GS 3: Disaster Management
A stampede is sudden, chaotic crowd movement causing injuries or fatalities, often triggered by panic or overcrowding.
Notable Incidents in India:
- 2008 Naina Devi Temple: Landslide rumors caused 145 deaths.
- 2017 Mumbai Bridge: Overcrowding led to 22 fatalities.
- 2022 Vaishno Devi Shrine: Panic caused 22 deaths.
Major Causes:
- Structural Failures: Narrow exits, temporary bridges.
- Crowd Behavior: Panic, rumors, overcrowding.
- Coordination Gaps: Poor collaboration among agencies.
Impacts of Stampedes
- Trauma and Loss: Survivors often face emotional distress, especially after losing loved ones.
- Economic Hardship: Victims from low-income groups face financial challenges due to funeral and medical expenses.
- Erosion of Trust: Repeated incidents undermine confidence in event organizers and authorities.
- Loss of Social Capital: High fatalities among women and children result in a significant loss of productive human capital.
NDMA Guidelines:
- Understand venue and visitor patterns.
- Implement effective crowd regulation and communication.
- Ensure medical care and train security personnel.
Way Forward
- Enforce NDMA guidelines.
- Use technology like drones for monitoring.
- Increase public awareness of crowd safety.