Abstract

Need for Effective Communication in Crisis Management of Natural Disasters

Author(s): A. Prabaharan and M. K. Badri Narayanan

Disaster can be defined as an accident or an event, which may result in temporary or permanent change in the landscape and also may result in loss of lives and property. For India is vulnerable for many disasters. More than half of land area in vulnerable for earthquakes. About one tenth of land area is prone to cyclone and more than one tenth of land area is exposed to floods and about two third of land is subjected to droughts. The of rural land mars is under the threat of outbreak of diseases. Disasters are classified as Natural disasters and Manmade disasters. Though there are many types of natural and manmade Disasters, this study is restricted to the following disasters. The following are the common natural disasters commonly encountered in India namely, Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcano, Landslide, Cyclone, Flood and Forest Fire. India is vulnerable to the following manmade disasters namely, Act of Terrorism, Major transport accidents in air sea on road and on rails, Industrial Accidents, War, Nuclear Threat, Outbreak of diseases and Manmade fire. Communication during disasters plays vital role in saving the lives of the people. When disaster paralyses the normal life of the man, posing the danger of insecurity, it becomes primary responsibility of the government agencies to come to immediate rescue of the people and to restore peace and safe living condition of these disaster victims. Let us discuss the grey areas to be given due care in the event of natural disasters.