Disaster is a French word which means a bad star for a particular area or a zone where normal life may get disturbed due to heavy loss to human life or property.
Being equipped with knowledge of how to react and what to do in situations of calamities not only minimizes losses but also saves precious lives. One cannot stop Natural disasters, but with an effective management plan, one can minimize the damage caused by it.
The quick glance of major reported disasters worldwide in year 2013:
- Mindanao Floods Philippine (Jan)
- Solomon Earthquake and Tsunami (Feb)
- Guangdong Storm China (Mar)
- Patuakhali Cyclone Bangladesh (May)
- Southern Drought Africa (May-Present)
- Uttrakhand Floods India (June)
- Colorado Floods U.S.A (Sept)
- Southern Floods Asia (Oct)
- West African Drought (Ongoing)
When disasters strike poorest populations suffer the most. Natural disasters, particularly floods have disrupted the lives of millions worldwide in 2013. According to preliminary sigma estimates, insured losses from natural catastrophes and manmade disasters in 2013 are estimated to be around USD 44 billion, down from USD 81 billion in 2012.
Insured losses from natural catastrophes are at least USD 38 billion, down from USD 75 billion, while manmade disaster generated the remaining USD 6 billion of insured claims this year, little changed from previous year. The overall economic losses from catastrophic events in year 2013 reached USD 130 billion compared with USD 196 billion in 2012.
The total loss of life climbed to around 25000 from 14000last year. The climatic change will continue to enhance the frequency and intensity of natural hazards. In India 70% of the cultivable area is prone to droughts, 60% to earthquake, 12% to floods and 4.8% to cyclones. When disaster strikes first respond should be life saving emergency aid and stay for the long term to help families recover and rebuild.
The white landscape of Kashmir valley on New Year’s Eve can be viewed by different dimensions. I believe Nature has provided us an ample signal to be prepared for disasters to come ahead. The snow is a pre-requisite to a certain level beyond those same changes into disaster.
Let we understand few important Snow Safety Tips ,so to remain mentally prepared to tackle with the snow disaster as already Disaster Alert is in-place in Kashmir. Dress properly including a hat, a coat, gloves, socks, and water resistant shoes or boots. . Avoid cycling on ice till not melt completely. Listening to music or talking on the phone while walking in snowy conditions. You need to be able to hear traffic noises. .
Don’t follow shortcut path because it is less likely that snow removal occurred. Drive only if it is necessary and maintain safe speeds and distances from other vehicles.
During daytime wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from glare. Discussing disaster helps you to reduce fear. Tune to your local radio/TV for listening warnings and weather updates. Do keep the phone number of district administration and other rescue squad near the telephone. Don’t give any importance to rumors.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir being vulnerable to earthquakes, floods, landslides and avalanches. The National Highway and other hill roads are prone to accidents and road deaths due to snow slides.
The seismologist of Colorado University predicted that earthquake measuring 08 or above on the Richter scale may rock J&K in near future. The state of Jammu and Kashmir is a multi-disaster prone, falls in the highly active seismic zones 04th and 5th and need is not only state level disaster management plan but for a plan at district levels with an intention to mobilize resources in case of any eventuality.
The writer is RTI and Social activist, presently studying at Jamia Al Mustafa (s.a.w) International University Qom Iran.
(This is a personal blog and the views expressed above are the author’s own. Kashmir Patriot neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.)
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