Disaster Awareness
DOWNLOAD AWARENESS MATERIALS
Disaster Awareness
Disaster Awareness is an approach undertaken to make communities aware of hazards surrounding them, and more importantly to inform them to better prepare for them.
Disasters affect thousands of people each year on a personal, business, local community or national level. The golden rule for successful disaster management at all levels is to increase awareness, develop actions plans and practice them. Waiting for a disaster to take place is not the right time to plan. Communicating and building relationships with those around you, whether they contribute actively to the plan or are dependent on it, will have the most significant and positive affect in determining your resiliency throughout an event.
Having known the paramount importance of Disaster Awareness, the National Disaster Centre wish to share valuable awareness materials (brochures & posters) that have been developed through this mode. The materials are downloadable and distributable.
Informational Awareness of Natural Hazards
Flood Hazard
Definition:
Flooding occurs when water inundates land that is normally dry. This is often caused by heavy rainfall, river overflow, storm surges, or dam failures.
Causes:
-
Heavy rainfall over short or long periods.
-
Overflow of rivers and streams.
-
Urban development reducing natural drainage areas.
-
Blocked or insufficient drainage systems.
-
Rising sea levels in coastal areas.
Effects:
-
Destruction of homes, roads, and infrastructure.
-
Contamination of drinking water, leading to waterborne diseases.
-
Loss of agricultural land and crops.
-
Displacement of people.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Develop floodplain zoning regulations.
-
Build levees, floodwalls, and embankments.
-
Educate communities on evacuation routes.
-
Regularly clean and maintain drainage systems.
-
Install early warning systems.
PNG Context:
In PNG, flooding is common during the wet season, especially in low-lying and coastal areas like East Sepik, Western Province, and Gulf Province.
Flood Hazard
Definition:
Flooding occurs when water inundates land that is normally dry. This is often caused by heavy rainfall, river overflow, storm surges, or dam failures.
Causes:
-
Heavy rainfall over short or long periods.
-
Overflow of rivers and streams.
-
Urban development reducing natural drainage areas.
-
Blocked or insufficient drainage systems.
-
Rising sea levels in coastal areas.
Effects:
-
Destruction of homes, roads, and infrastructure.
-
Contamination of drinking water, leading to waterborne diseases.
-
Loss of agricultural land and crops.
-
Displacement of people.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Develop floodplain zoning regulations.
-
Build levees, floodwalls, and embankments.
-
Educate communities on evacuation routes.
-
Regularly clean and maintain drainage systems.
-
Install early warning systems.
PNG Context:
In PNG, flooding is common during the wet season, especially in low-lying and coastal areas like East Sepik, Western Province, and Gulf Province.
Flood Hazard
Definition:
Flooding occurs when water inundates land that is normally dry. This is often caused by heavy rainfall, river overflow, storm surges, or dam failures.
Causes:
-
Heavy rainfall over short or long periods.
-
Overflow of rivers and streams.
-
Urban development reducing natural drainage areas.
-
Blocked or insufficient drainage systems.
-
Rising sea levels in coastal areas.
Effects:
-
Destruction of homes, roads, and infrastructure.
-
Contamination of drinking water, leading to waterborne diseases.
-
Loss of agricultural land and crops.
-
Displacement of people.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Develop floodplain zoning regulations.
-
Build levees, floodwalls, and embankments.
-
Educate communities on evacuation routes.
-
Regularly clean and maintain drainage systems.
-
Install early warning systems.
PNG Context:
In PNG, flooding is common during the wet season, especially in low-lying and coastal areas like East Sepik, Western Province, and Gulf Province.
Volcano Hazard
Definition:
A volcano is an opening in the Earth’s crust that allows molten rock, gases, and ash to escape from below the surface.
Causes:
-
Movement of tectonic plates (subduction zones or rift zones).
-
Magma rising due to pressure buildup within the Earth.
Effects:
-
Lava flows destroying infrastructure and vegetation.
-
Ashfall causing respiratory issues and contaminating water supplies.
-
Climate impacts (e.g., temporary cooling due to ash in the atmosphere).
Preparedness Tips:
-
Establish exclusion zones around active volcanoes.
-
Educate residents on emergency procedures and evacuation plans.
-
Install volcanic monitoring equipment to detect early signs of eruptions.
PNG Context:
PNG is home to several active volcanoes, including Mount Tavurvur, Manam, and Ulawun. Volcanic eruptions have devastated communities in places like Rabaul in East New Britain Province.
Tsunami Hazard
Definition:
A tsunami is a series of large ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides.
Causes:
-
Underwater earthquakes displacing water.
-
Volcanic eruptions or the collapse of volcanic islands.
-
Submarine landslides.
Effects:
-
Massive destruction of coastal areas.
-
Loss of life and displacement of communities.
-
Damage to marine ecosystems and infrastructure.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Establish tsunami warning systems and conduct regular drills.
-
Develop evacuation routes and emergency shelters for coastal areas.
-
Educate the public on recognizing natural tsunami signs (e.g., sudden water receding).
PNG Context:
Being located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, PNG is highly vulnerable to tsunamis, especially in coastal regions like New Ireland and Bougainville.
Tsunami Hazard
Definition:
A tsunami is a series of large ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides.
Causes:
-
Underwater earthquakes displacing water.
-
Volcanic eruptions or the collapse of volcanic islands.
-
Submarine landslides.
Effects:
-
Massive destruction of coastal areas.
-
Loss of life and displacement of communities.
-
Damage to marine ecosystems and infrastructure.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Establish tsunami warning systems and conduct regular drills.
-
Develop evacuation routes and emergency shelters for coastal areas.
-
Educate the public on recognizing natural tsunami signs (e.g., sudden water receding).
PNG Context:
Being located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, PNG is highly vulnerable to tsunamis, especially in coastal regions like New Ireland and Bougainville.
Tsunami Hazard
Definition:
A tsunami is a series of large ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides.
Causes:
-
Underwater earthquakes displacing water.
-
Volcanic eruptions or the collapse of volcanic islands.
-
Submarine landslides.
Effects:
-
Massive destruction of coastal areas.
-
Loss of life and displacement of communities.
-
Damage to marine ecosystems and infrastructure.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Establish tsunami warning systems and conduct regular drills.
-
Develop evacuation routes and emergency shelters for coastal areas.
-
Educate the public on recognizing natural tsunami signs (e.g., sudden water receding).
PNG Context:
Being located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, PNG is highly vulnerable to tsunamis, especially in coastal regions like New Ireland and Bougainville.
Landslide
Definition:
A landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down a slope due to gravity, often triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human activity.
Causes:
-
Heavy rainfall saturating soil.
-
Deforestation and mining activities destabilizing slopes.
-
Earthquakes causing slope failure.
Effects:
-
Burial of villages, roads, and agricultural land.
-
Loss of lives and destruction of homes.
-
Blockage of rivers, causing flooding upstream.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Plant vegetation to stabilize slopes.
-
Avoid construction on steep or unstable slopes.
-
Monitor at-risk areas and install warning systems.
PNG Context:
Landslides are frequent in the Highlands due to steep terrain, deforestation, and heavy rainfall. The Enga Province landslide of 2024 is a recent example.
Landslide
Definition:
A landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down a slope due to gravity, often triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human activity.
Causes:
-
Heavy rainfall saturating soil.
-
Deforestation and mining activities destabilizing slopes.
-
Earthquakes causing slope failure.
Effects:
-
Burial of villages, roads, and agricultural land.
-
Loss of lives and destruction of homes.
-
Blockage of rivers, causing flooding upstream.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Plant vegetation to stabilize slopes.
-
Avoid construction on steep or unstable slopes.
-
Monitor at-risk areas and install warning systems.
PNG Context:
Landslides are frequent in the Highlands due to steep terrain, deforestation, and heavy rainfall. The Enga Province landslide of 2024 is a recent example.
Landslide
Definition:
A landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down a slope due to gravity, often triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human activity.
Causes:
-
Heavy rainfall saturating soil.
-
Deforestation and mining activities destabilizing slopes.
-
Earthquakes causing slope failure.
Effects:
-
Burial of villages, roads, and agricultural land.
-
Loss of lives and destruction of homes.
-
Blockage of rivers, causing flooding upstream.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Plant vegetation to stabilize slopes.
-
Avoid construction on steep or unstable slopes.
-
Monitor at-risk areas and install warning systems.
PNG Context:
Landslides are frequent in the Highlands due to steep terrain, deforestation, and heavy rainfall. The Enga Province landslide of 2024 is a recent example.
Landslide
Definition:
A landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down a slope due to gravity, often triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human activity.
Causes:
-
Heavy rainfall saturating soil.
-
Deforestation and mining activities destabilizing slopes.
-
Earthquakes causing slope failure.
Effects:
-
Burial of villages, roads, and agricultural land.
-
Loss of lives and destruction of homes.
-
Blockage of rivers, causing flooding upstream.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Plant vegetation to stabilize slopes.
-
Avoid construction on steep or unstable slopes.
-
Monitor at-risk areas and install warning systems.
PNG Context:
Landslides are frequent in the Highlands due to steep terrain, deforestation, and heavy rainfall. The Enga Province landslide of 2024 is a recent example.
Landslide
Definition:
A landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down a slope due to gravity, often triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human activity.
Causes:
-
Heavy rainfall saturating soil.
-
Deforestation and mining activities destabilizing slopes.
-
Earthquakes causing slope failure.
Effects:
-
Burial of villages, roads, and agricultural land.
-
Loss of lives and destruction of homes.
-
Blockage of rivers, causing flooding upstream.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Plant vegetation to stabilize slopes.
-
Avoid construction on steep or unstable slopes.
-
Monitor at-risk areas and install warning systems.
PNG Context:
Landslides are frequent in the Highlands due to steep terrain, deforestation, and heavy rainfall. The Enga Province landslide of 2024 is a recent example.
Landslide
Definition:
A landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down a slope due to gravity, often triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human activity.
Causes:
-
Heavy rainfall saturating soil.
-
Deforestation and mining activities destabilizing slopes.
-
Earthquakes causing slope failure.
Effects:
-
Burial of villages, roads, and agricultural land.
-
Loss of lives and destruction of homes.
-
Blockage of rivers, causing flooding upstream.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Plant vegetation to stabilize slopes.
-
Avoid construction on steep or unstable slopes.
-
Monitor at-risk areas and install warning systems.
PNG Context:
Landslides are frequent in the Highlands due to steep terrain, deforestation, and heavy rainfall. The Enga Province landslide of 2024 is a recent example.
Landslide
Definition:
A landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down a slope due to gravity, often triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human activity.
Causes:
-
Heavy rainfall saturating soil.
-
Deforestation and mining activities destabilizing slopes.
-
Earthquakes causing slope failure.
Effects:
-
Burial of villages, roads, and agricultural land.
-
Loss of lives and destruction of homes.
-
Blockage of rivers, causing flooding upstream.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Plant vegetation to stabilize slopes.
-
Avoid construction on steep or unstable slopes.
-
Monitor at-risk areas and install warning systems.
PNG Context:
Landslides are frequent in the Highlands due to steep terrain, deforestation, and heavy rainfall. The Enga Province landslide of 2024 is a recent example.
Landslide
Definition:
A landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down a slope due to gravity, often triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human activity.
Causes:
-
Heavy rainfall saturating soil.
-
Deforestation and mining activities destabilizing slopes.
-
Earthquakes causing slope failure.
Effects:
-
Burial of villages, roads, and agricultural land.
-
Loss of lives and destruction of homes.
-
Blockage of rivers, causing flooding upstream.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Plant vegetation to stabilize slopes.
-
Avoid construction on steep or unstable slopes.
-
Monitor at-risk areas and install warning systems.
PNG Context:
Landslides are frequent in the Highlands due to steep terrain, deforestation, and heavy rainfall. The Enga Province landslide of 2024 is a recent example.
Cyclones (Tropical Storm)
Definition:
Cyclones are intense circular storms characterized by strong winds and heavy rainfall. They are called hurricanes or typhoons in other regions.
Causes:
-
Warm ocean waters fueling storm formation.
-
Low-pressure systems that intensify into cyclones.
-
Favorable atmospheric conditions.
Effects:
-
Widespread destruction of infrastructure and homes.
-
Coastal flooding due to storm surges.
-
Loss of crops and livestock.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Construct cyclone-resistant buildings.
-
Educate communities on emergency supplies and safe areas.
-
Develop early warning systems and evacuation protocols.
PNG Context:
Cyclones are less frequent in PNG but can occur during La Niña years, especially affecting islands like Milne Bay and Manus.
Cyclones (Tropical Storm)
Definition:
Cyclones are intense circular storms characterized by strong winds and heavy rainfall. They are called hurricanes or typhoons in other regions.
Causes:
-
Warm ocean waters fueling storm formation.
-
Low-pressure systems that intensify into cyclones.
-
Favorable atmospheric conditions.
Effects:
-
Widespread destruction of infrastructure and homes.
-
Coastal flooding due to storm surges.
-
Loss of crops and livestock.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Construct cyclone-resistant buildings.
-
Educate communities on emergency supplies and safe areas.
-
Develop early warning systems and evacuation protocols.
PNG Context:
Cyclones are less frequent in PNG but can occur during La Niña years, especially affecting islands like Milne Bay and Manus.
Drought
Definition:
A drought is a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to water shortages and crop failure.
Causes:
-
Climate variations such as El Niño events.
-
Overuse of water resources.
-
Deforestation and loss of water-retentive vegetation.
Effects:
-
Food and water shortages.
-
Increased risk of wildfires.
-
Economic losses due to reduced agricultural output.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Store water and practice water conservation.
-
Promote drought-resistant crops.
-
Monitor and predict weather patterns.
PNG Context:
El Niño-induced droughts have severely impacted PNG in the past, causing water shortages and crop failures in Highlands communities.
Earthquake
Definition:
An earthquake is the shaking of the Earth's surface caused by the sudden release of energy along faults or tectonic plate boundaries.
Causes:
-
Movement of tectonic plates (subduction, collision, or transform faults).
-
Volcanic activity.
-
Human activities like mining or reservoir-induced seismicity.
Effects:
-
Destruction of buildings and infrastructure.
-
Landslides and tsunamis as secondary disasters.
-
Loss of lives and displacement of populations.
Preparedness Tips:
-
Construct earthquake-resistant buildings.
-
Educate communities on "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" techniques.
-
Develop and practice evacuation drills.
PNG Context:
Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, PNG experiences frequent earthquakes. The 2018 Highlands earthquake caused significant loss of life and property damage.
