Geography

Let’s start from the very basic question:What exactly is a volcano? A volcano is like a natural vent or chimney through which molten rock (magma), gases, and ash from the Earth’s interior escape to the surface. When this magma comes out through the vent, it is called lava, and over time, the accumulation of this…

The word “Tsunami” comes from Japanese — “Tsu” means harbour, and “Nami” means wave.So literally, it means a harbour wave, because these giant waves often cause devastating impact when they reach the coast or harbour areas. But remember — a tsunami is not a single wave.It’s actually a series of large waves, with extremely long…

Let’s start from the basics. An earthquake is nothing but the sudden shaking or trembling of the Earth’s crust.And remember — this shaking happens suddenly; there is no prior warning, which is why it’s so dangerous and unpredictable. Now, why does the Earth shake? Because the outer layer of the Earth, called the crust, is…

India’s diverse geo-climatic, geological, and socio-environmental conditions make it highly vulnerable to a wide range of natural hazards. From earthquakes in the Himalayas to cyclones along its coasts and droughts in its arid interiors, almost every region of the country experiences some form of hazard every year. A natural hazard is defined as a potentially…

🧭 Why Study Vulnerability? Before we prepare for disaster management, we must first ask: “Vulnerable to what, and where?”Just like a doctor needs to diagnose before treatment, a disaster manager needs to understand vulnerability — the degree to which people, property, or systems are likely to be affected by a hazard. India, due to its…

The Evolution: From Reaction to Preparedness Earlier, India’s disaster response was reactive — meaning, when a disaster struck, the government used to act after the event — arranging relief, food, medicines, etc.But now, India has moved towards a proactive and institutionalised structure, meaning — there is a permanent setup, laws, and trained agencies that work…

Introduction to the Disaster Management Cycle Let’s begin with a simple question —Does a disaster end once the floodwaters recede or the earthquake stops?No. Because managing a disaster is not a one-time event, but a continuous process — before, during, and after the crisis. That continuous process is called the Disaster Management Cycle. It includes…

Let’s begin with a simple thought:When does a hazard become a disaster?— An earthquake happens every day somewhere on Earth, yet not every earthquake is a disaster.Why? Because a disaster occurs only when a hazard meets a vulnerable population. What is Disaster Management? Disaster Management means organizing and managing resources and responsibilities to handle all…