Risk management

            Chernobyl Disaster was a terrible nuclear disaster, which happened in 1986 in the nuclear power plant. It was so catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred on 26 April 1986 at Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine. It is to be considered that it was the worst nuclear accident in history. It was the one of only two of the level seven on the International nuclear event scale. The long-term effects were shown like cancer and deformities. Thirty-one deaths were recorded. About 350,400 people were evacuated from 1986 to 2000 to different areas. Because of the radiations, many people died as it was poisonous and it affected people long after the accident happened. The Chernobyl 4 reactor was destroyed.

            There were several causes for the Chernobyl accident to occur. The accident happened when the staff was starting to test the reactor Chernobyl4. When the operators wanted to shut down the reactor it was at that time unstable, high amount of steam as well as high pressure was formed which resulted in the destruction of the reactor. Explosions were observed due to which many people lost their lives. About 14EBq, radiations were released into the environment due to these explosions. Many tons of water was also introduced but then after some days it was stopped so that the water should not flow into the flooding units. Up until 10 days different radioactive substances were released in the atmosphere. The heavy radioactive fission material soon settled down but the wind carried the lighter substances and gases to Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus and to Europe also. Fires started to burn the remaining things, which were not affected by the explosion. About 100 fire fighters were first to arrive and these people received the radiations from the environment. They received highest exposure to the rays.

On 28^th April different materials were dumped in the reactor to manage the reaction control. The materials dropped in the reactor were in accordance with the fire and other radioactive materials so that it would be minimized. A struggle was happening to finish off the effect of the radioactive materials released in the atmosphere. (World Nuclear Association)

Among several causes it was also a main cause that a complete understanding was missing between the scientists and engineers. Safety rules were broken which resulted in the explosion of the reactor. Several departments were underdeveloped. The explosion was said to be more chemical rather than nuclear. After the explosion a danger of secrecy was also observed; secrecy of the power to the enemy i.e. U.S and to control the scientists which were the brains of the country as well as for the nuclear plant. (Sergei, 2004)

Many people were forced to labor in the contaminated areas. About 65,000 soldiers were shoved to harmful ways. They were not at all provided with the protective equipment. Some soldiers even did not follow the safety procedures and were trying to prove themselves as brave or courageous; they throw their masks and then worked on the territory for the cleanup. As a result, a large amount of radioactive hot particles resides inside the lungs of many Soviets. That’s why there are many hazards that are still affecting the people till now. (Leonard, 1991)

Several hazards, which affected upon this disaster were health hazards and many more things effect the environment and it was contaminated with the poisonous gases. It caused devastating and horrible effects in the surroundings. The calculations tell that several hundred thousands of people have lost their lives due to this catastrophic event. They were all unfortunate to live in the effected territory. It is quoted that even twenty years after several deaths and illnesses have arisen because of this Chernobyl terrible accident. About 9,000 deaths and 20,000 people suffer from different diseases caused by the radioactive exposure. The diseases are mostly related to respiratory, nervous or blood circulatory system, or other internal organs. The effects of the radiations were mostly internal and it was more devastating. It was clearly seen that the huge amount of deaths show that the Chernobyl disaster was one of the most destructive nuclear explosion.  (Sergei, 2012)

            Some people quote that the scientific evidence showed that the radiations causes increase in the level of cancer, leukemia and non-cancer mortality in the affected Chernobyl areas. Radiation injury also occurs to human beings when an unstable amount of radiations is taken in. The radiation can cause different injuries it can cause acute radiation syndrome or radiation sickness. Some reports say that many of the deaths of the fire fighters and of the workers are due to the acute radiation syndrome. Several say that diseases arise due to ingestion of solid neoplasm and other radioactive material.  The cases of thyroid cancer were also observed. (World Nuclear Association)

Reference list

·         World Nuclear Association, Retrieved from  http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/chernobyl/inf07.html and http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/chernobyl/inf07/app.html

·         Sergei P. Kapitza. (2004). Foreign Affairs: Lessons of Chernobyl. Council on Foreign Relations. Inc

·         Leonard Reiffel.  (1991). Chernobyl Five Years Later. National Review

·         Sergei V. Jargin. (2012). The Nuclear Industry and Health. Baywood Publishing Co.Inc

Hurricane Katrina

            The most catastrophic hurricane, Hurricane Katrina, shaped in August 2005 over Bahamas and then crossed Florida. Many people died even before the strengthening of the storm. It was the most deadliest and destructive natural disaster since the Okeechobee hurricane. It was an Atlantic hurricane formed from the ocean; and was seen to be the most costly natural disaster of the United States of America. Approximately1833 people died and 81 billion$ property loss was observed. Every thing seems to be a part of destruction. The emergency planning made was also not workable. Every plan and prediction failed. The hurricane was formed in August 23, 2005 over Bahamas. Several cities which were affected include New Orleans, Florida,  Alabama, Gulf of Mexico, Cuba, Louisiana, and Mississippi. It was a tropical storm formed. 80 % of cities were covered with floods. The hurricane was seen to go up to category 5. The strengthening of the hurricane was very strong. Florida suffered from category 1, Louisiana from category 3 and the most catastrophic damage occurred in the Gulf of Mexico which strengthens up to category 5. (Richard, Daniel, 2005)

            The preparedness of the hurricane Katrina was a major issue because of the location of New Orleans. The city was present at the delta marsh surrounded by Mississippi river, lake Borgne and Lake Pontchatrain. The city existed below the sea level. Same was the case with Gulf of Mexico; it was surrounded by Island of Cuba and North American Continent. It was a large oceanic basin. The destruction was so enormous that the recovery will take years. The impact of the storm was so wide and prolonged that many things will be taken into consider to recover the loss. (U.S House of Representatives, 2006)The people of U.S and companies or organizations were not at all prepared for such a big loss. The loss of all their personal and financial assets; all the records either medical or any business asset were destroyed because of this natural disaster. It was seen to be the most expensive disaster. It was viewed as expensive and costly as the things which were lost was a big loss and the money which was to be invested to recover the destruction also seems to be very much costly. Just 5 days before the hurricane hit, it was predicted that the storm has taken a turn and was now on a way to Florida which meant that New Orleans will face a major hit; it was recorded that the strike rate will be around 17%. Computer aided models were prepared to see the places that were to be the victim of the storm. These models showed the path of the storm. Many cities were destructed in this hurricane. (Swenson, Bob, 2005)

            The Department of Defense began its alert programs before the landfall of Katrina, although they failed to reach some places. National response plan was made for the emergency in Katrina. DOD’s emergency response plan was for providing military assistance to civil authorities. The tasks were divided between the National Guard and Federal people. All the plans made were not successful; this can be because the plans were not exercised and lack of understanding was present between the people. All the departments misunderstood and lack the ability to train themselves for Katrina. People were not trained and mentally prepared for the destruction. The organizations were not expecting this much catastrophic disaster as was observed until last 3 to 4 days. The military was not that much involved in the protection as they should have been.

            The lessons learned from the disasters of hurricane Katrina were very much enhanced. Due to lack of communication between the people many people lost their lives. Many industrial and commercial buildings were destroyed by this tropical storm. One should always be ready for this type of natural catastrophic event.  The state should always have security measures so that the people could easily be migrated to other safe places at the time of other natural disasters. (Government Printing Office, 2006) The people of New Orleans blames the federal government for all the destruction while some people say that it was the duty of state and local government for controlling the cities. It was decided before the storm that people will be transferred to secure places by busses that do not have their conveyance.  Instead of sending the busses to people, they were ordered to go to Superdome and Convention center. There was no security available to people in those areas.

            Some people say that if the government had not taken the responsibility of controlling the people and saving their lives and their assets, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) should have shown leadership. Everybody is blaming the government because of inadequate measures by which many people lost their lives and industries as well. Hurricane Katrina was found to be the most deadly, destructive, costly and harsh to the people. The protection which was made, failed due to lack of understanding between the government and civil authorities.

References

Richard D. Knabb, Jamie R. Rhome, and Daniel P. Brown (2005), Tropical Cyclone report, National Hurricane Center, retrieved from, http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL122005_Katrina.pdf

 Swenson, Dan D; Marshall, Bob (May 14, 2005), Flash Flood: Hurricane Katrina's Inundation of New Orleans (SWF), Times-Picayune.

U.S. House of Representatives (2006), A failure of initiative: Final report of the select bipartisan committee to investigate the preparation for the response to Hurricane Katrina. 109th Cong., 2nd Sess. Washington, DC

U.S. Government Printing Office, The White House (2006), The federal response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons learned. (H. Rpt. 109-377). Retrieved May 6, 2010, from http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/reports/katrina-lessons-learned/

Perry, R, W., & M. K. Lindell, (2007) Emergency planning, Hoboken

Posted by: Jahanzaib