Vol. 12(8) August 2019
Seismicity of Odisha (an Eastern State of Indian Peninsula):
A Comprehensive Deterministic Seismic Hazard Study
Praveen Huded M. and Dash Suresh R.
Page No. 1-10
Odisha, an eastern state of India, is highly regarded
as the centre for culture. The economy of the state is growing steadily through
mining, steel plants, infrastructure development by smart city plans etc. Indian
standard code for seismic design (IS-1893: 2016) considers the entire state under
two seismic zone as zone II and III with generalized PGA values for the entire state.
This consideration may underestimate the seismic hazard at various places in the
state. The code prescribed zone map is very generalised representation which does
not consider detailed regional tectonic features in and around the state. Hence
it is required to develop the regional seismic hazard map considering the effects
of the tectonic feature present in and around the region. For the present study
region, a total of 38 faults were identified.
The maximum magnitude is assigned to all these faults using regional fault rupture
characterization. Ground motion model developed by the national disaster management
authority was used and it was found that out of 38, only 8 faults were found to
be affecting the seismicity of the state. The peak ground acceleration and the spectral
acceleration values were determined for all the district places for rock type sites.
These seismicity parameters were compared with the values recommended by the Indian
Standard code so that these values can be used to estimate earthquake load and design
the earthquake resistant structure in Odisha state.
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A shared vision on the historical flood events in
Malaysia: Integrated assessment of water quality and microbial variability
Lim K.Y., Zakaria N.A. and Foo K.Y.
Page No. 11-20
Floods are the most common type of disaster globally
responsible for almost half of all victims of natural disasters, with the economic
losses of US$ 185 billion/year and 53,000 deaths over the last 10 years. The flood
events would increase the burden of diseases, morbidity, mortality and will place
a continuing stress on health-care services. The oscillation of changing water levels
and environmental factors in relation to the biota and abiotic variables is the
major toolbar which governs the severity of disease outbreaks. These infectious
agents are spread by the faecal-oral route in which water plays an intermediate
role. It is a complex interaction between the surface and subsurface microorganisms
with the soil biogeochemistry, temperature, organic content, pH, salinity, dissolved
oxygen, turbidity, nutritional compositions and overall water quality index.
Depending on the location and sanitation conditions, the elevated levels of faecal
indicator bacteria and microbial pathogens have been found in the floodwaters and
sediments after the flood events. This study, therefore, forms the first investigation
to report the historical flood events in Malaysia. The likelihood and magnitude
of water quality variability and microbial contamination are briefly discussed.
Additionally, the possible association of microbial contamination with the disease
outbreak is outlined.
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Increasing Vulnerability to Hydro-Climatic Threats
by Coastline Modifications in Alexandria, Egypt
Tawfik Sahar, El-Zafarany Abbas, Ragab Tarek and Abdel Aziz Noha
Page No. 21-30
Climate change imposes a serious hydro-climatic threat
to urban areas with a heavy concentration of population growth and economic activities.
Alexandria is one of the most vulnerable Mediterranean cities to water threats,
among them: storm surges and increased rainfall, exposing it to adverse consequences.
In the meantime, Alexandria is a dense city with high economic potential for coastal
tourism which encourages coastline modifications to incorporate more recreational
activities, pushing these investments to the frontline facing the hazards.
This study aims to identify the relation between the city’s newly modified urban
waterfront development and threats facing them through a vulnerability analysis.
This research document analyzes the interaction between both these modifications
and the increased hydro-climatic risks. The results highlight the increasing vulnerability
of the newly developed recreational activities in the city’s frontline, to hydro-climatic
threats increasing overall Alexandria’s vulnerability.
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An Astro-meteorological Analysis of Climate Change
Mishra Ashutosh
Page No. 31-40
Climate on Earth is determined by several factors. Among
them are solar activities, Milankovitch oscillation, plate tectonics, volcanism,
El Niño-La Niña seesaw etc. Apart from these forces, the geo-magnetic influence
of planets and other celestial bodies also may have a significant impact on Earth`s
climate, as they can alter its atmospheric chemistry and the tectonic movements.
Present study attempts to examine this possibility of extra-terrestrial connections
of Earth’s climate. For this purpose, the study uses planetary ingress charts to
reconstruct the past climate and examines its validity and congruence with commonly
accepted timeline of Medieval Warm Period and Little Ice Ages. The study uses the
ingress of two slow moving planets- Pluto and Saturn into Aries for the analysis.
It was observed that these ingresses are able to interpret the past climatic conditions
quite accurately. Even they also present a good explanation of temperature stasis
experienced during recent years.
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Flood Vulnerabilities, Impacts and their Coping Techniques
in Island Areas of Muladi Upazila in Barishal District, Bangladesh
Hossain Tanvir, Kabir Md. Humayain and Khan Mohammed Bayezid Mahmud
Page No. 41-59
South-western coastal region of Bangladesh is well known
as landing station of different natural disasters. Local communities of this region
have a long history of coping with adverse effects of these disasters like flood
as best as they can. Consequently, this research explores vulnerabilities, impacts
and their coping strategies of the flood of the island areas (Char) in Muladi Upazila
of Barishal district. In this study, semi-structured questionnaire survey, and focus
group discussions were conducted to collect primary data for impacts and coping
strategies while secondary data were collected from different non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) and union parishad office. The results revealed that the people in Khalasir
Char and Char Hasmaddi are most vulnerable to flood with vulnerability score 3.32
and 3.31 respectively. To cope with flood, 40% people of Kazir Char and 72% people
of Khalasir Char need to travel long distances to collect drinking water.
On the other hand, during flood, people take shelter on government land whereas
some share their houses with the neighbors on high area. In Khalasir Char, about
37% people built their houses on platform whereas 57% people use raised land in
Char Hasmaddi. In terms of livelihood, about 35% people of Char Hasmaddi change
their occupation or working pattern and 47% people of Khalasir Char go to distant
place to work whereas 20% people take aid from government and various NGOs. This
study also found that villagers in flood prone areas build their houses on raised
land and plant trees surrounding the house to protect from flood. The study also
showed the co-relations between income level and availability of food, education
level and flood forecasting, occupation of household heads with availability of
food and borrowing money. It is expected that this study will act as a reliable
source of information for taking flood management initiatives and policies to make
more resilient communities in Bangladesh.
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Risk and Hazard Management – Before, During and After
an Eruption
Maurice Ayuketang Nso
Page No. 60-61
This study identifies key risks that could be caused
by volcanic eruptions and highlights the approaches to effective hazard risk management
process and procedures. The focus is on financial hazard risk management technical
rather than on technical hazard risk management. Identifying key problems faced
in face of the occurrence of a hazardous event such as; inadequate and timely supply
of hazard relief funds, insurance cover unavailability, poor communication – inaccurate
data and information availability, the study recommends the creation of resilient
hazard relief funds financial management institutions by governments without ignoring
the role of other private financial institutions like banks and insurance firms.
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Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Hazard Study to
assess safety of Hydro-Electric Project
Arya Rakesh
Page No. 62-75
Present study assesses the safety of hydro-electric project
from glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). In this study we have chosen Panan Hydro-electricity
Project. Panan Project is located at high altitudes in Himalayas of Sikkim by utilizing
the available water in the catchment. The concrete gravity dam of 115 meters higher
from the deepest foundation level has been contemplated. The Panan Project is located
in Tolung Chu catchment, which is right bank tributary of Teesta. Presently, there
is no other water resource project upstream of Panan Dam. Tail water channel of
the power house is situated at the confluence of Tolung Chu and Teesta River.
In Teesta, there are cascades of hydroelectric project after the confluence. FRL
of Teesta Hydro Electric Project – IV and the tail water level of Panan Project
have been adjusted optimally. The flood release from Panan dam will join the Teesta
IV reservoir after travelling for 15 kms. The Panan Hydro-Electric Project has been
contemplated as a run-of-river scheme to harness the power potential of river Tolung
Chu.
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