Disasters in India can be caused by a variety of natural and human-induced factors. Understanding these causes is crucial for effective disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response strategies.
1. Natural Causes
a. Geological Factors
- Earthquakes:
- Cause: Earthquakes in India result from the tectonic movement of the Indian Plate colliding with the Eurasian Plate along the Himalayan belt and other seismic zones.
- Example: The 2001 Gujarat earthquake, caused by a fault rupture near the city of Bhuj, resulted in widespread devastation, loss of lives, and damage to infrastructure.
- Volcanic Activity:
- Cause: Although India does not have active volcanoes on its mainland, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are part of a volcanic arc.
- Example: Barren Island, an active volcano in the Andaman Sea, last erupted in 2017, impacting local ecosystems and maritime activities.
b. Meteorological Factors
- Cyclones and Tropical Storms:
- Cause: Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea are driven by warm sea surface temperatures, low atmospheric pressure systems, and wind patterns during the monsoon seasons.
- Example: Cyclone Amphan in 2020 caused extensive damage in West Bengal and Odisha, with strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges affecting millions of people and infrastructure.
- Floods:
- Cause: Heavy monsoon rains, cyclones, cloud bursts, and glacial lake outburst floods lead to riverine floods in India.
- Example: The 2013 North India floods, triggered by unprecedented rainfall and cloudbursts in Uttarakhand, resulted in flash floods, landslides, and significant loss of lives and infrastructure.
- Droughts:
- Cause: Inadequate monsoon rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and climatic variability contribute to drought conditions in arid and semi-arid regions.
- Example: The drought of 2015-2016 affected several states in India, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana, leading to crop failures, water shortages, and economic distress among farming communities.
2. Human-induced Causes
a. Environmental Degradation
- Deforestation and Soil Erosion:
- Cause: Uncontrolled logging, agricultural expansion, and improper land use practices contribute to deforestation and soil erosion.
- Example: Deforestation in the Western Ghats and Himalayan regions exacerbates landslides and reduces the natural buffering capacity against floods and soil erosion.
- Urbanization and Infrastructure Development:
- Cause: Rapid urbanization, improper land-use planning, and inadequate infrastructure contribute to environmental degradation and vulnerability to disasters.
- Example: Urban flooding in cities like Mumbai and Chennai is exacerbated by encroachments on water bodies, inadequate drainage systems, and climate change impacts.
b. Industrial and Technological Hazards
- Industrial Accidents:
- Cause: Poor safety standards, chemical spills, fires, and explosions in industrial plants pose risks to human health, environment, and safety.
- Example: The Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984, caused by a gas leak from a pesticide plant, resulted in thousands of deaths and long-term health impacts on survivors due to exposure to toxic gases.
- Infrastructure Failures:
- Cause: Structural failures in bridges, dams, buildings, and other infrastructure due to poor construction practices, lack of maintenance, or natural disasters.
- Example: The collapse of the Majerhat bridge in Kolkata in 2018 highlighted issues of structural integrity and safety in aging infrastructure, resulting in fatalities and disruptions.
Mitigation and Preparedness
Addressing the causes of disasters in India requires integrated approaches, including:
- Risk Assessment and Early Warning Systems: Enhancing monitoring systems, early warning mechanisms, and preparedness plans for timely response to natural and man-made disasters.
- Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Strengthening environmental regulations, building codes, and disaster management policies to mitigate risks and promote sustainable development.
- Community Engagement and Resilience: Empowering communities through awareness, training, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance their resilience to disasters.
By addressing these causes and implementing effective mitigation measures, India can reduce vulnerability, minimize losses, and build resilience against a wide range of natural and human-induced disasters in the future.
