JNTU B.Tech IV DISASTER MANAGEMENT Previous Question Paper (July/August - 2022 - R16)

Vulnerability is defined as the characteristics and circumstances of a community, system, or asset that make it susceptible to the damaging effects of a hazard. It is a measure of the potential for loss and the inability of a system to resist or recover from a disaster.

Physical vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of the built environment and infrastructure, such as buildings, roads, bridges, and dams, to hazard impacts. It is determined by factors like location, construction materials, design standards, and maintenance levels. For example, structures built in floodplains or in seismic zones without earthquake-resistant engineering are highly physically vulnerable.

Socio-economic vulnerability relates to the social and economic conditions that influence a community's ability to cope with disasters. It includes factors such as poverty, lack of access to resources, education levels, age, gender, and social marginalization. Economically disadvantaged populations often lack the financial reserves or insurance to recover from losses, while social factors can limit access to early warnings or emergency services.

Natural hazards are naturally occurring physical phenomena caused by rapid or slow-onset events that have a negative impact on human activities. They are broadly classified into geological (e.g., earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions), hydrometeorological (e.g., floods, cyclones, droughts), and biological (e.g., epidemics, insect infestations) hazards.

1. Earthquakes: These are sudden shakings of the earth's surface caused by seismic waves resulting from the release of energy in the lithosphere.
Mitigation: Implementing strict building codes for seismic resistance, conducting regular mock drills, retrofitting older structures, and land-use planning to avoid high-risk fault zones.

2. Floods: These occur when an overflow of water submerges land that is usually dry, often caused by heavy rainfall, storm surges, or dam failures.
Mitigation: Constructing embankments and levees, improving urban drainage systems, reforestation of watersheds to increase water absorption, and establishing effective flood forecasting and early warning systems.