Basic concepts of hazard
Atmospheric (combined elements)
- Blizzards - Tornadoes - Heat/Cold Stress
Technologic
- Collapse of public buildings - Cyber terrorism
Physical Impact
- Death of people - Destruction and loss of vital infrastructure like transport system, roads, bridges, power lines, and communication lines
Psychological Impact
- Depression due to loss of loved ones and properties - Chronic anxiety among children severely affected
Socio-Cultural Impact
- Displacement of populations - Loss of cultural identity.
Environmental Impact
- Disturbance of biodiversity - Loss of natural rivers and other tributaries
Biologic
- Epidemic in humans - Epidemic in plants - Epidemic in animals - Locusts
Biological Impact
- Epidemic to people, flora, and fauna - Chronic and permanent illnesses due to nuclear radiation
Atmospheric (single element)
- Excess Rainfall - Freezing Rain (Glaze) - Hail
Hydrologic
- Floods - river and coastal area - Wave action - Drought - Rapid glacier advance
Socio-Cultural Impact
- Forced adoption of new sets of culture - Ethnic conflicts
Psychological Impact
- Grief and psychological trauma - Post Traumatic Severe Disorder (PTSD) - Marital conflicts
Atmospheric (single element)
- Heavy Snow Falls - High Wind Speeds - Extreme Temperature
Atmospheric (combined elements)
- Hurricanes - 'Glaze' storm - Thunderstorms
Economic impact
- Loss of farms, fish cages, and other sources of living - Loss of money and other valuables like jewelries, furniture, and appliances
Environmental impact
- Loss of forests due to forest fires - Loss of freshwater due to salinization - intrusion of saltwater to freshwater sources
Economic impact
- Loss of job due to displacement - Loss of harvest and livestock
Geologic
- Mass movement: a. Landslides b. Mudslides c. Avalanches - Earthquake - Volcanic Eruption - Rapid sediment movement
Biological Impact
- Mental disorder developed from consumption of contaminated foods - Proliferation of different viral and bacterial diseases
Technologic
- Transportation accident - Industrial explosions and fire - Accidental release of toxic elements - Nuclear accidents
Physical Impact
- Widespread loss of housing
Natural, Quasi-natural, Technological
Classification of hazards
Hazards
are "those elements of physical environment, harmful to man and caused by forces extraneous to him". (Burton et. al. 1987)
Technological Hazards
are a subset of man-made hazards that originate from technological or industrial conditions, dangerous procedures, infrastructure failures or specific human activities such as the toxicity of pesticides to agricultural lands, accidental leaks of chemicals from chemical laboratories, or radiation from a nuclear plant.
Hazards
are phenomenon or situation, which has the potential to cause the disruption or damage to people, their property, their services, and their environment.
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)
define hazard as: "A natural event that has a potential to cause loss or harm".
Standards Australia (2000)
defined hazards as: "A source of potential harm with a potential to cause loss".
Quasi-Natural Hazard
hazards that occur due to the interaction between human activities and natural processes. Examples of this are smog, air pollution, water pollution, acid, and global warming.
Natural Hazard
is an environmental event that poses a risk to humans or the environment itself. Examples of this are earthquakes or floods that arise purely from natural processes in the environment.
