughts: Prolonged periods of abnormally low rainfall affecting

water supply

●​ Volcanic Eruptions: Expulsion of lava, ash, and gases from

Earth's interior

●​ Heat Waves: Extended periods of excessively hot weather

●​ Cold Waves / Blizzards: Extreme cold temperatures causing

frostbite, hypothermia
B) Man-Made (Anthropogenic) Disasters

Critical Note

Man-made disasters are caused by human negligence,

technological failures, or intentional acts. Unlike natural

disasters, they are largely preventable.

1. Fire

●​ Types: Building fires, forest fires (wildfires), industrial fires

●​ Causes: Electrical short circuits, gas leaks, arson, carelessness

●​ Prevention: Smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, fire exits, fire

drills

2. Industrial Pollution & Chemical Disasters

●​ Definition: Release of harmful chemicals/toxins due to industrial

accidents

●​ Famous Example: Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) — methyl

isocyanate (MIC) gas leak, 15,000+ deaths

●​ Effects: Air, water, soil contamination; respiratory diseases;

genetic mutations

3. Nuclear Disasters

●​ Causes: Nuclear power plant accidents, nuclear weapon tests

●​ Effects: Radiation sickness, cancer, genetic damage, long-term

environmental contamination

●​ Examples: Chernobyl (1986), Fukushima (2011)

●​ Radiation Types: Alpha (low penetration), Beta (medium),

Gamma (high penetration, most dangerous)

4. Biological Disasters

●​ Definition: Outbreaks of disease, pandemic, or deliberate release

of biological agents

●​ Types: Epidemics, Pandemics, Bioterrorism

●​ Examples: COVID-19 pandemic, Ebola outbreaks, Anthrax

attacks

5. Transport Accidents (Air, Sea, Rail & Road)

●​ Air: Plane crashes due to mechanical failure, pilot error, weather

●​ Sea: Ship sinking, oil spills (BP Deepwater Horizon 2010)

●​ Rail: Train derailments, collisions

●​ Road: Largest cause of accidental deaths globally (~1.35

million/year per WHO)

6. Structural Failures

●​ Building Collapse: Due to poor construction, non-adherence to

building codes, seismic stress

●​ Bridge Collapse: Structural fatigue, design flaws, overloading,

natural corrosion
●​ Example: Rana Plaza building collapse, Bangladesh (2013) —

1,134 deaths

7. War & Terrorism

●​ War: Causes massive displacement, infrastructure destruction,

famine

●​ Terrorism: Targeted attacks using explosives,

chemical/biological weapons, cyberattacks

●​ Impact: Physical casualties, psychological trauma, refugee crises

Criterion Natural Disaster Man-Made Disaster

Origin Natural processes Human

(tectonic, action/negligence

meteorological)

Predictability Partially Often

predictable unpredictable

(cyclones, floods) (accidents) or

deliberate

(terrorism)

Prevention Cannot prevent, Largely

only mitigate preventable

 Criterion Natural Disaster Man-Made Disaster

Frequency Increasing due to Increasing due to

climate change industrialization

Example Earthquake, Bhopal gas

Tsunami, Cyclone tragedy, Chernobyl

02
Risk and Vulnerability Analysis

1. Risk: Concept and Analysis

RISK: The combination of the probability of a hazardous event

and its negative consequences. It quantifies potential harm.

Risk (R) = Hazard (H) × Exposure (E) ×

 Vulnerability (V) / Capacity (C)

Components of Risk

●​ Hazard: A potentially damaging physical event, phenomenon, or

human activity that may cause loss of life, injury, property

damage, social and economic disruption, or environmental

degradation

●​ Exposure: People, property, systems, or other elements located

in hazard-prone areas that are subject to potential losses

●​ Vulnerability: The conditions determined by physical, social,

economic, and environmental factors that increase susceptibility

to the impact of hazards

●​ Capacity: The combination of all strengths, attributes, and

resources available within a community to manage and reduce

disaster risks

Types of Risk

●​ Extensive Risk: Widespread low-severity risk (everyday small

floods, landslides)

●​ Intensive Risk: Concentrated high-severity risk (major

earthquakes in cities)

●​ Residual Risk: Risk remaining after mitigation measures —

cannot be eliminated entirely

●​ Emergent Risk: New or increasing risks from climate change,

 urbanization, technological changes

Risk Analysis Process

1.​ Hazard Identification: What can go wrong?

2.​ Exposure Assessment: Who and what is exposed?

3.​ Vulnerability Assessment: How susceptible are they?

4.​ Risk Estimation: How likely and how severe?

5.​ Risk Evaluation: Is the risk acceptable?

Tools for Risk Analysis

Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA), Geographic Information

Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, SWOT Analysis, Fault Tree

Analysis, Event Tree Analysis

2. Risk Reduction

Risk Reduction (also called Disaster Risk Reduction — DRR) aims to

prevent new and reduce existing disaster risk through systematic

efforts to analyze and manage the causal factors of disasters.

Sendai Framework for DRR (2015–2030)

The global blueprint for DRR adopted at the Third UN World

Conference in Sendai, Japan (2015). It identifies four priorities:

1.​ Understanding disaster risk

2.​ Strengthening disaster risk governance

3.​ Investing in DRR for resilience

4.​ Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response

Strategies for Risk Reduction

●​ Structural Measures: Earthquake-resistant buildings, flood

embankments, storm shelters, sea walls

●​ Non-Structural Measures: Land-use planning, building codes,

early warning systems, public awareness

●​ Ecosystem-Based: Mangrove restoration, watershed

management, reforestation

●​ Financial Instruments: Insurance, social protection schemes,

contingency funds

3. Vulnerability: Concept and Analysis

VULNERABILITY: The degree to which a system, community, or

asset is susceptible to and unable to cope with adverse effects of

 a hazard. It is NOT static — it changes with time and context.

Dimensions of Vulnerability

●​ Physical Vulnerability: Quality of infrastructure (poor building

construction, lack of sea walls)

●​ Social Vulnerability: Social inequalities, marginalization, lack of

social cohesion, gender disparities

●​ Economic Vulnerability: Poverty, unemployment, dependence

on single livelihood, lack of insurance

●​ Environmental Vulnerability: Degraded ecosystems,

deforestation, environmental pollution

●​ Institutional Vulnerability: Weak governance, corruption, lack

of disaster laws and policies

Most Vulnerable Groups

●​ Women (especially pregnant/lactating mothers)

●​ Children and the elderly

●​ People with disabilities

●​ People in poverty / informal settlements

●​ Ethnic minorities and migrants

Vulnerability Assessment Methods

●​ Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI): Measures community-level

vulnerability using census data

●​ Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA): Community-based

assessment using focus groups, mapping

●​ Hazard, Vulnerability, and Capacity Assessment (HVCA):

Combines hazard and capacity data

4. Strategic Development for Vulnerability Reduction

Key Strategies

●​ Community-Based DRR (CBDRR): Empowering local

communities to identify risks and implement solutions — most

effective approach for grassroots vulnerability reduction

●​ Mainstreaming DRR: Integrating risk reduction into

development planning (urban planning, agriculture, health

sector)

●​ Social Protection Schemes: Insurance, conditional cash

transfers, early warning linked to social safety nets

●​ Capacity Building: Training communities, local officials, first

responders

●​ Gender-Inclusive Approaches: Ensuring women's participation

in DRR planning and leadership

●​ Technology Use: GIS mapping, satellite imagery, mobile-based

early warning systems

 Hyogo Framework (2005–2015)

The predecessor to Sendai Framework. Focused on building the

resilience of nations and communities to disasters. Its

successor, the Sendai Framework, added emphasis on disaster

risk governance and investment.

03
Disaster Preparedness and Response Preparedness

1. Disaster Preparedness: Concept and Nature

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Activities and measures taken in

advance to ensure effective response to the impact of disasters.

 It involves building capacities needed to efficiently manage all

types of emergencies and achieve orderly transition from

response to sustained recovery.

Nature of Preparedness

●​ Proactive: Taken before disaster strikes

●​ Continuous: Not a one-time activity — requires regular updating

●​ Multi-sectoral: Involves government, NGOs, private sector,

community

●​ All-hazard approach: Plans should cover multiple hazard types

Elements of Preparedness

●​ Risk assessment and early warning systems

●​ Preparedness plans and standard operating procedures

●​ Resource stockpiling (food, medicine, water, equipment)

●​ Communication systems and protocols

●​ Training and exercises/drills

●​ Public education and awareness

2. Disaster Preparedness Plan

A Disaster Preparedness Plan (DPP) is a formal document that

outlines how an organization, community, or government will

respond to various disaster scenarios.

Components of a Preparedness Plan

1.​ Hazard and Risk Assessment: What disasters are possible? What

are the risks?

2.​ Roles and Responsibilities: Who does what during a disaster?

3.​ Communication Plan: How will information be disseminated?

4.​ Evacuation Plan: Routes, assembly points, transport

5.​ Resource Management: Inventory of available resources

6.​ Warning and Notification: How will communities be alerted?

7.​ Training and Exercises: Schedule of drills and simulations

8.​ Recovery Procedures: Transition from response to recovery

Levels of Preparedness Planning

●​ National Level: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA

in India), national plans

●​ State Level: State DMA, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)

●​ District Level: District DMA, district-level plans

●​ Community Level: Village/neighborhood disaster management

committees

●​ Household Level: Family disaster plans, emergency kits

3. Prediction, Early Warnings, and Safety Measures

Prediction

Scientific methods used to forecast hazard occurrence, location, and

intensity.

●​ Cyclone: Satellite imagery, Doppler radar, ocean buoys — India

Meteorological Department (IMD) provides 3–5 day advance

warnings

●​ Earthquake: Seismographs detect P-waves before S-waves arrive

(short-term warning of seconds); long-term forecasting based on

fault activity studies

●​ Flood: Hydrological models, river gauge stations, rainfall

forecasting

●​ Drought: Rainfall deficiency monitoring, satellite-based

vegetation indices (NDVI)

●​ Tsunami: Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, Indian Ocean

Tsunami Warning System (IOTWMS)

Early Warning Systems (EWS)

EWS: An integrated system of hazard monitoring, forecasting

and prediction, disaster risk assessment, communication, and

preparedness activities that enables individuals and

 communities to take timely action to reduce disaster risk.

Four Elements of EWS (UNDRR)

1.​ Risk Knowledge: Systematic collection of hazard data;

vulnerability and risk assessments

2.​ Monitoring & Warning Service: Technical systems to detect and

forecast hazards (weather stations, seismometers, tide gauges)

3.​ Dissemination & Communication: Timely warnings reaching

at-risk people (sirens, SMS, radio, TV, mobile apps)

4.​ Response Capability: Community preparedness to act on

warnings

Safety Measures

●​ Earthquakes: Drop-Cover-Hold On; identify safe spots; avoid

windows; emergency kit

●​ Floods: Move to higher ground; avoid floodwaters; prepare

emergency bag

●​ Cyclones: Evacuate coastal areas; stay indoors; board up

windows

●​ Chemical Hazards: HAZMAT protocols, evacuation zones, use of

PPE

4. Role of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and

Training

Information

●​ Accurate and timely information reduces panic and enables

rational decision-making

●​ Sources: Government bulletins, IMD alerts, NDMA advisories,

verified social media

●​ Information Management Systems: WebEOC, SAHANA,

OpenStreetMap for disaster mapping

Education

●​ Integrating disaster risk education into school curricula (mock

drills, safety education)

●​ NDMA's School Safety Programme: Structural and

non-structural safety, drills, awareness

●​ Higher education: DRR courses at BSc, MSc, engineering, and

social work levels

Communication

●​ Mass Media: Television, radio, newspapers — reach wide

audiences

●​ Social Media: Twitter/X, Facebook — rapid dissemination but

risk of misinformation

●​ Community Radio: Effective for reaching rural/remote areas in

 local languages

●​ SMS/Mobile Alerts: Direct-to-device warnings (India's Cell

Broadcast System)

Training

●​ First Aid Training: Basic life support, CPR, wound management

●​ Search and Rescue (SAR) Training: Collapsed structure, water

rescue, rope techniques

●​ Incident Command System (ICS) Training: Standardized

management approach for disaster response

●​ Table-Top Exercises: Scenario-based discussions for

decision-makers

●​ Field Exercises (SimEx): Full-scale simulations involving

multiple agencies

5. Role of Government, International Bodies, and NGOs

Government (India)

●​ NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority): Apex body;

chaired by Prime Minister; formulates national policies and

plans

●​ NDRF (National Disaster Response Force): 16 battalions;

 specialized trained force for disaster response

●​ IMD (India Meteorological Department): Weather forecasting,

cyclone and flood warnings

●​ ISRO: Satellite-based disaster monitoring, damage assessment

●​ Disaster Management Act 2005 (India): Legal framework for

DRM in India

International Bodies

●​ UNDRR (UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction): Leads Sendai

Framework implementation globally

●​ OCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian

Affairs): Coordinates international relief response

●​ WFP (World Food Programme): Emergency food supply during

disasters

●​ WHO: Health sector response, epidemic prevention post-disaster

●​ IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent

Societies): Humanitarian assistance globally

●​ World Bank: Disaster reconstruction financing, Catastrophe Risk

Deferred Drawdown Option (Cat DDO)

NGOs

●​ Oxfam: Emergency response, recovery, advocacy for vulnerable

communities

●​ Save the Children: Child-focused disaster response

●​ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF): Medical response in conflict

 and disaster zones

●​ SEEDS India: Disaster preparedness, response, and

rehabilitation in South Asia

●​ NGOs fill critical gaps in government response, especially in

remote areas and for marginalized communities

6. Role of Information Technology in Disaster Preparedness

●​

Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Hazard mapping,

vulnerability mapping, real-time incident tracking

●​ Remote Sensing: Satellite and aerial imagery for

pre/post-disaster assessment (ISRO's RISAT, Sentinel)

●​ Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/Drones): Reconnaissance,

damage assessment, supply delivery to inaccessible areas

●​ Social Media Analytics: Crowdsourced information during

disasters (Ushahidi platform, Twitter geotagged posts)

●​ Early Warning Apps: Sachet, NDMA app, Flood Watch, IMD's

Mausam app

●​ Disaster Information Management Systems: iDEAS (India),

Sahana EDEN (global open-source)

●​ Artificial Intelligence (AI): Machine learning for flood

prediction, damage estimation from satellite data

●​ Communication Networks: VSAT, satellite phones for

communication when terrestrial networks fail

7. Role of Engineers in Disaster Management

●​

Pre-Disaster: Designing earthquake-resistant structures,

flood-resistant infrastructure, hazard-resistant housing

●​ Building Code Implementation: National Building Code (NBC) of

India — ensures structural safety standards

●​ Risk Assessment: Structural vulnerability assessments of

existing buildings

●​ Warning Systems: Designing and maintaining flood gauges,

early warning infrastructure

●​ During Disaster: Damage assessment, emergency structural

stabilization, utility restoration (water, electricity)

●​ Post-Disaster: Rubble clearance, reconstruction with improved

standards, infrastructure rebuilding

●​ Retrofitting: Strengthening existing buildings to meet seismic or

flood standards
04
Disaster Response

1. Disaster Response: Introduction

DISASTER RESPONSE: The provision of emergency services and

public assistance during or immediately after a disaster to save

lives, reduce health impacts, ensure public safety, and meet the

basic subsistence needs of the people affected. It is the

implementation of preparedness plans.

The Disaster Management Cycle

●​ Mitigation → Preparedness → Response → Recovery (continuous

cycle)

●​ Response is the reactive phase — occurs during and immediately

after disaster impact

●​ Typical response window: 0–72 hours = "Golden Hours" for

life-saving
Key Principles of Response

●​ Humanity: Prioritize saving lives and alleviating suffering

●​ Impartiality: Assistance based on need alone, without

discrimination

●​ Neutrality: Do not take sides in hostilities or controversies

●​ Do No Harm: Avoid actions that worsen the situation for affected

communities

2. Disaster Response Plan

Incident Command System (ICS)

Standardized, on-scene, all-hazard incident management approach.

Key features:

●​ Unified Command: Multiple agencies work under a single

command structure

●​ Span of Control: Each supervisor manages 3–7 personnel

(optimal: 5)

●​ Modular Organization: Can expand or contract based on

incident needs

●​ Accountability: Clear chain of command and documentation

Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

●​ Central facility for coordination, information management, and

decision-making

●​ Activated during declared disasters

●​ Functions: Information collection, resource coordination, media

management, inter-agency coordination

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Pre-established step-by-step protocols for specific response actions

(e.g., flood evacuation SOP, earthquake response SOP, chemical spill

SOP)

3. Communication, Participation, and Activation of Emergency

Preparedness Plan

Emergency Communication

●​ NIDM's Emergency Support Functions (ESFs): 18 ESFs

coordinating across sectors (transport, food, health,

communications, etc.)

●​ Communication Protocols: Chain of command for information

flow; designated spokesperson for media

●​ Backup Communication: Ham radio, satellite phones, VSAT —

when primary networks fail

●​ Rumor Management: Designate official information sources;

counter misinformation promptly

Community Participation in Response

●​ Local communities are "first responders" — neighbors help each

other before formal response arrives

●​ Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT): Trained

volunteers assisting in local response

●​ Participation increases accountability, cultural sensitivity, and

efficiency of response

Activation of Emergency Plan

●​ Triggered by declaration of emergency by authorized official

●​ India: District Collector/Deputy Commissioner has authority at

district level

●​ Activation stages: Alert → Watch → Warning → Emergency

Declaration

4. Search, Rescue, Evacuation, and Logistic Management

Search and Rescue (SAR)

●​ Urban Search and Rescue (USAR): Locating, extricating, and

providing initial medical treatment to victims trapped in

collapsed structures

●​ Tools: Acoustic listening devices, thermal cameras, rescue dogs

(canine units), manual and hydraulic tools

●​ INSARAG (International Search and Rescue Advisory Group):

UN system classifying USAR teams as Light, Medium, Heavy

●​ Water Rescue: Flood rescue using boats, ropes, and swimming

teams

Evacuation

●​ Mandatory Evacuation: Legally required (e.g., coastal areas

during cyclone)

●​ Voluntary Evacuation: Recommended but not required

●​ Evacuation Routes: Pre-designated, signposted, known to

community

●​ Shelter-in-Place: When evacuation is more dangerous (e.g.,

chemical plume — staying indoors safer)

●​ Special Needs Populations: Plans must include those who

cannot self-evacuate (disabled, elderly, hospitalized)

Logistics Management

●​ Procurement, storage, transport, and distribution of relief

 supplies

●​ Cluster System (UN): Sectoral coordination — Logistics Cluster

(WFP), Health Cluster (WHO), Shelter Cluster (UNHCR/IFRC)

●​ Supply Chain: Supplier → Warehouse → Last-Mile Distribution →

Beneficiary

●​ Challenges: Damaged roads and bridges, overwhelmed

warehouses, fuel shortages, coordination failures

●​ Technology: Logistics tracking software (Helios, KoBoToolbox

for beneficiary registration)

5. Role of Government, International Bodies, and NGOs in Response

(Extended from Unit 3 context — Response Phase Specific)

●​ NDRF: Deployment within 4–6 hours to disaster sites; specialized

equipment for flood, earthquake, CBRN response

●​ Indian Army/Navy/Air Force: Large-scale SAR, helicopter

evacuation, relief column deployment

●​ OCHA's CERF: Central Emergency Response Fund — rapid

funding for sudden-onset emergencies

●​ NGO Coordination: OCHA coordinates NGOs to avoid

duplication; complementary to government response

6. Psychological Response and Management

Psychological Effects of Disaster

●​ Acute Stress Reaction (ASR): Immediate psychological response

(shock, confusion, agitation) — normal and temporary

●​ Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Persistent

re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal after traumatic events

●​ Grief and Bereavement: Loss of family members, livelihoods,

homes

●​ Depression and Anxiety Disorders: Common in medium-to-long

term post-disaster

●​ Substance Abuse: Increased alcohol/drug use as maladaptive

coping

Trauma Management

●​ Psychological First Aid (PFA): Evidence-informed approach —

Look, Listen, Link. Provides practical care, safety, and social

support. NOT formal therapy but compassionate presence

●​ MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support):

Comprehensive approach addressing emotional, social, and

psychological needs
●​ Stress Debriefing: Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) for

responders

Rumor and Panic Management

●​ Rumor: Unverified information spreading in the absence of

official communication

●​ Panic: Sudden uncontrollable fear causing irrational behavior

(stampedes, hoarding)

●​ Prevention: Regular official briefings; single spokesperson;

monitor social media; rapid corrections

●​ Transparent, timely communication is the most effective

anti-panic strategy

7. Relief and Recovery

Relief

●​ Immediate Relief (0–72 hrs): Life-saving — SAR, emergency

medical care, drinking water, emergency food

●​ Short-term Relief (72 hrs–3 months): Shelter, non-food items,

continued medical care, psychosocial support

●​ Relief Standards: Sphere Standards define minimum

humanitarian standards (water, sanitation, food, shelter, health)

●​ Sphere Minimum Standards:

○​ Water: 15 liters/person/day minimum

○​ Food: 2,100 kcal/person/day minimum

○​ Shelter: 3.5 m² covered floor space per person

Recovery (Early)

●​ Transition from immediate relief to rebuilding — often overlaps

with relief

●​ Focus: Restore livelihoods, repair critical infrastructure, resume

basic services

●​ "Build Back Better" Principle: Reconstruct with reduced risk,

not simply restore to pre-disaster conditions

8. Medical Health Response to Different Disasters

Mass Casualty Management

●​ Triage: Sorting casualties by severity to allocate limited

resources:

○​ GREEN — Minor (walking wounded)

○​ YELLOW — Delayed (stable but needs care)

○​ RED — Immediate (life-threatening, treatable)

○​ BLACK — Deceased or unsalvageable

●​ Field Medical Post (FMP): Forward treatment facility near

disaster site

●​ Medical Evacuation: Air ambulance, hospital ships for mass

evacuation

Disaster-Specific Medical Concerns

Disaster Primary Medical Key Interventions

Concerns

Earthquake Crush syndrome, Fasciotomy, renal

traumatic injuries, support,

fractures orthopedic

surgery

Flood Waterborne Water purification,

diseases (cholera, ORS, vaccination

typhoid, campaigns

leptospirosis)

Cyclone Trauma, Wound care,

drowning, wound tetanus

infections prophylaxis,

psychosocial
 Disaster Primary Medical Key Interventions

Concerns

support

Chemical Chemical burns, Decontamination,

respiratory failure, antidotes,

poisoning supportive care

Nuclear Acute Radiation Potassium iodide

Syndrome (ARS), (thyroid

burns protection), bone

marrow transplant

Disease Surveillance Post-Disaster

●​ Rapid epidemiological assessment to detect and prevent disease

outbreaks

●​ Early Warning Alert and Response System (EWARS) by WHO

●​ Prevent displacement camps from becoming disease hotspots

through WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) interventions

10. Role of Educational Institutions

●​

Pre-Disaster: Conducting mock drills, teaching disaster risk in

 curriculum, training teachers as first responders

●​ During Disaster: Schools as emergency shelters, temporary

hospitals, community hubs

●​ Post-Disaster: Resuming education quickly is critical for

children's recovery (psychosocial benefits); "Safe Schools"

initiative

●​ Research Role: Universities generate knowledge — hazard

modeling, vulnerability studies, community resilience research

●​ NDMA School Safety Programme: Structural safety audits,

non-structural measures, capacity building of teachers

05
Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Recovery

1. Reconstruction and Rehabilitation as a Means of Development

REHABILITATION: The restoration of basic services and

 facilities for the functioning of a community or society affected

by a disaster, targeting the basic needs and livelihoods of

affected people.

RECONSTRUCTION: Medium and long-term rebuilding and

sustained restoration of critical infrastructure, services,

housing, facilities, livelihoods, and living conditions of

disaster-affected communities.

Build Back Better (BBB)

●​ Post-disaster reconstruction as a strategic opportunity to

increase resilience

●​ Incorporates improved design, materials, and risk-reduction

standards

●​ Examples: Aceh (Indonesia) post-2004 tsunami reconstruction;

Japan's coastal reconstruction post-2011 tsunami

●​ BBB Principles: Participatory, locally-led, transparent, inclusive,

sustainable

Disaster as Development Opportunity

●​ Reconstruction can address pre-existing vulnerabilities (poor

housing, lack of sanitation)

●​ Opportunity to improve land use, infrastructure quality, social

equity
●​ Risk: Reconstruction may replicate old vulnerabilities if not

carefully managed ("disaster-by-design")

2. Damage Assessment

Types of Damage Assessment

●​ Rapid Damage Assessment (RDA): Within 24–72 hours — rough

estimate of scale; used for emergency resource allocation

●​ Detailed Damage Assessment (DDA): Sector-by-sector

assessment; used for recovery planning and donor appeals

●​ Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA): Comprehensive

evaluation of damage, losses, and recovery needs across all

sectors

Assessment Frameworks

●​ ECLAC Methodology (Damage and Loss Assessment — DaLA):

Quantifies physical damage and economic losses by sector

●​ PDNA Joint Framework (UN/World Bank/EU): Combines DaLA

with human recovery needs assessment

●​ Sectors Assessed: Housing, infrastructure (roads, bridges,

utilities), livelihoods, agriculture, health, education,

environment
Methods

●​ Satellite imagery analysis (UNOSAT, COPERNICUS Emergency

Management Service)

●​ Ground surveys by trained assessors

●​ Community-based damage mapping

●​ Participatory assessments involving affected populations

3. Post-Disaster Effects and Remedial Measures

Post-Disaster Effects

●​ Physical: Infrastructure damage, environmental degradation,

contamination of water sources

●​ Economic: Loss of livelihoods, business disruption, inflation,

food insecurity

●​ Social: Displacement, family separation, gender-based violence,

social cohesion breakdown

●​ Psychological: PTSD, depression, anxiety, community trauma

●​ Environmental: Soil erosion, deforestation, pollution, ecosystem

damage

●​ Long-term: Increased poverty, malnutrition, reduced human

development index
Remedial Measures

●​ Rapid housing construction and repair programs

●​ Restoration of water and sanitation systems

●​ Resumption of health services and disease surveillance

●​ Livelihood support programs (cash transfers, seeds, tools)

●​ Psychosocial support and mental health services

●​ Environmental remediation (decontamination, reforestation)

●​ Legal support (land tenure issues, insurance claims)

4. Creation of Long-term Job Opportunities and Livelihood Options

Livelihood Recovery Strategies

●​ Cash for Work (Cf W) / Food for Work: Immediate income while

contributing to recovery work (rubble clearance, road repair)

●​ Cash Transfers: Unconditional or conditional cash grants

enabling household-level recovery choices

●​ Microfinance and Credit: Small loans for business restart

(Grameen Bank model)

●​ Skills Training: Disaster-resilient vocational training

(construction, agriculture, IT)

●​ Market System Development: Supporting recovery of local

 markets and value chains

Long-term Employment Creation

●​ Investment in reconstruction provides temporary employment

(construction, logistics)

●​ Green Recovery: Jobs in renewable energy, ecosystem

restoration, sustainable agriculture

●​ Social Enterprises: Community-owned enterprises in

disaster-resilient sectors

●​ Disaster risk management itself creates employment (NDRF

personnel, risk analysts, engineers, community risk officers)

5. Disaster-Resistant House Construction

Principles

●​ Site selection — avoid flood plains, landslide-prone slopes,

liquefaction zones

●​ Appropriate foundation design for soil type

●​ Use of local, disaster-resistant building materials

●​ Adherence to building codes (National Building Code of India)

Earthquake-Resistant Construction
●​ Seismic Base Isolation: Flexible foundation absorbs seismic

energy

●​ Shear Walls and Bracing: Resist lateral forces

●​ Confined Masonry: Brick/block walls with concrete columns and

bands — low-cost seismic resistant

●​ Steel Frame Structures: Ductile — bend without breaking

●​ Earthquake Belts / Plinth Band / Lintel Band: Reinforced

concrete bands at key levels

Flood-Resistant Construction

●​ Elevated foundations (plinth raised above flood level)

●​ Water-resistant materials (concrete, brick, treated wood)

●​ Flood vents in foundations to equalize pressure

●​ Amphibious foundations (can rise with floodwater)

Cyclone-Resistant Construction

●​ Aerodynamic roof design (hip roof preferred over gable roof )

●​ Strong roof-wall connections (hurricane straps)

●​ Impact-resistant windows and doors

●​ Reinforced concrete construction

6. Sanitation and Hygiene

WASH in Emergencies

●​ Water Supply: Minimum 15–20 liters/person/day; purification

using chlorination, filtration, boiling; water trucking, bladder

tanks

●​ Sanitation: Minimum 1 latrine per 20 people; gender-segregated

facilities; safe feces disposal to prevent disease

●​ Hygiene Promotion: Handwashing with soap; personal hygiene

kits; community hygiene education

●​ Solid Waste Management: Prevent accumulation of garbage

(disease vector breeding); safe disposal of human remains

WASH Standards (Sphere)

Indicator Minimum Standard

Water quantity 15 L/person/day

Latrine coverage 1 per 20 people

Distance to latrine Max 50 metres from shelter

Soap 250g/person/month
7. Education and Awareness

Disaster Risk Education

●​ Integration in school and college curricula at all levels

●​ CBSE Disaster Management: Compulsory subject in classes 8–10

●​ Community awareness campaigns (Disaster Risk Awareness Day

— Oct 13, International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction)

●​ Media campaigns, street plays, puppet shows for grassroots

awareness

Community Awareness Programs

●​ Mock Drills: Regular practice of evacuation, response

procedures

●​ Disaster Management Committees: Village/ward-level

committees trained in basic response

●​ Awareness Materials: Posters, pamphlets, community radio

broadcasts in local languages

●​ School Preparedness Programs: "Safe Schools" initiative ensures

children can lead family preparedness

8. Dealing with Victims' Psychology

Phases of Psychological Recovery

1.​ Heroic Phase (Impact – 1 week): Adrenaline-driven altruism;

people help each other

2.​ Honeymoon Phase (1 week – 3 months): Optimism about

recovery; strong community solidarity

3.​ Disillusionment Phase (3 months – 2 years): Reality of slow

recovery sets in; frustration, conflict, psychological distress peak

4.​ Reconstruction Phase (2+ years): Gradual rebuilding of lives;

resilience or chronic issues emerge

Key Psychological Interventions

●​ Psychological First Aid (PFA): Immediate compassionate

support — ensure safety, comfort, stabilization; NOT counseling

●​ Community-Based Psychosocial Support: Using community

strengths, cultural practices, peer support

●​ Individual Counseling and Group Therapy: For those with

persistent PTSD or clinical depression

●​ Responder Wellbeing: Managing compassion fatigue and

secondary traumatic stress in rescue workers

●​ Child-Focused Support: Play therapy, child-friendly spaces,

school routines restore sense of normalcy

 Important

Cultural sensitivity is essential in psychological support.

Western therapy models may not be appropriate in all contexts.

Community leaders, religious figures, and traditional healers

play an important role in psychological recovery.

9. Long-term Counter Disaster Planning

Concept

Long-term counter disaster planning embeds disaster risk reduction

into national and local development frameworks to create enduring

resilience.

Key Components

●​ National Disaster Management Plans (NDMP): India's NDMP

2019 aligns with Sendai Framework targets

●​ Multi-Hazard Vulnerability Atlas: Mapping hazard zones for

planning purposes
●​ Land Use and Zoning Regulations: Restricting construction in

high-risk areas (floodplains, seismic zones)

●​ Disaster Risk Financing: National Disaster Response Fund

(NDRF), State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), catastrophe bonds,

parametric insurance

●​ Resilience Indicators: Monitoring progress on resilience (Sendai

Framework global indicators)

●​ Climate Change Adaptation Integration: Disaster risks

increasing due to climate change — DRR must align with National

Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

Sendai Framework 7 Global Targets

1.​ Substantially reduce global disaster mortality by 2030

2.​ Reduce number of affected people

3.​ Reduce direct economic loss

4.​ Reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure

5.​ Increase number of countries with national and local DRR

strategies by 2020

6.​ Substantially enhance international cooperation to developing

countries

7.​ Substantially increase availability of multi-hazard EWS by 2030

★
Quick Revision — Key Frameworks & Formulae

Essential Formulae

Disaster = Hazard × Vulnerability / Capacity

Risk (R) = Hazard (H) × Exposure (E) ×

Vulnerability (V) / Capacity (C)

Important International Frameworks

Framework Period Key Focus

Yokohama 1994 First global DRR

Strategy framework

Hyogo Framework 2005–2015 Building resilience

for Action of nations and

communities

Sendai Framework 2015–2030 4 priorities, 7

 Framework Period Key Focus

for DRR targets, shift to

risk governance

Paris Agreement 2015 Climate change

mitigation and

adaptation

Sustainable 2015–2030 SDG 11 (resilient

Development cities), SDG 13

Goals (SDGs) (climate action)

India's DRM Architecture

●​

DM Act 2005: Legal foundation for DRM in India

●​ NDMA: National level — policy and planning (PM as chairperson)

●​ SDMA: State level (Chief Minister as chairperson)

●​ DDMA: District level (District Collector/Magistrate)

●​ NDRF: 16 specialized response battalions

●​ NIDM: National Institute of Disaster Management — training and

research

Triage Color Code

●​
 RED — Immediate life-threatening, can be saved

●​ YELLOW — Delayed, stable condition

●​ GREEN — Minor injuries, walking wounded

●​ ⬛ BLACK — Deceased / unsalvageable

Sphere Minimum Standards (Memorize)

●​

Water: 15 L/person/day

●​ Food: 2,100 kcal/person/day

●​ Shelter: 3.5 m² per person

●​ Latrines: 1 per 20 people

Disaster Risk Management — BSc Level Comprehensive Study Notes

Covers full syllabus: Types of Disaster · Risk & Vulnerability · Preparedness · Response ·

Rehabilitation & Recovery

For academic use — Always cross-reference with your prescribed textbooks and university

guidelines.