Extensive Disaster Risk vs. Intensive Disaster Risk

Attribute	Extensive Disaster Risk	Intensive Disaster Risk
Definition	Disasters that affect a large area or population	Disasters that cause severe damage or loss in a concentrated area
Scope	Widespread impact over a broad region	Localized impact in a specific area
Examples	Floods, earthquakes, hurricanes	Building collapse, industrial accidents
Prevention	Early warning systems, land use planning	Structural reinforcement, safety regulations

Definition

Extensive disaster risk and intensive disaster risk are two key concepts in the field of disaster risk management. Extensive disaster risk refers to the widespread impact of a disaster over a large area, affecting a large number of people and causing significant damage to infrastructure and the environment. Intensive disaster risk, on the other hand, refers to the concentrated impact of a disaster in a specific location, resulting in severe damage and loss of life in a limited area.

Scope

Extensive disaster risk typically involves natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires that can affect entire regions or countries. These disasters have the potential to disrupt entire economies and displace large populations. Intensive disaster risk, on the other hand, is often associated with man-made disasters such as industrial accidents, terrorist attacks, or building collapses that can cause catastrophic damage in a localized area.

Impact

The impact of extensive disaster risk is usually measured in terms of the number of people affected, the amount of damage to infrastructure, and the economic losses incurred. Extensive disasters can have long-lasting effects on communities and require significant resources for recovery and rebuilding. In contrast, intensive disaster risk can result in a higher concentration of casualties and immediate devastation in the affected area, but the overall impact may be more contained compared to extensive disasters.

Response and Recovery

Response and recovery efforts for extensive disaster risk often involve coordination between multiple agencies at the local, national, and international levels. These efforts may include providing emergency shelter, food, and medical assistance to affected populations, as well as rebuilding critical infrastructure and restoring essential services. In the case of intensive disaster risk, response and recovery efforts are typically focused on search and rescue operations, medical treatment for survivors, and securing the affected area to prevent further harm.

Prevention and Mitigation

Preventing and mitigating extensive disaster risk often involves long-term planning and investment in disaster-resistant infrastructure, early warning systems, and community preparedness programs. These measures can help reduce the impact of disasters and save lives. Intensive disaster risk, on the other hand, may require more immediate actions such as improving safety protocols, enforcing regulations, and conducting risk assessments to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Examples

An example of extensive disaster risk is the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which affected multiple countries in the region and resulted in over 230,000 deaths. The widespread destruction caused by the tsunami required a massive international relief effort to assist the affected populations and rebuild devastated communities. In contrast, an example of intensive disaster risk is the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, which was caused by a series of meltdowns at a nuclear power plant following a massive earthquake and tsunami. The immediate impact of the disaster was concentrated in the vicinity of the plant, but the long-term effects are still being felt today.