Absence of mitigation or preventative measures in development planning. This section gives an overview of the field of Disaster Management and provides working definitions for common terminology. It also discusses the phases of the Disaster Management cycle. It may refer to the management of both the risks and consequences of disaster. A disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a society, causing widespread human, material, or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected society to cope using only its own resources.
Disasters can be meteorological, topographical, or accidental in origin.
Meteorological Drought, floods and cyclones Topographical Earthquakes, and Volcanic Eruptions Technological Chemical Accidents, Industrial accidents and Oil Spills WHEN Disasters are not easily predicted. However, historical data, geographic location and meteorological and seismographic indicators can pinpoint highly vulnerable areas. Hazards Mapping and Disaster Preparedness can assist in preparing disaster-prone communities. Hazard A hazard is a rare or extreme event in the natural or man-made environment that adversely affects human life, property or activity to the extent of causing a disaster. Risk is the product of hazard and vulnerability.