Natural calamities like floods and earthquakes are normally beyond human control but effort should be directed towards control of consequential afflictions that can affect the community at large. Deforestation has greatly contributed to cycles of flood and famine across the globe. In addition, environmental pollution and global warming have grossly altered climatic conditions with disastrous results. Every year, the remote north-eastern parts of India, particularly Assam and Orissa bore the brunt of heavy rains followed by floods, inundating vast areas of agricultural land. We would hear or read in newspapers innumerable tales of suffering caused by loss of precious lives and land during such times. But of-late various other parts of India are bearing the brunt of such catastrophic happenings. Casualties that are reported in the newspapers are just the tip of the iceberg. This is invariably followed by the outbreak of infectious diseases such as cholera, typhoid and gastroenteritis and occasionally polio. Emergency medical aid is rushed to these places, aerial surveys are made by politicians, tall promises are made, meager aid is offered to a few and once disaster moves to some other part of the country, the promises are swept under the carpet. This gets repeated ad nauseum. What is alarming is that though these calamities occur invariably during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, there always seems to be a lacuna in planning and the nature of ‘preparedness’ to address such natural adversities. The question that all right thinking individuals should pose in this context should be twofold; 1-how best to counter these calamities and 2- how to restrict the spread of infectious diseases that could assume epidemic proportions if left uncontrolled. A major problem encountered by people after the floods is the scarcity of potable water. Cholera followed by Typhoid is normally reported from water-logged areas which soon become fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes. Sometimes it becomes so difficult that people have no choice but to use the same infected water for their daily needs. Hence efforts must be multiplied to improve the general resistance of the population towards water-borne diseases. Certain basic precautions can go a long way in containing intestinal infections. This can be implemented in at least two directions. One, to make the water good enough for human consumption and two, to take effective steps to increase the resistance of the populace. Hygiene, both public and private has to be emphasized. As infant mortality is very high in such situations preventive measures in the form of educating the populace about proper hygiene must be undertaken. The role of voluntary organizations backed by international agencies such as the WHO is crucial here. One can also enlist the help of non-governmental organizations and local self-help groups to educate and enlighten the masses regarding the precautions to be taken in such emergencies and also effectively deal with the outbreak of severe infections. The role of the media such as the radio and television is of great significance as the latter hold a magnetic sway over the rural populace. Tele-Serials and documentaries also can be used to educate target groups. Street plays can be organized to effectively communicate health restoring and health enhancing messages. For instance villagers can be advised to follow simple preventive measures like boiling the water before drinking. Volunteer groups comprising of conscientious medical personnel can be drafted to work in far flung places, where regular medical assistance could be made available. In addition, incentives of various kinds can be envisaged to involve these groups at such moments of crisis. Last but not the least the medical personnel involved in such disaster management should be made to realize that the statistics that they collect and present to organizations such as the state and the WHO will go a long way in planning the future course of action. In a country like India where the rural people consider diseases and disasters as the curse of God, doctors are also required to dissipate the superstitions or myths related with the occurrences of illness. In case of an epidemic that breaks out as an aftermath of natural calamity the public health professionals should be willing to work in dreary conditions bringing hope and strength to those struck by unwarranted tragedy. There is a need to instill courage and optimism in the minds of the victims as much as providing them with medical aid. After all soothing words can heal the searing pains.