Prevention Mitigation Preparedness Response Recovery Rehabilitation

(DRR) aims to minimize vulnerabilities and disaster risks by systematically analyzing and managing the causes of disasters. The disaster management cycle consists of six interconnected phases: Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Rehabilitation.

1. Prevention

Definition: Actions taken to avoid the occurrence of a disaster or reduce its likelihood. Prevention eliminates disaster risks by addressing their root causes.

Key Concepts & Terminologies:

Hazard Prevention: Eliminating sources of potential harm (e.g., stopping illegal mining to prevent landslides).
Risk Avoidance: Policies that discourage risky activities (e.g., zoning laws preventing settlements in floodplains).
Early Warning Systems: Technology and systems to detect and prevent disasters before they occur (e.g., earthquake detection sensors).

Example:

Banning construction in seismic-prone areas reduces the risk of earthquake-related damages.
Vaccination programs prevent disease outbreaks during floods.

2. Mitigation

Definition: Measures aimed at reducing the severity or impact of disasters when they occur. Unlike prevention, mitigation assumes that some disasters are inevitable but seeks to lessen their impact.

Key Concepts & Terminologies:

Structural Mitigation: Physical interventions (e.g., earthquake-resistant buildings, flood barriers).
Non-Structural Mitigation: Policy-based actions (e.g., land-use planning, building codes).
Risk Reduction Strategies: Actions that lower disaster risks (e.g., afforestation to prevent soil erosion).

Example:

Coastal cities build seawalls to reduce the impact of tsunamis.
Retrofitting older buildings with earthquake-resistant technology.

3. Preparedness

Definition: Planning, training, and organizing resources to effectively respond to a disaster. Preparedness ensures that individuals, communities, and institutions are equipped to handle emergencies.

Key Concepts & Terminologies:

Contingency Planning: Developing action plans for different disaster scenarios.
Community Preparedness: Educating and training local populations on emergency protocols.
Emergency Supplies: Stockpiling food, water, medicine, and other essentials.

Example:

Conducting earthquake drills in schools and offices.
Setting up emergency shelters in cyclone-prone areas.

4. Response

Definition: Immediate actions taken during and immediately after a disaster to protect lives, property, and the environment. Response focuses on emergency aid, rescue, and relief efforts.

Key Concepts & Terminologies:

Search and Rescue Operations: Locating and helping survivors in disaster-stricken areas.
Emergency Medical Assistance: Setting up field hospitals and providing healthcare services.
Humanitarian Aid: Distributing food, water, and temporary shelters.

Example:

Deploying National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams after an earthquake.
Sending helicopters to rescue people stranded in floods.

5. Recovery

Definition: Short- to medium-term activities aimed at restoring normalcy in affected communities. Recovery includes rebuilding infrastructure and providing psychological support.

Key Concepts & Terminologies:

Short-term Recovery: Restoring essential services (e.g., electricity, water supply).
Long-term Recovery: Rebuilding communities and restoring livelihoods.
Economic Rehabilitation: Reviving businesses and providing financial aid to affected people.

Example:

Restoring power lines and reopening schools after a hurricane.
Providing financial assistance to farmers after a drought.

6. Rehabilitation

Definition: Long-term actions focused on rebuilding communities and improving resilience to future disasters. Rehabilitation aims for sustainable development by addressing social, economic, and environmental aspects.

Key Concepts & Terminologies:

Infrastructure Rehabilitation: Constructing stronger roads, bridges, and buildings.
Environmental Rehabilitation: Reforestation and soil conservation projects.
Social Rehabilitation: Psychological counseling and support programs for affected populations.

Example:

Rebuilding earthquake-resistant housing for displaced families.
Implementing sustainable agriculture practices in drought-prone areas

Comments

Natural Disasters

A natural disaster is a catastrophic event caused by natural processes of the Earth that results in significant loss of life, property, and environmental resources. It occurs when a hazard (potentially damaging physical event) interacts with a vulnerable population and leads to disruption of normal life . Key terms: Hazard → A potential natural event (e.g., cyclone, earthquake). Disaster → When the hazard causes widespread damage due to vulnerability. Risk → Probability of harmful consequences from interaction of hazard and vulnerability. Vulnerability → Degree to which a community or system is exposed and unable to cope with the hazard. Resilience → Ability of a system or society to recover from the disaster impact. 👉 Example: An earthquake in an uninhabited desert is a hazard , but not a disaster unless people or infrastructure are affected. Types Natural disasters can be classified into geophysical, hydrological, meteorological, clim...

Types of Remote Sensing

Remote Sensing means collecting information about the Earth's surface without touching it , usually using satellites, aircraft, or drones . There are different types of remote sensing based on the energy source and the wavelength region used. 🛰️ 1. Active Remote Sensing 📘 Concept: In active remote sensing , the sensor sends out its own energy (like a signal or pulse) to the Earth's surface. The sensor then records the reflected or backscattered energy that comes back from the surface. ⚙️ Key Terminology: Transmitter: sends energy (like a radar pulse or laser beam). Receiver: detects the energy that bounces back. Backscatter: energy that is reflected back to the sensor. 📊 Examples of Active Sensors: RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging): Uses microwave signals to detect surface roughness, soil moisture, or ocean waves. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging): Uses laser light (near-infrared) to measure elevation, vegetation...

geostationary and sun-synchronous

Orbital characteristics of Remote sensing satellite geostationary and sun-synchronous Orbits in Remote Sensing Orbit = the path a satellite follows around the Earth. The orbit determines what part of Earth the satellite can see , how often it revisits , and what applications it is good for . Remote sensing satellites mainly use two standard orbits : Geostationary Orbit (GEO) Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) Geostationary Satellites (GEO) Characteristics Altitude : ~35,786 km above the equator. Period : 24 hours → same as Earth's rotation. Orbit type : Circular, directly above the equator . Appears "stationary" over one fixed point on Earth. Concepts & Terminologies Geosynchronous = orbit period matches Earth's rotation (24h). Geostationary = special type of geosynchronous orbit directly above equator → looks fixed. Continuous coverage : Can monitor the same area all the time. Applications Weather...

Linear Arrays Along-Track Scanners or Pushbroom Scanners

Multispectral Imaging Using Linear Arrays (Along-Track Scanners or Pushbroom Scanners) Multispectral Imaging: As previously defined, this involves capturing images using multiple sensors that are sensitive to different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. Linear Array of Detectors (A): This refers to a row of discrete detectors arranged in a straight line. Each detector is responsible for measuring the radiation within a specific wavelength band. Focal Plane (B): This is the plane where the image is formed by the lens system. It is the location where the detectors are placed to capture the focused image. Formed by Lens Systems (C): The lens system is responsible for collecting and focusing the incoming radiation onto the focal plane. It acts like a camera lens, creating a sharp image of the scene. Ground Resolution Cell (D): As previously defined, this is the smallest area on the ground that can be resolved by a remote sensing sensor. In the case of linear array scanne...

India remote sensing

1. Foundational Phase (Early 1970s – Early 1980s) Objective: To explore the potential of space-based observation for national development. 1972: The Space Applications Programme (SAP) was initiated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), focusing on applying space technology for societal benefits. 1975: The Department of Space (DoS) was established, providing an institutional base for space applications, including remote sensing. 1977: India began aerial and balloon-borne experiments to study Earth resources and assess how remote sensing data could aid in agriculture, forestry, and hydrology. 1978 (June 7): Bhaskara-I launched by the Soviet Union — India's first experimental Earth Observation satellite . Payloads: TV cameras (for land and ocean surface observation) and a Microwave Radiometer. Significance: Proved that satellite-based Earth observation was feasible for India's needs. 1981 (November 20): Bhaskara-II launche...

Vineesh V, Geography

Search This Blog