Natural and Man-made Disasters
1. Choose the correct option:
a. Climate change and global warming may lead to
i. rise of sea level. [✓]
ii. illegal mining. [ ]
iii. fire. [ ]
b. Floods are caused due to
i. the movements of tectonic plates. [ ]
ii. volcanic eruptions. [ ]
iii. heavy rainfall and cyclones. [✓]
c. To mitigate an earthquake disaster, one must
i. build houses on pedestals. [ ]
ii. build houses on higher ground. [ ]
iii. use lightweight building materials like wood. [✓]
d. Which of these is a man-made disaster?
i. Flood. [ ]
ii. Terrorism. [✓]
iii. Earthquake. [ ]
e. Structural mitigation measures include
i. mock drill. [ ]
ii. awareness building. [ ]
iii. embankments for flood proofing a village. [✓]
2. Name the following.
a. The type of disaster caused due to high speed winds.
= Cyclone.
b. The type disaster caused due to the movement of tectonic plates.
= Earthquake.
c. A government policy measure that resulted in the establishment of NDMA.
= Disaster Management.
d. Immediate measures of prevention taken after a disaster takes place.
= Response and relief.
e. Measures include mapping disaster-prone areas, mock drill by disaster management team.
= Non-Structural Mitigation.
3. Distinguish between the following:
a) Difference between Disaster and hazard:
=
b) Difference between Natural and man-made disaster:
=
c) Difference between Response and preparedness:
=
4. Answer the following questions:
a) What is a disaster?
= A disaster is a natural or man-made event that leads to human suffering and economic loss of an immeasurable proportion.
b) How does pollution explosion contribute to disasters?
= Population explosion results indiscriminate exploitation of forests and illegal constructions of buildings, indiscriminate felling of trees, inefficient drainage system, illegal construction.
c) Mention three risk reduction measures for flood prone areas.
= Three risk reduction measures for flood prone areas are -
Building in coastal areas should be built on stilts or on pedestals.
Wall of houses must be made flood proof.
Disaster management kit must always be kept ready.
d) How can cyclone damages be reduced? Mention one structural and non-structural mitigation measures.
= Structural measures:
Settlements must be built on higher ground, away from vulnerable coastal areas.
Cyclone shelters must be built where the people who are evacuated can be sheltered before the one set of the cyclone.
Rows of trees called 'shelter belts' must be raised parallel to the coast to obstruct and reduce the speed of the wind and sea water.
Non structural measures:
Cyclone forecast and early warning should be broadcast on radio and television. These warnings are especially beneficial to fishermen in coastal areas so that they can refrain from venturing into the sea.
e) Mention two risk reduction measures for chemical disaster.
= Two risk reduction measures for chemical disaster are -
Awareness building; and residential areas must be far away.
f) Why does fire accident take place? What are its risk reduction measures?
= Fire accidents takes place due to the following reasons -
Poor wearing.
Over heating of electrical appliances.
Accidents while cooking.
Combustible materials kept near open wiring.
The risk reduction measures are -
Call the local fire department by dialling 101.
In case of smoke, crawl and evacuate. Follow the escape route map.
While leaving the house, close all electrical, gas and appliances.
5. Thought provoking questions:
a) Floods are common during monsoons in India. What kind of a disaster kit would be useful for floods? What preparations should be adapted in a city? How would it help to reduce the impact?
= Disaster kit would be useful for floods are - a three-day emergency supply of water, food, a tent, blankets, body warmers, flashlight, hygiene kit, and other necessities.
A city should not be build in a flood plain. A barrier should be constructed around the city.
A flood plain is an area especially prone to flooding during heavy rains. If yet accident takes place, the barriers should protect the city.
b) What is the impact of a cyclone on coastal areas in India? Design steps of disaster management for a coastal town to reduce the risk of cyclone.
= Light-weight shelters are are blown away. Coastal areas are flooded, embankments are broken and often there is a contamination of water supplies.
Settlements must be built on higher grounds away from the coastal areas.
People should be sheltered in cyclone shelters before the onset of the cyclone.
Rows of trees called 'shelter belts' must be raised parallel to the coast to reduce the speed of the wind and sea.
Cyclone forecasts and early warning should be broadcast on radio and television.
c) What precaution measures need to be taken up by a factory manufacturing hazardous chemicals?
= Awareness building.
Safe evacuation route.
Residential areas must be far away.
Community must be prepared with the help of regular mock drills.
Keep the relief and rescue team ready.
d) In case of fire in your school what are the immediate steps to be adapted and how?
= Call the local fire department. Call 101.
In case of smoke, crawl and evacuate. Follow the escape route map.
While leaving the house, close all electrical gas and appliances.