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The Art and Science of Communicating Risks of Natural Hazards

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Bridging the Communication Gap in Science and Technology

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Abstract

Every year natural hazards cause significant loss of life and adversely impact development gains by destroying crops, properties and infrastructure. Of all the reported disasters, about 90% are directly or indirectly related to weather and climate. Over the past 50 years vulnerability to disasters has increased as more and more people and assets have been located in areas of high risk. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of the most severe weather-related hazards in the decades to come. Identification and communication of risks associated with natural hazards to stakeholders are therefore vital in minimising and mitigating adverse impacts of natural hazards. Success or failure of managing risk associated with natural hazards is dependent on reliable early warning, effective communication and appropriate response mechanism on ground. Early warning of natural hazards lies at the core of the disaster management system. Warning messages are to be simple, containing location- and time-specific useful actionable information to enable proper responses that will help safeguard lives and livelihoods. In near future improved seasonal and climate predictions will help in identifying climatic risks and assist in strategic planning and long-term investments.

Views expressed in the chapter are the author’s own and not necessarily shared by the editors.

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Acknowledgements

Author is thankful to L.S. Rathore, Director General of Meteorology and M. Mohaptra, Director, Cyclone Warning Division for their help. Thanks are also due to M.K. De and Kiran Pawar for secretarial assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ministry of Earth Sciences, Lodi Road, New Delhi, 110 003, India

    Ajit Tyagi

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  1. Ajit Tyagi
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Correspondence to Ajit Tyagi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. New Delhi Television (NDTV), Delhi, India

    Pallava Bagla

  2. School of Natural Sciences and Engineering, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

    V. V. Binoy

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Tyagi, A. (2017). The Art and Science of Communicating Risks of Natural Hazards. In: Bagla, P., Binoy, V. (eds) Bridging the Communication Gap in Science and Technology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1025-5_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1025-5_6

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-1024-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-1025-5

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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