Disaster Knowledge Network & the Great Learning

Exercise
Dr. R. K. Bhandari *
Centre for Disaster Mitigation & Manageent
!nna "ni#ersit$% Chennai
Dark &hadows of Disasters
There is hardly a day when the media does not flash gruesome news of
disasters of one kind or the other, striking various parts of globe. India is no
exception, Earthquakes, landslides, floods, cyclones, drought, traffic accidents
etc all take their turn, and toll, causing turmoil and tension, as the climatic
changes get fuelled by the greenhouse, EI Nino and a Nino effects. !s nearly
"#$ of world%s population lives in the developing countries, it is indeed here that
communities are most vulnerable to natural disasters, especially in the pockets
where concentrations of population and economic activity occur. Today, we are
literally sucked on to the suicidal course, and perhaps well in to the so&called
forbidden territory, because of the mindless plundering of resources and brutal
assault on Natural often in the name of development. The trend is highly
upsetting and totally unacceptable, and must be reversed before it is too late.

The fury of disasters write, rewrite and often underscore the fate of
millions of victims and survivors, usually in direct proportion to the destructive
power they wield. 'esides huge losses of lives and property, the very wheels of
progress and development get (ammed. )hat one also sees, however, is the ray
of hope hidden in the counterpoint placing trust in *cience + Technology, and in
human ingenuity capable of evolving solutions elegant to annual the destructive
power of the succession of ha,ardous events.
Even when the initial impact of a disaster is not quite severe, its eventual
consequences could still be lethal. -or example rainstorm .flood contamination&
epidemics/ or cyclone& flood contamination& epidemics can end up with a mass
graveyard scenario, throwing even the best of the post disaster management
machinery haywire. This did happen during the 0rissa super cyclone of 0ctober&
November 1222, and again during the 'hu( Earthquake of 34
th
5anuary, 3##1,
when we passed through traumatic times and very painfully learned how to
arrange mass funerals or bury the dead by do,ens6 7escuing those buried under
the heaps of debris with life still left in them turned out to be one of the many big
challenges.
'he Dri#ing (orce for Change
There is both the need and urgency to change over from the very painful
and expensive culture of post disaster relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction to
the culture of strategic thinking, predisaster planning, preparedness and
mitigation. The high frequency of natural manmade and biological disasters and
their deadly blows/ the ever growing public suffering/ the awareness and stimulus
provided by the I8N87 and the national commitment to minimi,e losses due to
disasters have all combined to provide the necessary driving force for change.
9ost of all, the stimulus comes form the strong signals relayed by the :;< by
formally recommending setting of a National 8isaster =nowledge Network,
encompassing natural, manmade and biological disasters.
-or keeping pace with the rapidity of change, we need new technology
and innovations in our ideas. )e need adequate funding, clarity or purpose, a
new vigor and deep commitment in the pursuit research and development work.
0ne cannot expect meaning full socio&economic development of India unless its
people feel reasonably safe from the repetitive threats of disasters.
3
Disaster Mitigation !))arat*s and +lace of Knowledge Network
)hat constitutes a successful disaster prevention and mitigation
apparatus> ;erhaps it is one which is driven by ideas, power of knowledge and
innovation to study, understand and appreciate the complex interplay of
causative factors, simultaneously as it provides appropriate instruments for
effective management of an equally complex set of interdependent acts ranging
from strategic thinking on one hand, to timely implementation of a reasonable
package of control measures, on the other. This :erculean task could be greatly
facilitated by the instrument of 8isaster =nowledge Network envisioned by the
:;<. The recommendations of :;< established a down to earth connection
between the National 8isaster 9itigation and 9anagement !pparatus and the
proposed 8isaster =nowledge Network.
,hat does a Knowledge Network ean-
! knowledge network is the most modern way of people and parties
communicating with one another, sharing ideas, information and resources on
specific topics. <ontinuous inflow of new information and fresh ideas propel
more ideas, and thus help develop clearer concepts. -or rapid progress, the new
data and findings should necessarily flow back into the learning loop and vice
versa. It%s important to remember that the critical part is not the network ?its
hardware or software@ or the so&called finished product ?such as for example a
database or a network of databases@ but the culture of interactive exercise that
makes people ?or the cluster of people@ or communities share concerns and
solve specific problems Important to them by collective wisdom, in a spirit of
cooperative endeavor. !nd such an interactive dialogue should eventually
become a way of life, with continuous value addition to the databases, and
efficient networking.
A
,h$ the Knowledge Network for Disaster Mitigation-
arge tracts of our country are perennially threatened by disasters of a
bewildering variety in diverse geoclimatic settings. It is, therefore, a matter of big
challenge for us to evolve suitable decentrali,ed mechanisms including a
network of networks to meet the pressures of demand for prompt decision&
making. *ince the holistic consideration natural disaster mitigation falls outside
the scope of this <hapter, suffice it would to say that establishment of a very
close coupling between 8isaster =nowledge Network ?8isk Net@, multitudes of
sources of information, multi&dimensional users and the Breat earning Exercise
would lie at the heart of the matter.
;eople learn more by experience and attempt to build on the traditional
knowledge. earning by Traditional knowledge + respect for unsung Innovations
at the Brass 7oots evel are therefore fundamental to creation of a vibrant
knowledge network in a country like India.
In the absence of a respectful coupling between the formal institutions and
the informal sector, innovations in the informal sector have often gone unsung.
Instances are not wanting when people in the disaster prone areas, driven by
their instinct for survival, have proved to be grass root innovators. The traditional
knowledge enriched by the occasional innovations necessarily adds to the
national pool of knowledge. -or instance, while facing post disaster situations,
people without any formal education have built masterly bridges across violent
rivers and unstable valleys, using local materials and ingenious techniques of
construction, not to be found in the textbooks. 8uring the recent 0rissa <yclone,
many of the survivors narrated to the author how they could save do,ens of lives
by quick thinking and use of unconventional methods even during the peak of
cyclonic winds.
C
It is therefore important that the grass roots innovators are spotted out,
recogni,ed and rewarded. The stream of their innovations should meet the
stream of innovations in the formal sector to propel future innovations.
-or effective disaster mitigation and management, it is imperative that the
8isaster =nowledge 'ase and innovations in *+T are effectively harnessed and
exploited, especially in the areas perennially under the threat of all kinds of
disasters&natural, manmade and biological.
India is currently at an uncomfortable distance from the expected level of
satisfaction in so far as its current strategic planning, disaster mitigation action
plan and modus operandi are concerned. It is therefore, the time to put in place a
system that is more responsive, dynamic and result oriented. The mind boggling
pace of development in information technology presents countless new ideas
and opportunities to build that system. There is a strong case, therefore to take
the fullest advantage of network made possible through Internet, Intranet and
electronic DNet <onferencesE.
'y tapping the enormous *+T potential within our country, by forging
partnerships between the 7+8 institutions, Fniversities, the Industry, and other
players, and by effective national and international networking of knowledge on
all spheres of disasters, and their mitigation and managementG
'est practices could be spotlighted and publici,ed,
;olicy ;apers could be written,
!ction ;lanning 9anuals could be developed,
;ublic !wareness could be achieved,
Training 9odules could be prepared,
and Fse and and 9anagement !ids could be found, and
Hulnerability against disasters could be reduced.
I
The initiative of establishing a disaster knowledge network is, therefore,
central to the national disaster mitigation agenda.
'he anato$ of a so*nd Knowledge Network
There is a difference between an Inventory and a 8atabase. !n inventory
will merely list out what is available and what is not available. ! database will
take us to a fountainhead of information for which it stands designed. The
concept of a database usually varies from purpose to purpose, and from
perception to perception, 9ost databases do aim to place a reservoir of
information so systematically that it can be promptly retrieved at the click of a
mouse, and disseminated.
8atabases when connected ?networked@ to one another means much,
much more. :owever, what India really needs is a network of networks in which it
is to be ensured that knowledge information is adequately filtered and
authenticated, and knowledge is not lost in the haystack of information but gets
intimately connected with the great learning exercise that normally goes with it.
Indeed, as -rancis 'acon has said, knowledge is ;ower, and from it we can
deduce that disaster vulnerability of our country, like that of most other countries,
will depend in a big way on how efficiently we are able to harmness the great
tides of information and knowledge, which is currently sweeping the whole world.
The knowledge network of our dreams should not only be user friendly but
it must show a deep concern for the real life problems and felt needs of all
categories of users. It should respect our wealth of traditional knowledge on one
hand and serve as a window of new knowledge on the other hand. It should tap
the confluences of streams of useable information and knowledge, from all
directions. !nd the flow of information will require, filtration, authentication,
classification, constant updragation and perfect connectivity with the vast array of
widely varying end users. It should act as a help line, and a platform for J%s and
4
!%s in the cyber space, besides promoting Internet chats, which may eventually
take the form of e&workshops and e&training programmes and eventually
encourage wiring of training institutes.
*imilarly the culture of digital transfer of information may give fillip to
wiring of libraries. The day has already arrived when swapping and transfer of
technologies between the interested parties through the knowledge network are
ground realities.
The questions of ownership of information and the whole range of
economical social and legal issues connected with handling of information will
also have to be frontally addressed. )hen that happens, the Bovernment will be
able to pilot the disaster management affairs much better, not only because of
the easy access to right information at right time, but also because of the
knowledge of public mood and responses, favourable or adverse.
The leveraging of *+T capacity both in the pubic and the private sectors
also ought to become an integral part of the designed operational strategy,
especially in a developing country like India where resource crunch is always
there to hurt and the potential of contribution from Industry still remains
untapped. ! =nowledge Network may greatly facilitate this task.
=nowledge Network is, by design, expected to foster, promote and sustain
a dialogue not only between the haves and the have-nots but also between any
combinations of groups, vertically and laterally. -or example, continuous
interaction is essential between the professionals and those at the grass&roots
level, or between the policy makers and the professionals, or between the policy
makers and the community based organi,ations, and so on. The National
8isaster =nowledge Network is, therefore, expected to act as a A&8imensional
organi,ational tool to collect, collate, organi,e, catalogue and disseminate
?spread@ information as a prelude to breeding a sound culture of durable
K
multilateral communication and multidirectional interaction. The ultimate ob(ective
is to find timely and apt response to ha,ards that threaten safety.
8isk Net should contain data and information on institutions, skills, core
competencies, technologies and technical services. It should cover both the
public and private sectors. 'ridging of the knowledge and information gaps,
which can otherwise hold back the development of our country, may perhaps be
the next logical step.
Institutionali,ation of the knowledge network will be a mature way to
register the collective wisdom of the various actors, including national and state
governments, local authorities, affected communities, voluntary organi,ations,
policy makers, bureaucrats, professionals, and the people at the grass roots
level. This would however essentially be a network of networks and will be driven
by our appetite for finding engineering solutions to real life problems. It may be
expected to provide a dynamic, adaptive framework, and serve as a powerful tool
for servicing the national missions flowing out of the national vision for the 31
st
century.
.nitial (ew &te)s
To begin with, the exercise of establishing a =nowledge Network is
restricted to connecting <entres of Excellence and selected =nowledge based
institutions. The immediate emphasis should be on assimilation and exploitation
of the known knowledge, and harnessing of the most appropriate, ready on hand,
cost&effective technologies/ limiting the 7esearch and 8evelopment work only to
promote inter disciplinary and multi&disciplinary innovations, and for filling&in of
the significant gaps in the knowledge and databases. It is for the 7 + 8
organi,ations and academic institutions to then take on to contributing their share
of work, the merit of which should be fully recogni,ed by the Bovernment and
"
people at large. ! simplified model of 8isaster =nowledge Network is shown in
-ig 1.
*imultaneously, there should be a systematic and holistic attempt to
mobili,e information and knowledge of relevance to mitigate and manage
disasters. The 8isk Net should therefore be connected intimately with
contributors of formal knowledge, sources of information and host of user
agencies, -ig3.
It is also important to ensure that 8isk Net effectively caters to the
demands of National <entre for <alamity 9anagement, *cience and Technology
!dvisory <ommittee, 9inistries and 8epartments of the Bovernment, <ontrol
7oom etc. and -ig.A.
,hat the Knowledge Network wo*ld do in the .ndian context-
8isk Net is expected to provide a network of networks within India, with
appropriate overseas linkages to effectively address the problem of disaster
reduction on a national scale. )hat should be the exact form/ structure and aim
of such a network will have to be decided by an intense interactive dialogue
within the framework of our vision for the future. *ome of the straightforward
tasks identified areG
Inventory and cross linking of institutions and establishments engaged in the
area of natural disaster reduction, and cataloguing of their capacities. *haring
of resources, pooling of expertise, leveraging of capabilities and synergy in
actions are important.
Identification and wiring of important national libraries and their cross linking
with external libraries seem the best way to achieve easy access to the new
knowledge, latest technologies and the related patents, and documentation.
2
!ssimilation, filtering and authentication of information and protection of
intellectual property are the challenges that could possible be met through
this route.
-ostering dynamic linkages between the Indian and the global databases, as
also with the global Early )arning *ystems should be our endeavor. *o far
we have failed to even recogni,e the enormous potential of doing so, let
alone take full advantage of it. India already has bilateral and multi&lateral
relationships with a large number of countries, which share our concern on
disaster mitigation. -or example, by connecting 8isk Net with the <ommon
wealth 8isaster =nowledge Network ?coordinated by India@, India could find
easy access to the databases of common wealth member *tates, Table 1.
Efforts are also necessary for facilitating high quality training programmes in
the cyberspace.
:uman 7esource 8evelopment is essential at all levels to be achieved
through well&conceived and effectively coordinated skill development
programmes. Training programmes, especially those for training of trainers,
expressly designed and developed to cater to the multi dimensional, multi
level national needs are equally essential. This task presupposes effective
networking between the providers of training, and the corresponding
recipients.
(*nctions
In its full bloom the 8isaster =nowledge Network should be able to aid and
stimulate the following functionsG
1#
!ssist in conduct of national pro(ects and programmes by establishing cross
linkages and appropriate alignments with other related pro(ects, ensuring free
flow of ready&on hand, high quality information, and on line interaction.
!ssist *tate Bovernments, 9inistries and 8epartments and disaster related
institutions in securing appropriate partnerships by matching the felt needs
with available capacities.
everage funding from internal and external resources.
9atch specific needs with apt solutions, in public or private domains
;rovide technical guidance to the stakeholders and beneficiaries at large
*erve as a national clearing house of information on disasters.
;romote partnerships between the government, public and the private
sectors.
Bene/ts
8isk Net would, inter alia , lead toG
Enhancing the innovative ability of India to take informed timely decision,
create public awareness, spread the culture of safety and deliver social
goods, on the firm foundation of new knowledge.
;rotection of the ownership of new knowledge/
-acilitating partnerships in pursuit of multi ha,ard research
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Disk Net and 'he Great Learning Exercise
earning is an endless process. In the context of disasters, the real
lessons are learned only when every disaster is looked upon also as a great
learning opportunity. No laboratory in the world, howsoever well organi,ed and
modern, can ever duplicate, not to speak of excelling the potential of live
laboratories created by every full&scale disaster. 0rdinarily, we learn from
textbooks and classroom teachings, or by trial and error, or occasionally by
accident or experiment. earning through training programmes has been another
popular way. !t the end of such training programmes, every one becomes a
certified expert but his knowledge is usually of pedagogic value seldom updated6
The real progress by learning, however, comes, when an inquisitive mind begins
to look for hard facts in Nature%s laboratory with a spirit of scientific inquiry. The
narratives of the eyewitnesses of disasters or those who had to pass through the
traumatic times because of disasters do teach us a lot besides providing very
useful clues to reconstruct the whole story. 9ore enlightened among us learn as
much from their own mistakes and experience, as they do from the mistakes and
experiences of others. Barbachov once said that a thorn of experience is worth a
forest of instructions6
8isasters, almost in every case, do offer a new, live laboratory to test our
ideas on the whole range of issues, and innovate. Every disaster provides policy
makers the heaven sent opportunity to put their policies on the anvil.
;rofessionals charged with the responsibility to counter disasters, likewise, get a
good opportunity to introspect and see by hindsight where their preparedness
plans and strategies have failed them and why> *cientists do get their food for
thought as also fresh ideas and the rare ammunition to re&write their research
proposals towards fulfillment of their insatiable quest for improved, cost effective
solutions. *ince dead tell no tale, those who survive ?while cursing their own
13
misfortunes@, learn first hand. The learning process strengthens the weak, and
arms the strong.
Tragedies nevertheless leave behind priceless lessons, which must be
learned in order to deal more effectively with the future recurrences. It is now
possible to capture or create the travails of such tables as they occur with all their
important features captured and backed by life&like should an visual effects,
thanks to multimedia and the tools of modern information technology. It is in deed
a paradox that the more we learn, the more remains there to be learned. )hen
exposed to the aftermath of a disaster, indeed the sky becomes the limit to which
the learning process could go on and on, and there is always enough to learn, for
every one at all levels of hierarchy, at all times.
In the ultimate analysis, the best way to learn is by closely observing
Nature and the way it works and by being always vigilant of the consequences of
disobeying Nature. It has rightly been said that Nature to be commanded, must
be obeyed first6
To accelerate the process of learning, the first and foremost is that we
must know our combined strengths, as Team India. It is time that we do a *)0TL
analysis in this context. India%s strengths in *cience and Technology in general
and Information Technology in particular, are well know. !n impressive array of
knowledge&based institutions does regularly generate a wealth of data on which
sound analysis could be built. et us consider, for instance, the basic data on
seismology for proper understanding of Indian earthquakes. The seismological
records are available and the history of earthquakes of the region stand studied.
?-ig C@. ! very large number of modern seismological laboratories ?-igI@ provide
a continuous flow of seismic data. There is considerable amount of investment in
generating strong motion seismic data, ?-ig 4@ Even the seismological data
connected with ma(or cities, like 8elhi ?-ig K@, can be a part of =nowledge
1A
Network, and so could be the data on crustal movements recorded by the
network of B;*, -ig ".
)e should also endeavour to know the ground realities and the uncertain
premises in which we are frequently expected to perform, almost at no notice.
*ince today%s hot spots ?ha,ardous location@ are going to be tomorrow%s problem
areas, we should be equipped enough to position ourselves appropriately before
disasters actually strike at these hot spots. It is also important to be prepared to
face unexpected, unforeseen events.
It is important that we invest time to scientifically analy,e the saga of the
survivors of natural disasters, and of the eyewitnesses and pursue the leads so
obtained such and initiative would facilitate honest, systematic and in&depth study
of the real issued involved. *ustained learning form all directions alone cane
illuminate our path to be able to unfold the sequence of happenings, and explain
why> 7emember that the story of the Breat 9alpa 7ock !valanche of 1"
th
!ugust
122"would have never been known or documented but for the eye witness
account. 9ore recently, again it was the eye witness account which uncovered
the signature of 1"12 Earthquake, as also conveyed how the fountain of liquefied
sand gushed out of the ground leaving behind holes in the ground, fig 2. !gain
thanks to the eye witness account that we know how buildings vibrated and
collapsed, fig 1#.
! very large number of institution in India, including the 8isaster
9anagement Institutions are contributing significantly to the overall learning
process. :owever, we need innovation in our ideas, which can best be achieved
by
Transforming existing institutions in to smart organi,ations
<reating centres of excellence and nurturing them,
;rotecting intellectual property and rewarding innovation both in the formal
and informal sectors.
1C
0ur new strategy should be to strengthen the existing institutions, and
whenever necessary add pulsating institutions. ! pulsating institution is one,
which has the resilience to DexpandE or DshrinkE as required.
Today, it is possible to address all these target groups simultaneously from
a single platform. The politicians, the policy makers, the professionals, the
bureaucrats, the state governments, the community based organi,ations, the
NB0s, or all of these, )isdom also lies in targeting children especially because it
is they who would eventually appear on the national scene to build a resurgent,
disaster free India.
Need for Glo0al connecti#it$
The world has shrunk to the si,e of a global village on the Information
super highway. )e now have an excellent opportunity to pool our experiences
and accelerate the process of learning in the real time, pro bono public. 0ne of
the ways to do so would be to wire, on priority, selected institutions and
establishments, which may be declared as the primary nodes of the 8isk Net.
These should then be connected with other institution and organi,ations as well
as the Blobal databases, like Blobal disaster Information Network, B8IN.
8isaster 9itigation being a sub(ect of profound global concern, hundreds
of teams and taskforces are perennially busy addressing the multifaceted
aspects of natural disasters in the different geo&climatic, cultural and socio&
economic settings. In this age of seamless science, the continuous flow of new
ideas from all direction, enable even a dwarf to see farther than a giant, provided
one is willing to position oneself on the giant%s shoulders. The phenomenal
amount of information on the internet and that in the public domain, the countless
institutions created in the wake of the International 8ecade for Natural 8isaster
7eduction, and the intense pressure of the string of live problems at hand
provide us with an ideal setting to launch new initiatives by pooling of resources,
building on the synergies, and leveraging of capacities.
1I
*ince developing countries including India are the worst hit by natural
disasters and their problems are more or less of the same genre, building (oint
programmes and partnerships in science and technology with friendly country
seem quite useful and natural. *ince most of the developing countries lack even
the minimal of resources and where withal to fight natural disasters, they shall
welcome the hand holding exercise as a very wise move of great potential and
real mutual advantage. !nd indeed, wherever win&win partnerships have
emerged, the cause of natural disaster reduction has reportedly flourished,
without question. 0n the other hand, wherever developing countries have tried to
stand in isolation either by accident or by the design, the progress has been
rather poor. 8isk Net is on be of power full way to promote partnerships.
Concl*ding Rearks
! national 8isaster =nowledge Network ?abbreviated as 8isk Net@ should
be established as discussed above. It should adequately cover all the AIM
8isasters identified by the :igh ;owered <ommittee, falling under the categories
of ?a@ Natural 8isasters ?b@ 9an made 8isaster, ?c@ 'iological 8isasters.
!s a first step the :;< decided to set up a system to enable connectivity
on the basis of selectivity to address concerns relating to 8isaster 9anagement
in a homogeni,ed form.
In order to achieve this, a beginning was made with Networking of the
<entres of Excellence, + =nowledge based institutions.
:;< has already identified that the Natural 8isaster =nowledge Network
will be initiated at the <entral 7oad 7esearch Institute, New 8elhi. The Indian
Institute of <hemical Technology, :yderabad, will coordinate the task related to
man made disaster. The Indian <ouncil of 9edical 7esearch will coordinate the
biological disasters. The spotlight was on identification of the needs of various
user agencies based on interactive meetings, and connecting the =nowledge
Network with the great learning exercise. The attempt made on the following
aspects deserves to be pursued.
14
Identify important areas of 7esearch + 8evelopment in the context of mission
mode pro(ects.
Identify and critically evaluate innovations of significant value to disaster
mitigation programmes.
Identify target groups, institutional stakeholders and beneficiaries of 8isk Net
and map their diverse demands by a systematic multi&tier consultative
exercise, involving all ma(or players and stakeholders.
<ollect, collate and analy,e information on current status of 9ulti :a,ard
Nonation 9apping in India, and assess their merit, shortfalls and utility.
Identify sources of information and gaps, and recommend action.
Identify and provide a critique on ?a@ the existing databases within the country
which could effectively be utili,ed in the 8isaster 9itigation ;rogrammes/ ?b@
global databases, relevant in the Indian context.
Examine the ways and means of tapping potential of to identify various ma(or
nodal agenciesOfocal points with their complete address ?including email@ and
assess their levels of willingness to participate in electronic debates, and
readiness to contribute scientific, technical and other relevant information,
data and inputs to strengthen 8isk Net in a sustained manner.
Tap the potential of modern information technology, and achieve internet and
networking protocols, data and file transfer, data base management, graphics,
virtual reality, image processing, etc., in the context.
<ontinue the effort towards Networking of the selected institutions as
repositories of useful and relevant information and databases/
Evolve Techniques of data mining, and analysis of multisource information/
7ecall different scenarios for triggering electronic debates, etc./ !ugment of
the learning process in an interactive mode both in the formal and informal
sectors.
Identify the most suitable instituteO organi,ation where 8isk Net could be
parked, and recommend ?a@ smart management structure, and ?b@ essential
hardware and software architecture.
1K
! National 8isaster =nowledge Network ?abbreviated as 8isk Net@ should be
established as outlined in this chapter.
To identify for each category of natural disasters, knowledge gaps, especially
the information that are now amenable to be capture and recorded digitally to
boost the learning process, and aid drafting of improved training modules.
Table 1: Scope of common wealth Disaster Knowledge Network and its
direct relevance to the Indian Disaster Knowledge Network
Countr Tpe of !a"ard
!ustralia Earthquake
1
/
'ahamas :urricane
3
/
'angladesh -loods, :urricane ?<yclone + 8rought
A
/
'arbados :urricane ?Tropical *torms@
A
/
'otswana 8rought + -amine
A
/
'ritain -loods, Earthquake, ightening + Thunderstorm, and *ubsidence
and <oastal Erosions
A
/
'runei 8arussalam Earthquake
A
/
<anada -loods, Holcanoes, :ail, 0cean 8angers, Tornadoes, Tsunamis, and
andslides and *now !valanches
C
/
<yprus
8ominica :urricane
A
/
Bhana 8esertification
A
/
Brenada Holcanoes, Earthquakes, )indstorms, floods
A
/
Buyana
India Earthquake/ 8rought, -amine, Earthquake, -loods, <yclone
A
/
5amaica Earthquakes ?<arlbbean@/ Earthquakes, Holcanoes, :urricane
A
/
landslides and -loods
I
/
=enya 8rought and -amine
A
/
esotho
9alawi
9alaysia Earthquakes, -loods, and *ubsidence
A
/
9alta
9auritius <yclones
A
/
Namibia
New Nealand Earthquakes, Holcanoes, -loods, andslides, <yclones
A
/
;akistan Earthquakes, -loods, *now !valanche, andslides, 8esertification
A
;apua New Buinea Holcanoes
A
/
*eychelles *aint ucia
*outh !frica Earthquakes, 8rought
A
/
*ri anka <yclones
A
/
*wa,iland
Tan,ania -loods, 8rought and -amine, 8esertification
A
/
Trinidad + Tobago Holcanoes, Earthquakes, )indstorms, -loods
A
/
Fganda Earthquakes, -amine
A
/
Nambia Earthquakes, 8rought
A
/
Nimbabwe 8rougth
A
/
1"
#eference Sites
S$ No$ %ebsite &'#()
1. *eismic :a,ard 9ap, <entral !merica&<aribbean/
:ttpGOOgeology.about.comOscienceOgeologyOlibraryObiOmapsObicentralameri
ca.htm
3. :urricane response and hurricane perception in the <ommonwealth of
the 'ahamas/
httpGOOwww.colorado.eduOhar,ardsOlitbaseOdocsOdocs4O114#A.htm
A. <ountry search in :a,lit database/
httpGOOwww.colorado.eduOha,ardsOlitbaseOha,lit.ht,
C. Natural :a,ards National !tlas of <anada/
httpGOOwww.colorado.eduOha,ardsOlitbaseOdocsOdocs"O1IC1C.htm
I. 5ournal of the Beological *ociety of 5amaica&Natural :a,ards in the
<aribbean/
httpGOOwww.colorado.eduOha,ardsOlitbaseOdocsOdocs"O1IA#A.htm
4. Natural :a,ards, 0rg/ Information on atmospheric and geological
ha,ards for researchers, teachers, students and concerned citi,ens/
httpGOOwww.naturalha,ards.orgO
K. 0ffice of the *tate -ire 9arshal ?<alifornia@/
httpGOOwww.fire.cagovOofficePstm.html
". Earthquake information Network / httpGOOwww.egnet.orgOindex.asp
2. Natural :a,ard <entre at the Fniversity of <olorado/
httpGOOwww.colorado.eduOha,ardsOindex.htm//
:a,lit&:a,ards iterature 8atabase/
httpGOOwww.colarado.eduOha,ardsOlitbaseOlitindex.htm
1#. Natural :a,ards 8isclosures Inc. . consultancy for accurate and
professional data reports, many useful links/
httpGOOwww.naturalha,ards.comO
11. Natural .:a,ards&disasters discussion ists/
http/OOwww.mailbase.acukOhypermailOlists&k&oOnatural&ha,ards&disastersO
13. Fs natural :a,ard *tatistics from office of 9eteorology/
httpGOOwww.nws.noaa.govOomOha,stats.htm
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