Introduction

Disaster  is  a catastrophic  disruption of life  in  a  society  caused by  nature  or  a man made  situation. Disasters can be of  the  type  where  the  onset is slow  like famines or of the type where the onset is rapid,  like earthquake,  floods  etc.  Disaster  management  encompasses activities directed  towards meeting  such situations. India is prone to various types of  disasters  due  to  its  geological dimensions.

Role of information“Information  is what information does”. Utility  of  any  information  is  its  timely dissemination  to  the  right  persons. Information plays  an  important  role  in empowering  the  personnel involved  in disaster  management  at  various  levels. Relevant  proactive   information can go a  long way  in  handling  such  situations and  in preparing  to  meet the  same. Information need  takes  different dimensions in different situations. The personnel who need information on disaster  management  range  from  health sector  managers,  epidemiologists, primary  health  care  physicians, nurses, sanitary  engineers,  academicians, researchers, disaster  mitigation personnel,  social  service  organisations, to the common man.

Need  for  a  Disaster Management Database

A  very  important  step  in  effective management  of disasters is bridging the information  gap.  Libraries  play  a  very important  role  in  achieving  this  by harnessing  and disseminating information  resources.  Developing  an efficient  disaster  management information system is an important stage in planning for disaster preparedness.Proactive information Following  the  dictum  prevention  is better  than  cure, people  should be empowered  with  information  at the pre-disaster  level  for  disaster preparedness.

- identification of  zones  which  are prone  to  earthquakes,  floods  etc., within  which  safer  location  for hospitals etc. 

- awareness  regarding use of non- eco friendly materials  (use  of  plastic  bags in Mumbai)

-  need for preservation of ecological balance (prevention of the destruction of mangrove stretches)

During a disaster   

  -  messaging 

  -  warning / alerting systems

  -  help lines to contact

  -  alert regarding health hazards

Post Disaster

  - information on various  rehabilitation activities

  - documentation of  the  details  of  the incident and the mitigation undertaken  

  -   drawing  future  plans  for  prevention of disaster