Mainstreaming Media into Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, South Africa

Kunguma Olivia* and Skinner Jane

This article argues that mainstreaming media into disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) activities could make it a more effective functioning component of DRRM in planning and implementation of disaster risk reduction strategies. Lack of a sound relationship between the media and disaster managers can lead to a negative image of disaster managers and an uninformed public. The study was based on a narrative and systematic review of scholarly documents along with discourse analysis of the reporting of disasters by a major South African newspaper. Relevant legislation was also reviewed to identify its level of support for the incorporation of media into disaster management activities and a questionnaire was administered to journalists and disaster managers.

Findings obtained from the content analysis of the data obtained from statutes, articles and other documents, informed the development of a media strategic framework. This framework is a proposed tool for use by disaster managers. The article argues that the framework could help to ensure that media is not only a vessel for transmitting bad news during a disaster, but rather (via a continuous inter-relationship in DRRM processes) it could provide additional active and accurate messaging to the public.

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Impacts of Climate Variability on the Wheat Production in India

Mor Surender

This paper attempts to map the effects of climatic variability on the production of the wheat crop in India by employing a traditional production function approach using cross section data for the year 2014-2015. The findings forecast that the value of wheat output for farms at aggregate levels is expected to fall by 8.31 per cent, 6.6 percent and 12.85 per cent by the year 2020, 2060 and 2100 respectively owing to climatic variability. The results further indicate that the large size farms will be least affected by the shocks of climate variations and small-size farms are the worst sufferer. The anticipated decline in wheat production in large size farms is expected to be 7.05 percent followed by the small size farms (17.76 per cent) and medium size farms (14.30 per cent) by the year 2100.

The decline in future wheat production is more pronounced in the case of small size farms followed by medium-size farms as compared to large size farms and are mainly attributed to less investment in capital and machinery and irrigation facilities. It follows from the study that strengthening the resource base of farmers, especially for small size farms, is the need of the hour to cope up with the adverse future impacts of climate variability. The paper applauds the development and adoption of climatic responsive, cost-effective and short duration varieties of wheat crops not only to maintain the wheat production at the same level but also to maintain the farm income and employment from the adverse future impact of climate change.

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SCS- CN and GIS based Approach for Assessment of Surface Runoff to prioritize the Sub-Watersheds in the Barak River Basin

Briti Sundar Sil* and Shahneen Nazreen Ali

The aim of this study is to prioritize the sub-watersheds based on Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) runoff estimation method using remote sensing and GIS techniques in the Barak River Basin situated in the northeast part of India which is one of the most flood affected region resulting in various types of erosion and flood hazards. Surface water quality is imperative for which runoff from watersheds shall be managed properly according to the priority of catchments.

Normally watersheds change with time, so shall be given individual importance and shall be prioritized accordingly considering the important parameters. Proper management and development planning are required to restore or recharge water where runoff is very high due to various topographical conditions. Here, the main outlet is considered at Badarpur Ghat which is nearly at the India-Bangladesh Border and the whole basin is classified into eleven sub-basins assigning as SW1 to SW11. The sub-basins have been defined as high, medium and low on the basis of priority. The high priority watersheds are SW2, SW4, SW6, and SW8. This study reveals that Jiri, Jatinga, Madhura and Katakhal form the important tributaries of the Barak River.

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Architectural considerations in restoration of heritage buildings damaged by earthquake

Sharma Anjali

This study explores architectural considerations necessary for restoration of heritage buildings damaged by earthquakes in the wake of damage to Kathmandu’s Dharhara tower in the 2015 Nepal earthquake, through case studies of six selected historical buildings in Patna that were damaged by earthquake(s) and were subsequently repaired and/or restored. Based on the case studies, it was found that (1) the very features imparting monumental status to buildings are the ones most vulnerable during earthquakes; (2) every heritage building has a soul which should not be muzzled – restoration must ensure preservation of the soul of the building to protect its architectural and heritage value; (3) tourism potential and ensuing commercial value can finance the health and well-being of such monuments; (4) ensuring structural integrity during restoration is important for an “integral box action” of such buildings in future events and (5) even those buildings that are important historic public buildings and landmarks within a city or a town deserve the similar care in restoration as those that are under the ambit of UNESCO, ASI and other such organizations.

The details of damages, restorations and reuse of some of these buildings, particularly the Sher Shahi mosque and Gol Ghar, are being reported for the first time ever. This study has enlisted several architectural considerations found necessary for restoration of buildings damaged by earthquake and has also suggested the preferred course of action for the severely damaged Dharhara Tower.

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Behaviour of high strength SCBA ternary concrete when exposed to elevated temperatures

Santhosh Kumar T.*, Rajasekhar K. and Ramarao G.V.

This study focuses on the utilization of agricultural waste (Sugarcane Bagasse Ash) as a mineral admixture in concrete to investigate its behavior when subjected to elevated temperatures. In this study, Sugarcane Bagasse ash (SCBA) was used as partial replacement to cement. The replacement of SCBA varies from 5% to 30% by weight of cement in concrete. An amount of 10% of silica fume is used in all the mixes in addition to SCBA. The results showed that the performance increases with the replacement of SCBA up to 15 percent at all temperatures when compared to concrete without SCBA.

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Potential risk from environmental hazard of agricultural land pollution: a human health issue in China

Qi Shanzhong, Sun Weijun* and Wang Yetang

Food security relating to human health is a growing concern around the world. In China, food security has drawn widespread attention owing to the challenging lack of cropland, increasing population and water shortages. Although China’s modern agriculture has been successful in increasing food production, non-point source pollution has been increasingly serious in China since the 1990s. The main causes for non-point source pollution are excessive inputs of nitrogen fertilizer and pesticides which have also caused extensive agricultural environmental pollution and damage, thereby resulting in threats to human health. Moreover, the problems on land pollution and human health still continue.

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