HPAS/ N.T. Allied Mains 2022-23 Answer Writing Challenge: Model Answer

Question: What is hazard mapping? Why is it essential? (4 marks, 60 words)

Answer: 

Hazard is associated with the processes that have the potential to inflict social, economic or environmental losses. It can be natural or anthropogenic. A hazard map is a map that highlights areas that are affected by or are vulnerable to a particular hazard. They are typically created for natural hazards, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, flooding and tsunamis. Hazard maps help prevent serious damage and deaths.

Hazard mapping is essential because of the following roles played by it:

Identifying vulnerable areas: Zonal mapping of hazards will allow authorities to identify those places that are vulnerable and be prepared to handle sudden crises.

Example: Mountain slopes with no vegetation are the most vulnerable to landslides. In addition, high rainfall aids landslides.

Relocation of human settlement: Saving human lives is at the core of disaster mitigation exercise. In this regard, the role of preparedness becomes of utmost importance. The human population vulnerable due to one or the other natural hazards can be relocated to safer regions.

Example: Houses present in flood prone areas need to be relocated.

• Creating awareness: The threat of disasters like landslides, earthquakes, floods etc. cannot be handled by authorities alone. The citizen participation will ensure that they will not be immediately affected by the disaster. In this regard, authorities have to make people aware of the threat and also techniques to protect themselves.
• Example: Mock drills for different areas in accordance with the hazard mapping.
• Capacity building: The infrastructure needs to be built well in advance in order to tackle any sudden disasters. The people handling operations must be trained to handle any kind of crisis. Example: Rescue operation training.

Disasters and their consequences are still a great problem for many countries, particularly in India due to rapidly increasing populations. For this reason, hazard zonation mapping serves as one of the many components in an integrated disaster management planning.