1.1. Overview of Increasing Natural Disasters

So, also here is another chart you can see from 1950 to 2005, the number of events that flood is increasing, storm also are increasing, earthquake is almost the same as from 1950’s to 2005, you cannot see much huge differences but other disasters you can see they are increasing very prominently.

This chunk discusses the trend of natural disasters over time. Specifically, it highlights that between 1950 and 2005, the frequency of floods and storms has significantly increased. In contrast, earthquakes have remained relatively constant, showing no major changes in their occurrence. This observation suggests that while some types of natural disasters are becoming more frequent, others, like earthquakes, are stable over the observed period.

Imagine a classroom where students are asked to raise their hands each time a flood or storm occurs. Over the years, more and more students raise their hands for floods and storms, showing they are becoming more common, while the number of hands raised for earthquakes remains about the same. This visual can help you understand how the frequency of different natural disasters can vary over time.

So, we are talking about hazards that this landslide or this stone when it is exposed to heavy rainfall or earthquake, it can have some potentiality to cause human injury or loss or property damage.

This chunk explains the concept of hazards, focusing on landslides and their potential impact when triggered by heavy rain or earthquakes. A hazard, like a landslide, does not always result in harm or damage; however, its potential is significant when people or properties are in the way. This understanding is crucial in disaster risk management as it helps to identify which hazards may pose risks to communities.

Think of a boulder resting on a hill. It is just a rock until it rains and causes a landslide. If someone is standing below when it starts to roll down, they might get hurt. Similar to how we observe and prepare for potential hazards, a lifeguard watches for currents in the ocean to prevent swimmers from being in danger.

The presence of this person is very important. So, it is not only this person but if we have more settlements, more houses, more people we care more right, maybe here you look, we care more and more because the simple reason is that more and more people and settlements, houses, buildings are there. So, this one we are calling as exposure; the situation of people, infrastructure, housing, production capacities and other tangible human assets located in hazard-prone areas.

This section emphasizes the importance of 'exposure' in understanding disaster risk. Exposure refers to how many people and properties are present in areas that are susceptible to hazards. The more people and structures that are located in a hazardous area, the more concern there is for potential harm in the event of a disaster. This aspect is central to disaster risk management since it helps identify the level of risk a community faces depending on its exposure to various hazards.

Consider a bustling city located near a fault line. More people live there, and there are numerous buildings, schools, and businesses. In comparison, a remote village might sit on the same fault line but have only a few homes. If an earthquake hits, the city faces greater risks due to higher exposure. It's similar to crowded concert venues where the risk of injury may be higher than in a quiet park.

Another one is the quantity; how many people or structure or buildings are exposed to the hazard, another one is the amount and type of activities they support.

This chunk explores the various factors that contribute to exposure. Quantity refers to the number of people and structures that might be harmed by a hazard. Additionally, the types of activities occurring in these areas, such as agriculture or industry, also influence exposure. Different economic activities can have varying levels of risk associated with them, affecting how communities respond to potential hazards.

Imagine two neighborhoods: one primarily residential with families and children, and another bustling with factories and heavy machinery. If a natural disaster strikes, the factory neighborhood may experience more severe consequences due to its economic activities, which involve a higher density of people and infrastructure compared to the residential area.

It also matter that if this hazard would take place at day time, when people are not working, people are working outside, people are not at their home. Or maybe night time when people are sleeping so, at day time of course, we have less people are exposed to hazards compared to night time.

This segment discusses how the timing of a hazard can affect exposure. For example, if a hazard occurs during the day when people are at work, fewer individuals might be directly impacted. Conversely, if it happens at night when many people are at home and asleep, the risk of harm increases. Understanding when hazards are likely to occur is crucial for effective disaster preparedness and response planning.

Think about a fire drill in a school. If it happens during class hours, students and teachers can evacuate efficiently. But if it occurs at night when the building is empty, no one will be there to respond. This illustrates how timing can drastically change the level of exposure and risk during a disaster.

If in a place that is prone to landslides... if a community is comprised by only old people, no young people, then we consider that this community is at risk than a community which has more younger population.

This part highlights how the characteristics of the population exposed to hazards play a crucial role in determining the risk level. For instance, if a community comprises mostly elderly individuals or children, it may be considered more vulnerable compared to a community with a balanced age distribution. Economic status also affects risk, as communities with fewer resources tend to struggle more during disasters. Thus, understanding the demographics of a community is vital for disaster risk assessment.

Imagine two villages: one is made up of mostly young adults who are physically fit and engaged in community activities. The other has many elderly residents who may find it challenging to evacuate quickly during an emergency. The first village may handle a disaster better than the second, showing how the characteristics of the population can influence vulnerability.

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