-By Dr. Krishna Kumar Tamang, Disaster Mgmt. Expert,
There are several factors for consideration in responding disasters by individual nations and they are interlinked to propensity for disaster, local and regional economic resources, organization of government, and availability of technological, academic and human resources. In the face of large-scale disasters and urgency of time in rescue, the response ability of individual nations could get insufficient but outside assistance must be called upon.
Japan is considered as one of the countries most affected by natural disasters. It is said that two out of the five most expensive natural disasters in recent history have occurred in Japan, costing $181 billion in the years 2011 and 1995 only. Japan has also been the site of some of the 10worst natural disasters of the 21st century. The types of natural disasters in Japan include tsunamis, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, cyclones and volcanic eruptions. The great loss of life and property caused by devastating tsunami of 2011 is well known to all. Japan in World War II had the catastrophe of atom bombs on Nagasaki and Hirosima losing thousands of innocent lives.
Nevertheless, due to willpower and its sturdy people Japan emerged to establish itself as one of the most advanced countries in motor technology and an en elite nation in the world. In other words, Japan had turned the imposed misfortune into source of inspiration and determination to alter the fate of the people for dignity exposing superb innovative qualities.
Despite the constraints of mastering over the nature and natural phenomenon the worldwide national and international endeavors towards mitigation of implications the subjectivities of natural disasters go unabated. The truth of disaster causation cannot be ruled out either, for the human negligence in terms of infrastructure and construction works.
Notable Issues of Disaster in South Asia: These days Indian media channels like India TV, Aaj Tak, DD News, YouTube, and many others have been on air and telecast flood of Aug 12, 2017 in Bihar and Assam Indian states. They allegedly claim those caused by China policy of Bramhaputra/Yalu Zangbu water flown into 2 India thereby hundreds of innocent people and livestock lost their lives. Likewise India blames Nepal for Koshi river water flooding Bihar and Nepal reciprocates vice versa. The barrage was built in 1958-62 with 56 outlets for flowing water. Opening the number of outlet gates depends upon the level of water in the river under control of Indian authority.
Analysis of disasters in recent years shows the common reasons for floods and landslides such as;
Deforestation : Due to deforestation the soil erosion leads to earth slides up in the hills. On the other hand lacking sufficient time for water absorption into the soil the underneath water table goes to decrease. Bushes, shrubs and plants in the jungle serve as deterrent to torrent water flow to low land and so do the roots, forage and logs in the forest slowing the current of down flowing water.
Altered Modes of Land Use : There were days when farmers used their land properties for farming and cultivation. However in modern days the modes for use of the land has changed. Besides, situations and environment for farming does not seem profitable good enough to earn livelihood for poor farmers but to migrate abroad. This leads to dependency of countries on foreign imports whilst the existent canals and water sheds dry out.
Effects of Climate Change : According to the reports of the Inter governmental Panel on Climate Change since 1880, it has risen to 0.85 degrees Celsius (1.5 degrees Fahrenheit). The temperature increase melts ice at the Earth’s poles, creating a change in sea level and climate as well. Yearly increasing environmental temperature contributes to unnatural happenings like excess rain or no rain. Nepal is no exception to it either for no rain fall and sometimes early torrential rains. Climate change includes freak weather, increased flooding, hotter heat waves, stronger hurricanes and more droughts. Thus climate change affects Earth’s biodiversity which is needed for healthy ecosystems.
Effects of Water Blockades and Dams : In context of Nepal border populace face yearly hapless calamity due to dams, barrages and embankments raised at Nepal-India border. These structures certainly have positive aspects as well. However in rainy season they create havoc and ironically cause people suffer flood catastrophe.
Measures for Controlling Flood Chaos:
1.There are short and long term measures for adoption in the initiation. For long lasting affects the following steps could be instrumental as; 1. Policy for utilization of land must be given importance against plotting of cultivable land for housing. Illegal occupation of land by deforesting people needs immediate expulsion and forest restoration. The capital city of Kathmandu has several rivulets either bank thronged by illegal occupants resistant of any government actions against them. Training the river flows for irrigation and hydro power should be planned for flood control. For control over flooding construction of high dams on the rivers are contributing to results.
The Latest Worst Disaster of Nepal: Nepal is the most vulnerably ranked 11th in the earthquake-prone countries of the world. It lies between the Indian and Tibetan plates assumed subducting the latter about 2 cm per year whilst the former at the rate of 3 cm per year.
The last devastating earthquake of Nepal on April 25th and May 12th 2015 killed 8,773 people including 94 foreigners from 16 various countries. Additionally 2,638 government buildings, 505,577 private houses, 392 public health facilities, and 32,145 classrooms got complete damaged.
Means for Pre-empt to Adopt: Disaster Preparedness and Awareness : Disaster awareness initiatives consist of individual activities such as conducting earthquake awareness meetings, presentation and demonstration earthquake preparedness posters at local communities. Further more comprehensive DA approach involves, planning coordinated activities like disaster awareness day or week, publications, put on air the radio, television plays, performing disaster drills in community schools and public places. More effectiveness bringing points in rescue and relief could be the following as;
The more the security forces are equipped the more capable they get for efficient performance.
General public ought to be oriented of resilience against disasters and awareness.
Warehouses arrangements of food stuffs, life saving drugs and relief materials meet emergency crisis.
Close co-ordination and co-work of stakeholders yield good results.
International Involvement in Mitigation
The sorts of activities in Japan certainly and greatly contribute to awareness. Japan though the most hazardous country in terms of earthquakes, has the fatalities and causalities level far less compared in the global scenario. Japan celebrates August 30th to September 5th as Disaster Management Week and September 1st the Disaster Management Day. In the country there are various events observed as Disaster Management Fair, Disaster Management Seminar and Disaster Management Poster Contests are held for public awareness. Lately Disaster Management Volunteer Week (January 15 – 21, 2017) was held.
Nepal observes January 15th as the Earthquake Safety Day, as for awareness and in commemoration of the worst ever earthquake of January 15, 1934.
Across the globe there exist various international agencies to address the aforesaid kind of disasters. The South Asian Regional Cooperation Committee (SAARC) has New Delhi; India based SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC) in the premises of National Agency of Disaster Management (NADM) since October 2006. It has policies and programs for launching awareness campaigns against disaster and educative vocational trainings.
United Nations Organization annually
celebrates the International Day of Natural Disaster Mitigation on second Wednesday of every October to mark significance of disaster mitigation. This motivates worldwide people and governments towards building risk-resistant communities and nations.
The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) established in 1999 from its headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland accomplishes operations in Bangkok, Nairobi, Brussels, Cairo and Latin America.
The International Federation of Red Cross
(IFRC) engages in disaster preparedness, and has identified several strategies towards mitigation. The activities related to reducing the impact of disasters to working towards better prediction and prevention methods are a fundamental component of local Red Cross / Red Crescent Society.
United States Agency for International
Development (USAID)’s sub-unit Prevention,
Mitigation, Preparedness and Planning (PMPP) assists foreign nations with assistance to develop their ability to mitigate and prepare for disasters.
Examples of Mismanagement in Nepal Disasters: Preparedness for disasters was felt miserable in April 2015 Nepal Earthquake. The security forces deployed were even without basic gloves, fluorescent belts, and helmets. They put their combat helmets meant for war purpose. Upon telecast views of bare handed rescuing episodes Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) got a few number of gears from Thailand, and Japan. It was pity that the government paper works and beating around the bush of its preparedness got revealed to public. Afterwards in August 2015 South Korea had donated some earth moving heavy vehicles and machineries in aids.
Because of shortfall in operational planning the overseas received food items could not be delivered to the victims in timely manner and failure to preserve led them to decay.
Disconcerting facts were there that some countries sent beef which is cultural taboo in Nepal whereas some fresh cooked food consignments could not reach the needy within consumable time period. It is the liability of victim country to manage them, to which Nepal lagged behind.
Some political cadres tried reaching relief materials to vote bank areas of his/her constituency depriving the rest. At places politicians were complained discriminating in distribution and stockpiling clandestinely. To this the Government of Nepal announced One Door policy for collection and distribution of relief materials through government authority. Nevertheless, on Aug 12, 2017 floods caused severe damage in southern east Nepal to which as in the past the Government of Nepal declared One Door policy in relief matters. However, on petition the Supreme Court dispelled the government announcement of One Door policy and let non- government agencies too, go for aid and rehabilitation without restrictions.
Nepal Earthquake 2015, landmarks to cope with future disasters
Long service retiree veterans having expertise and experience in various trades and disciplines can contribute to the nation in distress. They would be inspiring to youths for volunteering.
Political figures with leadership attribute need to come forward uniting all communities and political entities together for fighting against disaster in pre and post phases.
Rescuers need patience and human sentiments to tackle the uneasy situations wherein the survivors rush in search of their kith and kin. Miko High School students of Kobe, Japan have been doing incredible job of sharing their experience and knowledge of rescuing people in Nepal under the international program of UNCRD Hygo Office and NSET-Nepal.
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