As per UNDRR, disaster preparedness refers to the knowledge and capacities developed by governments, institutions, communities and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to and recover from disasters.

Importance of Disaster preparedness

Reduces Loss of Life and Property – Eg-Zero casualties during Cyclone Biparjoy (2023) due to preparedness.

Strengthens Community Capacity – Training local communities in early response, evacuation routes, and safe zones, reduces panic and damage. Eg-Aapda Mitra volunteers.

Enables Early Warning and Timely Decision-Making

Minimises Economic Disruptions – Preparedness plans protect critical infrastructure like roads, power lines and bridges. (Türkiye earthquake (2021) resulted in a loss of 4% of GDP.)

Ensures continuity of critical services such as healthcare, transportation, and communication during disasters

Role of hazard zonation mapping in landslide risk mitigation

Identifies Risk areas based on geology, slope angle, rainfall, land use and soil type.

Guides Land-Use Planning and Regulation- Eg-Building restrictions in Munnar and Wayanad based on hazard maps.

Helps Design Safer Infrastructure – Eg-Stabilisation measures on NH-44 (Uttarakhand-Himachal) based on zonation inputs.

Mitigation Measures – Eg- slope strengthening, terracing, afforestation, and drainage correction.

Integrates with Early Warning Systems (EWS) – Hazard zones combined with rainfall thresholds enable real-time warnings.

Build community resilience – Locals identify unsafe slopes, evacuation routes and shelter locations using simplified maps.

Resource allocationNational Landslide Risk Mitigation Programme targets mapped hotspots first.

Assists in Environmental Regulation – Eg- Quarrying, mining, ban in Western Ghats (Madhav gadgil committee recommendation)

Hazard zonation mapping in India

National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM) by GSI

National Landslide Inventory created with 80,000+ mapped landslides.

ISRO “Landslide Atlas of India” (2023).

State-level LHZ mapping by SDMAs (Kerala, Uttarakhand, Himachal, Sikkim, Meghalaya).

LiDAR, UAV & DEM-based mapping in critical areas (Joshimath, Munnar, Gangtok, Nilgiris).

Rainfall threshold modelling (IMD + IITs) integrated with zonation maps for landslide triggers.

Earthquake Zonation Map of India (Zone II to Zone V) by BIS/IMD.

Flood Hazard Atlas for 15+ states by CWC-NRSC (ISRO)

Drought Vulnerability Atlas of India (IMD + NRSC).

To prevent a catastrophe like the Wayanad Landslide of 2024, engineering as well as nature-based solutions along with early warning systems, and effective land use practices are essential.

As per UNDRR, vulnerability refers to the conditions determined by physical, social, economic and environmental factors or processes which increase the susceptibility of an individual, a community, assets or systems to the impacts of hazards.

Vulnerability can be characterized as follow

Exposure to Hazard – Settlements on riverbanks or seismic zones are more vulnerable. Eg- Joshimath (Uttarakhand)

Adaptive or Coping Capacity – Ability to anticipate, respond, absorb and recover from a disaster. Eg- Access to savings, insurance, early warning systems.

Socio-economic Conditions – Poverty, marginalisation and inequity increase susceptibility to harm. Eg- Disaster induced migration

Governance and Institutional Readiness– Eg- Weak building regulation increases earthquake vulnerability.

Environmental Degradation increases hazard impact. Eg- ‘Day Zero’ in Chennai due to wetland encroachment.

Social Networks and Support Systems: – Communities with strong social cohesion, community organizations, and support networks are more resilient to respond to and recover from disasters.

Health status and access to healthcare services influence vulnerability – Eg- Elderly and Children are more vulnerable to post disaster illness

Types of Vulnerability with Reference to Disasters

Physical Vulnerability – Related to infrastructure, buildings, land use, and physical exposure. Eg- houses in Zone V are highly earthquake-vulnerable.

Social Vulnerability – Eg- Women in rehabilitation camps face violence and trafficking

Economic Vulnerability – Lack of income stability, livelihood diversity, and financial buffers. Eg- Fisherfolk losing boats in cyclones.

Environmental Vulnerability- Eg- Loss of mangroves in Sundarbans increases storm-surge impacts.

Institutional Vulnerability – Weak governance, poor enforcement of safety norms, lack of coordination.

Technological Vulnerability – Risks arising from industrial, nuclear, or infrastructural failures. Eg- Bhopal gas tragedy.

Geographic Vulnerability – Eg- Himalayan towns exposed to landslides and GLOFs.

Mapping vulnerabilities, enforcing inclusive governance, and capacity building at grassroot are essential for disaster resilience.

Disaster Management

Disaster Preparedness and Resilience

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Vulnerability and Risk Assessment

Types of Vulnerability with Reference to Disasters

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