Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are disastrous events that are unavoidable and can cause huge-scale destruction. Natural disasters are often the result of various geological and environmental changes that cause disturbances to the normal functioning of all the natural systems around us. Natural disasters mostly lead to severe damage to the lives and well-being of living communities. To deal with such large-scale destruction caused by natural disasters, it is important to prepare effective disaster management plans earlier.

What is a Natural Disaster?

Natural disaster occurs when nature gets disturbed in some manner and it acts in a powerful way that mostly causes severe harm to living organisms and the environment they live in. Events like earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis, floods, etc. are commonly classified under natural disasters. These events take place due to changes in the weather patterns or the movement of the Earth. These events can cause huge damage to all the living organisms and their surrounding environments in the region where they occur.

Types of Natural Disaster

Natural disasters can be classified as;

Geological Disasters

The types of disasters that are associated with the movement of the planet are called geological disasters. They occur when the tectonic plates of the planet show active movements, the movement of Earth crust, weakening of the bedrock, etc.

Hydrological Disasters

The type of disasters that are associated with the huge influx of water are called hydrological disasters. They occur due to heavy rainfall, displacement of a large volume of water, sudden release of water, etc.

Meteorological Disasters

The type of disasters that are associated with atmospheric and weather-related conditions are called meteorological disasters. These conditions severely affect the natural weather-forming process causing severe damage and disaster.

Space Disasters

The type of disastrous events that occur outside the Earth’s atmosphere are called space disasters. These events include satellite disturbances, floating space debris, parts of spacecraft, harsh conditions of space, etc.

Biological Disasters

The type of disasters that are caused by the outbreak or impact of infectious agents or various other biological agents are called biological disasters. They occur due to the spread of harmful pathogens, vector-borne diseases, epidemics or pandemics, etc.

Other Disasters

The type of disasters that are the side effects of environmental changes are classified as other disasters. The environmental changes include lack of rainfall or prolonged dry periods, etc.

Natural Disasters Examples

Examples of natural disasters include;

Types	Examples	Definition
Geological Disasters	Landslides	When the soil, rock and debris from a higher region falls downhill due to heavy rainfall, or any other factor, it is called a landslide.
Geological Disasters	Earthquakes	When due to seismic activity in the Earth’s crust the ground shakes, it is called earthquakes.
Geological Disasters	Volcanic Eruptions	When movement in the Earth’s crust throws out molten lava, ash, magma and gases, it is called a volcano.
Hydrological Disasters	Flood	When due to heavy rainfall, river overflow, or stormwater overflows into the dry lands submerging them, it is called a flood.
Hydrological Disasters	Tsunami	When due to underwater volcanic eruptions or earthquakes large oceanic waves are formed, it is called tsunami.
Meteorological Disasters	Cyclone	When to change in the weather current results in high-speed rotating winds having a low pressure center, it is called a cyclone.
Meteorological Disasters	Drought	Due to long-term low rainfall, the soil dries up leading to a lack of water for plants and animals is called drought.
Meteorological Disasters	Tornadoes	When strong thunderstorms at high speed and strong rotating air columns are formed, it is called tornadoes.
Space Disasters	Impact Events	When space bodies like asteroids or comets collide with each other causing a huge impact, it is called impact events.
Space Disasters	Solar Flares	When an explosion in the sun results in the release of intense and strong radiation, it is called solar flares.
Space Disasters	Gamma-Ray Bursts	When an explosion of gamma radiation originating from distant galaxies radiates, it is called a gamma-ray burst.
Biological Disasters	Pandemics	When a disease outbreak crosses the international border spreading to a large geographical area, it is called a pandemic. Example: COVID-19
Biological Disasters	Epidemics	When a disease outbreaks in a particular region affecting people more than normal, it is called an epidemic. Example: Malaria
Biological Disasters	Zoonotic Diseases	When a disease is transmitted from animals to humans in large numbers, it is called zoonotic disease. Example: Swine flu
Biological Disasters	Vector-Borne Diseases	When there is a large number of infection cases caused by vectors (like mosquitoes, ticks, etc.) carrying diseases, it is called vector-borne disease. Example: Dengue fever.
Other Disasters	Forest Fires	When due to dry conditions, or lightning uncontrolled fire occurs and spreads into forests, it is called forest fires.

Effects of Natural Disaster

Some of the most common effects of natural disasters are;

1. Loss of life and economy.
2. Displacement of living communities.
3. Change in the region’s geography.
4. Severe and long-lasting negative effects on the environment.
5. Destruction of critical infrastructures like roads, bridges, etc.
6. Causing stress and trauma to the victims.
7. Stress and trauma can lead to mental health and social well-being.
8. Release of harmful toxins and polluting agents into the atmosphere.

FAQ’s – Natural Disaster

1. Define Natural Disaster.

Any large-scale destructive events caused by changes in the natural systems of the environmental process are called as natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, etc.

2. What are the 3 Effects of Disaster?

The three main effects of disasters are; loss of life, loss of economy, and environmental degradation.

3. How Many Types of Natural Disasters Are There?

There are six types of natural disasters i.e. geological, hydrological, meteorological, space, biological and other natural disasters.

4. What is a Natural Disaster and its Causes?

Any disaster that is formed due to disturbances in the environment or ecosystem can be called a natural disaster. The causes can range from climatic changes to environmental disturbances, etc.

5. What is Natural Disaster Management?

The process by which preparation for response and recovery from a natural disaster is done by proper planning, coordination and implementation is called natural disaster management.