Soon disaster management will be taught in colleges across the country as the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked varsities throughout the country to include and implement the subject on disaster management.

A circular was issued on Wednesday in this regard. UGC secretary P K Thakur said that the disaster management course should include awareness about dealing with bomb threats, earthquakes, a health emergency among others.

On account of its geo-climatic conditions, India is prone to various natural disasters.  About 58.6% of its landmass is susceptible to earthquakes and over 40 million hectares (8%) is prone to floods. 8000 kilometres of coastline is prone to cyclones and 68% of the country's geographical area is susceptible to drought.

Disaster management (DM) is a continuous and integrated process of planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing measures to reduce or negate the impacts of a disaster. It is aimed at developing a culture of preparedness and safety besides implementing school DM plans. Students will be prepared to take proper action in the event of an unfortunate or perilous situation.

Sattapa Mohite, an education activist from Maharashtra welcomed the UGC's suggestion and said that disaster management awareness was the need of the hour, especially in light of the recent stampede at the footbridge of a railway station in Mumbai.