Post-Earthquake Safe Shelter for Shimla City

Abstract

With an increasing number of disasters, it has become necessary to provide required assistance in the post-disaster scenario to the affected people in the minimum possible time. The establishment of a safe shelter with all the required components at defined locations is an effective alternative. This paper presents the methodology adopted in the development of post-earthquake safe shelter for Shimla city. The components of the safe shelter included a first aid facility for minor injuries and medicines, a temporary shelter with boarding and lodging, water supply, and sanitation facilities for the affected people till their damaged shelters are restored. The study included a rapid visual survey of locations, selecting sites that are suitable for developing safe shelter, planning and design of Safe Shelter Site Layout, designing the inventory store, development of procurement items, and proximity to the natural water resource. Thu,s a planning-based system of safe shelter is proposed that minimizes the hazard loss. It is the integration of emergency support functions and alternate care sites that makes management of the mitigation of post-disaster scenarios efficient and effective. With the sudden requirement of temporary hospital/shelter in the current pandemic situation, it is perceived that the existence of safe shelter spaces is of utmost requirement that can be used for more than one type of disaster.