5.3. Extent of Hazards

Should we consider this as risky? ... and these 3 components define risk in our case, it is kind of disaster risk.

In this chunk, we are introduced to the concepts of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. Hazard refers to potentially damaging events, whether natural or human-caused. Exposure involves being in a certain place where harm could occur due to a hazard, while vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of people or structures to be harmed by those hazards. Together, they help us understand the overall risk of a disaster occurring.

Think of these components like a game of dodgeball: a 'hazard' is the ball, 'exposure' is being in the playing field where you might get hit, and 'vulnerability' is how fast you are and how easily you can dodge the ball. If you're quick and aware of the game, you're less vulnerable even though you're exposed.

Here are 3 scenarios... this is considered to be risky.

This section presents three scenarios of landslides that illustrate varying levels of risk. The first scenario features landslides occurring in uninhabited areas, which are deemed to have low risk. The second scenario involves a sparsely populated area, representing a medium level of risk. The last scenario occurs in urban settings, where a landslide leads to significant casualties and property damage. This comparison shows that risk increases when people and properties are exposed to hazards.

Imagine if you were throwing a rock into a lake. If you throw it into an empty part of the lake, it’s not risky at all. If you throw it where a small boat is floating, it’s more risky, but if you aim for a beach with lots of people playing, that’s the riskiest situation as someone can get hurt.

Hazard is defined as a potentially damaging physical event... and can have different origins.

This chunk explains what constitutes a hazard. A hazard is any physical event or human activity that poses a threat. It focuses on not just the event itself but the conditions that can lead to it, such as earthquakes or heavy rainfall creating landslides. The term emphasizes the potential for losing life, property, and causing social or economic disruption.

Think of a hazard like a storm cloud. Without rain, it’s just a cloud. But if conditions are right—like humidity and wind—then it can lead to a storm that causes flooding. The cloud represents the hazard, and the storm is the outcome of hazard conditions being met.

We have different origins... considered to be biological hazards.

This section categorizes various natural hazards into three main types: hydro-meteorological, geological, and biological. Hydro-meteorological hazards include floods and storms, geological hazards encompass earthquakes and landslides, while biological hazards include diseases affecting humans or animals. This classification helps us understand the nature of hazards and their sources.

Imagine your house is surrounded by different types of plants. Some plants might thrive in wet conditions (hydro-meteorological), others might be rooted in rocky soil (geological), and a few might attract pests (biological). Each type has its risks, and knowing which plant is which helps you take better care of your garden.

We are also not very related to here... types of hazards in natural disasters.

This chunk touches on technological and environmental hazards, indicating that disasters are not only caused by natural events. Technological hazards can arise from human systems, like chemical spills or explosions, while environmental degradation refers to damage done to ecosystems that can lead to risky situations. Understanding these helps broaden the scope of hazard assessment.

Consider a factory as part of your neighborhood. It could produce goods, but if it doesn’t handle its waste properly, it may create a hazard for the surrounding area, like pollution. This is similar to how maintaining a clean environment at home prevents issues like mold or pests.

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