UN declaration of 1990-2000 as International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction brings into sharp focus the miseries caused by natural disasters and the need to take action. Governments, NGOs, scientific community, business, industry and the media shared experiences, assessed the state of the problem and emphasized an urgent shift in strategy. The Yokohama Message Those affected most are the poor and the socially disadvantaged in developing countries as they are the least equipped to cope with the situation. Disaster Prevention, mitigation and preparedness are better than disaster response. Disaster response alone yields temporary relief at a very high cost.
Prevention contributes to lasting improvement in safety.
Need to identify vulnerable areas with reference to natural hazards such as earthquakes, cyclones, floods, etc., having a potential of damaging housing stock and related infrastructure. Preparation of a Vulnerability Atlas showing areas vulnerable to natural disasters and determination of risk levels of houses. Formulation of a strategy for setting up Techno-legal regimes for enforcing disaster resistant construction and planning practices in natural hazard prone human settlements. W ith its vast territory, large population and unique geoclimatic conditions, Indian sub-continent is exposed to natural catastrophes traditionally. Even today the natural hazards like floods, cyclones, droughts and earthquakes are not rare or unusual phenomenon in the country.