Mitigation Strategies and Preparedness Plan. How is B. Tech Civil Engineering Students Equipped for the Same?

Natural and man-made disasters cause great damage to people, infrastructure and economies. In our recent memory, we have seen two devastating earthquakes and aftershocks in Turkey dated 6th February 2023. According to the World Bank Disaster Assessment Report, the earthquake caused around US$ 34.2 billion worth of physical damages. It equals around 4% of Turkey’s GDP.

In another report, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury of Turkey says the loss due to the earthquake of February 6 could reach around US$ 103.6 billion. According to the Emergency Data Base EM-DAT report, the world experienced 387 natural disasters in 2022, resulting in billions of dollars worth of infrastructure loss and over 30, 704 lives lost.

You must have an idea about the impact of natural disasters on human lives, infrastructure and the economy with these recent data from authorised sources.

But, why are we mentioning this?

Where do Civil Engineers fit into all these?

How do top engineering colleges in India prepare B. Tech in Civil Engineering students for better disaster management?

Let us explore.

We have mentioned about natural disasters because civil engineers are significant stakeholders in disaster management. Their mitigation strategies and preparedness plan are crucial to building resilient structures, efficient post-disaster management, developing technologies and using sustainable materials for safe infrastructure with assured long life.

Students looking for B. Tech Civil Engineering can explore Manipal University, Jaipur, for its world-class educational infrastructure, cutting-edge labs, latest progressive curriculum and much more. Read on to learn more.

Three Steps Civil Engineers Help with Disaster Management

“While many people are aware of the terrible impact of disasters throughout the world, few realise that this is a problem that we can do something about.” Stated Kofi Annan

The Civil Engineering community contributes to disaster management initiatives in several ways. It is the responsibility that top universities of India for BTech instil among students through theoretical and practical pedagogy. Engineers’ role is crucial in natural, human-caused, and technological disasters.

B. Tech in Civil Engineering students are better placed for disaster management in three steps-

Overall understanding of natural and man-made hazards including technical aspects like causes, impacts etc It helps with better forecasting, early evacuation plans, and more.
With a proper understanding of structure vulnerability against probable natural hazards, civil engineers prepare better mitigation strategies and preparedness plan
Improved mitigation strategies and preparedness plan helps to minimise risk for human lives and infrastructure damages. Therefore, save people, financial loss and economic shocks.

Definition and Stages of Disaster Management

“Disaster Management is the organisation, planning and execution of activities preparing for, responding to and recovering from natural and man-made disasters. Here disaster management may not mean the elimination of risk or complete aversion to threats. It refers to mitigation strategies and preparedness plans to minimise the impact of hazards and build back efficient infrastructure.” (Source: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction)

It is a cycle of strategic activities to deal with situations that happen before, during and after the natural and man-made hazards. Phases of effective disaster management are-

Mitigation
Preparedness
Response
Recovery

Role of Civil Engineers in Disaster Management Process

During the B. Tech Civil Engineering course, you learn to develop unique, effective and situation-specific techniques and technologies for better risk mitigation and preparedness plan. Here are three prominent roles Civil Engineers play in the Disaster Management process.

Top engineering universities like Manipal University Jaipur, organise guest lectures, events, field trips etc., to keep you updated with the latest technologies and challenges of disaster management.

First, civil engineers ideate and design efficient technologies for better risk mitigation and assessment to ensure safe and resilient infrastructure, such as warning and rescue systems, soft soil improvement methods, all-weather resilient structures, etc.

Second, civil engineers play a crucial role in building actual structures with enhanced natural disaster resistance such as reinforcement of river banks, sea-wall against tsunamis, and advanced flood control structures. It also includes making active and passive systems for bridges, dams, high-rises, and diagnosis and reinforcement of existing infrastructure.

Third, civil engineers also play a significant role in post-hazard situations for rescue, restoration and better and safer reconstruction. They diagnose, plan and prepare comparatively advanced systems to protect against future natural calamities.

B. Tech Civil Engineering Program for Mitigation Strategies and Preparedness Plan- Disaster Wise

We have explored the significance of civil engineers for efficient pre and post-disaster management. Now let’s go into specifics for the disaster-wise role of civil engineers.

Earthquakes

Enhanced understanding of earthquakes, their technical aspects and overall effects

Developing technologies and methods to reduce the seismic vulnerability of systems and facilities

Adoption of advanced seismic building codes and improved construction practices

Building earthquake hazard maps for better seismic hazard identification

Assessment of risk and application of necessary measures for risk-aversions and retrofitting older structures

Flood

Flood forecasting through watershed simulation and water harvesting

Structural and non-structural measures for efficient dam construction, flood management etc

You can specialise in Hydraulic Civil Engineering and pursue an advanced career in flood management.

Assessment of reasons behind flood, failure of the dam, best ways to restore and avoid future mishaps with efficient risk mitigation and preparedness plan

Cyclone

Wind speed is the root cause of destruction during cyclones, squalls etc. B.Tech Civil Engineering students learn how to design and build structures that withstand high-speed wind through Engineering Design Codes.

Landslides

Landslides due to cloud bursts, construction activities, etc., are another major cause of worry for human and infra loss. It requires civil engineering measures to mitigate risk and efficient recovery and reconstruction.

Civil Engineering mitigation methods include building tunnels, building earth-retaining structures, surface water drainage systems, slope surface protection like sprayed concrete, reinforced concrete grids, hydro-seeding etc.

Drought

Efficient water management can be a game-changer for drought problems, affecting millions of people globally.

Civil Engineering methods for sustainable water resource management include risk assessment initiatives, building new supplies, water supply augmentation, technical assistance on water conservation, and more.

Civil Engineers also play a vital role in water conservation initiatives.

Conclusion

Civil Engineering program from a top university in India like Manipal University, Jaipur, equips you with essential skills for effective and sustainable disaster management. You learn and practice under the supervision of the best faculty and at cutting-edge labs. Explore MUJ for the world of opportunities with values for social responsibilities.

Synopsis

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, atmospheric hazards, floods, droughts etc., take a heavy toll on human lives, infrastructure and economies. Civil Engineers play a notable role to prepare resilient structures and efficient recovery and reconstruction after calamities. The blog explores everything you need to know about mitigation strategies and preparedness plans for efficient disaster management and the role of Civil Engineers in the whole process. Read on for more.

Reference List

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/02/27/earthquake-damage-in-turkiye-estimated-to-exceed-34-billion-world-bank-disaster-assessment-reporthttps://balkaninsight.com/2023/03/17/turkey-earthquakes-have-cost-economy-103-6-billion/https://www.undrr.org/terminology/disaster-management