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| Disaster debris; how to manage it | | | Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Yetoo
Devastating floods
in Jammu and Kash-
mir have rendered thousands home less and there is not only loss of human lives but also there is huge loss of cattle, crops ,house hold items and what not. Thousands of shopkeepers have lost their livelihood and carcasses of dead animals and huge heaps of garbage, electronic, plastics, polythene and other toxic items have accumulated in debris which is present almost in all flood water receded areas of South Kashmir and Srinagar City, thus causing foul orders and signaling towards a possible epidemics .People who are now on toes have started rebuilding their destroyed houses, shops etc, encounter with this disaster debris. It is very unfortunate that we do not have any effective advisory which can aware affected masses about the possible epidemics and harmful consequences of this disaster debris. There is not any Disaster debris management plan too which could be implemented. I am trying to educate and aware people about a disaster debris management plan which is highly technical in nature and simple medical practitioners won't be able to implement it effectively, because it is not only based on medical practices but this management plan should be based on research and historical evidences ,engineering techniques, safety, health and environmental practices. The biggest challenge before us is how to ensure safe disposal of this debris, simple washing practices can be catastrophic for us as per our local conditions are concerned. We don't want to add chemicals and carcinogenic agents to our all ready damaged crops,fruits and vegetables as leachets from this deadly debris will reach there. My aim is to provide a clear picture about how to manage this deadly debris and here is a typical Disaster debris Management Plan which should be implemented.
Recommended components of a disaster debris management plan.
Management options for various debris streams that might be found after this natural disaster.
A collection of case studies that highlights how several communities prepared for and managed debris generated by recent natural disasters.
Central, state, and local resources to consult in planning for natural disasters.
When disasters like floods or tornados hit a community, solid waste management is usually the last thing on anyone's mind. Natural disasters, however, can generate tons of debris, including building rubble, soil and sediments, green waste (e.g., trees and shrubs), personal property, ash, and charred wood. All of this waste material can place an additional burden on a community already struggling to cope.
The amount of debris generated from a disaster varies from situation to situation. The best advice for a community is to put a disaster debris management plan in place before an emergency happens. A disaster debris management plan can help a community identify options for collecting, recycling, and disposing of debris. Not only does a plan identify management options and sources for help, but it also can save valuable time and resources if it is needed.
The benefits of putting a recovery plan in place before a disaster occurs include:
Reducing time needed to identify debris management options after a disaster.
Saving money by avoiding rushed decisions that could result in costly mistakes in disaster waste management.
Reducing potential hazards by identifying which hazards may exist, who will address them, and how.
Recycling Disaster Debris
How a community manages disaster debris depends on the debris generated and the waste management options available. Many communities are finding effective ways to salvage, reuse, and recycle all kinds of disaster debris. Soil, green waste, and C&D materials can be recycled or composted into useful commodities. For example:
Green waste, such as trees and shrubs, can be "recycled" into valuable organic material, such as compost or mulch.
Concrete and asphalt can be crushed and sold for use as sub-base in road building.
Metal can be recycled and sold by scrap metal dealers.
Brick can be sold for reuse or ground for use in landscaping applications.
Dirt can be used as landfill cover or a soil amendment for farmers.
Benefits of recycling disaster debris include:
Recovering large amounts of materials for reuse.
Reducing the burden of large volumes of material on local landfills.
Saving money by avoiding disposal costs and through re-sale of materials.
The author is an expert in environment ,project & waste Management, occupational safety& health & pollution control and empanelled expert for IRCA).
(You may reach him at [email protected])
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