Disaster preparedness in any disaster management process and disaster mitigation in the case of landslides

“Prevention is better than cure” is the motto of disaster management strategists around the world. The first step i.e. disaster preparedness embodies half of the disaster management planning process. Better preparedness against disaster checks the excess loss of life and property and thus, saves the revenues of the government to a greater extent. 

Hazard Zone Mapping is an efficient measure to check disaster loss to a greater extent by micro-management of the different disaster-prone zones. It considers a particular disaster, such as earthquake and map it according to its severity and impact in different areas. 

Landslide hazard zone mapping and its use in disaster management process. 

• Landslide hazard zone mapping at regional level of a large area provides a broad trend of potential landslide zones. A macro level landslide hazard zone for a small area may provide a better insight into the landslide hazards. 

• The hazard zone map produced by using techniques, such as Landslide Hazard Evaluation Factor rating scheme classifies the area into relative hazard classes in which the high hazard zones well correspond with high frequency of landslides. 

• In general, it displays the spatial distribution of landslides in a region

• Based on landslide zone map, different approach can be applied for different areas of vulnerability based on severity of landslide. 

• This helps in better management of resources and reduces the cost of disaster preparedness. Further, landslides of different intensity require different approach. This can help planners to do cost effective and smart planning. 

• The major landslide prone areas in India include the Western Ghats and Konkan Hills (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra), Eastern Ghats (Araku region in Andhra Pradesh), North-East Himalayas (Darjeeling and Sikkim) and North West Himalayas (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir). 

• Micro-management through landslide zone will help to mitigate disaster related threats in a better way. 

India ratified United Nations Convention for Disaster Risk Reduction which is the custodian of ‘Sendai framework’ that aims to reduce disaster risks, decrease losses and help in effective mitigation. It has seven targets and four priorities for action. Disaster risk reduction cuts across different aspects and sectors of development. There are 25 targets related to disaster risk reduction in 10 of the 17 sustainable development goals, firmly establishing the role of disaster risk reduction as a core development strategy. India must implement better strategies, such as landslide zone mapping to achieve these targets and strive towards for achieving them.