energy, other sources of energy will be tapped – with most likely a global warming
increase – to meet the energy demand. Vaccination is effective in reducing the risk of
diseases. Regular servicing and maintenance certainly decreases the number of
engine breakdowns.
Containment refers to a different type of risk reduction. Thus, nuclear power
stations in France are surrounded by 3 containment barriers to present a blind against
radioactive propagation. Of course, this is a major improvement over the Tchernobyl
reactor, where no confining wall surrounded it.
Reducing the risk might not be possible or easy. In such a case, it is important to
think about reducing the vulnerability. Prior to 1960, house construction in
Mauritius comprised of timber frame and cladding and roof material consisting of
timber and/or corrugated iron sheets, mainly for cost reasons. As the cyclone Carol
(February-March 1960) left Mauritius with practically half of buildings and houses
damaged, or completely destroyed – while the very few concrete houses stood intact,
Mauritius learnt a lesson. (Concrete was not unknown in Mauritius, as the Cavendish
bridge at Mahebourg, was constructed, as long back as 1912, in concrete). As a
result, henceforth, all houses adopted a concrete structure, even if some finishes
could be different, and presently, there are very few buildings where concrete is not
present.
Drivers get involved in accidents. Wearing seat belts, protective helmets, driving
more slowly, etc., are ways to reduce vulnerability.
This principle may be extended, not only, to the health and safety rules prescribed
for construction sites, but could or should begin in the kitchen. There are so many
different ways of having or creating accidents, avoidable through the use of some
simple precautions. If, in practice, these precautions can be taken, why not
take them?
At the other extreme, if a tsunami is announced or forecast to strike the coast, an
evacuation of people is probably the only solution/precaution.
In a few cases, it is possible both to reduce the risk hazard as well as the
vulnerability. For example, the use of protective equipment on construction sites,
decreases the vulnerability of the workers, but the application of safety nets and use
of shoring also mitigates the risk.
Another way of risk reduction is to anticipate the disaster. By concentrating on all
the risk components, the intensity and occurrence of the hazard, and on possible
vulnerable behaviour, this can produce quite effective results. Focusing on efficient
communication will help in avoiding panic and preventing the possibility of
bystanders hindering the progress of ambulances, etc. It is human nature for drivers
to slow down to watch the impacts of an accident or for people to come and watch
the progress of a fire, or the firemen at work, etc.
Photo 12.1 shows the anticipation of a tsunami. A notice was put at several places
to inform the public that a tsunami simulation exercise would be carried out at Flic en
Flac, Mauritius on 17
th July 2013 in 2 weeks time. In the morning, more or less on
time, policemen were being briefed on what to do, while others, without uniform,
were swimming. Then, suddenly – at the supposed warning time, all these people left
the sea; unfortunately, probably because of the notice as well – there were no other
12.8 Before the Disaster
345
increase – to meet the energy demand. Vaccination is effective in reducing the risk of
diseases. Regular servicing and maintenance certainly decreases the number of
engine breakdowns.
Containment refers to a different type of risk reduction. Thus, nuclear power
stations in France are surrounded by 3 containment barriers to present a blind against
radioactive propagation. Of course, this is a major improvement over the Tchernobyl
reactor, where no confining wall surrounded it.
Reducing the risk might not be possible or easy. In such a case, it is important to
think about reducing the vulnerability. Prior to 1960, house construction in
Mauritius comprised of timber frame and cladding and roof material consisting of
timber and/or corrugated iron sheets, mainly for cost reasons. As the cyclone Carol
(February-March 1960) left Mauritius with practically half of buildings and houses
damaged, or completely destroyed – while the very few concrete houses stood intact,
Mauritius learnt a lesson. (Concrete was not unknown in Mauritius, as the Cavendish
bridge at Mahebourg, was constructed, as long back as 1912, in concrete). As a
result, henceforth, all houses adopted a concrete structure, even if some finishes
could be different, and presently, there are very few buildings where concrete is not
present.
Drivers get involved in accidents. Wearing seat belts, protective helmets, driving
more slowly, etc., are ways to reduce vulnerability.
This principle may be extended, not only, to the health and safety rules prescribed
for construction sites, but could or should begin in the kitchen. There are so many
different ways of having or creating accidents, avoidable through the use of some
simple precautions. If, in practice, these precautions can be taken, why not
take them?
At the other extreme, if a tsunami is announced or forecast to strike the coast, an
evacuation of people is probably the only solution/precaution.
In a few cases, it is possible both to reduce the risk hazard as well as the
vulnerability. For example, the use of protective equipment on construction sites,
decreases the vulnerability of the workers, but the application of safety nets and use
of shoring also mitigates the risk.
Another way of risk reduction is to anticipate the disaster. By concentrating on all
the risk components, the intensity and occurrence of the hazard, and on possible
vulnerable behaviour, this can produce quite effective results. Focusing on efficient
communication will help in avoiding panic and preventing the possibility of
bystanders hindering the progress of ambulances, etc. It is human nature for drivers
to slow down to watch the impacts of an accident or for people to come and watch
the progress of a fire, or the firemen at work, etc.
Photo 12.1 shows the anticipation of a tsunami. A notice was put at several places
to inform the public that a tsunami simulation exercise would be carried out at Flic en
Flac, Mauritius on 17
th July 2013 in 2 weeks time. In the morning, more or less on
time, policemen were being briefed on what to do, while others, without uniform,
were swimming. Then, suddenly – at the supposed warning time, all these people left
the sea; unfortunately, probably because of the notice as well – there were no other
12.8 Before the Disaster
345