Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

In disaster management, recognizing distinction in hazard, vulnerability, and risk is essential for developing effective mitigation and response strategies. These concepts are interconnected and together determine the potential impact of a disaster.

Body

Hazard: It is a potentially damaging physical event, phenomenon, or human activity that can cause harm to life, property, or the environment. Hazards can be:

• Natural Hazards: Earthquakes, floods, cyclones, wildfires.
  • Example: A 7-magnitude earthquake in a seismically active zone like the Himalayas.
• Anthropogenic Hazards: Industrial accidents, deforestation, chemical spills.
  • Example: The Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984 caused by a chemical leak.

Vulnerability
Vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of a community, system, or asset to the impact of hazards. It varies across:

• Economic Vulnerability: Limited financial resources and dependence on primary sectors like agriculture increase vulnerability. (Farmers in flood-prone Bihar losing their crops annually).
• Physical Vulnerability: Poorly constructed buildings or settlements in hazard-prone areas. (Coastal areas in Odisha face cyclones regularly due to lack of resilient infrastructure).
• Social Vulnerability: Disadvantaged groups, such as the elderly, children, and disabled, are disproportionately affected. (Low evacuation rates for disabled individuals during the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami).
• Environmental Vulnerability: Degradation of ecosystems amplifies disaster impacts. (Loss of mangroves in Gujarat reducing resilience against cyclones).

Risk
Risk is the likelihood of loss or damage from a hazard, determined by the interaction between the hazard and the community’s vulnerability. It is quantified using the formula:

Risk = Probability of Hazard × Degree of Vulnerability

Types of Risk Management:

• Risk Acceptance: Choosing to live with known risks. (Farmers cultivating on volcanic soils despite eruption risks).
• Risk Avoidance: Eliminating exposure to hazards. (Prohibiting construction in flood-prone zones).
• Risk Reduction: Minimizing the impact of hazards. (Constructing earthquake-resistant buildings in Japan).
• Risk Transfer: Sharing risks through mechanisms like insurance. (Crop insurance schemes for farmers in drought-prone regions).

Interrelationship Between Hazard, Vulnerability, and Risk
The three concepts are intricately linked: A hazard becomes a risk only when it interacts with a community’s vulnerability. Risk can be mitigated by reducing vulnerability or minimizing exposure to hazards.

Examples:

• Cyclone in Coastal Odisha:
  • Hazard: Cyclone-induced winds and storm surges.
  • Vulnerability: Poorly constructed houses, high poverty levels.
  • Risk: High loss of life and property.
  • Mitigation: Cyclone shelters and early warning systems have reduced risks in recent years.

Conclusion

The relationship between hazard, vulnerability, and risk underscores the importance of comprehensive disaster management strategies. While hazards are unavoidable, reducing vulnerabilities through preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and community awareness can significantly mitigate risks.