The coastline of India measures 7516km which is prone to frequent disasters like – cyclone, tsunami, floods, etc.
Recently cyclone Fani has wreaked havoc in the coastal areas of Odisha.
The eastern coast is more affected by such disasters than western coast due to formation of Intertropical convergence (ITCZ) in the Bay of Bengal.
To address the consequences of the disasters, its management becomes important which should focus on –
- Rescue and evacuation
- Food and medical supplies
- Early waning’s
- Post disasters rehabilitation
See all- WHY DO OUR CITIES GETTING FLOODED SO MUCH?
However the most important is the development perspective which if pearly implemented multiplies the effect of any disaster.
- As we save in the Kerala flood last year, the major population was situated in the vulnerable zones.
- Poor planning in an urbanization near coastal areas.
- Building codes are not followed at the time of construction.
Here it becomes necessary to adopt a development path which promotes mitigation and reduces
The impact of any future disaster.
- This can be achieved by following these suitable and sustainable paths.
- The demography of the vulnerable zones should be assessed concerning the risk zones and possible relocation of people should be done. Ex—Orissa administration relocated more than 1000 people from such zones.
- Post-disaster, like earthquake and cyclone, design standards which are shock resistance should be incorporated while construction.
- Standard desire building codes should be adopted.
- To prevent casualties from floods, cyclones deeper, small check dams, levees should be construction In open spaces.
- Making provision ‘bankers’ at public and private plans can mitigate casualties as in the case of cyclone Fani.
- Afforestation should be preserved on the coastal belt as the trees form the first line of defence in reducing the intensity of tsunami, cyclone.
- Making insurance compulsory and aligning its premium cost with fewer risks zones will encourage people the shift to low-risk areas. But this needs a good quality of data using data mining and analytics.
It is logical to spend a few amounts in the proper development plans than they spend a huge amount after massive destruction has taken place. Hence development perspective should form an integral part of disaster management policy.