Vulnerability Profile of India
§ India is vulnerable, in varying degrees, to a large number of disasters. Around 59% of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity.
§ About 12% (over 40 million hectares) of its land is prone to floods and river erosion.
§ Close to 5,700 kms, out of the 7,516 kms long coastline is prone to cyclones and tsunamis.
§ 68% of its cultivable area is vulnerable to droughts; and, the hilly areas are at risk from landslides and avalanches.
§ Moreover, India is also vulnerable to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies and other man-made disasters.
§ Disaster risks in India are further compounded by increasing vulnerabilities related to changing demographics and socio-economic conditions, unplanned urbanization, development within high-risk zones, environmental degradation, climate change, geological hazards, epidemics and pandemics.
§ Clearly, all these contribute to a situation where disasters seriously threaten India’s economy, its population and sustainable development.
Worst Disasters in India
§ Kashmir Floods (2014)
§ Uttarakhand Flash Floods (2013)
§ The Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004)
§ Gujarat Earthquake (2001.
§ Odisha Super Cyclone / Paradip cyclone (1999)
§ The Great Famine (1876-1878) - It is considered as one of the worst natural calamities in India of all time.
§ The Bengal Famine (1770 and 1943) - affected Bengal, Odisha, Bihar very badly and resulted into death of nearly 1 crore people.
§ Bhopal Gas tragedy (December, 1984) - one of the worst chemical disasters globally that resulted in over 10,000 losing their lives
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