Natural and Man-made Disasters With Case Studie

chapter on Natural and Man-made Disasters explains how sudden, severe events can cause widespread damage to life, property, and the environment. It categorizes disasters into two main types:

• Natural Disasters: These are caused by natural processes of the Earth, beyond human control. Examples include earthquakes (like the 2001 Gujarat earthquake or 2015 Nepal earthquake), floods (e.g., Brahmaputra floods, Uttarakhand floods 2013), cyclones, tsunamis (like the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami), volcanic eruptions, landslides, droughts, and wildfires. The chapter highlights their causes, like heavy rainfall for floods or tectonic plate movements for earthquakes, and their devastating effects on infrastructure, livelihoods, and the environment.
  
• Man-made Disasters: These arise from human actions, such as accidents, negligence, or deliberate harmful activities. Examples include chemical spills (like the Bhopal Gas Tragedy), industrial accidents, fire accidents, and even biological disasters. These also lead to significant loss of life, property, and long-term environmental and health issues.
  The chapter emphasizes the critical importance of disaster management, which involves planned steps to minimize disaster impacts. This includes:
• Preparedness: Measures taken before a disaster, like early warning systems, constructing resilient buildings, and creating emergency kits.
• Response: Actions taken during a disaster, such as rescue operations and providing immediate aid.
• Recovery: Efforts to rebuild and rehabilitate after a disaster.

Government bodies (like India’s National Committee on Disaster Management) and community involvement are crucial for effective disaster management, aiming to reduce risks, assist victims, and ensure quick recovery.

Exercises

A. Fill in the blanks

1. Some disasters like _________ may begin slowly and later increase in extent and intensity.

Ans : Droughts

2. Earthquakes are an example of a major __________disaster.

Ans : Natural

3. Cyclones are________areas that occur over warm ocean waters of temperate and tropical regions.

Ans : Low-pressure 

4. The _________ of the earth’s plates caused the earthquake in Nepal in April 2015.

Ans : Collision

5. The __________gas tragedy was caused by the accidental leakage of a highly toxic gas called methyl isocyanate from the Union Carbide factory.

Ans : Bhopal

B. Match the following columns

Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer 

1. Droughts are caused by insufficient _______ over a long period of time.

1. flood
2. storm
3. rainfall
4. sunlight

Ans : Rainfall

2. In 1986, an accidental explosion at a nuclear plant at ________ in the former USSR caused radiation to spread across Ukraine and other regions, killing over 12,000 people.

1. Kiev
2. Chernobyl
3. Astana
4. St Petersburg

Ans : Chernobyl

3. Chemical disasters are caused by _______.

1. gases
2. germs
3. pollen
4. virus

Ans : Gases

4. Biological disasters occur when______, which are grown in laboratories, get released in the air.

1. chemical
2. germs
3. pollen
4. blossoms

Ans : Gases

5. Chemicals from ______ kill marine life and coral reefs and also affect birds and mammals.

1. cyclones
2. drought
3. earthquakes
4. oil spills

Ans : Oil spills

D. State whether the following are true or false

1. Earthquakes also trigger landslides, avalanches, and tsunamis.
Ans : True

2. Floods wash away the top layer of the soil, which is the most infertile.
Ans : False.
Floods wash away the top layer of the soil, which is the most fertile.

3. West Bengal is most vulnerable to floods.
Ans : False.
Bihar is most vulnerable to floods.

4. Oil spills harm marine life.
Ans : True.5. The attacks carried out on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States during World War II were an example of unintentional nuclear disaster.
Ans : False.
The attacks carried out on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States during World War II were an example of intentional nuclear disaster.

E. Answer the following questions in brief

Question 1.
How are earthquakes caused ?
Answer:
This energy accumulation is driven by the constant, slow movement of massive tectonic plates, which are large segments of the Earth’s outer layer.

The critical process occurs along the boundaries of these plates, known as fault lines, where they:

• Grind past each other
• Collide
• Pull apart

Along these fault lines, immense stress builds up. Often, rocks on either side of a fault can become locked together, preventing smooth movement. Despite this locking, the tectonic plates continue their slow motion, causing the stress on these locked sections to increase steadily.

The immediate jolt from this fracture and the subsequent seismic waves are what we perceive and experience as an earthquake.

Question 2.
What causes floods ? What kind of environmental damage does a flood cause ?
Answer:
Flooding occurs when too much water unexpectedly covers land, endangering lives and property. While often an annual event due to rivers overflowing during monsoons, floods also cause significant soil erosion by stripping away fertile topsoil.

Question 3.
What is a drought ? What are the effects of a drought ?
Answer:
A drought is a prolonged period of unusually dry weather, meaning significantly less rainfall than normal. 

The effects of a drought are far-reaching:

• Water Scarcity: Lakes, rivers, and groundwater levels drop, impacting drinking water supplies, irrigation for farms, and industrial uses.
• Agricultural Losses: Crops fail due to lack of moisture, leading to food shortages, higher food prices, and economic hardship for farmers. Livestock may also suffer from lack of water and fodder.
• Environmental Damage: Ecosystems are severely affected, with reduced plant growth, increased risk of wildfires, damage to wildlife habitats, and potential loss of biodiversity.
• Economic Impact: Beyond agriculture, industries relying on water face disruptions, and tourism in affected areas can decline. Cleanup and relief efforts are costly.
• Social Impact: Communities face health issues from contaminated water, increased risk of disease, and mental stress. It can also lead to job losses and forced migration as people seek water and livelihoods elsewhere.

Question 4.
What should people do in the event of a nuclear disaster ?
Answer:
In the event of a nuclear disaster, immediate action is crucial for safety. The primary steps are to seek shelter immediately, ideally in an underground area or the most interior part of a sturdy building, and to stay informed through official emergency broadcasts.Once inside, stay there, seal off windows and doors, and turn off ventilation systems. It’s important to avoid consuming contaminated food or water and to follow all instructions from emergency services. Having an emergency kit prepared beforehand with essentials like water, non-perishable food, and a hand-crank radio can also be life-saving.

Question 5.
How do chemical disasters occur ?
Answer:
Chemical disasters happen when hazardous substances are accidentally or intentionally released, leading to harm to people, property, or the environment.

These events can stem from various sources:

• Industrial Accidents: This is a major cause, involving issues like equipment failure, human error, or poor safety protocols at chemical plants or storage facilities. Think of gas leaks, explosions, or spills.
• Transportation Accidents: When chemicals are moved by road, rail, air, or sea, accidents like train derailments or tanker spills can release dangerous materials.
• Improper Waste Disposal: Hazardous waste that isn’t handled correctly can leach chemicals into the soil or water, causing widespread contamination.
• Natural Disasters: Events like earthquakes or floods can damage chemical facilities, leading to uncontrolled releases.
• Intentional Acts: Though less common, chemical disasters can also be the result of deliberate acts, such as terrorism.

Ultimately, these incidents occur due to a breakdown in containment or control of hazardous chemicals, often with severe and far-reaching consequences.

Question 6.
How do biological disasters occur?
Answer:

Biological disasters occur when living organisms or their toxins cause widespread harm, illness, or death to humans, animals, or plants on a significant scale. These events can arise from several distinct pathways:

1. Natural Outbreaks (Epidemics and Pandemics): This is the most common cause. Pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, which naturally exist, can multiply and spread rapidly within a population.
   • Epidemics are outbreaks that affect a disproportionately large number of individuals within a specific community or region at the same time (e.g., a localized cholera outbreak).
   • Pandemics are epidemics that spread across much larger geographical areas, potentially continents or even worldwide (e.g., influenza H1N1, COVID-19).
   • Factors that contribute to natural outbreaks include:
     • Changes in environmental conditions: Climate anomalies (like global warming) can create favorable conditions for pests or disease vectors (e.g., mosquitoes).
     • Poor sanitation and hygiene: Lack of clean water and proper waste disposal facilitates the spread of waterborne and other diseases.
     • Population density: Overcrowding allows for faster transmission.
     • Lack of immunity: A population with little to no prior exposure to a new pathogen is highly vulnerable.
     • Zoonotic spillover: Diseases jumping from animals to humans (e.g., avian flu, some coronaviruses).
2. Accidental Release: This involves the unintentional escape of dangerous microorganisms from laboratories, research facilities, or industrial sites where they are handled.
3. Bioterrorism (Intentional Use): This is the deliberate release of biological agents (like bacteria, viruses, or toxins) by individuals, groups, or states as a weapon to cause widespread disease, fear, or disruption. Such agents are chosen for their ability to spread easily, cause severe illness, or create mass casualties.
4. Plant or Animal Contagion/Infestation: Biological disasters aren’t limited to human diseases. They can also involve widespread outbreaks of plant pests (like locust plagues destroying crops) or animal diseases (like avian flu or mad cow disease impacting livestock), leading to significant economic losses and food security issues.

Question 7.
Give some examples of travel-related disasters.
Answer:
Here are a few examples of travel-related disasters:

• Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, floods, or wildfires can strike popular tourist destinations, trapping travelers or making areas unsafe.
• Transportation Accidents: Plane crashes, train derailments, bus accidents, or shipwrecks are tragic events that can occur during travel.
• Civil Unrest/Terrorism: Political instability, protests, riots, or acts of terrorism in a region can quickly turn a travel experience into a dangerous situation.
• Health Crises: Outbreaks of infectious diseases (like pandemics), food poisoning epidemics, or severe injuries in remote areas with limited medical facilities can become disasters for travelers.

F. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs

Question 1.
Write a short note on the earthquake zones of India.
Answer:
India faces a considerable earthquake threat, with roughly 59% of its land susceptible to seismic activity.

The country is divided into four seismic zones, each reflecting a different level of earthquake risk:

India’s Seismic Zones

• Zone V (Very High Risk): This zone is highly prone to severe earthquakes. It includes the northeastern states, parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Zone IV (High Risk): These areas face a substantial earthquake risk. This zone covers the remaining parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Sikkim, northern Uttar Pradesh, and portions of Bihar, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
• Zone III (Moderate Risk): This zone has a moderate chance of seismic events. Major cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, and the entire state of Kerala fall into this category.
• Zone II (Low Risk): This zone experiences the least seismic activity, encompassing cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Jaipur.

Question 2.
How is a cyclone caused ? Which coastal region of India is cyclone-prone ?
Answer:
Cyclones begin over warm oceans as moist air rises, forming a low-pressure zone. This process, combined with Earth’s rotation (Coriolis effect), causes the system of clouds and winds to spin and intensify.

India’s eastern coast, including Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, is very susceptible to cyclones.

Question 3.
What are the conditions people face during a drought ?
Answer:

The most immediate concern is a shortage of drinking water, which also compromises sanitation. This lack of water cripples agriculture, leading to widespread crop failures and livestock deaths. Consequently, food becomes scarce and prices soar, contributing to economic hardship as jobs in farming disappear. Health issues can arise from poor hygiene and malnutrition, and in extreme situations, dwindling resources can even ignite conflict.

Question 4.
Briefly explain the various causes of fire.
Answer:

Common fire causes include:

• Electrical issues: Bad wiring or overloaded circuits.
• Flammable materials: Combustible items stored too close to heat.
• Open flames: Unattended candles, campfires, or stoves.
• Smoking: Discarded, unextinguished cigarettes.
• Heating equipment: Poorly maintained furnaces or heaters near flammables.
• Cooking accidents: Unattended cooking or grease fires.
• Arson: Deliberate fire-setting.
• Natural causes: Lightning strikes, especially in dry areas.
• Children playing: Unsupervised children with lighters or matches.

Question 5.
Why is a nuclear disaster so harmful?
Answer:
Nuclear disasters unleash devastating harm due to the uncontrolled release of radioactive materials. This radiation causes immediate and long-term health effects, including acute radiation sickness, cancers, and genetic mutations, impacting generations. Beyond human suffering, the environment endures widespread contamination, rendering land and water unusable for prolonged periods and disrupting ecosystems. The sheer scale of destruction, lasting health consequences, and persistent environmental damage make nuclear disasters uniquely catastrophic.

Question 6.
Which man-made nuclear disaster shook the world during World War II ? Give details.
Answer:
The devastating atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States in August 1945 represent the sole use of nuclear weapons in warfare. On August 6, 1945, the “Little Boy” bomb leveled Hiroshima, followed by “Fat Man” on August 9 over Nagasaki. These attacks caused immediate, widespread death and destruction, with tens of thousands dying instantly and many more succumbing to burns, radiation sickness, and long-term health issues. The total casualties ranged from 150,000 to 246,000, mostly civilians. These horrific events ultimately led to Japan’s surrender, bringing an end to World War II.

Question 7.
Write a short note on terror attacks with examples.
Answer:
Terror attacks are acts of violence, typically against civilians, intended to create fear and achieve political, religious, or ideological goals. These acts are often perpetrated by non-state actors, though state-sponsored terrorism also exists. The primary aim is to destabilize societies, pressure governments, and spread a specific message or agenda through widespread panic and disruption.

Examples of Terror Attacks:

• 9/11 Attacks (2001, USA): Coordinated suicide attacks by al-Qaeda using hijacked commercial airplanes, targeting the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington D.C.
• Mumbai Attacks (2008, India): A series of coordinated shooting and bombing attacks carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba across various locations in Mumbai, including hotels, a railway station, and a Jewish community center.
• Paris Attacks (2015, France): A series of coordinated terrorist attacks by ISIS in Paris and Saint-Denis, involving mass shootings, suicide bombings, and hostage-taking at venues like the Bataclan theatre and the Stade de France.
• Manchester Arena Bombing (2017, UK): A suicide bombing by an ISIS-inspired individual at the end of an Ariana Grande concert, targeting young concert-goers.

Question 8.
Write a short note on the Nepal earthquake of 2015.
Answer:
On April 25, 2015, a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Kathmandu, Nepal, causing widespread devastation. This major seismic event, which tragically killed nearly 9,000 people and injured thousands more, occurred when the Indian plate forcefully overrode the Eurasian plate along a thrust fault. The quake leveled over 600,000 buildings in Kathmandu. Two significant aftershocks, measuring 6.6 and 6.7 on the Richter scale, followed within an hour, with continued aftershocks for days. 

Question 9.
What makes Bihar the most flood-prone state among all north Indian states ?
Answer:
Bihar consistently faces severe flooding, making it India’s most flood-prone northern state. This is primarily due to several major rivers like the Kosi, Bagmati, and Gandak, which originate in Nepal’s high mountainous regions. These rivers gather immense force as they descend quickly into the plains of Bihar. When Nepal experiences heavy rainfall, the surge of water rapidly overflows these river channels in Bihar, inundating vast areas and impacting thousands of lives and livestock. 

G Picture study.

Question 1.
Identify the type of disaster as shown in the picture.
Answer:
Based on the picture showing parched, cracked earth and what appears to be dead or severely damaged crops, the disaster depicted is drought.

Question 2.
Is it man-made or natural?
Answer:
This image depicts a natural phenomenon, specifically drought or severe water scarcity. The cracked earth and dry, possibly dead, vegetation are direct results of insufficient rainfall and prolonged dry conditions, which are natural environmental occurrences. While human activities can exacerbate or contribute to the conditions leading to drought (e.g., deforestation, climate change), the immediate visual evidence in the picture points to a natural disaster.

Question 3.
What are the causes of this kind of disaster?
Answer:
The image shows severely cracked and dry earth, with what appears to be parched or dead vegetation in the background. This strongly indicates a drought.

Causes of drought include:

• Insufficient rainfall: A prolonged period of significantly below-average precipitation is the primary cause. This can be due to changes in weather patterns.
• High temperatures and increased evaporation: Abnormally high temperatures lead to increased evaporation from soil, water bodies, and plants, exacerbating the lack of moisture.
• Changes in atmospheric circulation: Shifts in large-scale atmospheric patterns (like El Niño or La Niña) can alter rainfall distribution, leading to some regions receiving less rain than usual.
• Deforestation and land degradation: Reduced forest cover can diminish the land’s ability to retain moisture and contribute to local climate changes that reduce rainfall.
• Poor water management: Inefficient irrigation, over-extraction of groundwater, and inadequate water conservation practices can worsen the effects of dry spells.
• Climate change: Long-term climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and intensity of droughts in many regions due to rising global temperatures and altered precipitation patterns.

H. Map work

On an outline map of India mark the following :

1. Earthquake zones with moderate damage risk and high damage risk.
2. Any two flood-prone areas
3. Any two cyclone zones
4. Any two drought-prone areas

Answer:

1. (a) Earthquake zones with moderate damage risk are : Jabalpur, Ratnagiri.
   (b) Earthquake zones with high damage risk are : Chamoli, Sikkim.
   (c) Earthquake zones with very high damage risk are: Kangra, Bhuj.
2. Two flood prone areas are : Rivers of Punjab, River Krishna.
3. Two cyclone zones are : Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
4. Two drought prone areas are : Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Extra Questions

Question 1.
What do you mean by disasters ? How are they classified?
Answer:
A disaster refers to a sudden, severe event that causes widespread destruction, significant loss of life, injury, property damage, and disruption to normal life. It overwhelms the capacity of affected communities or societies to cope using their own resources. Essentially, it’s a catastrophic event that leads to immense suffering and loss, often requiring external assistance for recovery.

Disasters are broadly classified into two main categories:

1. Natural Disasters: These are extreme natural events that occur due to natural processes of the Earth, often beyond human control. They can be further categorized based on their origin:
   
   • Geological Disasters: Caused by processes within the Earth’s crust. Examples include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, tsunamis, and avalanches.
   • Hydrological/Climatic/Meteorological Disasters: Related to water, weather, and atmospheric conditions. Examples include floods, droughts, cyclones (hurricanes/typhoons), blizzards, heatwaves, cold waves, thunderstorms, and tornadoes.
   • Biological Disasters: Involving living organisms. Examples include epidemics (widespread disease outbreaks), pandemics (global disease outbreaks), and insect infestations.
2. Man-made (or Anthropogenic) Disasters: These are disasters caused by human activities, negligence, or technological failures. They can be intentional or unintentional.
   
   • Technological Disasters: Resulting from industrial accidents, infrastructure failures, or hazardous material incidents. Examples include chemical spills, nuclear accidents, building collapses, bridge failures, and major power outages.
   • Social/Conflict-related Disasters: Caused by human conflict or societal breakdown. Examples include wars, terrorism, riots, and mass displacements of populations.
   • Environmental Degradation Disasters: Long-term, slow-onset disasters resulting from human actions that degrade the environment. Examples include deforestation leading to soil erosion, desertification, and pollution-induced health crises.

Question 2.
Which countries are more adversely affected by disasters? Why?
Answer:
Countries that are generally more adversely affected by disasters tend to be developing nations, though some developed countries also experience significant impacts due to their geographic location and economic value of assets at risk.

Here’s a breakdown of why developing countries are particularly vulnerable:

• Poverty and Socio-economic Vulnerability:
  
  • Substandard housing: People in poorer countries often live in poorly constructed homes that cannot withstand extreme weather events like earthquakes, hurricanes, or floods.
  • Limited resources: There’s a lack of funds for robust infrastructure, early warning systems, and effective emergency response and recovery efforts.
  • Reliance on natural resources: Many developing economies are heavily dependent on agriculture and natural resources, which are highly susceptible to climate-related disasters like droughts and floods.
  • Inadequate social safety nets: When disaster strikes, there are fewer social support systems, insurance, or financial reserves to help affected populations recover, pushing more people into poverty.
• Geographic and Environmental Factors:
  
  • High-risk areas: Due to economic necessity or rapid urbanization, poor communities often settle in hazard-prone areas such as floodplains, unstable hillsides, or coastal zones vulnerable to storms and sea-level rise.
  • Environmental degradation: Practices like deforestation can exacerbate the impact of disasters, leading to more severe landslides and flooding.
• Weak Governance and Infrastructure:
  
  • Lack of early warning systems: Many developing countries lack the advanced technology and infrastructure to provide timely and accurate early warnings to all vulnerable populations.
  • Limited disaster preparedness: National and local disaster risk reduction strategies may be underdeveloped or poorly implemented.
  • Inefficient response: Emergency services, healthcare, and infrastructure for relief distribution are often stretched thin or inadequate to handle large-scale disasters.
• Population Density:
  
  • Rapid urbanization in many developing countries leads to high population densities in cities, where a single disaster can affect millions and overwhelm existing services.

While developed nations like Japan and the United States also face significant natural disaster risks, their robust economies, advanced infrastructure, strict building codes, and comprehensive disaster management systems often translate to lower human tolls and a greater capacity for rapid recovery, though economic losses can still be substantial.

In essence, while natural phenomena affect all countries, it is the underlying social, economic, and institutional vulnerabilities that determine how a “natural hazard” escalates into a devastating “disaster.”

Question 3.
What do you understand about natural disasters ?
Answer:
Natural disasters are powerful, sudden events originating from Earth’s natural processes, independent of human actions. They include phenomena like earthquakes, floods, droughts, hurricanes, and volcanic eruptions. These events often lead to widespread loss of life, severe damage to property and infrastructure, and significant environmental degradation. The total impact of a natural disaster depends heavily on its intensity and the affected community’s preparedness and resilience.

Question 4.
What is the difference between a hazard and a disaster ?
Answer:
A hazard refers to a dangerous natural event or situation that has the potential to cause harm. For instance, a cyclone approaching the coast or a river swelling its banks are hazards. A disaster, on the other hand, is the actual devastating event that occurs when a hazard strikes, leading to significant death, injuries, property destruction, infrastructural damage, loss of livelihoods, and environmental degradation. The hazard becomes a disaster when it directly impacts and harms people and their surroundings.

Question 5.
What is an earthquake ? What are its effects ?
Answer:
An earthquake is the sudden, violent shaking of the ground, caused by the movement of the Earth’s crustal plates. This movement releases stored energy in the form of seismic waves, which travel through the Earth and cause the ground to tremble.

The effects of an earthquake can be devastating:

• Landslides and Avalanches: Shaking can destabilize slopes, causing large masses of rock, soil, or snow to slide downwards.
• Liquefaction: In areas with loose, water-saturated soil, intense shaking can cause the soil to lose its strength and behave like a liquid, leading to structures sinking or tilting.
• Tsunamis: Underwater earthquakes can displace vast amounts of water, generating massive ocean waves that can travel across oceans and cause widespread destruction upon reaching coastal areas.
• Fires: Earthquakes can rupture gas lines and electrical wires, leading to fires that spread rapidly, especially if water pipes are also damaged.
• Infrastructure Damage: Roads, railways, communication lines, and utility networks can be severely damaged, disrupting essential services and hindering rescue efforts.
• Human Impact: Earthquakes cause injuries, fatalities, displacement of populations, and significant psychological trauma.

Question 6.
Name the states worst affected by water scarcity in India.
Answer:
While the crisis is complex and influenced by various factors like climate, over-extraction of groundwater, and inadequate water management, some states are particularly hard-hit.

The states most severely affected by water scarcity in India include:

• Rajasthan: As a desert state, Rajasthan naturally has limited water resources, making it chronically prone to scarcity and droughts.
• Maharashtra: Particularly its Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, Maharashtra frequently experiences severe drought conditions, leading to acute water shortages.
• Tamil Nadu: Many districts, including urban centers like Chennai, face significant water stress and have experienced acute shortages.
• Karnataka: Regions like North Karnataka and urban areas such as Bengaluru are grappling with recurrent droughts and depleting groundwater levels. The state’s main reservoirs have seen alarmingly low capacities.
• Gujarat: Arid and semi-arid regions in Gujarat are prone to water stress, with overexploitation of groundwater being a major concern.
• Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: These southern states, along with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, have been severely impacted by significantly low water levels in their major reservoirs.
• Uttar Pradesh and Haryana: While often associated with agriculture, parts of these states face water stress due to water depletion issues, particularly concerning groundwater.

It’s important to note that the situation can fluctuate based on monsoon patterns and local conditions, but these states consistently appear on lists of those most affected by India’s ongoing water crisis.

Question 7.
What do you mean by man-made disasters ?
Answer:
Man-made disasters are catastrophic events primarily caused by human actions, negligence, or technological failures, rather than natural forces. These incidents can be accidental, such as industrial accidents, transportation crashes, or hazardous material spills, or intentional, like acts of terrorism, war, or civil unrest.

Unlike natural disasters which result from phenomena like earthquakes or floods, man-made disasters are directly linked to human activity and often have significant impacts on human life, property, and the environment.

Question 8.
What causes fire ? Give one example.
Answer:
Fire is caused by a chemical reaction called combustion. This happens when a flammable material is exposed to heat and an oxidizer (usually oxygen in the air).

Example: Lighting a wooden matchstick. The friction creates enough heat to ignite the chemicals on the match head, which then burn the wood, causing a flame.

Question 9.
Give an example of the intentional nuclear disaster and unintentional nuclear disaster.
Answer:
Intentional Nuclear Disaster:

• Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945): These were deliberate acts of war by the United States, using atomic bombs, which resulted in widespread destruction and immense loss of life.

Unintentional Nuclear Disaster:

• Chernobyl Disaster (1986): This was an accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine (then Soviet Union), caused by a flawed reactor design and human error during a safety test, leading to a massive explosion and release of radioactive material.
• Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident (2011): Triggered by a powerful earthquake and subsequent tsunami, this event led to meltdowns and hydrogen explosions at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan due to a loss of power and cooling systems

Question 10.
Give an example of a chemical disaster.
Answer:
A well-known example of a chemical disaster is the Bhopal Gas Tragedy in India, which occurred in 1984. Toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from a pesticide plant, leading to thousands of immediate deaths and long-term health issues for hundreds of thousands more.

Question 11.
What are biological disasters ?
Answer:
Biological disasters involve the widespread outbreak of disease, affecting humans, animals, or plants. These events can stem from various sources like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other toxins.

For example, a pandemic such as COVID-19, an epidemic of a highly contagious disease like Ebola, or even a widespread agricultural blight that destroys essential crops would all be considered biological disasters. The impact can range from significant illness and death to severe economic disruption and societal breakdown due to healthcare system strain and resource shortages.

Question 12.
How and why are terror attacks carried out ? Give examples.
Answer:
Terror attacks are violent acts, such as bombings or shootings, aimed at instilling fear and achieving political, social, or religious goals. Perpetrators, individuals or groups, use violence to cause widespread death and destruction, often targeting public infrastructure or using unconventional weapons. Infamous instances include the 9/11 World Trade Center attack, the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, and the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Terror attacks are violent acts, such as bombings, shootings, or using dangerous weapons, carried out by individuals or groups. Their main goal is to create widespread fear, often to achieve specific political, social, or religious aims. They frequently target public areas or vital infrastructure to maximize disruption and casualties. Historic examples include the 9/11 attacks in the US and the Mumbai attacks in India.

Question 13.
Name the world’s worst industrial disaster.
Answer:
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

Question 14.
What causes travel-related disasters ?
Answer:
Travel-related disasters can arise from a variety of factors, often a combination of them. Here are some key causes:

• Human Error: This is a significant contributor and includes things like a driver falling asleep, missing a signal, poor decision-making by pilots or captains, or even simple mistakes like misreading a map.
• Technical or Equipment Failure: Malfunctions in vehicles are a common cause. This could involve brake failure in a bus, loss of radar transmission in planes, engine issues, or other mechanical defects in cars, trains, or ships.
• Natural Phenomena: Unpredictable natural events can severely disrupt travel and lead to disasters. Examples include:
  • Weather: Storms, hurricanes, typhoons, heavy rains leading to floods, blizzards, and extreme temperatures.
  • Geological Events: Earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.
• Poor Maintenance: Neglecting regular upkeep of transportation vehicles or infrastructure can lead to critical failures.
• Infrastructure Issues: Problems with roads, railways, airports, or port facilities can contribute to accidents.
• External Factors: This can include unforeseen events like terrorist attacks, political unrest, or even widespread disease outbreaks that impact travel and public health.
• Personal Misfortunes: While not “disasters” in the broad sense, individual travelers can experience significant problems like lost luggage, stolen passports, getting lost, or falling ill, which can derail a trip.

Question 15.
How do oil spills occur ? What are its effects ?
Answer:
Oil spills occur when crude oil or refined petroleum products are released into the environment, most often in marine or coastal settings. While significant accidents involving oil tankers, offshore drilling platforms, or pipelines are primary causes, other factors contribute as well. These include malfunctions in equipment, natural disasters that damage oil infrastructure, and the illegal dumping of waste oil.

The repercussions of oil spills are profound and far-reaching:

• Environmental Devastation: Marine life is severely impacted. Essential habitats such as coral reefs and mangrove forests can be obliterated, and the contamination of water and sediment can persist for decades.
  
• Economic Strain: The financial fallout is considerable. Fisheries are often forced to close, the appeal of polluted beaches leads to a decline in tourism, and the expenses associated with cleanup efforts are astronomical.
  
• Social Disruption: Coastal communities, particularly those whose livelihoods depend on fishing or tourism, face significant social upheaval. This includes job losses and fundamental changes to their established ways of life.

Question 16.
Which disaster is considered to be one of the worst spills to have happened in recent times ? Elaborate.
Answer:
The Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010 stands as one of the U.S.’s most catastrophic offshore oil spills. On April 20th, the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 workers and unleashing a massive oil leak. 

This event had severe repercussions, damaging deep-sea ecosystems and contaminating over 1,300 miles of coastline, harming a vast array of marine life. Coastal communities, particularly those reliant on fishing and tourism, faced significant economic and social upheaval due to the widespread pollution.

Question 17.
Name two states of India where floods cause massive damages every year.
Answer:
Assam and Bihar.

Question 18.
Name two wildlife sanctuaries of Assam.
Answer:
The Kaziranga National Park and the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

Question 19.
Define —

1. Avalanche
2. Tsunami
3. Epidemic
4. Storm surge
5. Water table

Answer:

1. Avalanche: A sudden descent of a large amount of snow or rock down a mountainside.
2. Tsunami: A very strong ocean wave, typically generated by an earthquake beneath the sea.
3. Epidemic: A quick, widespread outbreak of an infectious illness.
4. Storm surge: An unusually high coastal sea level caused by intense winds from a storm.
5. Water table: The point underground where the soil or rock is fully soaked with water.

20. Fill in the blanks

1. __________ are incidents that cause significant damage or destruction to life and property.

Ans : Disasters

2. While most disasters happen suddenly like earthquakes, nuclear explosions, others like _________ may have a slow beginning and later increase in extent and intensity.

Ans: Droughts

4. Disasters affect people living in _______countries more adversely.

Ans : Underdeveloped

5. Earthquakes usually occur without ______.

Ans : Warning

6. An _________is a sudden violent movement of a portion of the earth’s crust.

Ans : Earthquake

7. ________ are mostly caused due to the overflowing of rivers in the monsoon.

Ans : Floods 

8. About __ per cent of the land area in India is drought-prone.

Ans : 30 

9. ________ lead to acute shortage of water and crop failure.

Ans : Droughts

10. _________ nuclear disasters mostly occur due to accidents in nuclear power reactors.

Ans : Unintentional

11. The Bhopal Gas tragedy is an incident of ________ disaster.

Ans : Chemical

12. The terror attack on Parliament of India took place on _________.

Ans : 13 December 2001.

13. Nepal lies on the fault called ________.

Ans : Thrust Fault.

14. ___________ explosion is the largest oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry.

Ans : The Deep water horizon

15. Heavy rainfall in Assam causes the _________ river and its tributaries to overflow.

Ans : Brahmaputra

16. ________ is the most flood-prone region amongst the great northern plains of India with almost 73 per cent of the state affected by floods.

Ans : Bihar