D E BATE
How can we deal with natural disasters?
The ability of society to cope with natural disasters is contingent, in the final analysis, on the solidity of institutional structures and processes. Three experts examine the impact of the Kosi deluge in those terms.
How can we deal with natural disasters?
The ability of society to cope with natural disasters is contingent, in the final analysis, on the solidity of institutional structures and processes. Three experts examine the impact of the Kosi deluge in those terms.
I S S U E S
* Does the Kosi flood mismanagement suggest lack of institutional structures to deal with disasters?
* How can we make relief and rescue management more effective?
* Do we need a central agency for managing disasters?
Santosh Kumar
Prof, National Institute of Disaster Management
AUGUST 18 was anunfortunate dayfor Bihar. The Kosi river swelled and breached the eastern embankments adjoining the Nepal-Bihar border and started flowing over from the barrage towards the districts of north Bihar. More than three million people are affected. The immediate repercussion is death, destruction, homelessness and poverty but over the long term development has got pushed back.
On account of its location coupled with hydrometeorology, hydrology, geomorphology and topology Bihar is one of the worst flood-affected regions in the world. In the last 50 years the state has been traumatised with 1954, 1974, 1987, 2004, 2007 and finally 2008 floods. Perhaps this is the most important reason why Bihar is under absolute poverty and grossly underdeveloped. Nearly 43% of people in Bihar live below poverty line as against national average of 26% and north Bihar is vastly poverty hit. This itself facilitates in converting a small event to a big disaster.
On account of its location coupled with hydrometeorology, hydrology, geomorphology and topology Bihar is one of the worst flood-affected regions in the world. In the last 50 years the state has been traumatised with 1954, 1974, 1987, 2004, 2007 and finally 2008 floods. Perhaps this is the most important reason why Bihar is under absolute poverty and grossly underdeveloped. Nearly 43% of people in Bihar live below poverty line as against national average of 26% and north Bihar is vastly poverty hit. This itself facilitates in converting a small event to a big disaster.
Now the pertinent question is whether such floods are inevitable? The likely answer is floods may be inevitable but not the misery! If it is, then is it managed in a right perspective and in right time? In Bihar, and it is also true for other states as well, disaster management has been a kind a of band-aid approach. The important question is whether flood management in the state is on the right track or has completely failed. Or whether flood management in Bihar requires a complete relook and have to redefine the strategy and action. The responsible agencies, people and all other stakeholders strongly believe in postdisaster management approach and therefore they could gear themselves just for responding to disasters (that was also not adequate). The prevention, mitigation and risk reduction approach was somehow missed out in the strategy of disaster management and development.