Natural Disaster – An Introduction
1. Meaning of Disaster
• A disaster is a sudden event that causes heavy loss of life, property and environment.
• Disasters disturb normal life and developmental activities.
2. Types of Disasters
Disasters are mainly of two types:
(A) Human-Induced Disasters
• Caused by human activities or errors
• Examples:
o Industrial accidents
o Fire
o Nuclear accidents
• You studied these in Class IX along with their management.
(B) Natural Disasters
• Caused by natural forces
• Humans are often helpless against them
• Occur due to disturbances in the natural system
3. Meaning of Natural Disaster
• When unwanted disturbances develop in nature, they appear as nature-induced disasters.
• These disasters are very destructive and affect large areas.
4. Major Natural Disasters (Class X Focus)
Due to their large-scale impact, the following disasters are studied in detail:
1. Flood
2. Drought
3. Earthquake
4. Tsunami
Other natural disasters:
• Cyclones
• Hailstorm
• Avalanche
• Landslides
5. Flood
• When river water rises above normal level and spreads into nearby areas, it causes a flood.
• Floods cause:
o Loss of life and property
o Damage to crops
o Spread of diseases
Floods in Bihar
• Floods are a permanent problem in Bihar.
• River Kosi changes its course frequently.
• Due to its destructive nature, Kosi is called
“Sorrow of Bihar”
• Example: Kosi Floods, 2008
6. Drought
• When annual rainfall is less than 25% of the average rainfall, it is called drought.
• Areas receiving less than 50 cm rainfall often face drought every year.
• Effects:
o Crop failure
o Water scarcity
o Unemployment
Drought in India
• Major drought year: 1966
• Bihar also faces drought due to less rainfall.
7. Earthquake
• Any vibration of the Earth is called an earthquake.
• Measured on the Richter Scale.
• Effects:
o Cracks in land
o Collapse of buildings
o Loss of life and property
Earthquake in Bihar
• 1934 Earthquake:
o Severe destruction
o Cracks developed in land
o Thousands became homeless
8. Tsunami
• A Tsunami is caused by an earthquake on the sea floor.
• Huge waves rise and strike the coast, causing massive destruction.
• Coastal water level rises by several meters.
Tsunami in India
• Major Tsunami: 26 December 2004
• Affected areas:
o Eastern coast of India
o Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Bihar is not affected as it is far from the sea.
9. Cyclones
• Cyclones cause:
o Heavy rain
o Strong winds
o Flooding in coastal areas
• Occur almost every year in India.
• Cause huge loss of life and property in coastal regions.
10. Landslide and Avalanche
Landslide
• Sudden movement of rocks and soil down the slope.
• Occurs due to:
o Heavy rainfall
o Construction work in hilly areas
Most affected states:
• Jammu & Kashmir
• Himachal Pradesh
• Uttarakhand
Avalanche
• Sudden fall of snow and ice from mountains.
• Occurs in very high mountainous regions.
• Not a disaster for plains but serious for hilly people.
11. Disaster Management
• Disaster Management is compulsory for all types of disasters.
• Disasters:
o Stop development
o Create new problems
12. Levels of Disaster Management in India
Administrative Structure:
• National Level – Nodal Ministry
• State Level – Relief & Rehabilitation Cell / Disaster Management Department
• District Level – District Magistrate Office
• Sub-Division Level – Local Administration
• Village Level –
o Panchayat Committee
o Village Disaster Management Committee
13. Role of People in Disaster Management
• No disaster management can succeed without people’s participation.
• Example:
o People of North Bihar (Kosi region) are traditionally trained in flood control.
o They have adapted their lifestyle to floods.
14. Management of Specific Disasters
(A) Flood Management
• Embankments
• Early warning
• Public awareness
(B) Drought Management
• Collective digging of:
o Wells
o Ponds
• Creation of new employment opportunities
(C) Earthquake Management
• Construction of earthquake-resistant buildings
• Preference for:
o Rectangular and square buildings
o Avoid circular or polygonal structures
(D) Tsunami & Cyclone Management
• Tsunami Warning System in coastal areas
• Early alerts to reduce damage
• Strong coastal planning
15. Important Dates (Exam Focus)
• Destructive Earthquake: 1934
• Major Drought Year: 1966
• Destructive Cyclone: 29 December 1999
• Major Tsunami: 26 December 2004
16. Objective of the Chapter
• To provide prior information about possible natural dangers.
• Through forecast and early warning, loss of life and property can be minimized.
• Public participation + administration = Effective disaster management.