MAN MADE DISASTER

MAN MADE DISASTER HOW IT OCCURS?

Man made disasters are also known as anthropogenic disasters and they as a result of human intent, error or as a result of failed systems.

A good example is to look at man made disasters such as transportation. These are divided into different categories which include aviation, rail, road and space among others. Often these are as a result of neglect or ignorance and over the years, they have claimed several lives.

Another type of disaster that falls in this category is nuclear bomb. When this occurs, it is often as a result of intent and the end results are even more catastrophic with a large percentage of those involved losing their lives or alternatively ending up with major defects or long term injuries.

Over the years, fires have come to be known as rampant man made disasters and they are also divided into different categories such as bush fires, mine, wild and firestorms.

CHERNOBYL DISASTER

• A catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred on 26 April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine (then officially the Ukrainian SSR), which was under the direct jurisdiction of the central authorities of the Soviet Union.

• An explosion and fire released large quantities of radioactive particles into the atmosphere, which spread over much of the western USSR and Europe.

THE UNION CARBIDE GAS LEAK, [BHOPAL TRAGEDY]

• On the night of December 2, 1984, the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India began to leak methyl isocyanate gas and other poisonous toxins into the atmosphere.

• Over 500,000 were exposed and there were up to 15,000 deaths at that time.

• In addition, more than 20,000 people have died since the accident from gas-related diseases.

. THE EXXON VALDEZ OIL SPILL• On March 24, 1989, the American oil tanker the

Exxon Valdez collided with the Bligh Reef. This created an oil spill with far reaching consequences in the Prince William Sound in Alaska.

• Over 11 million gallons of oil spilled over nearly 500 miles polluting the coastline.

• Over a quarter million birds were killed and countless other wildlife.

• Over 11,000 people aided in the clean up process.

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT DIFFERENT TYPES OF MANMADE DISASTERS?

• We can prevent man-made disasters in various ways. Some of them are : 

We can be more careful and attentive.

• If the disaster has already taken place, then we should bring all the people inside the danger zone outside and ensure that the disaster comes within control within a short period of time.

• We can bring out the material / source of the disaster before the disaster actually takes place. However, this is not possible when there is a defect in a electric appliance as that time it wont be possible to remove all the wires but you can cut the source (ie : disconnect the wire which is connected to the source from which the device is getting current to work)

• Never drink and drive.

• Take various steps to improve railway and roadway systems. 

• Do not build a skyscraper near an airport.

• Research before making major changes to landscape or undertaking major constructions. 

• Do not cut corners where safety may be an issue.

• Educate workers in possible dangers of their positions.