The WRATH of Mother Nature: When Disaster strikes and how to Deal with it

Image Courtesyhttps://www.nationalgeographic.com

'Disaster', the word takes me to a trip down memory lane. Few years ago, my family went to Srinagar for holidays. We were awestruck by the beauty of the valley. Some days later, a disastrous flood tore down the valley. We witnessed the horror of the floods but returned home safe and sound, thanking God for giving us the #giftoflife. As a child, I didn't realize the intensity of the situation. But now when I ponder over it I realize that even with all our technology that makes modern life so easy it just takes one big natural disaster to wipe it all away and leave us wailing at the mercy of mother nature. And made me realize how crucial it is to be disaster aware.
In any country,office or building it is important to be prepared for the worst situation. In a situation of a disaster, people lose their ability to think straight, they panic. In panic, wrong steps are taken, it's a chaotic situation and wrong moves add to the damage of the disaster. Disaster management gives people the knowledge to deal with such situations.

Image Courtesy:https://www.telegraph.co.uk

Repercussions of disasters can be life shattering. Many people pay no heed to the issue of disaster management by simply saying that these are natural processes of the Earth, being uncontrollable and often unpredictable. I agree to this fact but there is a flip side to the coin. Natural disasters are not a new phenomenon, however, human development in the past century has increased the amount and severity of disasters up. Disasters happen when hazard meets vulnerability. Sure, disasters are uncontrollable but the resulting loss depends on the vulnerability of the population who is facing it.

Remedial measures, if taken in the right way and at the right can save the loss of millions of lives and property. Though each disaster is unique, there are some common lessons to be learned in both facing them and preparing for them:

• EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS: Only a few countries of the world have proper early warning systems. Early earthquake warning systems can warn people minutes before the disaster and help them to take suitable cover or even evacuate the collapsing buildings.
• CONSTRUCTION: Construction material plays a significant role in making a structure disaster prepared. Structural mitigation measures include constructing the building using specific architectural designs so that the structures can withstand calamities. Non-structural mitigation measures include bracing and anchoring heavy materials like cupboards,computers, drawers which may fall on the people and give them fatal injuries.
• LOCAL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: According to a research, the places where communities are involved in the restoration process after disasters, recover faster. Nobody knows a place better than the local residents , therefore, it should be a must to involve them in rebuilding and restoring the place.
• SPREADING AWARENESS: Schools and colleges should organize seminars, counselling sessions and awareness programs to sensitize the young minds and prepare them for natural disasters.  

Treatment without prevention is simply unsustainable. So, when disaster strikes we should be prepared to face it.

Remember
"When Disaster strikes, the Time to prepare has passed."