Disaster mitigation and management for West Bengal, India : An appraisal

We examine the predominant natural hazards in West Bengal, along with an analysis of the prevalent disaster mitigation and management perspectives. Pre-hazard activities towards its mitigation are emphasized and explicated. In cognizance with the existence of multiple hazards in the region, a composite vulnerability map is prepared through integration of earthquake, flood, wind and cyclone, landslide, and subsidence hazard distributions along with vulnerability components represented by district-wise population density, and industrial output distribution to project a combined first-hand qualitative hazard and vulnerability description of the region. A combined management strategy through collaborations and coordination has been thought of to be more pragmatic than segregated efforts.