U.P. Hathras Stampede

General Studies Paper-2

Context: A stampede at a religious gathering in Hathras has claimed the lives of over 100 people.

• Many such incidents happened in the past like Kalkaji temple’s platform collapse or the Vaishno Devi temple stampede that happened in 2022.

What is a stampede?

• Stampedes are often described as the disruption of the orderly movement of crowds leading to injuries and fatalities.
• There are many factors like – poor event management, higher density of people allowed, or even due to natural disasters like sudden heavy rain, flood, or earthquake.

How can such events be Prevented?

• Proper risk analysis and capacity planning should be done according to the periodicity of the event, weather and terrain.
• Safety codes and communication need to be followed strongly with multiple entry and exit points, availability of emergency medical personnel, first aid kits and ambulances.

NDMA Guidelines on Crowd Management

• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has formulated guidelines on crowd management to prevent and mitigate the risks of crowd disasters at events and venues of mass gatherings.
• Risk Assessment and Planning: Develop a comprehensive crowd management plan based on the risk assessment, outlining roles and responsibilities, communication protocols, and emergency response procedures.
• Infrastructure and Facilities: Ensure adequate space, entry/exit points, signage, lighting, and sanitation facilities at the venue.
• Crowd Flow Management: Use technology like CCTV cameras and drones to monitor crowd movement and identify potential risks. Deploy trained personnel to guide and assist the crowd.
• Emergency Response: Develop an emergency response plan for incidents like stampedes, fires, medical emergencies, or terrorist attacks. Ensure adequate medical facilities and trained personnel are available at the venue.
• Training and Awareness: Provide training to organizers, security personnel, volunteers, and other stakeholders on crowd management techniques and emergency procedures.
• Use of Technologies: Use of technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics for crowd prediction and behavior analysis.