DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Defense of the people, by the people & for the people.

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.

Types of disasters

Natural	Manmade
* Earthquakes * Floods * Cyclones * Landslides * Droughts	* Railway/Air/Road accidents * Mine collapse * Panic exodus * Wars

India has been traditional vulnerable to natural disasters because of its unique geo-climatic conditions apart from human imposed disasters. Though it is almost impossible to fully recoup the damage caused by disaster, it is possible to

Minimize the potentional risk by developing early warning strategies.
Prepare and implement plans to provide resilience to such disaster.
Mobiles resources
To help in rehabilitation and post disaster reconstruction

The main objective of Disaster Management is to initiate preemptive action before any climatic strikes. Disaster Management is not only an emergency relief and rehabilitation measure.

Civil Defence acts as support agency in Disaster Management it is mainly doing two types of activities:

Preventive Activities

1. Organised training programs
2. Prepare and implements plans
3. Remain fit through regular drill and exercises.

Response Activities

1. Act as support agency for provision of First Aid, Search & Rescue services.
2. Act as support agency for movement of relief.
3. Triage of causalities and treatment
4. Work in coordination with other agencies
5. Help police in traffic management and Law & order duty.

EARTHQUAKE

Safety Rules: The following points should be looked into in order to minimize damage to life and property due to an earthquake in earthquake prone areas.

Before earthquake:

Check for earthquake hazards. Bolt down or provide other strong support to gas and power appliances. As much fire damage has resulted from toppled appliances and broken gas lines
Place large and heavy objects on ground/lower shelves of storage almirahs etc
Do not stack glass or crystal ware as slight shaking will topple it.
Overhead lighting fixtures should be properly anchored
while constructing new buildings, follow buildings modes and other sound practice to eliminate earthquake hazards. Build on solid ground or dig down to bed rock when lying foundations. Avoid filled and sediment areas as much as possible
Know your local ER/CD set-up.

During an Earthquake:

Remain calm, think through the consequences of any action you plan to take, try to calm and reassure others.
If indoors watch for falling plaster/brick/stones, light fixtures and other objects.
Watch for high book cases, shelves and other cabinets which might slide or topple
Stay away from glass, windows, mirrors and chimneys
If in danger get under a table, desk or bed in a corner away from the window.
Encourage others to follow your example and don’t run out side.
If outside avoid high building walls, power poles and other objects that could fall. Do not run through streets. If surround by buildings take shelter in the nearest strong one.
If possible move to an open area away from hazards.
If in an automobile, stop in a safe place available, preferably an open area

After an Earthquake:

Check for injuries, do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
Check for fires.
Wear shoes in all areas near debris and broken glass.
Check utility lines and appliances for damage. Do not use matches/lighters until it has been established that there are no gas leaks.
Check and see that sewage lines are intact before using / flushing of toilets.
Draw moderate quantity of water in case service is disrupted. Do not draw large quantity as this would interfere with fire-fighting.
Do not eat or drink anything from open containers, especially near shattered glass.
Do not turn light switches on and off. This creates sparks which may ignite gas from broken lines.
Do not spread rumours, they often do great harm following disasters.
Respond to request for help from civil defence, fire services, Police and Homeguards
Do not crowd into damaged areas unless help has been requested, Co-operate with the Public safety officials.

Precautions by Public:

There is little danger in open country from the results of a quake, if there is no falling debris in the area. It is probably safer to stay inside a modern building which has been constructed to resist earthquakes damage. Frightened people tend to rush outside during an earthquake, and this probably is the worst thing they can do because they are vulnerable to collapsing walls as well as falling masonry and glass. Inside the building, debris and fixtures will be falling and glass panes breaking. Individuals should follow the under mentioned simple precautions:

a) Switch off the lights and power supply.
b) Move away from glassed windows and doors.
c) Stand behind an inside doorway.
d) Crouch under a desk, table or bench
e) Do not stay inside buildings with a large roof span unsupported by walls.
f) Put off all stoves and gas ovens.
e) Individuals who are outside should move away from the possible range of falling debris, chimneys and overhead water tower/tanks. If they cannot move away from buildings they should get in to the doorways where they can take advantage of overhead protection.

FLOOD

Flooding is a natural event. It occurs when there is heavy rainfall that fills rivers and streams above their normal capacity. The excess water that gathers cannot be restrained by normal boundaries (such as a river embankment) and follows the path of least resistance.

This means areas that are low lying and close to the source of a flood will be the most vulnerable. Floods can also occur when rainwater collects on the ground and cannot find a source to drain into. A typical example is surface water run-off (for example, if you are located at the bottom of a hill or slope of ground). Localised flooding mainly happens when the ground cannot absorb any more water in a particular area, or if sewers and underground drains become blocked or cannot cope with the excess water trying to drain into them.

Keeping people safe during floods:

Preventing loss of life or harm to people during floods is number one priority. During any major flood incident the local police force is the lead organsation. Local authority emergency planning teams also have a main role, and will open and operate designated evacuation centres.

Working with the emergency services, we regularly carry out flood response exercises.

We strongly advise that every household and business in a flood risk area has their own plan of action that can put in place during a flood emergency. The following is a basic checklist of essential tasks:

Identify a safe place where you, your family and your pets can keep away from the floodwater.
Gather essential items together. These include warm clothes, blankets, regular medication, a torch, food supplies, a mobile phone and a battery operated or wind-up radio.
Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies at the mains.
Move electrical items and valuables to a first floor or higher position.
Floods can kill. NEVER attempt to walk or drive through any depth of floodwater.
WAIT for the emergency services. Follow their instructions. If an evacuation order is issued you MUST comply.
For the latest information and stay tuned to local radio.

We work with emergency services to help people affected by flooding, and provide extensive advice on how you can protect your family and your home from flooding.

FIRE

Fire – Air Attack

Simple precautions in the event of an Air Attack

A. On hearing the Air Raid Warning

	Do’s	Don’ts
If you are in open	Lie flat in to a fold in the ground, if available, or lie flat on the ground, with your face downwards. Plug your ears with some cotton or cloth available. Keep your chest slightly above the ground and rest on your elbows. Keep a rolled-up handkerchief or any cloth between your teeth.	Don’t run for cover if there is no time. Never look up until” All Clear” signal is given.
When near a building	Run to take cover in the nearest shelter / building, if time permits; otherwise act as if in the open. Get off the streets.	Don’t lean directly against a wall.
Inside a building	Be near in inside and not an outside wall. Be preferably in the angle of two walls.	Never be in the direct line of a door or window. Never keep a glass-pane un-protected.
When in Bus or Car	Leave the bus / car and act as if in the open.
When in Cinema	Remain in your seat.	Don’t try to run.

B. Help yourself against Air Raids

Preparation for protection against Air Raid

Make sure that everybody in your family is familiar with “Air Raid” and “All Clear” signals.
Two minutes warbling note, or intermittent blast, on sirens or hooters will denote Air Raid Signal; while two minutes continuous hooting will denote “All Clear”.
Dig a s1it trench, 8′ x 2′ and 4′ deep (or of any convenient size) if there is open space near about your house. This can afford cover for 4 persons. Slit trenches should be ‘Z’ shaped.
Select an inner room preferably on the ground floor of your house to serve as a “refuge room” if there is no open space around your house.
Protect any window in this room against blast by putting sand or dust bags or the boxes in your house around the window. Paste sheets of paper on all glass panes in doors and windows.
Ventilator, if any in this room, should either be closed or protected with 1/2′ arrange mesh wire netting.
Keep stock of drinking water, some foodstuffs, first aid equipment, a crowbar, shovel, pick and rope, an electric torch and some candles and make arrangements for sanitary facilities in the ‘refuge room’.
Keep minimum lights on and those too properly dimmed.
Find out the location of the nearest first aid post and the warden’s
post.
Know your warden. Approach him for advice and help when necessary.
Join Civil Defence service as training in Civil Defence will help you and your family.

C. Fire Fighting in an Air Raid

1. Preparation before an Air Raid

Do’s

Keep all baths, tubs etc, filled with water in accessible places.
Keep a few bags full of dry sand.
All lofts and atticks should be kept free of inflammable materials.
Keep all inflammable stores which are essentially required, as much dispersed as possible.
Get to know the firefighting arrangements of the locality and the location of the nearest firefighting post.

Don’ts

Don’t unnecessarily block passages and staircases in your house.

2. Control of incendiary bombs after Air Raid

Do’s

Immediately after the “All Clear” signal control the bomb which may have fallen in your house, your neighbours house or in the street near you, as follows:
- Fill a sand bag 3/4 full with dry sand or earth, keep this bag in front of your eyes, go near the bomb and drop the whole sand bag on the bomb covering it from all sides. The bomb will burn out inside without causing severe
  damage.
Call your neighbour to help if you cannot immediately control the bomb. If there are more than one bomb, call in the fire patrol and inform the warden.

Don’ts

Don’t deal with an incendiary bomb without protecting your eyes with dark glasses.
Don’t direct a jet of water on the bomb.

3. Control of actual fires after Air Raid.

Do’s

Start extinguishing the fire yourself by pouring buckets of water and sand. Call for the fire petrol if you cannot immediately extinguish it.
Close all doors and windows.
When you move about keep
close to the wall.
If you must pass through flames or smoke, then crawl along the floor
If someone catches fire make him roll on the ground or roll him in a rug or blanket.
If caught within a house on fire, try to escape through the windows using a rope or bed sheets after having tied one end to some strong point inside the house.
In case the escape through the window etc, is not possible call for help from any opening available.

Don’ts

Don’t wait for outside help to arrive but do your bit immediately.
Don’t forget to ask for reinforcement for fighting a fire before the fire gets out of control.
Don’t shirk your responsibility to your neighbour whose house is on fire, or you may find yourself without help when similarly placed.
Do not go alone into a building on fire if you can do so in the company of another.

Incase of Fire

Do’s

Shout Fire : Fire”
At night rouse all occupants of the building and get them out of the building.
Attack the fire immediately if it is possible to do so without endangering personal safety
Keep all doors and windows Closed.
Leave the building Quickly and quietly by the nearest route, unless_ you have been given individual responsibility.
Keep the door of the room closed and go . to the window if trapped in a fire
Remember if you are caught in a smoke filled corridor, it may still be possible to escape by crawling on hands and knees.
Throw out bedding or other similar material if you must jump. That will help to break your fall.
Remember, if you hang at arms length from the window sill, this will reduce the height of your fall
Make sure you know the Telephone number and location of your nearest Fire Station.
Give the correct address of fire, in clear words while calling the Fire Brigade.

Don’ts

Do not panic.
Do not neglect sleeping
Children and old and invalid ‘ persons white evacuating a building on fire.
Do not delay to call the Brigade if the fire cannot be controlled easily
Do not leave the doors and windows of any room open.
Do not shout or stampede.
Don’t jump out of an upper floor window unless there is no other way. If you must jump follow the instructions given at (ix) and (x) under Do’s
Don not rush into a smoke logged room/ corridor standing.
Do not get excited while calling the fire brigade.

D. Rescue in an Air Raid

Do’s

Keep calm
Make proper reconnaissance before starting rescue work
Keep as near as possible to the wall when on damaged stairs.
Exercise great care while removing debris_ from he vicinity of the casualty.
Protect the casualty from falling debris and dust with the help of iron sheets, tarpaulins etc.
Free the nose and mouth of the casualty from dust and grit to ease his breathing
Reassure the patient and get him taken home to bed, if the casualty is not severe.
Loosen all clothing and keep the patient lying down and warm.
Give artificial respiration if needed; control bleeding if any, as far as possible; relieve pain to casualty by supporting fractures by improvised splints.
Contact immediately the nearest First Aid Post for proper medical attendance for the casualty

Don’ts

Don’t get panicky
Don’t pull timber out of the wreckage indiscriminately or you may cause further collapse.
Don’t touch loose electric wiring.
Don’t crawl over the debris or disturb part of the damaged structure unless you are compelled to do so by circumstances.

Precautions during Blackout

(I) Action taken by the General Public. during air raid warnings:

During Air Raid Warning Signals denoting “Air Raid” and “Raiders Passed” is given to general public. The warning signals are:

(i) Two minutes warbling note, or intermittent blast, on Sirens or hooters will denote Air Raid Signal are :-
(ii) Two minutes continuous hooting will denote all clear “Raiders passed”. The general public should immediately on receipt of Air Raid Signal take shelter in the trenches, ditches, refuge rooms as per the instructions given by the Civil Defence authorities.
Do not get panic.

(II) Lighting Restrictions:
Lights in and on buildings or open ground.
No light shall be used in any building or premises appurtenant thereto, unless it is so placed or so screened by opaque material, that:
i) No ray, direct from source of light, or reflected from a bright surface, is visible outside the roofed portion of the building.
ii) No glare is thrown towards outside the building or any part of it.
iii) The total light reaching the outside of the building in any place is not greater than that thrown on the ground by a 20watt. bulb at a distance of 20 feet.

(III) Street light and public light:
i) All public lighting shall be reduced to a minimum, compatible with Public safety, to the satisfaction of an officer appointed by the Distt. Magistrate in this behalf.
ii) No direct ray from a street lamps, shall be emitted except at
a downward slope.
iii) Light thrown on the ground shall not be greater than that from a 20 watt blub at a distance of 20 feet or an ordinary Hurricane lantern at a distance of 6 feet.

(VI) Light on vehicle :
(a) Motor vehicles: All lights capable of throwing a beam, carried on a motor vehicle shall be screened by one of the following methods:

i) By pasting brown paper over the glass, one thickness on the lower half, and two thickness on the upper half.
ii) By inserting behind the glass a cardboard disc covering the whole area, with a horizontal slit 118″ wide, half an inch below the centre of the bulb and the reflector should be screened by a white cone of paper placed so that no light is reflected by the reflector itself
iii) By using a standard headlamp mask, complying with the specifications obtainable free from the District Magistrate.

(b) Other vehicles: Candle lamps and oil lamps as usually used on carts, and of less power than an ordinary hurricane may be un-shaded. Hurricane lamps will be painted black or blue down to the level of the flame. No white light will be visible at the rear of the vehicle. No light of greater power than that mentioned above shall be used.

AVALANCHES

It is a mass of unstable snow, set into motion. Unlike the glacier which is a large mass of slow moving snow and ice, avalanche is violent in nature, moves with great speed and increases in size exponentially. Avalanche is not a mysterious phenomenon, and there are ways and means to harness it, circumvent it.

Precautions against Avalanches:

Avoid crossing the slope diagonally.
Cross it as high as possible where it is narrowest.
Select a route through good anchors like rock, out crops or trees or crevasses wherever available.
If descending or ascending, follow a route on the fall line. The fall line is that line which a snow ball would take if it is rolled down a slope. It is the shortest vertical line up or down a slope. This creates minimum stress on the snow field.
Cross singly an not in groups. The person/persons crossing must be kept in constant view by the others from a sheltered place.
Before crossing tie a scarf or pull the cam comforter over your face so that snow cannot enter your nose, mouth or ears. Tighten up the hood or the wind-proof around your head and also the neck, waist and hem of the wind proof coat. Loosen all equipment so that it can be easily thrown off.
An avalanche cord, which is a brightly coloured cord of 30 meters in length should be tied around your waist and allowed to trail behind you. If an avalanche overtakes you, the brightly coloured cord will remain on fop facilitating rescue.
If you hear an avalanche coming from above you, race across on traverse. Never try to race down hill.
Each vehicle should earmark a person for keeping an uphill look out for avalanche.

Immediate Actions:

If you are caught in an avalanche, take the following actions:-

Yell, caution your team.
Jettison; throw off all equipment on your person.
If caught in a place where it may not stop, face uphill and take a low crouch position with both arms circling in front of your head. The avalanche may pass over you with breathing space provided due to your arms when the snow settles.
If caught in a place where the avalanche may stop try to do a powerful swimming breast stroke and endeavor to keep on the surface/try rolling on to one side.
As soon as the snow settles, try and create a space in front of your face for breathing.
Keep calm, relax, conserve the oxygen and energy.

NBC WEAPONS

Protection against Nuclear, Biological & Chemical (NBC) Weapons:

Do’s& Don’ts

The following types of Nuclear, Biological & Chemical Weapons are doubted to be in existence in the international field (though banned in Geneva Conventions after ww-1(1914-1918):

i) Biological Weapons :- Bacteria (Bacillus, Anthracis), Salmonella, Typhose, Pastreurella, Pestis, Vibrio Cholera, virsus (Reckettsial Prowa Zeki), Toxins (Botulinum, staphyococous). Many other Biological weapons are there against animals and plants also which indirectly affects human beings.
ii) Chemical weapons :- Nerve Gas (Tabun, sarin) Blister Gas (Mustard, Lewisite) Chocking gas (Phosgene, Diphosgene, Chlorine chloropicrin), Tear Gas (KSK, BBC, CAP) Nose Gas (Diphenyl chlorasine).

The suggested Do’s and Don’t for prevention/protection against all the three are as under:

A. Nuclear war

Before the attack

Do’s

Construct/identify basements in your residence where the whole family can stay in for a fortnight.
Incase no basement available then in the open space in front of your house, construct bunkers as in conventional war (as some protection is better than no protection)
Stock the shelter with non perishable foods and water to be replaced regularly before getting unhygienic
Construct toilet facilities in the basement/shelter.
Store ample candles and battery lights.
Remove stocks of flammables if any
Keep battery operated miniature transistor /TV sets in the basement.
Familiarize with instructions / operational procedures being broadcasted/ telecasted at stipulated hours by Civil Defence authorities.
Paste black paper on window/door glass panels.
Familiarize with community shelters in your locality in consultation with
CD/Revenue/Police authorities.

Don’ts

Do not consume open food/drinks/water beverages etc. lying under the open sky
Do not move out of shelters/basements unless instructed by authorities.
Don’t stir up dust or brush foods and water to be replaced against things when regularly before getting unhygienic moving in fallout areas.
Don’t smoke, eat or drink in exposed area.
Don’t kneel, lie or sit on the ground.
Don’t walk barefooted or in open slippers
Don’t move out of your shelter without proper protection to breathing passages at least during the first 24 hours after the blast.
Don’t use flour from gunny bags, foods, wrapped in paper water from open pools/lakes.
Don’t dust your ventilators in discriminately.
Don’t permit contaminated persons in basements/ shelters unless decontaminated.

During Attack … Do’s

In open, immediately drop to ground and remain in lying position.
Protect eyes and exposed skin areas by covering eyes and face with hand.
Protect ears with fingers or thumbs after covering eyes with palms to prevent ear drum rupture.
Stay down after the initial shock wave, wait for the winds to die down and debris to stop falling.
If blast wave does not arrive within five seconds of the flash you were far enough from the ground zero and initial radiation exposure will not exceed 150 rads.
Dive out of the way of any windows or doors to avoid injury due to glass/window splinters.
If in a vehicle on detection of flash, dive from the vehicle to face down in prone position. Dive in the direction of the flash to avoid the vehicle over turning on you due to blast.

After Attack … Do’s

Stay down under cover until debris stop falling.
Stay calm. Burn, in juries dazzle and concern over radiation exposure may
combine to create panic.
Blast wind will generally end in one or two minutes after burst and burns, Cuts band bruises are no different than conventional injuries. Dazzle is temporary and vision should return in few seconds.
If survived the blast, the chance of being exposed to lethal dose of radiation is relatively small unless located in an early fall out area.
Expect some initial dis-orientation as the blast wave may blow down and carry away many prominent and familiar features. Beware of weakened structures and trees from collapsing.
Put out fires before they spread.
Improve our cover. Cover the openings of shelters to prevent the entry of fall our particles.
When coming from contaminated area follow simple decontamination procedures like removal of clothing outdoors and having a bath before
entering safe area.

B. Biological Warfare

Do’s

Follow Permanent implementation of body hygiene measure such as trimming of fingers nails regularly and washing hands with soap and water before eating or drinking.
Follow active immunization as available
Wash all new vegetables in detergents before cooking or eating
Repot any case of sickness in the family/ neighbourhood to health authorities.
Help authorities in destruction of infected stock of food, crops live stock etc.
Keep your premises clean.
Spray/use insecticides to keep vectors away.
Store ample food and water under cover and replace the same regularly before getting spoiled
Use mosquito nets/repellants at night.
Store ample water for ablution/ decontamination

Don’ts

Don’t allow waste particularly food waste material to accumulate in or around your promises.
Don’t allow open pools/ collection of water in surrounding area.
Don’t panic and stay calm
Don’t consume stale food material.

C. Chemical warfare

Do’s

Keep calm and do not panic.
Listen to the radio and follow official. Inform your neighbours basements unless especially the elderly and handicapped and assist them.
Stay inside if at home or shelter in a building and close all doors and windows. Seal all exterior openings and turn oft all ventilation, air-conditioning and heating.
Protect your mouth and nose, if in the open, with a wet cloth or a
Protective mask.
Take shelter in the nearest building and remain inside until otherwise instructed by the authorities.
Don’t telephone as this overloads the system.
Follow the orders of the Civil Defence, Fir service, Police or other intervening services.
Eat only food stored inside a building such as tinned food and preserved one. Drink only from bottles or cartons. Follow the instructions on the use of tap water
If you are in a car, turn off the ventilation and close the windows Listen to the radio and take shelter in the nearest building. Follow the instructions of the authorities. If in a public transport, follow the crew’s instructions.

Don’ts

Don’t consume open food/drinks /water/beverages etc. lying under open sky.
Don’t move out of your shelter/ basements unless instructed by authorities.
Don’t stir up dust or brush against things when moving in contaminated area.
Don’t smoke, eat or drink in exposed areas.
Don’t kneel, lie or sit on the ground
Don’t walk barefooted or in open slippers
Don’t move out of your shelter without proper protection to breathing passages.
Don’t permit contaminated persons in basements/ shelters unless decontaminated for.

LANDSLIDES

Landslides constitute a major geologic hazard because they are widespread and occur almost throughout the state of Jammu and Kashmir, cause damages every year. Landslides pose serious threats to highways and structures that support tourism, timber harvesting, mining, and energy production as well as general transportation. Expansion of urban and recreational developments into hillside areas results in ever increasing numbers of residential and commercial properties that are threatened by landslides. Landslides commonly occur in connection with other major natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, wildfires, and floods. Effects of these disasters exacerbate relief and reconstruction efforts. Growth of urban areas and expanded land use elsewhere has increased the incidence of landslide disasters.

Landslides also cause serious property damage along the major rivers throughout the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Huge landslides occur in weathered shale, hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks, and other rocks in mountain ranges of the state. For example, rapidly melting snow late in the spring reactivate hundreds of large landslide deposits and triggered thousands of debris flows and cause hundreds of millions of rupees in damage. Debris flows occur wherever lithology and weathering patterns produce ample loose material on steep slopes; periodic heavy rains or rapid snow melt trigger debris flows in these areas. Loss of vegetation and ground cover that occurs during wildfires further enhances debris-flow susceptibility.