Disaster Effects and Response

Table of Contents

Introduction1

Physical Effects1

Psychological Effects2

Social Effects2

Community Response3

Governmental Response3

Incorporating Course Contents4

Personal Reactions5

Response Improvements5

References7

Disaster Effects and Response

Introduction

The tsunami waves entered into the region of Japan around a year ago and crashed the seawall of the coastal cities. The tsunami came as a result of a devastating earthquake whose magnitude is recorded to be 9.0 that struck the coastal areas of the country (Gjelten, 2011). The devastating tsunami ruined many of the coastal towns of Japan. This is a kind of disaster which leads the country to suffer from more severe disasters. The tsunami waves crossed the boundaries and resulted in another disaster that is the nuclear disaster for the country. The nuclear power plant of Japan in Fukushima Daiichi were badly affected by the earthquake and tsunami and left the country in a nuclear disaster. These intensive and destructive disasters took the life of more than 19, 000 people of Japan (Ridgwell, 2011). Many of the victims are still not accounted due to mass destruction in the country. This incident created a long lasting impact on the physical, psychological and social lives of the people of Japan. The public and private authorities have taken serious steps to help the country in disaster recovery process (Pietrangelo, 2011).

Physical Effects

The coastal areas of the country were badly affected due to the tsunami. The areas that are not physically impacted also faced several difficulties due to the tsunami in the region of Japan. The tsunami has affected the commutation system, electrical system and communications network of the country. The economic centre of Japan is its capital Tokyo which is far away from the areas of Sendai and Miyako that are severely affected by the Tsunami (Ridgwell, 2011). However, the cities are connected to each other through networks which are severely hit by the tsunami (Gjelten, 2011).

The tsunami not only destroyed the environment of the country. It destructed the infrastructure, people, species and ecosystem. The trees and wildlife of the country was unable to survive in the dangerous and killing tsunami waves (Ridgwell, 2011).

Psychological Effects

The natural disaster of tsunami has created a lasting and profound impact on the psychological health of individuals and communities in Japan and all over the world. Some people who escaped from the deadly tsunami are still in a shock position and some of them are unable to describe the happenings of the disaster. This creates a multiple trauma and a sense of misery, fear and grief among the people of Japan. According to psychologists, the immediate effects of the disaster were severe and it will increase with the passage of time. People will realize the intensity of the disaster on later stages. This condition will form a psychological trauma among the victims and they may feel difficulty in breathing, headaches and anxiety. This state of mind is responsible for deteriorating the mental health of the people (Pietrangelo, 2011).

Social Effects

The country faced severe economic and social downturn due to the tsunami. It affected the global stock markets ...