Hazard Risk and Mitigation with Reference to Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta is the capital of West Bengal located on the east bank of Hooghly river with coordinates from 22â°34"³N latitude to 88â°22"³E longitude. Kolkata lies in Gangetic Delta with elevation of 1.5 to 9mt (5-30ft). It is located over Bengal basin with predominantly alluvial soil. Earthquake, flood, cyclone, heat wave, land subsidence, health hazard is prevailing in Kolkata as hazard. Due to over population and high rise the condition is being more vulnerable. The risk of this type of hazard is being more dangerous for climate change. The Sundarbans mangrove forest found in the south of Kolkata is now in vulnerable condition. Before, this dense forest cover resisted Kolkata from storm surges and flood. But now after reduce of mangrove belt frequent storm and flood affect Kolkata. The manmade flood is seen in Kolkata due to unplanned housing, improper drainage condition etc. Due to increase in population, Kolkata is facing land subsidence for unplanned use of ground water in many areas of Kolkata. Another type of hazard which might be more dreadful to Kolkata is earthquake. Kolkata is lying over a fracture known as Eocene Hinge zone which is inactive for years if it turns hyperactive it will cause an earthquake measuring not less than 6 on Richter scale. It may cause human casualties and property loss due to destroy of high rise, multi-storied buildings, several old buildings etc. Heat wave is another type of hazard which is increasing nowadays due to climate change and global warming causing a man's death due to heat wave on April 2016. Kolkata faces various types of disease causes by bacteria, viruses, parasites etc. The predominant diseases are malaria, cholera, swine flu, HIV, tuberculosis etc. So to save Kolkata from these hazard risks we need to take proper hazard mitigation measures and preparedness.