Mains Marathon 2024

Approach Define stampede and mention its implications. Analyze the factors contributing to stampedes in India Evaluate the effectiveness of current disaster management strategies in mitigating such incidents. Conclude Suitably.

Introduction

A stampede is an impulsive mass movement of a crowd that often results in injuries and deaths. It is often triggered by response to a perceived danger, loss of physical space and a collective will to attain something seen as gratifying.Stampedes in India, such as those during religious festivals, public events, or political rallies, often result in tragic loss of life and highlight the need for effective crowd management strategies.

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The Factors Contributing to Stampedes in India :

• Overcrowding : One of the primary causes of stampedes is overcrowding, where large, dense crowds gather in confined spaces.
  • The 2013 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad saw a deadly stampede due to the massive influx of devotees.
• Poor Infrastructure and Venue Design : Inadequate infrastructure, including narrow exit routes, poorly designed venues, and insufficient safety measures, can exacerbate the risk of stampedes.
  • In 2012, around 20 people were killed and many others injured as a makeshift bridge caved in, triggering a stampede during the Chhath Puja at Adalat Ghat on the bank of river Ganga in Patna.
• Lack of Planning and Coordination: In many cases, insufficient planning and coordination among event organizers, law enforcement, and disaster management agencies lead to chaos.
  • The 2024 Hathras stampede resulted in over 110 deaths due to inadequate planning and coordination.
• Panic and Rumors: Sudden panic, often triggered by rumors or small incidents such as a fire or a false alarm, can lead to uncontrollable crowd movement.
  • In 2013,15 people were killed and over 100 injured in a stampede during the Navratri festivities near Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh's Datia district. The stampede was triggered by rumors that a river bridge the devotees were crossing was about to collapse.
• Inadequate Law Enforcement Presence: The lack of adequate law enforcement personnel or insufficient training in crowd control can significantly contribute to the severity of stampedes.
  • In 2011,at least 104 Sabarimala devotees were killed and over 40 were injured in a stampede when a jeep crashed into homebound pilgrims at Pulmedu in Kerala's Idukki district.
• Cultural and Social Factors : The emotional and fervent nature of crowds during religious or political events can increase the likelihood of stampedes. The sheer number of participants in these events often overwhelms the existing management capacities.
  • In 2015,27 pilgrims died and 20 others were injured in a stampede at a major bathing spot on the banks of the Godavari river where a huge crowd of devotees had gathered on the opening day of 'Pushkaram' festival in Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines for safe crowd management :

• Traffic and Crowd Management: NDMA advises regulating traffic, displaying route maps, and using barricades to control pedestrian flow around festive venues.
• Security Measures: Emphasising CCTV surveillance and increased police presence to deter crimes, NDMA urges organisers to manage unauthorised parking and stalls effectively.
• Medical Preparedness: NDMA recommends having ambulances on standby and medical staff ready, with clear signage directing to nearby hospitals.
• Crowd Safety Tips: Educating attendees on exit routes and calm behaviour during gatherings, NDMA stresses preparedness for handling stampede scenarios.
• Fire Safety: NDMA highlights precautions such as safe electrical wiring, monitoring LPG cylinder usage, and caution with fireworks to prevent fires.
• Disaster Risk Reduction: NDMA supports government initiatives and upcoming conferences like the Asian Ministerial Conference in collaboration with United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), focusing on disaster resilience and recognizing the sendai framework.
• Community Responsibility: NDMA underscores collective responsibility in disaster prevention and promoting safety during festive events.

More Steps Needed to Prevent Stampedes :

• Real-time Density Monitoring: Deploy a network of sensors (thermal, LiDAR) to monitor crowd density in real-time. This data can feed into AI models to predict crowd surges and trigger early warnings.
  • Introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags in tickets or wristbands. This allows for real-time tracking of crowd movement, identifying congested areas, and enabling targeted communication via displays.
  • Utilise drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging for real-time crowd surveillance and anomaly detection. These can also project calming messages or announcements on large screens.
• Intelligent Lighting Systems: Implement crowd-responsive lighting that can adjust brightness and colour based on crowd density to guide movement or calm situations.
  • Implement pathways and walkways embedded with bioluminescent materials that automatically glow brighter in case of emergencies. This can guide movement and reduce panic in low-light situations.
• Interactive Communication Displays: Install interactive displays that show real-time wait times, evacuation routes, and essential information in multiple languages.
• Campaigns: Launch public awareness campaigns to educate people on crowd safety protocols and proper behaviour during large gatherings.

Conclusion

Preventing crowd disasters requires a collaborative approach. The government and the public must work together to create safer environments for large gatherings. Enhanced communication, community engagement, and shared responsibility are essential components in mitigating the risks associated with crowd management and ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.