Ms. Ayesha Latif, Green Blogger, Dept. of Environmental sciences,GCWUS
Natural hazards Are hazards which are caused because of natural phenomena. They are of meteorological, geological or even biological origin. Examples of natural hazards are cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions which are exclusively of natural origin.
The natural disasters are beyond human control and thus we need to adapt to them.
Pakistan is exposed to a variety of natural hazards. The most damaging are cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, floods and landslides. In 2005, a high destruction and loss recorded in the country’s history: 6700 people died, indirect income loses totaled 576 million dollar, and relief, recovery, and reconstruction cost 5.2 million dollars. That’s mean natural hazards causes a huge financial challenges.
These hazards impact on vulnerable societies whether it is an earthquake that collapses buildings, or a drought that kills crops. Natural disasters can have a life-altering impact on the individuals, families and society. But the effect of natural disasters can be felt at the community, city and state level, or many times can impact an entire country.
The impacts of disaster not only have human dimensions, but environmental ones as well.
Most threatening Environmental impects!!!!!
At an earthquake, buildings, bridges, dams, factories, chimneys of factories and monuments
Collapse and the communication and power lines, sewer system and drinking water lines are
damaged. These wastes block the roads, so the rescue and first-aid groups, related heavy duty
machines cannot reach the disaster areas easily.
It also reduced access to clean air, safe water and sanitation and inappropriate forms of waste management, especially in heavily populated and urban environments
Environmental Management and Disaster Reduction
First of all government should be prepare all the time for any situation. Government should have the formulation of viable emergency plans, the development of warning systems, the maintenance of inventories and the training of personnel. It may also embrace search and rescue measures as well as evacuation plans for areas that may be at risk from a recurring disaster. There should be the management of construction and demolishing waste. The amount and composition and the amount of various components of the wastes to be recovered should be determined for the selection of the recycling/recovery technology. The recycling centers should be operated in coordination with the local waste management authorities, construction sector and environmental management authorities and the most importantly government should be fully strong and prepared by economic aspects.