Disaster Advances

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Disaster Advances





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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