Natural Disaster, its causes & effects.

Introduction of Natural Disaster:

A natural disaster is a disaster caused by nature, such as floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, avalanches, lahars (volcanic mudslides), landslides, sinkholes, blizzards, drought, hailstorms, heat waves, hurricanes, tropical storms, typhoons, Ice Ages, tornadoes, and wildfires. pidemics caused by bacteria or viruses are sometimes considered natural disasters, but sometimes put into a different category. A biological threat such as locusts or to!ic fungi could also be considered a natural disaster. "ome disasters are on the edge of natural and non#natural. $amines, the chronic lack of food, may be caused by a combination of natural and human factors. %wo space#originating categories of natural disaster, both of which rarely effect humans on the surface, include asteroid impacts and solar flares. Although the risk of asteroid impact in the short term may be low, some scientists argue that in the long term, the likelihood of death by asteroid is similar to that of death by traditional natural disasters such as disease. %he deadliest natural disasters are famines, which claimed &' million people during the ('th century alone, with )' million dying during the famine of *+,-./* in 0hina. In the "oviet 1nion there were several man#made famines that killed millions, blamed on the collectivist policies of "talin, the leader of the country at the time. $amines have a history of bringing out the worst in people, including atrocities and cannibalism. Another of the deadliest natural disasters is epidemics, most notably the "panish flu of *+*-#*+*+, which killed ,' million 2 more than 3orld 3ar I, which had occurred 4ust before. 5ather than killing infants or the aged, the "panish flu struck down people in the prime of life. 6aving a good immune system was no protection against this virus 2 in fact, it was a liability. %he virus is believed to have killed its victims primarily through over activating the immune system in a process called a cytokine storm. 6istorically, volcanoes may have been the biggest type of natural disaster. "ome scientists believe that the eruption of 7t. %oba in Indonesia over &),''' years ago

may have killed off most of the human species, leaving behind only *,''' # *',''' breeding pairs. %his phenomenon, called a population bottleneck, has been confirmed through genetic analysis.

Definition of Natural Disaster:

A natural disaster is the effect of earth8s natural hazards, for e!ample flood, tornado, hurricane, volcanic eruption, earthquake, heat wave, or landslide. %hey can lead to financial, environmental or human losses. %he resulting loss depends on the vulnerability of the affected population to resist the hazard, also called their resilience. If these disasters continue it would be a great danger for the earth. %his understanding is concentrated in the formulation9 :disasters occur when hazards meet vulnerability.:;%hus a natural hazard will not result in a natural disaster in areas without vulnerability, e.g. strong earthquakes in uninhabited areas. %he term natural has consequently been disputed because the events simply are not hazards or disasters without human involvement. A concrete e!ample of the division between a natural hazard and a natural disaster is that the *+'/ "an $rancisco earthquake was a disaster, whereas earthquakes are a hazard. %his article gives an introduction to notable natural disasters< refer to the list of natural disasters for a comprehensive listing. =atural disasters are cataclysmic events that can have a direct or indirect impact on the public>s health and well#being, according to the 1nited "tates ?epartment of 6ealth and 6uman "ervices. =atural disasters can include weather phenomena as well as landslides and avalanches, which occur as a result of erosion or severe weather patterns.

Natural disaster of a different kind: Cold Spell in Bangladesh:

@eing a @angladeshi, it is never a pleasant e!perience to talk about the periodic natural disasters, mainly floods and cyclones that ravage the country every now and then. %o increase the sufferings of the poor disaster vulnerable people of the country, recently there has been a new addition to the list of regular natural disasters of @angladesh named 0old "pell, thanks to the global climate change. %he impact of 0old "pell is as notorious as other regular natural calamities of

@angladesh as far as the death toll is in concern. %he recent 0old "pell that appeared on the &th Aanuary in @angladesh has already taken si!teen lives, out of which are + children and made most of the population of the northern @angladesh to suffer with pneumonia, cold diarrhea, cough, fever, asthma and other cold# related diseases. ?uring a 0old "pell, gusty e!treme cold wind coupled with heavy fog covers the whole area of @angladesh. 6istorically the average winter temperature in @angladesh is within *, to (' degree 0elsius. 6owever, in recent 0old "pells this average temperature has dropped to as low as B degree 0elsius, a new record for the country. %he most affected area during this calamity is the northern part of the @angladesh which is closer to the 6imalayas. =orthern @angladesh is the most poverty stricken area of the country where people have year round income poverty and seasonal food poverty during the time of agricultural lean seasons. %he recent catastrophe of 0old "pell has magnified their sufferings to a severe e!tent, shortage of warm clothing and shelter has caused them even their lives. %he sufferings of poor people of northern @angladesh reached to an untold terrible stage especially for those who live in the remote island areas of river %ista, which is locally known as 0har. "ome places in the northern part had not seen the sun for the last ) to B days due to the e!treme fog and clouds. 7ost places of the char areas in the river basins remained covered with fog, reducing the visibility till noon almost every day. In such situations, poor cannot 4oin their regular work because of the unfavorable weather condition as well as due to sickness. As a result, they lose a significant share of their regular income which further reduces their ability to take proper action against the shock. Also the daily transportation of food items from all parts of the country has been dangerously interrupted. @asic road and water transportation has been delayed for an indefinite time, causing ma4or physical communication to an almost complete halt. =eedless to say, such physical communication chaos has triggered the price of common household commodities to a seasonal e!treme, causing the sufferings of the poor even more severe. Ceople who took desperate attempt to hit the road ignoring such bad driving conditions have already paid the price with road accidents if not heavy traffic congestions in the highways.

%he main reason for such calamity is the constant and consistent blow of chilly wind from the northwest blowing at a speed of *'#*, kms per hour which made the weather further cooler during the typical winter season. As there is no rain, pollen count in the air is relatively high in this season making the air full of dust and causing respiratory problem and allergic infections along with asthma, pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, respiratory problem, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 6ospitals, especially those in the northern part of the country, are e!periencing massive admission of patients suffering from cold related illnesses for the last few days. 5eports received from different sources mentioned seriously sufferings of thousands and millions people living in the sandy char areas in Durigram, Ealmonirhat, Faibandha, 5angpur, =ilphamari, @ogra and "ira4gan4 districts on the @rahmaputra basin.

Effects of Natural Disasters:

=atural disasters have become so commonplace that they hardly receive passing notice on the news unless there have been a large number of casualties. Golcanoes, mudslides, tsunamis and floods are 4ust a few of the ways nature strikes on a daily basis, leaving behind destruction and heartache. 6umans have learned to prepare for the possibility of tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires, but no amount of preparation can lessen the impact that natural disasters have on every aspect of society.

h!sical Destruction: %he biggest visible effect of natural disasters is the physical ruin they leave behind. 6omes, vehicles and personal possessions are often destroyed within a short period of time, leaving families homeless and shutting some businesses down permanently. %ornadoes destroy structures at whim, earthquakes can cause structural damage that might not be apparent at first glance, and tsunamis and floods sweep homes off their foundations. E"otional #oll: Cossessions are not hard to replace, as many people keep insurance on their property and tangible goods. %he emotional toll of natural disasters is much more devastating. %he death of a loved one

may be the worst#case scenario but it>s not the only lasting emotional effect victims e!perience. 3hole communities may be displaced, separating friends and neighbors< victims face an!iety and depression as they wonder if it could happen again. In e!treme cases, they may e!perience post traumatic stress disorder (C%"?). Econo"ic Concerns: According to the =ational 6urricane 0enter, 6urricane Datrina cost the 1.". H&, billion when it slammed into =ew Irleans in August ('',. %hat doesn>t include the damage caused in the $lorida counties of 7iami#?ade and @roward by the same storm. 3hile destruction of this magnitude is not commonplace, even a minor storm can cause considerable damage. At the very least, the local economy must be able to absorb the cost of cleanup and repairs. Indirect Effects: 3hile the visible effects of natural disasters are immediate and strongly felt, communities that surround ground zero can be indirectly affected by them as well. =atural disasters almost always lead to a disruption in utility services around the area impacted. %his can mean life or death for those who rely on dialysis or o!ygen to live. 7edical assistance is also often slowed, as emergency crews must focus on the victims of the disaster. @anks and other businesses might be closed, affecting a family>s ability to withdraw money to pay bills and buy groceries. $eograph!: Feography plays a large role in how natural disasters affect an area. In rural or isolated communities, natural disasters can thrust families into a situation where they must do without modern conveniences like electric and running water. %hey may not be able to get to town to buy necessities and have to rely on what they have stocked up. ?ensely populated areas face their own unique problems from natural disasters. 6ygiene becomes a concern, as people crowd into temporary relief centers and competes for limited resources. En%iron"ent: 6umans aren>t the only living things affected by natural disasters. As is the case with humans, animals can be displaced from their homes. "ometimes they have no alternative but to leave the area and try to fit into a new habitat. Golcanoes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires and mudslides often permanently alter an area>s Eandscape, leading in some cases to the destruction of a local species

Disruption of &tilities 0ommunities that surround areas affected by natural disasters are seriously affected by the disruption caused to utility services. Fenerally, power is the first thing to go when there>s a natural disaster. %his can literally mean life or death to the people who are on life support systems such as o!ygen and dialysis. 7edical assistance becomes hard to get since the crews are busy helping the victims of the disaster. @anks can be shut down, causing a shortage of cash circulation that prevents people from accessing funds for much needed provisions for babies and small children. E"otional Da"age 3hen a natural disaster strikes, the emotional toll on the people affected is quite devastating. 3hile possessions can be replaced eventually through insurance, the emotional damage can take a long while to heal. Ceople lose loved ones in natural disasters< deaths of people and precious pets, serious in4ury and people missing all add up to severe emotional trauma. 0ommunities get displaced meaning separation from family and friends. Gictims face stress, trauma, an!iety and depression as a result of natural disasters. Social Conse'uences %he social consequences of natural disasters in the short and long term are wide ranging. %he disasters affect housing< people are left homeless and rebuilding a home takes a long time and a lot of money. 6ealth care infrastructure is affected< the impacts are worse in developing countries that already have poor facilities to begin with. ?isease starts spreading and, without proper medical attention, makes a bad situation worse. ducation is a big loser when a natural disaster happens, schools are often closed, teachers are unable to come in to work and children are displaced and unable to attend school. %ransportation capacity is reduced hindering relief efforts and disrupting normal life.

(hat )re the Different #!pes of Natural Disasters*

#ornado A tornado occurs on the surface of the earth>s land as a result of humidity in the lower atmosphere combining with wind shears. %he spinning comes by way of downdrafts and updrafts, but the violent speed is usually due to rapid changes in the air (such as dry air suddenly becoming very cool). 3hen air mass is unstable

and storms come through an area, a tornado often results. %he reason most tornadoes occur in the 7idwest of the 1nited "tates is because tropical winds from the south Fulf move up to meet the cool winds of 0anada>s north. 3hen they collide in the middle, it>s usually somewhere around Dansas or =ebraska (though tornadoes can occur anywhere if the conditions are right, they>re usually not as severe in other regions). Earth'uake Giolent tremors of the earth>s surface are the result of earthquakes, which are caused by the shifting of the earth>s tectonic plates and fault lines below the surface. 3hen the earth>s temperature changes, this causes movement of rock and plates in the earth>s mantle. %his happens all over the globe, but some stresses are more severe in some areas. Carts of the world that e!perience more earthquakes usually do so because the plates below them are more brittle and weak. In the Cacific Icean, there is the 5ing of $ire that stretches up and down the coasts of =orth America and "outh America and continues across to Aapan and down to east of Australia. Golcanic eruption occurs for similar reasons, in that activity occurs below the surface of the earth causing stress and sudden release of molten rock. +urricane Also known as a tropical cyclone or typhoon, hurricanes are violent storms that occur off of ocean shores. 6igh winds are produced by water that has evaporated from an ocean surface in a low pressure area. %his also causes a spiraling effect, which gains momentum the more condensation it collects. 7inimal hurricanes have winds of about &, mph (0ategory *), but the most catastrophic storms will blow more than *,, mph (0ategory ,). Ince a hurricane hits land, it begins to cool and slow, but this is the point at which a hurricane does its most damage. ?estruction of trees, cars and buildings is likely in the event of a hurricane.

Causes of Natural Disasters:

,loods: According to the 1.". nvironmental Crotection Agency ( CA), barring fire, floods are the most common natural disaster affecting Americans. $loods are a factor in +' percent of natural disasters. $lood events have both natural and man# made causes. "torm events can create flood waters that e!ceed the capacity of the environment or man#made structures. Eevees and dams provide a false sense of security as became evident during the Freat $lood of *++) in the 1pper 7ississippi 5iver valley. A painful lesson was learned. 3etlands destruction removed a natural means to absorb floodwaters. ,ires: $ires are nature>s environmental managers. %hey create and maintain ecosystems such as prairies and pine forests. In fact, prairies evolved with the presence of fire.
9

%he health of the ecosystem is dependent on this disturbance. $ires remove a buildup of litter on the soil surface, allowing nutrients to be released into the environment. It also creates favorable conditions for seed germination. "uppression of fire allows litter to accumulate, setting the stage for catastrophic fires. Clants and trees have adapted to the presence of fire. 6owever, the higher temperatures of crown fires can kill plants entirely. %hese fires are more difficult to control. "uppression of fires is e!pensive, upward of H* billion annually, according to the 1.". $orest "ervice. Drought: ?rought has had more widespread effects than any other natural disaster. ach year, drought costs the 1nited "tates more than H/ billion. It>s safe to say that droughts have greater impacts in modern times. 7ore people are affected by loss of land and food crops as well as environmental damage. %he immediate effects are overshadowed by secondary issues. 0ompacted, dry soils are vulnerable to topsoil loss and erosion. ?ry conditions make fires more common. vidence suggests global warming may be the cause for an increase in drought frequency and changes in the global climate. (eather E%ents: Eike drought, an increase in severe weather events has been recorded in the last *'' years by the =ational 0limatic ?ata 0enter. 3hile notification systems are in place, vulnerabilities still e!ist for property damage and crop loss. ?evelopment has also complicated the effects of such events. An increase in development leads to a decrease in wetlands and an increase in impervious surfaces such as roads and driveways. %his creates a scenario for floods and flash flooding. As with drought, scientists believe a link between global warming and climate changes e!ists. re%ention-Solution: =ot all natural disasters can be prevented. ach natural disaster has its own factors and complications. 1nderstanding the basic principles of ecology can provide keys to lessening their effects. =ature evolved with natural disasters and disturbance. %he best prevention is looking at the strategies found in nature.

(hat Is Natural Disaster .anage"ent*

Significance ffective natural disaster management saves lives. Crocedures set in place before a catastrophe occurs ensure a speedier and more effective response. A preventative measure, such as strengthening the infrastructure of buildings in earthquake regions, minimizes the risk of in4uries and helps people to resume normal life more quickly.

Features Fovernments and some large corporations in developed countries designate aid money for natural disasters before they happen. %hey also liaise with the governments of affected regions and aid workers on the ground when a disaster occurs to determine the e!tent of medical aid and supplies needed. Aid workers are trained to assess the scale of the disaster. =on#government overseas aid workers may already be based in the region and have a good understanding of the local culture, which can be invaluable in advising how to administer help effectively, according to the Flobal ducation website. Considerations Fovernments and aid organizations, such as the 5ed 0ross, and representatives of the affected region usually work together to save lives and restore order after a disaster occurs. =atural disaster management continues long after the initial crisis has passed. $unds, for e!ample, may be allocated to rebuild homes destroyed by a flood.