Page 83 - MILITARY-STUDIES-2

Module - VI
Armed Forces in Disaster Management
Armed Forces and its Role
in Internal Security economic or environmental. Disasters are classified as natural and man-made.
`Natural Disasters' are all hazards that occur in nature like earthquakes, landslides,
volcanic eruptions, floods, tsunamis, and cyclones that result in the loss of human life
as well as destruction of property. Man-made disasters occur due to human action or
inaction. These could be industrial accidents, transport accidents, oil spills, nuclear
explosions, fire or stampedes.
Note
• Natural Disasters
• Earthquakes;

• Floods; Urban floods;
• Cyclones;

• Landslides;
• Tsunamis;
• Heat wave.

• Manmade Disasters

• Nuclear, Biological and Chemical;
• Oil Spills in oceans;

• Pollution

17.1.1 Disaster Management

Since natural phenomena cannot be averted, the effects alone can be managed. The
loss of lives can be reduced and normal life can be restored. This is the process of
disaster management. The natural disasters result in loss of homes, cattle, human lives
and destruction of property.
So, the first task is to arrange for relief supplies like food, clothing and medicines to
reach the affected people. Search and rescue of missing persons or animals is also
part of managing disasters. Since natural disasters also severely damage infrastructure
like roads, bridges, railway lines and power supply restoration of these is a principal
task of disaster management teams.

17.2 Armed Forces in Disaster Management

In India the Armed Forces are the first responder when disaster occurs. They have
equipment, training and a professional response to any situation. The lack of a civil
defense system is also a reason for the dependence on the armed forces in times of
calamity. Some specific disasters like oil spills, nuclear accidents require special
equipment and training.

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