Human Disaster

HUMAN DISASTER

HUMAN DISASTERS

Human disasters are also known as anthropogenic disasters and they as a result of human intent, error or as a result of failed systems. These are broken down into several categories and while this is the case, there are some that cause more pronounced damage when compared to others. A good example is to look at Human 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.

NUCLEAR BOMB

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. Other types of Human disasters which are just as catastrophic include chemical spill, oil spill, arson and terrorism. There are also some technological hazards which include power outages structural collapse, industrial hazards and fire. In cases of the last example, thousands of kilometers of land can be destroyed and anything else that is in the wake of the fires path.

INDUSTRIAL HAZARDS

Industrial disasters occur in a commercial context, such as mining accidents. They often have an environmental impact. The Bhopal disaster is the world's worst industrial disaster to date, and the Chernobyl disaster is regarded the worst nuclear accident in history. Hazards may have longer-term and more dispersed effects, such as dioxin and DDT poisoning.

WAR

War is a conflict between relatively large groups of people, which involves physical force inflicted by the use of weapons. Warfare has destroyed entire cultures, countries, economies and inflicted great suffering on humanity. Other terms for war can include armed conflict, hostilities, and police action. Acts of war are normally excluded from insurance contracts and sometimes from disaster planning.

FIRE

Bush fires, forest fires, and mine fires are generally started by lightning, but also by human negligence or arson. They can burn thousands of square kilometers. If a fire intensifies enough to produce its own winds and "weather", it will form into a firestorm. A good example of a mine fire is the one near Centralia, Pennsylvania. Started in 1962, it ruined the town and continues to burn today. Some of the biggest city-related fires are The Great Chicago Fire, The Peshtigo Fire (both of 1871) and the Great Fire of London in 1666.

DEFORESTATION

Deforestation, is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is there after converted to a non-forest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use.About half of the world's original forests had been destroyed by 2011, the majority during the previous 50 years. Since 1990 half of the world's rain forests have been destroyed. More than half of the animal and plant species in the world live in tropical forests.

Rail Disasters

A railroad disaster is an occurrence associated with the operation of a passenger train which results in substantial loss of life. Usually accidents with freight (goods) trains are not considered disasters, unless they cause substantial loss of life or property. One of the most devastating rail disasters occurred in 2004 in Sri Lanka when 1,700 people died in the Sri Lanka tsunami-rail disaster. Other notable rail disasters are the 1989 Ufa accident in Russia which killed 574, and the 1917 Modane train accident in France which killed 540.

MADE BY:

1. ANJANA MOHANAN