MAN MADE DISASTER
Biological Disaster
Biological disasters are causative of processes or phenomena of organic origin or conveyed by biological vectors, including exposure to pathogenic microorganisms, toxins, and bioactive substances that may cause loss of life, injury, illness or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage.
Examples of biological disasters include outbreaks of epidemic diseases, plant or animal contagion, insect or other animal plagues and infestation. Biological disasters may be in the form of:
- Epidemic: Affecting a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community, or region at the same time. Examples include Cholera, Plague, Japanese Encephalitis (JE)/Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).
- Pandemic: An epidemic that spreads across a large region (continent or worldwide), involving existing, emerging, or reemerging diseases and pestilences. Example: Influenza H1N1 (Swine Flu).
Chemical Disaster
Chemicals, being at the core of modern industrial systems, have raised serious concerns for disaster management within government, private sector, and the community. Chemical disasters may have traumatic impacts on human beings, resulting in casualties and damage to nature and property.
The highest risk elements in chemical disasters include industrial plants, employees and workers, hazardous chemical vehicles, residents of nearby settlements, adjacent buildings, occupants, and the surrounding community.
Chemical disasters may arise in a number of ways, such as:
- Process and safety systems failures
- Human errors
- Technical errors
- Management errors
- Induced effects of natural calamities
- Accidents during transportation
- Hazardous waste processing/disposal
- Terrorist attacks/unrest leading to sabotage
Status of Chemical Disaster Risk in India
India has witnessed the world’s worst chemical (industrial) disaster — the “Bhopal Gas Tragedy” in 1984. This accident was the most devastating chemical incident in history, where thousands of people died due to the accidental release of the toxic gas Methyl Isocyanate (MIC).
Even after Bhopal, India has continued to experience a series of chemical accidents. In the last decade alone, 130 significant chemical accidents were reported, resulting in 259 deaths and 563 major injuries.
There are about 1861 Major Accident Hazard (MAH) units spread across 301 districts in 25 states and 3 Union Territories. Additionally, thousands of registered and unorganized factories deal with hazardous materials, posing serious disaster risks.
Safety Initiatives Taken in India to Address Chemical Risk
A comprehensive legal and institutional framework exists in India. Several regulations cover safety in transportation, liability, insurance, and compensation.
Relevant Provisions:
- Explosives Act, 1884
- Petroleum Act, 1934
- Factories Act, 1948
- Insecticides Act, 1968
- Environment Protection Act, 1986
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
- Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
- Disaster Management Act, 2005
The Government of India has strengthened the legal framework on chemical safety and accident management by enacting new rules such as:
- MSIHC Rules
- EPPR Rules
- SMPV Rules
- CMV Rules
- Gas Cylinder Rules
- Hazardous Waste Rules
- Dock Workers Rules
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued specific guidelines on Chemical Disaster Management. These guidelines provide direction to ministries, departments, and state authorities for preparing detailed disaster management plans.
The guidelines emphasize a proactive, participatory, multi-disciplinary, and multi-sectoral approach at various levels for preparedness and response. NDMA also offers inputs for avoiding future chemical disasters, with suggestions for legal amendments and strengthening of the Chief Inspectorate of Factories (CIFs).
Additionally, the National Action Plan on Chemical Industrial Disaster Management (NAP-CIDM) has been finalized as a roadmap for chemical disaster management in India.