TYPES OF DISASTERS

The High Powered Committee appointed by the Government of India has

categorized disasters in to five types as enlisted here after.
Types of Disasters:
A. Water & Climate Related Disaster:
1. Flood
2. Cyclone
3. Tornado
4. Hailstorm
5. Cloud Burst
6. Thunderstorm & Lightning
7. Snow avalanches
8. Heat & Cold wave
9. Coastal Sea Erosion
10. Drought

B. Geologically Related Disasters:

1. Landslides and Mudflows
2. Earthquakes
3. Dam failures/ Dam Bursts
4. Mine Fire

C. Climate, Industrial & Nuclear Related Disasters:

1. Chemical & Industrial Disasters
2. Nuclear Disasters
3. Accident Related Disasters

D. Accident Related Disasters:

1. Forest Fire
2. Urban Fire
3. Mine Flooding
4. Oil-Spill
5. Major Building Collapse
6. Serial Bomb Blasts
7. Festival Related Disasters
8. Electrical disaster and Fires
9. Air, Road and Rail Accidents
10. Boat Capsizing
11. Village Fire

E. Biologically Related Disasters

1. Biological Disaster and Epidemics
2. Pest Attacks
3. Cattle Epidemics
4. Food Poisoning
After enlistment and deliberations over above mentioned 32 disasters, there
were even further suggestions for inclusion of more types of disasters such as
civil strife, communal violence, etc. However , the members of the community
were of the view that it was not possible to take the list exhaustive, but the basic
condition of it having been designed to cater to all major categories of disasters
should suffice for the purpose of the HPC, The HPC felt that the systems
developed based on these listed types of disasters, further classified into five
groups should suffice in catering to any additional types of disasters that may
emerge.
The HPC and various sub-groups formed by it carried out number of national
and regional level consultations to create and disseminate opinions views and
recommendations that could be incorporated in Disaster Management planning
process. Inputs from such consultations have contributed to the main body of
thought created by HPC for the country.