ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Types of Pollution
1. On the basis of nature of pollution 2. On the basis of basis of medium of pollution 3. On the basis of area and source of pollution 4. On the basis of location of pollution

1. On the basis of nature of pollution pollution is divided into two categories viz. - Physical Pollution - Social Pollution
Physical pollution means lowering of the quality of physical components of the environment such as land,air and water. Thus physical pollution is divided into a.) land pollution b.) water pollution and c.) air pollution. Social pollution means degradation of human communities due to a variety of factors and through a number of processes.

On the basis of medium of pollution Pollution is divided on the basis of media through which pollutants are transported and diffused into three categories e.g. a.)Land pollution , b.) Water pollution, c) Air pollution.

On the basis of area and source of pollution Pollution is divided into a.Urban Pollution b. Rural Pollution

On the basis of Location of pollution

a. Point source Pollution: Point source Pollution is

always visible and hence can be easily identified. Discharge of effluent from a drain or a pipe into a river channel is termed as point pollution.

b. Non Point source Pollution :Non point source

pollution does not originate from a single source or point. It is difficult to trace the exact origin of these pollutants. Eg. Sediments, toxins, microorganisms etc.

POLLUTION
Environmental pollution is the undesirable change in the physical , chemical and biological characteristics of air, water or land that can harmfully effect the health, survival or human activities or other living organisms Residuals become pollutants or an environmental problem of some kind and in some degree when they have harmful effects in the atmosphere, the oceans or the terrestrial environment.

AIR POLLUTION

Definition
Air pollution may be defined as the presence in the air of one or more contaminants or combinations thereof in such quantities and of such durations as may be or tend to be injurious to human, animal or plant life, or property, or which unreasonably interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property or conduct of business. The atmosphere is composed of 78% of nitrogen, 21% of oxygen, 1% carbondioxide, remainder consist of water vapor, trace amount of several other gases such as hydrogen, neon etc.

Air Pollutant
It is a substance or effect dwelling temporarily or permanently in the air , which adversely alters the environment by interfering with the health, the comfort, or the food chain, or by interfering with the property values of people. A pollutant can be solid , liquid or gas . It may originate from both natural and human sources Natural sources : a. From volcanoes :dust, ashes, smoke, carbon dioxide and other gases; b. From extra terrestrial bodies : cosmic dust, dusts produced due to collision of asteroids. meteors, comets etc. with the earth. c. From green plants: pollen of plant flowers. Human sources (anthropogenic) : a. Gases from kitchen and domestic heating, industries, incineration of municipal and domestic garbage, automobiles ,railway mostly from coal and diesel engines, aircrafts etc; b. Solid or particulate matter from industries, mines and urban centers;

Types of Pollutants Primary pollutants : are those which are emitted directly into the troposphere from both natural and human activities. There are five primary pollutants carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, suspended and particulate matter. Secondary pollutants : when some of the primary pollutants may react with one another or with the basic components of air to form new pollutants eg: sulfuric acid, nitric acid, carbonic acid etc.

Primary Air Pollutants Sources and Effects on Human Health

Pollutant Carbon Monoxide (CO) Sources Cigarette smoking, motor vehicle exhaust. Effects Reduces oxygen carrying capacity of blood ,triggers heart attack, causes collapse, coma etc. Lung irritation, aggravates asthma, bronchitis etc.

Nitrogen Dioxide

Burning of fossil fuel, power & industrial plants.

Sulfur Dioxide

Coal burning in Breathing problems, power plants & bronchitis, reduces industrial processes visibility etc.

Ozone

Chemical reaction with VOCs by cars & industries.

Heart disease, eyes, nose & throat irritation, cough etc.

Suspended Particulate Matter

Burning coal in power & industrial plants, diesel in vehicles, agriculture, construction.

Nose & throat irritation, lung damage, cancer, shortens life, asthma.

Lead

Metal refineries, storage batteries, lead manufacture.

Accumulates in the body, brain & other nervous system damage, mental retardation.

Effect on Plants
The nitric acid and nitrate salts in acid deposition can lead to excessive soil nitrogen levels. The acid rain releases aluminium in the soil and intensifies the depletion of other important soil nutrients eg. Calcium, magnesium etc which reduces tree growth . Chronic exposure of the leaves to air pollutants can break down the waxy coating and leads to damage from diseases, drought etc. Such exposure interferes with photosynthesis and reduces nutrient uptake and causes the leaves to turn yellow and drop off.

M.C MEHTA V. UNION OF INDIA (TAJ MAHAL CASE)

A Public Interest Litigation was filed in 1984 alleging that due to environmental pollution there is degradation of Taj Mahal. According to the opinion of the expert committees, the use of coal by industries situated within the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) were emitting pollution and causing damage to the Taj as also to the people living in the area. The court held in 2002 that Taj , apart from being a cultural heritage is also an industry. The court followed the path of sustainable development and applied precautionary principle. Directions issued by the court : Supreme Court ordered 292 industries industries operating in TTZ either to use natural gas as a substitute for coal, as an industrial fuel or shut down. The industries which are not in a position to use natural gas, must stop functioning in TTZ and they may relocate themselves in new industrial areas and the incentives were to be given for relocation.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

The Central Pollution Control Board initiated the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring programme in 1984.The government manages air quality by establishing ambient air quality standards. These standards identify levels of pollutants in the air that are deemed to be scientifically acceptable. Ambient air is measured to provide a background with which to compare emissions monitoring results and to assess pollutant level. The database on ambient air quality has been prepared by the monitoring networks of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute ( NEERI), Nagpur.

Ambient Air Quality Standards in India

Area category Suspended particulate matter SO CO NO

Industrial 500 Residential 200 Sensitive 100

120 80 30

5000 2000 1000

120 50 30

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Source control: Use only unleaded petrol. Reduce the number of private vehicles on the road by developing an efficient public transport system and encouraging people to walk or use bicycles. Ensure that houses, schools, restaurants and parks are not located on busy streets. plant trees along busy roads because they remove particulates and carbon monooxide and absorb noise. Industries and waste disposal sites should be located outside the city. A narrow street lined with tall buildings trap pollutants, therefore wide streets with lower buildings should be encouraged. Preventive control technologies include devices for removal of pollutants through scrubbers, closed collection recovery system, filters etc.

Contd 1. 2. Preventive control technologies: Settling chambers: simple devices for collecting dust particles bigger than 100 mm Filters: consist of filter bags through which dust laden air gets filtered and clean air escapes. Scrubbers: consists of absorbing the gaseous pollutants in appropriate liquid by scrubbing to bring the pollutants from the gaseous phase to liquid or solid phase. Combustion: organic pollutants can be decomposed into CO and water at high temperatures . Absorption: a mass of gases is transferred to a suitable liquid solvent.

3.

4. 5.

WATER POLLUTION
1. Water pollution is a large set of adverse effects upon water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater caused by human activities. Fresh water pollution: 2 types Surface water pollution Although natural phenomena such as volcanoes, algae blooms, storms, and earthquakes also cause major changes in water quality and the ecological status of water, water is only called polluted when it is not able to be used for what one wants it to be used for. Ground water pollution This pollution is much more difficult to abate than surface pollution because groundwater can move great distances through unseen aquifers. Non-porous aquifers such as clays partially purify water of bacteria by simple filtration, dilution, and, in some cases, chemical reactions and biological activity: however, in some cases, the pollutants merely transform to soil contaminants. Groundwater that moves through cracks and caverns is not filtered and can be transported as easily as surface water. Marine water pollution: Marine water is easily polluted by contaminants carried by rivers and also by oil- spills, radioactive and industrial waste.

2.

Contaminants
Contaminants are of two types - Organic and inorganic Some inorganic water pollutants include: Heavy metals eg: arsenic, acid mine drainage Acidity caused by industrial discharges (especially sulfur dioxide from power plants) Pre-production industrial pollutant Chemical waste as industrial by products Fertilizers, in runoff from agriculture including nitrates and phosphates Silt in surface runoff from construction sites, logging, slash and burn practices or land clearing sites

Contd
Some organic water pollutants are: Insecticides and herbicides Bacteria, often is from sewage or livestock operations Food processing waste, including pathogens Tree and brush debris from logging operations VOCs (volatile organic compounds), such as industrial solvents, from improper storage Petroleum Hydrocarbons including fuels (gasoline, diesel, jet fuels, and fuel oils) and lubricants (motor oil) from oil field operations, refineries, pipelines, retail service station's underground storage tanks, and transfer operations. Detergents

Sewage effluents - Sewage effluents occupy the foremost place polluting major portion of inland waters. - Infectious disease causing organisms or the germs of typhoid, dysentry, cholera,and tuberculosis etc go into the sewage wastes and are transmitted to humans when such waters are used for drinking and bathing purposes. - Though purification of drinking water through chlorine has reduced the threat, but in rural areas of developing countries like India, water borne diseases are seriously affecting the health of the inhabitants.

Plant nutrients
Plant nutrients dissolved mineral substances derived from various sources such as detergents, chemical fertilizers, animal and human wastes form another group of water pollutants. Here nitrogen and phosphorus are main elements although potassium, magnesium, sulphur and calcium may also create difficulties. Water laden with these elements provides nutrients to algae and water plants which not only lead to oxygen depletion, but produce toxin substances through their decay and decomposition. Such water becomes unfit for marine organisms and also for human use.

Particulates
Particulates mainly soil and mineral particles not only corrode river banks, but cause serious damage to turbines, pumps, bridges, reservoirs and dams. They threaten fish and other aquatic organisms, water plants by reducing the amount of sunlight. Studies have shown that gradual removal of forest cover due to agricultural expansion has increased the amount of silt in the rivers of the Ganges Plain. Bhakra dam is facing the menacing problem of silt deposition and engineers working on Tehri dam have apprehended similar fear owing to large amount of silt brought by the Bhagirathi and Bhilangana rivers.

Radioactive substances
The increasing use of atomic minerals in power reactors, defense, industry ,medicine and research has generated new kind of waste product with radioactive traits. All life that comes into contact with such wastes risks serious damage to its tissues and cells. Though proper care is taken to dispose of radio active wastes, but their slow decaying process and growing storage will undoubtedly pose a serious problem in the near future.

Mineral and chemical substances

Modern industrial and mining operations produce minerals and chemical substances like salts, metals,acids and oil, the last being the most serious pollutant of todays world. Leakage of oil from offshore oil wells and oil tankers envelope a major portion of sea surface endangering plankton, marine life and water birds. Accidental blow out in offshore oil wells pour a heavy quantity of oil pollutants in sea water and have brought disastrous effects on sea vegetation and plants.

Heat
Heat in the form of hot water released by chemical and metal industries, electrical power plants with atomic energy and coal, and petroleum companies is the major cause of thermal pollution. Such heated water returning to lakes and streams has a profound impact on the living organisms. It not only holds less amount of dissolved oxygen but accelerates the activity and growth rates of water plants and animals consuming greater quantity of oxygen and making the reservoir unfit for the living organisms. Constant addition of heated water to a lake or river disturbs the natural movement of layers of water and consequently the bottom layer becomes poor in oxygen and nutrients whereas upper layer is so hot that little can thrive there.

Marine water pollution

Marine pollution is the direct or indirect introduction of matter by mankind into marine life that is harmful to living resources, hazardous to human health, hinders marine activity and adversely affects sea water. It is purely due to human activities. Causes: 1. Industrial waste, agricultural waste, mining waste, urban and rural sewage carried away by rivers is dumped into sea. 2. Oil spills 3. Dumping of plastics into sea Control measure: sewage treatment plants. Various stages of treatment such as primary, secondary or advanced can be used depending upon the quality of effluent that is required to be treated

Noise Pollution
Noise is an unwanted sound without agreeable musical quality. Noise pollution may be defined as the state of discomfort and restlessness caused to humans by unwanted high intensity sound known as noise.

1. 2. 3.

Sources of noise pollution

Natural sources such as cloud thunder, high velocity wind such as hurricanes, thunderstorms; high intensity rainfall, hailstorms, waterfalls etc. Biological sources roars of lion, street dogs bark, jackals, etc. Artificial sources noise created by man through his activities and creations such as musical instruments, automobiles, aircrafts, factories etc.

Effects of noise pollution

Noise pollution or say exposure of human beings to noise of levels higher than recommended level causes a number of adverse effects ranging from mild annoyance to permanent hearing loss. The effects of noise pollution of humans are of four types General effects, Auditory effects Psychological effects Physiological effects.

1. 2. 3. 4.

Contd1. General effects of noise pollution on humans include speech interference, annoyance, sleep disorders, and related after effects and problems. 2. Auditory effects include the damages done to hearing mechanism in humans due to various types of noise. 3. Psychological effects high level noise causes many behavioral changes among humans as well as animals. Unwanted noise very often cause annoyance, irritation, and fatigue which result into low performance, low efficiency and frequent errors. 4. Physiological effects annoyance, irritation, anxiety, strains and stresses caused by noise pollution may cause changes in hormone content of blood which in turn may introduce changes in human bodies.

Control of noise pollution

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Public awareness regarding the need to control noise pollution. Reduction in noise by modification of design, construction of sound barriers, use of sound absorbers. Use of protective ear plugs and decreasing the exposure time. Construction of academic institutions and hospitals away from highways, railroads and airports. Through large scale tree plantation which absorb noise. Restriction on the use of pressure horns and record players in the neighborhood.

Thermal pollution
Discharge of warm water into the river is called thermal pollution. Different industries, power plants and nuclear plants use water for cooling purposes and discharge the heated water into nearby streams and water bodies. Effect: thermal pollution raises the temperature of the water body thereby decreasing dissolved oxygen levels and increasing the metabolism of fish which changes the ecological balance of the water body. It will cause the death of aquatic life. Control measures: 1. Passing the heated water through cooling pond, after cooling it can be discharged into the river. 2. Passing of water through cooling towers.

Soil Pollution
Soil pollution is mixing of any form of matter or energy into the soil that will lead to modification of the features of soil, chemical and biological balance that will have an adverse effect on plant growth and animal health. Degradation of soil is the result of both natural and human activities. Major human activities are: 1. Exposure of soil by deforestation 2. Overgrazing 3. Mining 4. Intensive cultivation 5. Intensive use of fertilisers and pesticide 6. Developmental activities( construction of dams and industries. 7. Solid waste disposal Control measures: 1. Planned afforestation. 2. Controlled construction in sensitive areas. 3. Maximum use of organic fertilisers. 4. Reduction of solid waste by following the principle of three Rs- reduce, reuse and recycle.

Nuclear hazards( Radiation pollution)

Radiation is a form of energy that can travel through vacuum. The earth is constantly bombarded with solar radiation. Radiation pollution is caused by the addition of more ionising radiation to the environment. Radiation interacts with the living tissues and damages them. Sources of radiation: 1. Natural radioactive sources: a. Cosmic radiation: high energy charged particles that enter the earths atmosphere from outer space. b. Terrestrial radioactivity: originates from the deposit of radioactive minerals such as uranium, thorium etc. in the soil. 2. Artificial radioactive sources: a. Nuclear power plants b. Peaceful or constructive use of nuclear explosion: nuclear explosions have begun to be used for purposes as releasing natural gas from underground region, constructing canals between oceans etc. which has led to radioactive concentration in air and water.

Contdc. Radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons: Testing of the nuclear weapon in the atmosphere results in the fallout of radioactive fission products over the immediate area for about a day, followed by worldwide troposphere fallout for a month, and a worldwide stratospheric fallout for many years. These tests are performed in unpopulated areas. This is dangerous to the living system, its longterm effects persist eg. After 60 years large number of cases of leukemia are recorded among the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear blasts. Effects: 1. Enter into body parts such as bones and lungs and cause irreparable damage. 2. Causes skin cancer and eye cataract. 3. Causes damage to the molecules in the cell. Safety measures: 1. Suitable waste disposal methods should be essential for all nuclear plants. 2. Nuclear power plants should be located far from populated areas. 3. Proper protection of workers. 4. X-ray examination should be avoided as far as possible.

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE SOLID WASTE Solid waste arise from human and animal activities including garbage, food waste, paper, metal, glass etc. Rapid urbanisation in developing countries have led to the generation of enormous quantities of solid waste and environmental degradation. Estimated 7.6 million tonnes of solid waste is produced per day in developing countries. MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE Solid wastes are grouped into different categories such as Municipal solid waste (MSW). MSW contains food waste e.g. leftover food, vegetables etc. known as wet garbage, as well as paper, plastic, newspaper etc. known as dry garbage. MSW does not include wastes from industrial process, costruction debris, agricultural waste etc.

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Municipal solid waste management strategy consists of many components: Segregation of waste. Composting. Recycling. Disposal SEGREGATION OF WASTE Segregation of waste means to separate the MSW into the groups of organic, inorganic, recyclable and hazardous waste. Waste can be segregated as: 1) Biodegradable waste: includes organic waste e.g. kitchen waste, vegetables, fruits, flowers, leaves from the garden etc. 2) Non-biodegradable waste: can be further segregated into: a) Recyclable waste: plastic, paper, glass, metal etc. b) Toxic waste: old medicines, paints, pesticides, shoe polish etc. c) Soiled: hospital waste.

Role of Rag Pickers in Segregation. Rag pickers are the people who play a special role in segregation of waste in India. They contribute a great deal to waste management as they scavenge the recyclable matter thereby saving the municipality the cost and time of collection and transportation. They are well coordinated in their method of working. They are the focal point of recycling of waste. Now-a-days a large number of NGOs are working in the field of Solid Waste Management e.g. Srishti, Vatavaran in Delhi.

COMPOSTING

Composting is a microbiological process of converting organic materials such as manure, leaves, paper and food wastes into a soil like material called compost. Composting can be both aerobic and anaerobic microbial process. It is a natural and safe method of taking care of organic waste. Using compost is the best method of naturally enriching the soil, since composting gives plants the required nutrients without harming either them or the animals or the humans feeding on them.

ContdBenefits of using compost: Rejuvenation of poor soil by adding organic bulk increase aeration, microbial life in soil, natural fertilizers. Prevents pollution by preventing the pollutants to run into the water resources or being absorbed by plants. Recycling biologically the garden and kitchen waste and reduce the quantity of waste dumped daily at the roadside garbage bin.

RECYCLING

Recycling is reusing some components of waste that may have some economic value. There are two types of recycling for materials: Primary recycling: in which waste discarded by consumers are recycled to produce new products of the same type e.g. newspapers into newspapers, aluminum cans into aluminum cans. It reduces pollution and saves energy. Secondary recycling: waste materials are converted into different and usually lower quality products.

Recycling has readily visible benefits like conserving resources , reducing pollution level etc. Mining of new aluminum is expensive and hence recycled aluminum has a strong market , paper cycling also preserve forests etc. However it presents several problems which are either technical or economical. Since each type of plastic has a distinct chemical composition , different plastics cannot be recycled together. Thus, separation of different plastics before recycling is necessary. Similarly , in recycled paper, the fibers are weakened and it is difficult to control the colour of the recycled product. Further the recycled paper is banned for use in food containers to prevent contamination and very often the recycled paper is more expensive than the virgin paper.

Contd-

DISPOSAL METHODS
Disposal of solid waste is done commonly through landfills or incineration. LAND FILLS: means a waste disposal site for the deposit of residual waste in a facility designed with protective measures against polluting of ground water, surface water, bad odour etc. These are the vital components of any well designed MSWM system. Landfills range in types from uncontrolled open dumps to sanitary landfills. Municipal solid waste landfills standards include: Location restrictionsensure that landfills are built in suitable geological areas away from faults, wetlands, flood plains, or other restricted areas. Composite liners requirementsinclude a flexible membrane overlaying two feet of compacted clay soil lining the bottom and sides of the landfill, protect groundwater and the underlying soil from leachate releases. Leachate collection and removal systemssit on top of the composite liner and removes leachate from the landfill for treatment and disposal.

 Operating practicesinclude compacting and covering waste frequently with several inches of soil help reduce odor; control litter, insects, and rodents; and protect public health. Groundwater monitoring requirementsrequires testing groundwater wells to determine whether waste materials have escaped from the landfill. Closure and postclosure care requirementsinclude covering landfills and providing long-term care of closed landfills. Corrective action provisionscontrol and clean up landfill releases and achieves groundwater protection standards. Financial assuranceprovides funding for environmental protection during and after landfill closure (i.e., closure and postclosure care).

ContdIt is essential to have a suitable bottom liners and lechate collection systems along with the intallations of monitoring systems to detect ground water pollution.The organic material in the buried solid waste will decompose due to the action of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisims producing methane which is poisonous and highly explosive.A venting system to collect the blocked gas and vent it to the surface , where it can be safely diluted and dispersed in the atmosphere.

ContdIncineration: It is a chemical process of burning municipal solid waste in a properly designed furnace under suitable temperature and operating conditions. This chemical reaction, called oxidation, results in release of heat into the atmosphere. Incineration can reduce the municipal solid waste by about 90% in volume and 75%in weight. The risk of incineration involve air quality problems and toxicity and disposal of fly ash produced during the process. Extensive air pollution control equipment, high level technical supervision and skilled employees for proper operation and maintenance are required.

HAZARDOUS WASTE
Hazardous waste is defined as a solid waste or a combination of a solid wastes, which because of its quantity,physical,chemical or infectious characteristics may i. Cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or in serious irreversible or incapacitating reversible illness, ii. Pose a potential hazard to human health or the environment, when improperly handled, treated, stored, transported or disposed off. CLASSIFICATION: Toxic wastes: are poisonous in very small amounts and have immediate effect on human or animals causing death or violent death. Reactive wastes: have a tendency to react vigorously with air or water e.g. Gun Powder. Ignitable wastes: burn at relatively low temp. less than 60 Deg. and are capable of spontaneous combustion during storage, transport or disposal e.g. Alcohol, paint thinner etc Corrosive wastes: destroy materials and living tissue by chemical reaction e.g. Acids Infectious Wastes: human tissue from surgery, used bandages etc. Radioactive wastes: is the outcome from the nuclear power plants.

HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT In India the rules for the management of hazardous waste are specified by Hazardous Waste ( Management and Handling) Rules 1989, as amended in 2003. According to this the occupier and the operator of the facility shall be responsible for proper collection, reception, treatment, storage and disposal of Hazardous waste. The State Government, occupier, or any association of occupiers shall after impact assessment studies select an appropriate site for the hazardous waste disposal facility. The State Government after identification cause a public notice inviting objections and suggestions within thirty days. Hazardous waste may be processed by an appropriate methods such as incineration, chemical oxidation ,solidification etc. or it may be safely disposed in a secure landfills. The most common methods for disposing of hazardous waste are land disposal and incineration.

BIO-MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

Bio-medical wastes are generated from health care activity like diagnosis, treatment, prevention of diseases and associated research at hospital, Laboratories, veterinary institutions, blood bank etc. Health effects of these wastes include the potential for AIDS, hepatitis B and C, respiratory infections, skin infections etc. Bio-medical waste shall not be mixed with other waste. It shall be segregated into containers at the point of generation . The containers shall be labelled and transported only in such vehicles as may be authorised for the purpose. The waste treatment options include incineration, chemical disinfection, shredding etc. and disposal could be done in municipal landfill or burying inside the premises of the waste generator. The criteria for selection of management options include prevailing regulations, quantities of generated waste, availability of qualified personnel, technologies available, available space , related cost etc.

Natural disasters- floods, cyclones, earthquake, landslides and disaster management

Disaster
Disaster is a sudden calamitous event bringing grate damage loss and destruction to life and property. The disaster have the following feature: 1. Unpredictability 2. Speed 3. Urgency 4. Uncertainity 5. Threat India and Natural Disasters :India is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world Over 65% land area vulnerable to earthquake; 70% of land under cultivation prone to drought; 5% of land (40 million hectares) to floods; 8% of land (8,000 km coastline) to cyclones. A Major Disaster occurs every 2-3 years; 50 million people affected annually 1 million houses damaged annually along with human, social and other losses

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Emergency management (or disaster management) is the discipline of dealing with and avoiding risks. It is a discipline that involves preparing for disaster before it happens, disaster response , as well as supporting, and rebuilding society after natural or human-made disasters have occurred. - It is a multidisciplinary area -It is also multi sectoral.

Phases in Disaster management Disaster management includes administrative decisions and operational activities that involve Mitigation Preparedness Response Recovery and Rehabilitation. Disaster management involves all levels of government, Nongovernmental and communitybased organizations play a vital role in the programme.

Phases
Mitigation Mitigation efforts attempt to prevent hazards from developing into disasters altogether, or to reduce the effects of disasters when they occur. The mitigation phase differs from the other phases because it focuses on longterm measures for reducing or eliminating risk Preparedness Much can be done to prepare for future disasters by modifying or removing the causes of any likely hazard - for example by building houses away from hazard prone areas, building levy banks in flood prone areas, taking measures to reduce the effects of a hazard - for example by building houses to standards that will protect people during a hazard, developing early warning systems that can function without power systems, developing response plans, defining the roles and training of emergency services personnel, collecting and storing resources and equipment to ensure a quick response, educating the public and rehearsing for a hazard (eg evacuation drill).

ContdResponse When disaster strikes the first response is to save lives Search and rescue - finding those who may be trapped under debris; Assessment of needs - working out what is required, in what quantities, and for whom; Health providing medical care and preventing the spread of disease through immunisation, the provision of safe water and food, waste disposal and burial of the dead; Basic needs - procuring and distributing food, shelter and clothing; Emotional support - counselling and reuniting separated families; Logistics - transporting people and equipment; Finance - obtaining, allocating and accounting for money; Communication - providing affected people with information, fundraising; Infrastructure - rebuilding roads, electricity and telephone networks, water pipelines, and waste disposal systems.

ContdRecovery The aim of the recovery phase is to restore the affected area to its previous state Once the immediate danger is over, people may need assistance to rebuild their lives and their livelihoods. It involve rebuilding destroyed property, re-employment, and the repair of other essential infrastructure Development: Reconstruction after a disaster provides significant opportunities for improved development including: planning the response and recovery to prepare for future hazards; upgrading infrastructure, including roads, communication networks and water and sanitation systems to withstand disasters and assist in emergency response; building hazard resistant public buildings and housing to reduce the impact of hazards; developing the skills of local personnel to increase their capacity to respond to an emergency; Care must be taken to ensure that changes do not increase an area's susceptibility to disasters.

Earthquakes
Earthquakes are caused by the release of built up pressure caused by the shifting of tectonic plates Earthquakes usually occur on fault lines, or areas where tectonic plates meet The size of an earthquake is measured using the logarithmic based Richter scale
An aerial view of the San Andreas fault in the Carrizo Plain, Central California

ContdBefore the earthquake: Always keep the following in a designated place: bottled drinking water, nonperishable food (chura, gur, etc), first-aid kit, torchlight and battery-operated radio with extra batteries. Teach family members how to turn off electricity, gas, etc. Identify places in the house that can provide cover during an earthquake. It may be easier to make long distance calls during an earthquake. Identify an outof-town relative or friend as your familys emergency contact. If the family members get separated after the earthquake and are not able to contact each other, they should contact the designated relative/friend. The address and phone number of the contact person/relative should be with all the family members. During quake Take cover. Go under a table or other sturdy furniture; kneel, sit, or stay close to the floor. Hold on to furniture legs for balance. Be prepared to move if your cover moves. Do not stand in doorways. Violent motion could cause doors to slam and cause serious injuries. You may also be hit be flying objects. Move away from windows, mirrors, bookcases and other unsecured heavy objects. Do not run outside if you are inside. Never use the lift. If you are living in a kutcha house, the best thing to do is to move to an open area where there are no trees, electric or telephone wires.

ContdAfter the quake Wear shoes/chappals to protect your feet from debris After the first tremor, be prepared for aftershocks. . Check for fire hazards and use torchlights instead of candles or lanterns. If the building you live in is in a good shape after the earthquake, stay inside and listen for radio advises. If you are not certain about the damage to your building, evacuate carefully. Help injured or trapped persons. Give first aid where appropriate. Listen to a battery-operated radio for the latest emergency information. Stay out of damaged buildings. Look for electrical system damages - if you see sparks, broken wires, or if you smell burning of amber, turn off electricity at the main fuse box. If water pipes are damaged, avoid using water from the tap. Use the telephone only for emergency calls. In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake, develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster. Ask an out of state / district relative or friend to serve as the family contact. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number(s) of the contact person (s).

CYCLONE
SAFETY TIPS Before the Cyclone Season
Keep watch on weather and listen to radio or TV. Keep alert about the community warning systems loudspeakers, bells, conches, drums or any traditional warning system. Get to know the nearest cyclone shelter and the safest route to reach these shelters. Do not listen to rumours Prepare an emergency kit containing aportable radio, torch and spare batteries, dry food ,Matches, fuel lamp, portable stove, cooking utensils, waterproof bags , first aid kit ,small saw, axe and plastic rope Trim dry tree branches, cut off the dead trees and clear the place/courtyard of all debris. Clear your property of loose materials that could blow about and cause injury or damage during extreme winds. Keep important documents, passbook, etc. in a tight plastic bag and take it along with your emergency kits if you are evacuating. Keep a list of emergency addresses and phone numbers on display. Know the contact telephone number of the government offices /agencies, which are responsible for search, rescue and relief operations in your area.

ContdWhen the cyclone strikes Disconnect all electrical appliances and turn off gas. If the building starts crumbling, protect yourself with mattresses, rugs or blankets under a strong table or bench or hold on to a solid fixture (e.g. a water pipe) Listen to your transistor radio for updates and advice. Beware of the calm `eye. If the wind suddenly drops, dont assume the cyclone is over; violent winds will soon resume from the opposite direction. Wait for the official all clear. If driving, stop but well away from the sea and clear of trees, power lines and watercourses. Stay in the vehicle. After the cyclone Do not go outside until officially advised it is safe. Check for gas leaks. Do not use electric appliances, if wet. Listen to local radio for official warnings and advice. If you have to evacuate, or did so earlier, do not return until advise. Be careful of snake bites and carry a stick or bamboo Beware of fallen power lines, damaged bridges, buildings and trees, and do not enter the floodwaters.

Floods
Before floods All your family members should know the safe route to nearest shelter If your area is flood-prone, consider alternative building materials. Have an emergency kit on hand which includes a portable radio, torch and spare batteries, stocks of fresh water, dry food, kerosene, candle and matchboxes, Waterproof or polythene bags for clothing and valuables, an umbrella and bamboo stick (to protect from snake), salt and sugar, a first aid kit, manual and strong ropes for tying things During floods Drink boiled water. Keep your food covered, dont take heavy meals. Use raw tea, rice-water, tender coconut-water, etc. during diarrhoea, go for ORS and treatment. Do not let children remain on empty stomach. Use bleaching powder and lime to disinfect the surrounding. Help the officials/volunteers distributing relief materials. After floods Stay tuned to local radio for updated advice. Do not allow children to play in, or near, flood waters. Avoid entering floodwaters. If you must, wear proper protection for your feet and check depth and current with a stick. Stay away from drains, culverts and water over knee-deep. Do not use electrical appliances, which have been in floodwater until checked for safety. Do not eat food, which has been in floodwaters. Boil tap water (in cities) until supplies have been declared safe. In case of rural areas, store tube well water in plastic jars or use halogen tablets before drinking. Be careful of snakes, snakebites are common during floods.

Landslides
Landslides are the movement of land down a slope by gravity Landslides are mother natures way of redistributing land They can be triggered by rain, floods, and earthquakes as well as man-made factors such as slope grading or mining Landslides have the potential to happen anywhere a steep slope is present