D I S A S T E R S

(Chapter – 1)

1.1 DEFINITION

Disaster is an unusual occurrence characterized by :

1.1.1 Sudden calamitous event, having great material damage, loss and distress.

1.1.2 A complete definition of disaster may be "an event, concentrated in time and space, which threatens a society or a relatively self sufficient sub division of a society with major unwanted consequences as a result of the collapse of precautions which had hitherto been culturally accepted as adequate'. (Turner, 1976).

1.1.3 Many serious train accidents are also disasters and hence, every Railway staff should be in a position to identify the characteristics of different disaster situations.

1.2 TYPES OF DISASTER CAUSING INTERRUPTION TO TRAIN SERVICES

1.2.1 Human/Equipment failure

The following disasters/accidents may be caused by human/equipment failure, which may affect normal movement of train services with loss of life or property or both.

i. Collisions.

ii. Derailments.

iii. Level crossing accidents at Manned/Unmanned Level Crossings.

iv. Fire on Train.

1.2.2 Natural Calamities

Natural calamities may also cause serious disruption to traffic with loss of life/property.

i. Landslide.

ii. Earth quakes.

iii. Floods.

iv. Storm/Cyclones/Tornadoes/Tsunami.

1.2.3 Sabotage

Sabotage causing deliberate loss of life and/or damage to property.

i. Setting fire to train/railway installations and railway property.

ii. Bomb blasts.

iii. Placing of obstructions on track to cause disruption to traffic.

iv. Tampering with railway fittings to cause accidents.

1.3 CLASSIFICATION Of A RAILWAY ACCIDENT AS A DISASTER

Disaster in the railway context is defined as a major train accident leading to serious causalities and long duration of interruption to traffic. This compendium of instructions has been prepared for dealing with such disasters. and not normal train accidents. In case of a serious accident the Administration would take a conscious decision whether the situation is to be classified as a Disaster or not.

1.4 OFFICER AUTHORISED TO DECLARE AN ACCIDENT AS A DISASTER

COM is the authorized officer to declare an accident as a Disaster. Such declaration will be issued to all concerned with the approval of General Manager. If the accident is declared as a Disaster, all instructions as contained herein this Disaster Management Plan would automatically come into force, and officers and staff of all departments would take action as laid down in this book.

Pending printing and issue of East Coast Railway's Accident Manual, action as prescribed in South Eastern Railway Accident Manual will inter-alia come into force. All officers and Supervisors concerned should be fully conversant with various duties listed therein and carry them out without fail.

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