Chapter 7 – Natural Hazards and Disasters
- What is a natural hazard?
A natural hazard is a potential threat caused by natural forces like earthquakes, floods, or cyclones that can cause damage to life and property if not managed properly. - What is a natural disaster?
When a natural hazard actually causes destruction and disrupts normal life, it becomes a natural disaster. Example: 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. - What is the difference between hazard and disaster?
A hazard is a potential threat; a disaster is its actual occurrence with loss. All disasters are hazards, but not all hazards become disasters. - What are the major types of natural disasters in India?
Earthquakes, floods, cyclones, droughts, landslides, tsunamis, and forest fires are common natural disasters in India. - What causes earthquakes in India?
Tectonic activity due to the movement of the Indian plate against the Eurasian plate causes frequent earthquakes, especially in the Himalayan region. - What are the earthquake zones of India?
India is divided into 5 seismic zones (Zone II to Zone V), with Zone V being the most earthquake-prone (e.g., northeast India, Kashmir, Andaman Islands). - What is a cyclone?
A cyclone is a large air mass rotating around a low-pressure center. In India, tropical cyclones mostly occur in the Bay of Bengal. - Which Indian coasts are cyclone-prone?
Eastern coastal states like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu are frequently hit by cyclones. - What is a flood?
Flood is an overflow of water that submerges land. It is caused by heavy rainfall, river overflow, dam failure, or glacial melts. - Which regions in India are flood-prone?
The Ganga-Brahmaputra basin, Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and parts of Odisha are highly flood-prone. - What is a drought?
Drought is a prolonged period of deficient rainfall resulting in water shortage, crop failure, and famine-like conditions. - What are the types of droughts?
Meteorological (low rainfall), hydrological (low surface water), agricultural (soil moisture deficit), and socio-economic (impact on people and economy). - Which states are most affected by droughts in India?
Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh frequently face droughts. - What is a landslide?
A sudden downward movement of rock, debris, or soil on a slope, often triggered by rainfall, earthquakes, or deforestation. - Which areas in India are prone to landslides?
Himalayan region, Western Ghats, and Northeastern states frequently witness landslides due to unstable terrain and heavy rainfall. - What is a tsunami?
A tsunami is a series of large sea waves caused by underwater earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions, with destructive potential along coasts. - What caused the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami?
It was triggered by a massive undersea earthquake near Sumatra, Indonesia. Over 10,000 people died in coastal India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Andaman. - What are man-made factors increasing disaster risks?
Deforestation, poor urban planning, unregulated construction, mining, and climate change worsen the frequency and impact of disasters. - What is disaster risk reduction?
It includes measures to reduce vulnerability and exposure to hazards through planning, education, infrastructure, and early warning systems. - What is the role of the NDMA?
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is India’s apex body for disaster management, responsible for policy-making, preparedness, and mitigation. - What is disaster preparedness?
It involves training, awareness, planning, and resource allocation to reduce the impact of disasters and enable faster response and recovery. - What is mitigation in disaster management?
Mitigation refers to long-term strategies to reduce disaster risks, like earthquake-resistant buildings, flood barriers, and cyclone shelters. - What is an early warning system?
A system that detects potential hazards and informs communities in time to take action. Example: IMD’s cyclone tracking system. - How does education help in disaster management?
Awareness programs, school drills, and training help people respond better, reduce panic, and minimize damage during disasters. - What are Do’s and Don’ts during an earthquake?
Do: Take shelter under sturdy furniture, stay away from glass.
Don’t: Use elevators, stand near windows or outside walls. - What are Do’s and Don’ts during a flood?
Do: Move to higher ground, store drinking water.
Don’t: Walk through flowing water, use electric devices in water-logged areas. - What are Do’s and Don’ts during a cyclone?
Do: Stay indoors, secure roofs, keep emergency kit ready.
Don’t: Go near windows, drive during storm, spread rumors. - What is community-based disaster management?
Local people are trained and empowered to manage disasters through planning, rescue, and relief. It ensures faster response and better resilience. - How is remote sensing used in disaster management?
It helps monitor land changes, weather patterns, and hazard-prone areas using satellites. Useful in flood, drought, and landslide predictions. - Why is disaster management important in India?
India’s diverse geography and dense population make it vulnerable. Effective disaster management saves lives, reduces losses, and builds resilience.