environmental hazards

Zambia is a country like any other prone to a wide variety of natural and human-induced hazards and disasters. Phenomena such as floods, extreme wind speeds, earthquakes, mudslides, droughts, wildfires, pest plagues, air and water pollution cause extensive losses to livelihoods and property, and claim many lives. This study attempts to bring to light disasters or hazards, there examples, as well draw attention to the challenges faced by the government of Zambia in controlling the disasters or hazards and Conclude with suggested possible solutions to the discussed disasters or hazards.
A ‘hazard’, by definition, is any event, phenomenon, or human activity that may cause loss. Natural and human induced factors may act together to create a hazard, sites Dilley et al, (2005). For example, earthquakes are normally considered to be natural hazards, but they can also be triggered by mining activities or the impoundment of large dams. A landslide can be caused by a combination of heavy rains, light earth tremors, and deforestation. A ‘disaster’ has been defined by Dilley et al.,(2005) as an event that causes serious disruption, leading to widespread human, material, or economic losses beyond the coping capacity of a given society. Disaster management requires a set of actions and processes that are designed to lessen hazardous events before they become disasters.
Each and every country is subjected to experience hazards and disasters. In Zambia however, DMOM (2005) lists some of the most important hazards and disasters among others such as; droughts, floods, epidemics, pest infestation, environmental degradation, refugees, and internally displaced populations as well as accidents. This essay will cover droughts, floods, epidemics, pest infestation, environmental degradation, pollution (air) and accidents.
Floods to start with, are among the most devastating natural hazards in Zambia, whereas flash floods are among the greatest hazards arising from severe storms