Centrifugal Disasters

Book excerpt: This book focuses on centrifugal disasters that impact a group of seemingly unconnected people congregated temporarily often by chance, unlike centripetal disasters that strike an extant community of people. In India as well as in South Asia, centrifugal disasters have increased significantly in the last few decades, however the research remains limited as they are often categorized as accidents. The book documents three such major disaster events––26/11 terror attacks and 13/7 blasts in Mumbai, and hospital fire in Kolkata–– and analyses the lived and felt experiences of the survivors and their families. Drawing on the authors’ experience of working with survivors, first responders (police, health workers), as well as policy makers, the book suggests a model of disaster intervention that bridges academia and praxis expertise. Besides providing a rights framework for disaster interventions, it also explores the moral and ethical considerations around disaster interventions. This important book will be of interest to students and practitioners of disaster management including first responders and those working in public management, risk management, hazards and disasters, emergency response, terrorism and political violence. It will also be useful to mental health professionals, social workers, psychologists, civil society organizations, as well as bureaucrats and policy makers.