Disaster

As per the UNDRR (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction), “Disaster is a serious disruption of the working of a community or a society at any scale due to hazardous events combined with conditions of exposure, vulnerability and capacity, leading to human, material, economic and environmental losses and impacts”.

• A disaster’s effects can be either localised or immediate, but they are generally widespread that can last for a long time. In some cases, a community or society cannot cope with the effects of the disaster events on its own, and so external aid is required, which may include assistance from neighbouring jurisdictions or higher authorities.
• A tragedy, like a disaster, generally causes destruction during and instantly after it occurs. Physical damage to a region is generally measured in units of physical damage (e.g., kilometres of roads, square meters of housing) during a disaster. This involves disturbance of basic services, damage of physical assets, or effect on sources of livelihood in the region.
• The disaster impact is the whole impact of a hazardous calamity which results in several types of injuries, disease, and even death. Apart from death & injuries, social & environmental ramifications are also seen, which directly or indirectly impactthe physical, mental, as well as social wellbeing of a person/community.

In risky places, effective planning and mitigation strategies can significantly reduce the worst consequences of catastrophes including earthquakes, floods, and cyclones. The important areas to accomplish this goal should be well-addressed and supported by appropriate legislation. Additionally, after a tragedy, those impacted should be provided with adequate financial stability so they can resume their regular lives.