noun
Broad term for natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, typhoons) and large-scale accidents or catastrophes. Often used in news, official contexts, and compound words like 自然災害 (natural disaster) or 災害対策 (disaster countermeasures).
この地域は地震や洪水などの自然災害が多い。
This region has many natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.
災害に備えて非常食を用意しておきましょう。
Let's prepare emergency food in case of a disaster.