State of Disasters in INDIAWith the tropical climate and unstable landforms, coupled with high population density, poverty, illiteracy and lack of adequate infrastructure, India is one of the most vulnerable developing countries to suffer very often from various Natural Disasters like flood, cyclone, earthquake, drought, etc. Asia tops the list of casualties due to natural disasters.

A hailstorm and a cyclone also result in absolute disaster. The latest of such tragedies has been a cyclone in the Gujarat state of India. Trees have been blown off their very roots, and houses and huge buildings have been dug out of their very foundation, and all life has been destroyed or dislocated. As far as India is concerned, nature has been very kind on the one hand and cruel on the other. There has not been a year in which no disaster has happened. However, when such calamities occur in India, the entire Indian machinery, Governmental or non-government try to provide succor to the disturbed area. The Government sanctions crores of rupees for the rehabilitation of the people in the area, food and medicines are air dropped and the entire country feels and acts together. However, even after 50 years of independence, the Government has not been able to take any concrete steps to avert such natural disasters. For example in Assam every year there is a flood in the River Brahmaputra and then the machinery is geared up to take the people out of the trouble, but, no success has been achieved in averting the disaster.

It is to be thought of why we have not been able to avert the calamities which are annual. For if know of a calamity that is to come, we should be able to save ourselves from it. The reasons for this may be – one that, we are not able to, and second, we are not sufficiently interested in removing the hazard. We are not able to check them and also we are not as serious as we should be in trying to prevent these tragedies. For example in Assam, as just mentioned, every year without fail, there are floods. Though there is a Brahmaputra Board that has done some work to clean the river, and increase the stretch of the river bed but the floods come non-stop. This proves another point that, man has no power over the will of nature.

As a result of these disasters, people may be injured or killed, or may lose their homes and possessions. The impact is so great that the affected community often must depend on outside help in order to cope with the harm. The government should take initiatives to mitigate the effect of these disasters.

We cannot stop volcanoes from erupting, the earth from shaking, or winds from blowing. As one philosopher said, "Man lives by geological consent subject to change without notice." But we can surely reduce their effect on the people and infrastructure. Disaster management is the discipline of dealing with and avoiding risks. It is a discipline that involves preparing for disaster before it occurs, disaster response (e.g. emergency evacuation, quarantine, mass decontamination, etc.), as well as supporting, and rebuilding society after natural or human-made disasters have occurred. Space technology plays a crucial role in efficient mitigation of disasters. Communication satellite provides disaster warning and relief mobilization.