Types of Disaster & their Classification

Types of Disaster: A disaster whether natural or human-induced is an event that results in a widespread human loss. It is followed by loss of livelihood, and property causing suffering and loss in a definite area. Disasters can be of different types based on speed and origin/cause. Based on speed, there are two types of disaster: Slow onset disaster and Rapid onset disaster. And, based on origin/cause, it can be of two kinds: natural and man-made disaster

Types of Disaster

Disaster can be categorized based upon different criteria, as based upon speed, it can be of two types, Slow-onset disaster, and Rapid onset disaster. Slow-onset disaster is such type of disaster that occurs slowly and slowly over time. Whereas, Rapid onset disaster is a disaster that occurs rapidly without any warning. Based upon origin/cause, disasters are of two types, Natural disasters, and man-made disasters. Natural Disaster is a disaster that occurs naturally while a man-made disaster which occurs through human interference.

Based on Origin/Cause

Another category of disaster is based on origin/cause:

Natural Disaster

Avalanches: Avalanches are a sudden, drastic flow of snow down through a slope, occurring naturally, such as through the loading of new snow or rain, or artificial triggers, such as explosives, overload the snowpack. The first response is that you can Shut off utilities; Evacuate the building if necessary; Determine the impact on the equipment and facilities and any disruption.

Blizzards: One of the natural disasters is a severe snowstorm characterized by very strong winds and low temperatures. The first response to this disaster is to Power off all equipment; listen to blizzard advisories; Evacuate the area, if unsafe; Assess the damage.

Earthquakes: The sudden shaking of the earth’s crust, is mainly caused by volcanic eruptions or the breaking and shifting of tectonic plates beneath the earth’s surface. The first response is to Shut off utilities; Evacuate buildings if necessary; Determine the impact on the equipment and facilities and any disruption

Flood: A type of flood, Flash flood, is rapid flooding caused by excess or heavy rain in a short period of time. The first response to flood disasters is to Monitor flood advisories; Determine flood potential to facilities; Pre-stage emergency power generating equipment; Assess the damage.

Landslide: Geological phenomenon which includes movements of ground movements, such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes, and shallow debris flows. The first response to a landslide is to, Shut off utilities; Evacuate the building if necessary; Determine the impact on the equipment and facilities and any disruption.

Hurricane: Heavy rains and high winds Power off all equipment; listen to hurricane advisories; Evacuate the area, if flooding is possible; Check gas, water, and electrical lines for damage; Do not use telephones, in the event of severe lightning; Assess the damage.

Tornado: Tornado is a Violent rotating column of air from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground. The first response to a tornado is to, Monitor tornado advisories; Power off equipment; Shut off utilities (power and gas); Assess damage once the storm passes.

Tsunami: A series of long waves hitting shores strongly commonly caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, mainly on an ocean or a large lake. This type of disaster is caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, underwater explosions, landslides, glacier calvings, meteorite impacts, and other disturbances above or below water. The first response to a tsunami is to,  Power off all equipment; listen to tsunami advisories; Evacuate the area, if flooding is possible; Check gas, water, and electrical lines for damage; Assess the damage.

Volcanic eruption: The eruption of hot magma, volcanic ash, and/or gases from a volcano is called volcanic eruption. The first response is to Shut off utilities; Evacuate the building if necessary; Determine the impact on the equipment and facilities and any disruption.

Man-made Disaster

Bioterrorism: The intentional release or dissemination of biological agents such as viruses, bacteria, or other germs that affect people, livestock, crops, etc. The first response to this disaster is to spread the information immediately from public health officials via the news media as to the right course of action, If you think you have been exposed, quickly remove your clothing and wash off your skin.

Civil unrest: Civil unrest is mass violence such as through demonstrations, riots, strikes, etc.  It is a disturbance that is caused by a group of people which is intended to be a demonstration to the public and the government.

Hazardous material spills: The escape of solids, liquids, or gaseous agents that can affect people, other living organisms, property, or the environment from a controlled environment such as a container. The first response available against this disaster is first to leave the area and call the local fire department for help.

Nuclear and radiation accidents: An accident or event which involves the significant release of a radioactive substance from the environment or a reactor core that leads to major undesirable consequences to people, the environment, or the facility. The first response available against this disaster is to gather, assess and disseminate all available information to first responders.

Based upon Speed

The categorization is, One of the criteria for categorization of disaster is based on the speed:

Slow Onset Disaster

Slow Onset Disaster that occurs gradually over the years. It impacts slowly  The disaster prevails for many days, months, on even years. Such disaster includes:

• Global Warming
• Climate Change
• Desertification
• Droughts
• Environmental degradation,
• A pest infestation,
• Famine, are an example of a slow-onset disaster.

Global Warming: Global  Warming is the average increase in the earth’s temperature and in the troposphere which contributes to changes in global climate patterns. In common parlance, “global warming” is referred to as the warming that can occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities. Global warming occurrence can be both natural and human-induced.

Climate Change: Climate change is a long-term shifting of temperature and weather patterns. There are different effects of climate change such as global warming, busing of combustion & fossil fuels, the release of carbon dioxide, etc.

Desertification: Desertification is defined as the degradation of fertile land which later on gets converted into a desert by losing its flora and fauna. Desertification is an example of a slow-onset disaster, it can take years to convert fertile land into desert. It can be caused because of global warming, climate change, etc.

Drought: This is defined as the condition which is a moisture deficit relative to the average water availability at a given location and season”

Rapid Onset Disaster

A disaster that is triggered by an instantaneous shock. The impact of this disaster is short-lived or long-term. Some examples of rapid-onset disasters are earthquakes, cyclones, flash Floods, volcanic eruptions, etc. Impact of this type of disaster is highly impactful as it does not give any time to take prevention. The effects caused by rapid-onset disasters are highly shocking as it is causing major destruction.