Introduction:

The compound word Disaster is derived from two simple key words, namely- ‘Dis’ which means to make as under, take away, fall etc. and ‘Aster’ which means a star i.e. in short disaster gives us an idea as if the star have fallen from heaven.

A disaster is a catastrophic situation in which the day-to-day patterns of life are in many instances suddenly disrupted and people are plunged into helplessness and suffering and as a result need protection. clothing, shelter, medical and social care and other necessities of life.

A disaster defined by “Ritchi”  is a situation resulting from natural or man made catastrophe, other than war,demanding total integration and management of the rescue and life support systems (medical aid, water, food and shelter) which are available to the persons responsible for the stricken area, together with the communications and transaction resources required to support and relief operation”.

Two Types Of Disaster: Natural and Artificial

Classification of disaster on natural and artificial basis:

Disaster Risk Management Programee (DRM) :

The diverse and unique geographical conditions of India make it highly vulnerable to natural disasters. Flood, drought, cyclones, earthquakes are a recurrent phenomenon in India. Susceptibility to disasters is compounded by frequent occurrences of man made disasters such as fire, epidemics etc. The changing topography as well as environmental degradation has also increased the vulnerability of the country. In 1988 11.2% of total land area was flood prone, but in 1998, flood inundated 37% geographical area. Recently two major disasters that India has experienced in the past are the super cyclone in Orissa (1999) and earthquake in Gujrat (2001). These two disasters have reorients the basic approach of disaster management. There is a shift in a pre-disaster management instead of post disaster relief. Overall it is essentially a development problem and any preparedness and mitigation planning will have to taken up in tandem with environmental concern that the country is facing today. The government of India has set up a National Committee on Disaster Management (NCDM) under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The High Powered Committee (HPC) on disaster management was earlier constituted in August 1999. Disaster management is deemed to be a state subject and different states have initiated efforts to strengthen their agencies responsible for disaster management. Orissa State Disaster Mitigation Authority (OSDMA) and Gujrat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) were constituted after two major disasters in respective states. In Bihar, State Relief and Rehabilitation department is the prime agency for disaster management programme and implementation.

Situation in Begusarai :

Numerous small and big rivers have regularly effected Begusarai district. Chiefs of them are Ganga, Belam, Budhi Gandak and Beti. Due to grave situation in neighboring district of Begusarai, i.e. Samastipur and Khagaria border area of this district are also get effected. Year 1987 had seen the most destructive form of flood that effects the normal life of thousand of people. Again in 1988 district was again effected marginally effected by the flood. After few year of climatic peace, in the 1994 district was again become victim of the flood. From onwards except 1999 every year the flood has constantly ruined some part of the district. According to earthquake map of Bihar prepared by UNDP (United Nation Development Programme) Begusarai comes under Zone iv, which makes district highly sensitive and vulnerable.  

By taking account the gravity of situation. The Government of India (GoI) with technical and financial help from UNDP has started the disaster management program. In the second phase program has introduced in the Begusarai.

Goal of the Programme :

Sustainable Reduction in Disaster Risk in some of the most hazard prone district cities in the selected states of India.

Indicators to achieve the goal :

ü      Risk Reduction factored in rapid disaster recovery.

ü      Disaster mitigation and development gains protected.

ü      Disaster risk considerations mainstreamed into development.

ü      Gender equity in disaster preparedness.  

Objectives :

ü      National Capacity Building.

ü      Environment building, education awareness program, strengthening the capacity and sustainable recovery.

ü      Multi hazard preparedness, response and mitigation plan at all levels.

ü      Development and promoting policy frame works at national and state level.

Working model at the Disrict level :   

Village: -        Village disaster management committee , team and village contingency plan.

Panchayat:-   Panchayat disaster management committee, team and panchayat disaster management plan.

Block: -           Block Disaster Management Committee, team and Block disaster management plan.

District: -           District Disaster Management Committee, team and district disaster management plan.

Implementation process :

ü      It would be start from the village/ ward level. Consolidated through the formation of village disaster management committee, team and village contingency plan. At the panchayat, and block level similar process will be conducted.

ü      A cadre of village, panchayat and block level volunteers would be created to carry out the natural disaster risk management programme.

ü      Focus on community based preparedness and response.

ü     At the district level district disaster management committee, team and district disaster management plan will form and updated in a regular manner. 

ü      Development of disaster database at state and district level for emergency response

ü      High profile awareness generation campaign will be carried out in the district through the posters banners pamphlets, wall paintings etc.

ü      To check out the plan preparedness mock drill will be conducted in a various phases of the programme.

ü      Emphasis will be convergence with other development programme of the district.

District Disaster Management Committee(DDMC) :

History of Disaster in Begusarai :

Begusarai is a flood prone dist. Every year Begusarai is affected by floods causing a 0great damage to crops, buildings, roads, human lives, and animals. The Ganga and the Burhi Gandak flow through this dist. In normal cases , when water level raises mainly in these rivers, 13 blocks of Begusarai district namely Bachwara, Teghra, Barauni, Matihani, Balia, Sahebpur Kamal, Bakhri, Nawkothi, Chaurahi, Gadhpura, Cheriabariarpur, Khodawandpur, SamhoAkhaKurha, are affected by the floods. A vast chunk of rural population resides in this area whose main source of income is agriculture. Causing a huge loss of crops, property worth in crores flows in the floodwater.  Taking a flash back in 1987 there was a flood that causes great damage in the dist. Aftermath flood has become a perennial feature in the Begusarai. Difference lies only in the intensity of floodwater. Again in the year 1994 there was a great loss in the dist. From 1994 onwards there was some respite in flood situation but again in 1998 flood affected this dist. In 2000AD Begusarai was partially affected. But in 2001, 2002, flood water enters into Begusarai.This time Bakhri and Chaurahi were under floodwater. Last but not the least in this year 2004 sudden and unprecetended floodwater spread from the neighboring dist severely hit the northern part of the dist. On 16.07.2004 fiery flood engulfed Bakhri, Chhaurahi, Nawkothi, Garhpura, blocks of district. Later it spread up to Cheriabariarpur and khodawandpur block. The floods affect total six blocks of the district.

Table :

Year – 2002

Year – 2003

Year – 2004

Safety Tips

Map Showing Multi Hazard Zones In Bihar

 Status of the activities

In the Begusarai dist, “Disaster Risk Management Programme” had a beginning in November 2003 when  GoI( Government of India)and UNDP( United Nation Development Programme) posted a DPO(District Project Manager) to facilitate and implement the DRM in a cohesive manner. Basic focus of this prg is on community based disaster preparedness and to establish linkages with government and civil society response for capacity building and preparedness and to achieve the goal of sustainable development. In order to achieve these goals following activities are being carried forward by the district administration.

District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) has been formed. Its members have got an orientation and a two days training on DRM programme. Formation of Disaster Risk Management Team is in a process.

At the block level “Block Disaster Management Committee” (BDMC) and Block Disaster Management Team has been formed. In Begusarai out of 18 blocks, two blocks have finalised their block plan, soon it is going to be publish.  At nine of the blocks, block  level DRM volunteers have received two days extensive training. Their main responsibilities are to look after the execution, implementation of DRM prg at the blocks and report to the district. Block level volunteer training of remaining nine blocks will be started in the month of Sep2004.

Panchayats and villages are backbone of this prg. Soon it will be consolidated through the plan preparation. In fact, four blocks of Begusarai (ieBachwara, Teghra, Matihani, Sahebpur Kamal )  having a panchayat level meetings  are happening on daily basis. There is also a discussion on plan preparation, mock drill etc. At the end of September 2004 these blocks will have a panchayat level DRM committee functioning. Other blocks will be covered in a phase wise manner. Soon a cadre of village volunteers would be created to carry out the village based natural disaster risk management prg. They will be drawn from the community and civil society organisations. 

Traditionally in Begusarai flood is a prominent hazard, which disrupts life and property of the people of this district. But one more potential hazard looming large on the horizon is earthquake. Begusarai disrtrict comes under zone four of seismic map of India made by Bureau of Indian Standard. Previewing this one orientation cum training programme was organised for the engineers to inform them about the latest earthquake proof building technology. It was also decided that all the upcoming government buildings at Begusarai will fitted with an earthquake resistant technology. 

In coming days educational institutions will get orientation and training on the DRM prog.  For awareness generation wall paintings of Do’s and Don’ts are being written on all of the blocks and at dist headquarter. Further preparation of leaflets, posters, hoarding, Kalajathas are in a process. Dist plan, preparation of DRM prg is in a last phase. Soon district administration is going to publish it. There is also a proposal to have a national seminar on disaster management.

Hazard Analysis Table of District :

NGO’s of Begusarai :

Important Contact Numbers:

 Emergency Contact Numbers    :