Last reviewed 4 Nov 2026 · 3 min read
1. Basic terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hazard | A dangerous event or condition that may cause loss — e.g. an earthquake or a cyclone |
| Disaster | A serious disruption of a community's functioning, with losses that exceed its ability to cope using its own resources |
| Vulnerability | The conditions (physical, social, economic, environmental) that make people or assets susceptible to harm |
| Exposure | People and assets located in hazard-prone areas |
| Capacity | Strengths and resources available to reduce risk and cope |
| Resilience | Ability to resist, absorb and recover quickly |
FormulaDisaster-risk relation
A hazard becomes a disaster only where vulnerable people and assets are exposed and capacity is low.
DefinitionDisaster (Disaster Management Act, 2005)
"A catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man-made causes, or by accident or negligence, which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area."