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In the second phase, we sketch out how to structure a supply chain and coordinate all activities it encapsulates, how to manage information and communication systems and ensure quality throughout the supply chain. Once the supply chain is designed we use a fuzzy database containing the available material and human resources to
activate three chains within the supply chain, one carrying supplies like medicines, food etc., the second carrying heavy equipment like cranes and the third to move large number of people. We propose that an Incident Command System be formed to coordinate the disaster response. The paper also elaborates on certain communication systems like Global Information Systems (GIS) and National Emergency Communication Network (NECN) that can be used in disasters. Quality must be ensured at each echelon in the supply chain since small inefficiencies and wastages may have drastic effects on the endangered lives of thousands.

The third phase includes activities that are long term objectives in revitalizing life in the affected areas. The paper concludes by putting into perspective how the proposed blue print for disaster management can be implemented in the case of Mumbai floods.

Introduction

The ability to respond to disasters is an essential part of modern life. In recent years, the number and severity of disasters natural as well as man made has increased sharply. New technologies and new approaches are rapidly developing to attempt to respond to calamities in order to minimize as much as possible their physical, social or human consequences. This approach to mitigate the losses due to a disaster has to be multi-disciplinary spanning across all sectors of development including Supply Chain Management.

Globally, there has been considerable concern over increasingly frequent disasters. Even as substantial scientific and material progress is made, the loss of lives and property due to disasters has not decreased. In fact, the human toll and economic losses have mounted.

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* Contributed by: -
Uday Sankar A. & S. Yogendra,
National Institute of Industrial Engineering, Mumbai.