Title: Exploring the status of community information and training for disaster preparation and mitigation practices: an appraisal of 2013 flash flood in Uttarakhand

Authors: Asif Khan; K.M. Baharul Islam; Archan Mitra

Addresses: Center of Excellence in Public Policy and Government, Indian Institute of Management Kashipur, Kashipur, 244713, India ' Center of Excellence in Public Policy and Government, Indian Institute of Management Kashipur, Kashipur, 244713, India ' Center of Excellence in Public Policy and Government, Indian Institute of Management Kashipur, Kashipur, 244713, India

Abstract: The occurrence of natural disasters has become a major global problem. It poses serious threats to the concept of sustainable development. Over the last two decades, more than 1.3 million people and nearly two trillion dollars have been lost due to natural disasters. The paper discusses the status of disaster mitigation information systems during the Uttarakhand disaster of June 2013. The researchers have discussed the status of such actions taken by both Government and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) from a qualitative perspective. The Software Package for Social Science (SPSS) software was used for the analysis and the results are presented in descriptive statistical format. As many as (n = 1500) respondents were interviewed, out of which 80% respondents were ill-informed. Over 80% respondents were found to be untrained to respond in a disastrous situation. Hence, the researchers have proposed the use of better information and communication mediums with the assistance of public and private partnership (PPP model) to deal with disastrous situations in the future along with some indigenous methods.

Keywords: community information; disaster training and preparation; disaster mitigation; public-private partnership; information and communication; Uttarakhand flash flood 2013.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2019.099373

International Journal of Emergency Management, 2019 Vol.15 No.2, pp.147 - 165

Accepted: 16 Sep 2018
Published online: 30 Apr 2019 *

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