OVERVIEW

(Page no: 02-08)

1. What makes India one of ‘the most disaster prone’ countries in the
world?
Ans: India’s geo-climatic conditions, as well as its high degree of socio-
economic vulnerability, makes it one of the most disaster-prone countries
in the world.

2. What are disasters?

Ans: A disaster is an extreme disruption of the functioning of a society
that cause widespread human, material or environmental losses.

3. How are disasters classified?

Ans: Disasters are classified as “natural disasters” or “human made”
disasters. Disasters caused by droughts, volcanoes and earthquakes are
generally considered as “natural disasters”. Disasters caused by direct
result of human activities like civil wars, industrial accidents and
environmental pollution are classified as “ human made” or “human-
induced” disasters.

4 .Give definition for disaster?

Ans: i) The disaster management Act, 2005 – “ A catastrophe, calamity or
grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man- made causes or by
accident which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering and
destruction of property or damage to the environment, and is of such a nature as
to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area.”
ii) United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction- A serious disruption of
the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human,
material, economic or environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the
ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources.”
[Link] is the classification of disasters?
Ans: i) ATMOSPHERIC
 Blizzards
 Thunderstorms
 Lightning
 Tornadoes
 Tropical Cyclones
 Droughts
 Hailstorm
 Frost
 Heat Waves

ii) TERRESTRIAL
 Earthquake
 Volcanic Eruptions
 Landslides
 Avalanches
 Subsidence
 Soil Erosion

iii) AQUATIC
 Floods
 Tidal Waves
 Ocean Currents
 Storm surge
 Tsunami

iv) BIOLOGICAL
 Plants and animals as colonisers. Insects and viral diseases such
as bird flu, dengue, etc.
[Link] did High Powered Committee found on disasters?
Ans: (i) WATER AND CILMATE DISASTER
 (a) Floods and Drainage Management
 (b) Cyclones
 (c) Tornadoes and Hurricanes
 (d) Hailstorm
 (e) Cloud Burst
 (f) Heat Wave and Cold Wave
 (g) Snow Avalanches
 (h) Droughts
 (i) Thunder and Lightning
 (j) Sea Erosion

(ii) GEOLOGICALLY RELATED DISASTER

 Landslides and Mudflows
 Earthquakes
 (c) Dam Failures / Dam Bursts
 (d) Minor Fires

(iii) CHEMICAL, INDUSTRIAL AND NUCLEAR RELATED DISASTER

 (a) Chemical and Industrial Disasters
 (b) Nuclear Disasters

(iv) ACCIDENT RELATED DISASTER

 (a) Forest Fires
 (b) Urban Fires
 (c) Mine Flooding
 (d) Oil Spill
 (e) Major Building Collapse
 (f) Serial Bomb Blasts
 (g) Festival Related Disasters
 (h) Electrical Disasters and Fires
 (i) Air, Road & Rail Accidents
 (j) Boat Capsizing
  (k) Village Fire

(v) BIOLOGICALLY RELATED DISASTER

 (a) Biological Disasters and Epidemics
 (b) Pest Attacks
 (c) Cattle Epidemics
 (d) Food Poisoning

7. What are the different levels of disasters?

Ans: According to High Power Committee on disaster management, there are
three levels of disaster situations i.e in three levels- L1, L2 and L3.
L1: The level of disaster that can be managed within the capabilities and
resources at the District Level. However , the state authorities will remain in
readiness to provide assistance if needed.

L2: This signifies the disaster situations that require assistance and active
mobilization of resources at the state level and deployment of state level
agencies for disaster management. The central agencies must remain vigilant for
immediate deployment if required by the state.)

L3: This corresponds to a nearly catastrophic situation or a very large-scale

disaster that overwhelms the State and District authorities.)

8. What is the Indian Scenario on disasters?

Ans: Indian Scenario: India, due to its geo-climatic and socio-economic
conditions, is prone to various disasters. During the last thirty years' time span,
the country has been hit by 431 major disasters resulting in enormous loss of
life and property. According to Prevention Web (a knowledge platform for
disaster risk reduction) statistics, 1,43,039 people were killed and about 150
crore were affected by various disasters in the country during these three
decades. The disasters caused huge loss to property and other infrastructure
costing more than US $ 4,800 crore. Floods, earthquakes, cyclones, hailstorms,
etc. are the most frequently occurring disasters in India, apart from heatwave,
cold waves and heavy winds affecting some areas of the country.

[Link] the hazard profile of India?

Ans: A Disaster-Prone Nation – Key Points (Briefed)
(a) India is among the top 10 most disaster-prone countries due to its diverse
geography.
 Himalayas: Earthquakes, landslides
 Plains: Annual floods
 Arid regions: Droughts, famine
 Coastal areas: Cyclones, storms
(b) The Indian-Eurasian plate collision causes:
 Ongoing tectonic activity
 High seismicity in the Himalayan belt (Zone 4)
 Occasional earthquakes in Peninsular India show deep tectonic activity
continues
(c) Himalayan rivers carry heavy sediments, causing siltation and floods—
especially in UP and Bihar.
(d) India's tropical location and monsoon variability cause:
 Cyclones in coastal zones
 Floods in some areas
 Droughts in rain-shadow areas like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and
Maharashtra
(e) Ocean floor movements make coastal regions tsunami-prone.
(f) Human-induced factors worsening disasters:
 Climate change
 Deforestation
 Population growth
  Unplanned urbanization
 Large dam constructions
 Unsustainable farming practices

[Link] is the relation of climate change in disaster?

Ans: Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of
current extreme weather events and give rise to new vulnerabilities with
differential spatial and socio-economic impacts on communities. The
unprecedented increase is expected to have severe impacts on the hydrological
cycle, drinking water availability, forests, coastal wetlands and mangroves, food
security, health and other related areas. The impact would be particularly
disastrous for developing countries, including India and further degrade the
resilience of poor and vulnerable communities.

11. How does global climate change affect earth?

Ans: The impact of global climate change, felt due to changes in weather and
the observed change in surface temperature and the consequent increase in
evaporation leading to extreme events like intense cyclones and flash floods is a
significant environmental challenge Extreme rainfall has substantially increased
over large areas, particularly over the west coast and west central India.
Observations during the last decade and projections indicate that extreme events
i.e. heat waves, cold waves, floods, and droughts, would increase. There is thus
an urgent need for a paradigm shift in disaster management, especially because
of changing climate.

12. How poverty and disaster vulnerability are linked to each other?
Ans: Poverty and vulnerability to disasters are inextricably linked and mutually
reinforcing. The poor section of the society is the worst affected in the case of a
disaster. The situation further aggravates as the poor depend upon
environmental resources for their survival, increasing their vulnerability. It
compels them to migrate to more vulnerable locations and take refuge in unsafe
shelters. Their, dwellings are of low-cost makeshifts and are easy targets for
various hazards. These habitations are chosen either due to the fact that there is
no other land available at reasonable costs or due to their proximity to
employment opportunities. Thus Disasters hurt the poor and vulnerable the most
and natural disasters have had large and long-lasting impacts on poverty.

13. What are the causes and effects of disaster?

Ans: Vulnerability is defined as the extent to which community services in a
geographical area is likely to be disrupted by the impact of a particular hazard
As a developing nation with limited resources and still millions suffering from
poverty, India is vulnerable to extreme weather events. With more than 70
percent of India's population relying on agriculture directly or indirectly,
monsoon failure or break in monsoon has a significant impact on the livelihood
of farmers Protracted problems lead to farmer suicides. Crops submerged by
deluge affects production leading to inflation and the necessity of having to
import food grains from other countries.

14. What is Disaster Management?

Ans: Disaster Management (as per the Disaster Management Act, 2005)
Disaster Management is defined as a continuous and integrated process
involving:
1. Prevention of danger or threat of any disaster
2. Mitigation of risk or reduction in severity and consequences
3. Capacity-building to face disasters
4. Preparedness for effective response
5. Prompt response to disaster situations
6. Assessment of disaster severity and impact
7. Evacuation, rescue, and relief operations
8. Rehabilitation and reconstruction post-disaster