Maharashtra Board Class 11 Geography Chapter 9 Disaster Management Solutions

Identify the Correct Alternative

 

Question 1. Which of the following groups shows the correct type of disaster?
(a) Atmospheric - Cloud burst, tsunami, wet famine
(b) Geological - Earthquake, volcano, landslide
(c) Biological - Pest attack, forest fire, locust attack
(d) Anthropogenic - War, chemical leakage, drought
Answer: (b) Geological - Earthquake, volcano, landslide
In simple words: Geological disasters are those caused by natural processes of the Earth, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that tsunamis are geological/oceanic in origin, not atmospheric, which helps eliminate incorrect options quickly.

Question 1. Select the correct group of disaster classifications from the table below:

a	b	c	d
Tectonic	Flood	Tectonic	Tectonic
Geological	Geological	Geological	Human
Human	Human	Volcanic	Biological
Climate	Climate	Climate	Volcanic

Answer: (a) Tectonic, Geological, Human, Climate
In simple words: Column 'a' correctly lists the standard scientific classifications of natural and man-made disasters.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the main categories of disasters (like tectonic, geological, and climate-related) to quickly identify correct classifications in tabular questions.

 

Question 2. The Meteorological Department has given information that a cyclone is likely to make a landfall at Odisha in 2 days. Which of the following group shows the correct sequence of management process?

a	b	c	d
Recovery	Rehabilitation	Preparedness	Response
Rehabilitation	Preparedness	Mitigation	Recovery
Preparedness	Mitigation	Response	Rehabilitation
Mitigation	Response	Recovery	Preparedness
Response	Recovery	Rehabilitation	Mitigation

Answer: (c) Preparedness, Mitigation, Response, Recovery, Rehabilitation
In simple words: Before a disaster strikes, we prepare and try to reduce its impact (mitigation); during the disaster, we react (response); and afterwards, we clean up (recovery) and rebuild (rehabilitation).

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the chronological order of disaster management: always start with planning (preparedness) and end with rebuilding (rehabilitation).

 

Question 3. Statement A – The cyclonic depression originating in the Bay of Bengal is marching towards Tamil Nadu at a velocity of 350 km/hr.
Statement B – The loss of life was not much but property loss occurred on a large scale.
Answer: Statement A indicates a highly severe cyclonic storm heading towards the coast, while Statement B shows that effective early warning and evacuation minimized casualties, though physical infrastructure still suffered damage.
In simple words: Even though a very strong storm hit the coast, timely warnings saved lives, but the strong winds still damaged houses and trees.

🎯 Exam Tip: When analyzing statements about disasters, connect the meteorological data (like wind speed) to the human and economic impact to show a complete understanding.

Question 3.
(a) A indicates a disaster and B indicates a hazard.
(b) A indicates a hazard while B indicates a disaster.
(c) A indicates a disaster but B does not indicate a hazard.
(d) A does not indicate a disaster but B indicates a hazard.
Answer: (b) A indicates a hazard while B indicates a disaster.
In simple words: A hazard is a potential threat or danger, whereas a disaster is the actual event that causes damage and destruction.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always remember that a hazard is the cause or threat, while a disaster is the destructive effect that follows. Keep this distinction clear in your answers.

 

Question 4. India has been successful in mitigation the effects of the following disaster.
(a) Earthquake
(b) Volcanic eruptions
(c) Floods
(d) Cyclones
Answer: (c) Floods
In simple words: India has successfully managed to reduce the damage and impact caused by floods through better planning and protective measures.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing about disaster mitigation in India, highlight floods as a key area where structural measures like dams have shown significant success.

 

2. Write Short Notes On

 

Question 1. Vulnerability
Answer:
1. The geographical conditions and circumstances of people or region that make them susceptible to a disaster is known as vulnerability. This susceptibility can vary based on location and resources.
2. People living in certain areas are exposed to particular disasters. Example, in case of a cyclone, people in the coastal areas of India are more likely to be affected than those in the interior.
3. People living in seismically active areas are prone to earthquakes.
4. At times, the social, economic and political conditions may make people more likely to be affected by disasters. Example, poor people are more likely to be affected by disaster.
5. Old people and children can easily become victims of disasters. Densely populated areas are more likely to be affected than sparsely populated areas.
6. If people are more vulnerable, they have to be better prepared, so that the risk of getting affected by the disaster is less.
In simple words: Vulnerability means how weak or exposed a person or place is to a disaster. For example, people living near the sea are more vulnerable to storms than those living far inland.

🎯 Exam Tip: To score full marks, make sure to list multiple factors of vulnerability, such as geographical location, age, and economic conditions, along with relevant examples.

 

Question 2. Disaster
Answer:
1. A hazard becomes disaster when it affects human population, settlement and their activities.
2. When natural events like volcanic eruptions occur in areas inhabited by humans and cause damage, they are termed as disasters.
3. Disaster causes widespread loss of life and property.

Generally man-made disasters can be prevented as they happen due to mistakes or carelessness by humans. Understanding these events helps us prepare better and minimize damage.

Disasters can be classified into various types depending on their origin as per following:
1. Tectonic Disasters : Earthquakes, Volcanic eruptions, Tsunamis.
2. Geological Disasters : Landslides, Mudslides, Avalanches, etc.
3. Meteorological Disasters : Floods, Cyclones, Storms, Heat Waves, etc.
4. Biological Disasters : Locust attacks, Pest attacks, Epidemics, etc.
5. Anthropogenic or Man-made Disasters: Industrial accidents, Transportation accidents, Nuclear accidents, etc.
In simple words: A disaster is a major event, like an earthquake or flood, that causes a lot of damage and harms people. Disasters can be natural or caused by human mistakes.

🎯 Exam Tip: When defining a disaster, remember to mention both natural and man-made types, and list at least three examples of each to score full marks.

 

Question 3. Hazard
Answer:
1. Hazards are phenomena that pose a threat to people, structural or economic assets and which may cause a disaster.
2. They could be either naturally occurring in the environment or man-made. Example, high rainfall is a hazard as it may cause floods.
3. A hazard becomes a disaster when it affects human population, settlements and their activities. An earthquake or storm occurring in any area in the world is a hazard but when it occurs in inhabited areas it is called disaster. Identifying hazards early is crucial for disaster risk reduction.
In simple words: A hazard is a dangerous situation or event that has the potential to cause harm, but it only becomes a disaster when it actually hurts people or damages their homes.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly distinguish between a hazard and a disaster by using the example of an earthquake in an empty desert versus a populated city.

 

Question 4. Man-made Disasters
Answer: Man-made disasters are catastrophic events caused by human negligence, errors, or technological failures. Examples include industrial accidents, gas leaks, nuclear radiation, and major transportation crashes. These events can usually be prevented by strictly following safety protocols and guidelines.
In simple words: Man-made disasters are dangerous accidents caused by human mistakes or carelessness, like chemical leaks or big fires, which can be prevented with proper safety rules.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use terms like "anthropogenic" and "human negligence" to make your answer stand out and show a deeper understanding of the topic.

Write in Short

 

Question 1. Mitigation for Cyclone
Answer:
1. Any measure taken to minimize the impact of a disaster before it occurs is called mitigation.
2. It is mainly carried out for those disasters which cannot be prevented.
3. Mitigation for cyclones involve all possible steps taken against potential disaster and reduce the losses.
4. With the help of satellites, forecasting of cyclones can help in knowing the timing of their landfall.
5. People can be evacuated from the vulnerable coastal areas.
6. Thus, mitigation helps the people by creating safer communities and reducing loss of life and property of people.
For example, effective mitigation measures were taken before the arrival of cyclone Fani in India. Due to proper mitigation measures, there was less financial impact of the disaster on government agencies.
In simple words: Mitigation means taking steps before a disaster strikes to reduce its damage. For cyclones, this includes using satellites to predict them and moving people to safer places beforehand.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define 'mitigation' first, and use real-world examples like Cyclone Fani to secure maximum marks.

 

Question 2. Preparedness for Floods
Answer: Preparedness involves measures taken to prepare and reduce the effect of disaster. You can prepare for flooding in a number of ways, such as keeping an emergency kit ready with essential supplies, identifying safe elevated areas in your neighborhood, and staying tuned to local weather warnings. Having a clear evacuation plan helps families stay safe during sudden floods.
In simple words: Flood preparedness means being ready before a flood happens. This includes keeping emergency supplies ready and knowing how to reach safe, high ground quickly.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain 'preparedness' as proactive planning and list practical steps like emergency kits and evacuation routes to write a complete answer.

 

Question 3. Rehabilitation after Earthquakes
Answer:
1. Rehabilitation is the last stage of disaster management. This phase is crucial for helping communities rebuild their lives and regain confidence.
2. It tries to restore normalcy in the long term.
3. It may take many years efforts.
4. It may include providing housing to the affected people, reconstructions of schools, hospitals, water and gas pipelines, restoring electricity, transport and communication.
In simple words: Rehabilitation is the long-term process of helping people get back to their normal lives after an earthquake by rebuilding homes, schools, and essential services.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly list the key areas of reconstruction, such as housing, schools, and utilities, to show a complete understanding of the rehabilitation process.

Answer in Detail

 

Question 1. Explain the types of disaster according to origin.
Answer: Disasters can be classified into various types depending on their origin: They can be of the following types:
1. Tectonic Disasters : Earthquakes, Volcanic eruptions, Tsunamis, etc. Example, in 2004, there was one of the deadliest tsunamis in the Indian Ocean. It affected many surrounding countries like India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Maldives, Indonesia. Nearly 2,30,210 people were killed.
2. Geological Disasters : Landslides, mudslides, avalanches. Example, Malin landslide of 2014 in Maharashtra, on 7th May 2018, landslides occurred due to heavy rainfall along NH-6 connecting Shillong with Assam, Tripura And Mizoram. Understanding these origins helps in preparing better mitigation strategies.
In simple words: Disasters are grouped by how they start. Tectonic disasters come from deep earth movements like earthquakes, while geological disasters involve surface movements like landslides.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use clear headings for each type of disaster and provide specific historical examples with dates and locations to secure maximum marks.

 

Question 2. Explain the effects of disasters with the help of examples.
Answer: The disasters can bring a lot of immediate and long-term effects on various sectors of a society:
1. Primary effects : They occur as a result of the disaster itself like damage during a flood or collapse of buildings during earthquake. Example, the great Tsunami and earthquake of Indonesia that occurred on 26th December, 2004 or the Malin mudslide of 2014 in Maharashtra.
2. Secondary effects : They occur because a primary effect has caused them. Example, fires ignited, disruption of electrical power and water service as result of earthquakes.
3. Tertiary effects : They are long-term effects that are a result of a primary and secondary Effect. Example, like loss of homes, permanent changes in the position of river channel and adverse effect on tourism in an affected area due to an earthquake, etc. These consequences often require coordinated international aid and long-term rehabilitation efforts to fully resolve.
In simple words: Disasters have three levels of impacts: direct damage (primary), immediate consequences caused by that damage (secondary), and long-term societal or environmental changes (tertiary).

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary effects using distinct examples for each to secure maximum marks.

 

Question 3. Write about the preparedness in Disaster Management in India.
Answer:
1. India’s geo-climatic conditions and its high degree of socio-economic vulnerability, makes it one of the most disaster-prone country in the world.
2. To tackle this, India has established the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) at the national level and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA) at the state levels.
3. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) plays a key role in rescue operations, while community awareness programs help prepare citizens at the grassroots level. Regular mock drills are also conducted in schools and offices to ensure everyone knows how to react during emergencies.
In simple words: India is highly prone to natural disasters due to its geography. To protect people, the government has set up special rescue forces like the NDRF and created plans to handle emergencies quickly.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention key organizations like NDMA and NDRF when discussing India's disaster preparedness to show a thorough understanding.

2. After the Tsunami in 2004, approach towards disaster management has drastically changed. Various State Governments were requested to set up a disaster management office.

3. At the Government of India level two institutes were set up in New Delhi - the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The aim was to mitigate the damage potential of natural disasters in future.

4. The disaster management authorities have been established at different levels. At the centre level, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has been established. At state level, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has been established, at district level, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has been established.

5. The National Crisis Management Committee, also functions at the centre.

6. The nodal ministers are identified for different disaster types of function under the overall guidance of the ministry of Home Affairs (Nodal Ministry for Disaster Management). These ministers interact at different levels within the disaster management framework. Example, for disasters, such as drought, the Ministry for Agriculture is the Nodal Agency.

7. Military forces and para-military forces such as Home Guard, etc., play an important role.

8. Various agencies such as ISRO, NRSC (National Remote Sensing Centre) etc., also play an important role in disaster management.

 

Question 4. Explain with example, how will you carry out disaster management in your region or premises?
Answer: In Mumbai region there is always flooding either due to continuous heavy downpour or due to cyclone. Creating community awareness and setting up local emergency response groups can significantly reduce the impact of such events. Disaster management can be done in following ways: Preparedness and mitigation
In simple words: To manage disasters like flooding in Mumbai, we need to plan ahead and take steps to reduce damage. This includes preparing emergency kits, clearing drains, and knowing who to contact during a crisis.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining disaster management for your region, always identify a specific local disaster (like flooding or earthquakes) and list practical, actionable steps for preparedness.

1. People be made aware of floods through media. People be warned not to come out of the house during floods.
2. People should be told to be ready with food, medicines, water, etc.
3. People can be evacuated from vulnerable areas.
4. Strengthening of existing building be done.
5. Hospitals should be ready for the treatment of affected people.

Disaster Response

1. Government and NGOs should supply food, medicines and temporary shelter to affected people.
2. People should be rescued from affected areas.
3. Efforts be made to restore normal condition.

Recovery

1. Giving financial assistance to victims.
2. Restoration of basic services like transport and repair of physical, economic and social damages.

Rehabilitation

1. Houses be provided to the affected people.
2. Rehabilitation of affected farmers and people involved in agriculture and other sectors of economy.
3. It may also include reconstructions of schools, hospitals, water and gas pipelines, restoring electricity, transport and communication.

11th Geography Digest Chapter 9 Disaster Management Intext Questions and Answers

Try This

Read about the following disasters which have occurred across the world and answer the following questions. (Textbook Page No. 97)

Major Disasters

Year	Disaster	Location	No. of deaths/loss incurred (approx.)
1920	Earthquake	China	2,35,000
1923	Earthquake	Japan	1,42,000
1970	Bhola Cyclone	India and Bangladesh	5,00,000
1984	Release of gas Methyl Isocyanate	Bhopal, India	10,000; 5.5lakh affected
1985	Ruiz Volcanic Eruption	Colombia	25,000
1994	Land slide	Varandha Ghat, Maharashtra, India	20; Breaching of ghat road, Konkan Coast damaged to the extent of 1 km at several places
1995	Rail accident	Firozabad, India	400
1999	Cyclone	Odisha, India	10,000
2004	Tsunami	India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka	2,50,000
2005	Earthquake	India and Pakistan	80,000
2005	Flash Floods	Mumbai, India	1100
2014	Hailstorm	Maharashtra, India	Affected many standing crops, 2700 farm animals dead
2019	Cyclone Fani	Odisha, India	89

 

Question 1. Classify these disasters into natural and man-made disasters.
Answer:

Natural Disasters	Man-made Disasters
Earthquake, Cyclone, Tsunami, Volcanic eruption, Landslide, Flash Floods, Hailstorm	Landslide, Release of Gas Methyl Isocyanate, Rail Accident

Understanding the distinction between these categories helps us prepare better safety measures for each type of hazard.
In simple words: Natural disasters are caused by nature's forces like weather or earth movements, while man-made disasters happen because of human mistakes or accidents.

🎯 Exam Tip: Present this classification in a neat table format to make it easy for the examiner to read and award full marks.

 

Question 2. Which of these disasters occurred due to climatic conditions?
Answer: The disasters that occurred due to climatic conditions are the Bhola Cyclone (India and Bangladesh), Cyclone of Odisha, Flash Floods in Mumbai, Hailstorm in Maharashtra, and Cyclone Fani in Odisha. These events are directly linked to atmospheric changes and extreme weather patterns.
In simple words: Climatic disasters are those caused by extreme weather, such as heavy rains, strong winds, storms, and floods.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly distinguish between geological disasters (like earthquakes and volcanoes) and climatic disasters (like cyclones and floods) to score full marks.

Question 3. Which of these disasters occurred due to geological causes?
Answer: Earthquakes (in China, India, Japan, Pakistan) Ruiz Volcanic Eruption (Colombia), Landslide (Varandha Ghats, Maharashtra, India), Tsunami (India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka) occurred due to geological causes. These events are primarily driven by the internal movements and tectonic activities of the Earth.
In simple words: Geological disasters are caused by movements inside the Earth. This includes events like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and tsunamis.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to categorize disasters correctly; geological causes always relate to the Earth's crust and internal movements.

 

Question 4. Can you relate the location of a disaster with its cause?
Answer:
1. Release of gas Methyl Isocyanate during the Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984, India, was an Industrial accident caused by human mistake or carelessness.
2. Tsunami that affected India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka was caused by an earthquake that occurred in the sea-bed off the Indonesian shore. Understanding these locations helps scientists map out high-risk zones for future safety planning.
In simple words: Yes, the location of a disaster is closely linked to its cause. For example, a gas leak happens at a factory site, while a tsunami starts near an underwater earthquake zone.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use clear examples like the Bhopal Gas Tragedy or the Indian Ocean Tsunami to show how location and cause are connected.

 

Question 5. Besides the number of deaths, what other losses might be occurring after the disasters?
Answer: Breaching of ghat road, damage to coastal road in the Konkan, many standing crops were destroyed. These physical and economic damages can take years for a community to fully recover from.
In simple words: Apart from lives lost, disasters destroy roads, buildings, and crops. This causes huge financial loss and makes it hard for people to get food and travel.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention both infrastructure damage (like roads) and economic damage (like destroyed crops) to write a complete answer.

 

Question 6. Comparing the cyclones of 1999 and 2019, can you think of the reasons behind the reduction in the number of deaths?
Answer: In the two decades between 1999 and 2019, the capacity to cope with disasters, manage them, the ability of the people and organisations has undergone a huge improvement. Better early warning systems and timely evacuations played a critical role in saving lives.
In simple words: Over twenty years, we got much better at predicting storms and moving people to safe places before the cyclone hit. This preparation saved many lives.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight "improved disaster management capacity" and "better technology/preparedness" as the key reasons for reduced casualties.

Question. Which disasters can be predicted in advance?
Answer: Cyclones and Tsunamis can be predicted in advance. These atmospheric and oceanic events leave patterns that modern technology can track.
In simple words: Scientists can use special tools to know when cyclones and tsunamis are coming before they hit.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state both cyclones and tsunamis as predictable disasters to secure full marks.

 

Question 8. Of those disasters for which prediction can be made, can the people be evacuated from the area?
Answer: Cyclones can be predicted in advance and the people can be evacuated in advance. This timely evacuation significantly reduces the loss of human life during such calamities.
In simple words: Yes, because we can predict cyclones early, we can move people to safe places before the storm hits.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention both prediction and evacuation in your answer to show how early warnings save lives.

 

Question 9. Why do some people get affected by the disaster in specific regions?
Answer: Some people get affected by disasters in specific areas due to various geographical, social, and economic factors:
1. In case of a cyclone, people in the coastal areas of India are more likely to be affected than those in the interior.
2. People living in seismically active regions are prone to earthquakes.
3. The poor, the old people and children are more likely to be affected by disasters in the same region.
4. Densely populated areas are more likely to be affected than sparsely populated areas.
5. Sometimes due to social, economic and political conditions, people are more likely to be affected by disaster in some regions. E.g. poor people are more likely to be affected by disasters.
In simple words: People are affected differently based on where they live, how strong their houses are, and whether they are vulnerable, like the elderly or the poor.

🎯 Exam Tip: List all five factors, including geographical location and socio-economic status, to write a comprehensive answer.

 

Can You Tell? (Textbook Page No. 99)

 

Question. If an earthquake occurs with a magnitude of more than 6 in Sahara Desert area which is totally uninhabited by humans and a similar one occurs in Assam, which one would you call a disaster?
Answer: An earthquake is a hazard but when it occurs in inhabited area, it is called disaster. An earthquake which occurs in Assam can be called a disaster because it is an inhabited area. But an earthquake in Sahara Desert area is not a disaster because it is not inhabited by people. Therefore, human presence and impact are key to defining a disaster.
In simple words: An earthquake in Assam is a disaster because it hurts people and damages homes, while the one in the empty Sahara Desert is just a natural event because no one lives there to be harmed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly distinguish between a 'hazard' (natural event) and a 'disaster' (event causing human loss) to score full marks.

Can You Do It? (Textbook Page No. 99)

 

Classify the components of disaster management into pre-disaster and post-disaster.
Answer:

Pre-disaster	Post-disaster
(i) Preparedness	(i) Evacuation, search and rescue.
(ii) Monitoring, Early warning and mitigation	(ii) Providing relief in terms of medical help, basic needs such as food, clothes and shelter.
-	(iii) Reconstruction and rehabilitation.

This structured classification helps disaster management teams allocate resources efficiently before and after a crisis.
In simple words: Pre-disaster steps are things we do to prepare before a disaster strikes, while post-disaster steps are actions taken to rescue and help people after it happens.

🎯 Exam Tip: Make sure to clearly distinguish between preventive measures (pre-disaster) and rescue operations (post-disaster) in your answers.

Use Your Brain Power! (Textbook Page No. 100)

 

Question 1. In 1988, an earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Armenia and took 25,000 lives. On the other hand, an earthquake in 1989 in California of magnitude 7 took only 63 lives. Can you think of the reason behind this difference?
Answer: Armenia is densely populated whereas California has a lesser population. Hence, the damage and death caused in Armenia is much higher than that in California. Additionally, California has advanced earthquake-resistant building designs and better emergency preparedness systems.
In simple words: Even though both earthquakes were very strong, California had fewer deaths because it has fewer people living in crowded areas and stronger, safer buildings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always highlight population density and infrastructure quality as the primary reasons for differences in disaster casualties.

 

Question 2. Why is disaster management called a cycle? See the figure given below. (Textbook Page No. 101)
Answer: Disaster management is called a cycle because it is a continuous, repeating process where one phase leads directly into the next. It starts with pre-disaster planning and preparedness, moves to active response during a disaster, and ends with post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, which then helps improve future preparedness. This ongoing loop ensures that communities are constantly learning and becoming more resilient.
In simple words: It is called a cycle because the work of preparing, responding, and recovering never stops; each step helps us prepare better for the next time.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to mention that the cycle is continuous and that post-disaster recovery directly helps in better pre-disaster planning.

Disaster Management Cycle

• Disaster
• Response
• Recovery
• Rehabilitation
• Preparedness
• Mitigation

 

Question 1. Explain the disaster management cycle shown in the diagram.
Answer: The disaster preparedness, mitigation, disaster response, recovery and rehabilitation are the five stages of disaster management which are followed by one after another so it is called disaster management cycle. Each stage plays a critical role in reducing the overall impact of a calamity on human life.
In simple words: The disaster management cycle is a continuous loop of steps taken before, during, and after a disaster to protect people and rebuild communities.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to list all five stages in their correct chronological order to show how one phase leads to the next.

 

Give It A Try (Textbook Page No. 101)

 

Question 2. Given below are a list of measures taken for disaster. Write whether they are pre-disaster or post-disaster and structural or non-structural. Also write the name of the disaster for which they are used. Complete the table.
Answer: To complete the table, classify each given measure as pre-disaster (taken before) or post-disaster (taken after), and structural (physical construction/engineering) or non-structural (policies, awareness, training), along with the specific disaster it targets. This systematic classification helps emergency planners allocate resources efficiently.
In simple words: This activity helps us understand if a safety measure is done before or after a disaster, and whether it involves building physical structures or teaching people safety rules.

🎯 Exam Tip: When classifying measures, remember that structural measures involve physical construction like building retaining walls, while non-structural measures involve plans, education, and laws.

 

Question 1. Complete the following table by classifying the measures into pre-disaster/post-disaster, structural/non-structural, and identifying the disasters to which they are applicable:
Answer: This classification helps communities systematically plan and execute disaster mitigation strategies.

Sr. No.	Measures	Pre-disaster / Post-disaster	Structural / Non structural	Disaster/ (s) to which they are applicable
1	Conducting mock drills.	Pre-disaster	Non structural	Earthquake, landslides, fire
2	Discussions about disaster risks and community problems and solutions.	Pre-disaster	Non structural	All types of disasters (Earthquake, flood, etc.)
3	Using art, documentaries, music and drama to portray the impact of disasters on communities.	Pre-disaster	Non structural	All types of disasters
4	Inviting emergency services personnel to provide lectures/demonstrations.	Pre-disaster	Non structural	Fire, Earthquake, Accidents
5	Making booklets on disaster related information.	Pre-disaster	Non structural	All types of disasters
6	Retrofit old buildings.	Pre-disaster	Structural	Earthquake, Landslides
7	Constructing shelters and evacuation chambers.	Pre-disaster	Structural	Cyclone, Flood, Tsunami
8	Making change in land use policy regarding construction of houses in low-lying areas.	Pre-disaster	Non structural	Flood, Tsunami
9	Constructing buildings and houses using disaster resistant material, design to comply with relevant BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) codes.	Pre-disaster	Structural	Earthquake, Cyclone
10	Constructing proper drains.	Pre-disaster	Structural	Flood, Landslide, Heavy rainfall
11	Carrying out plantation activities.	Pre-disaster	Structural	Landslide, Flood, Soil erosion
12	Regular disaster related activities through radio, TV newspaper, etc.	Pre-disaster / Post-disaster	Non structural	All types of disasters
13	Using satellites for early warning.	Pre-disaster	Non structural	Cyclone, Flood, Tsunami
14	Evacuation routes in disaster management plans should be delineated.	Pre-disaster	Non structural	All types of disasters (especially Flood, Cyclone, Fire)

In simple words: This table helps us understand how different safety measures are planned either before or after a disaster, whether they involve physical construction (structural) or planning (non-structural), and which disasters they help prevent.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that physical constructions like drains, shelters, and retrofitting are 'structural' measures, while awareness, planning, and drills are 'non-structural' measures.

Sr. No.	Measures	Pre-disaster/ Post-disaster	Structural / Non-structural	Disaster/ (s) to which they are applicable
(1)	Conducting mock drills.	Pre-disaster	Non-structural	Earthquake, Landslides, Fire
(2)	Discussions about disaster risks and community problems and solutions.	Pre-disaster	Non-structural	Earthquake, Landslides, Fire, Cyclones
(3)	Using art, documentaries, music and drama to portray the impact of disasters on communities.	Pre-disaster	Non-structural	All types of disasters.
(4)	Inviting emergency services personnel to provide lectures/ demonstrations.	Pre-disaster	Non-structural	Cyclones, Earthquakes, Fires, Tsunamis.
(5)	Making booklets on disaster related information.	Pre-disaster	Non-structural	All types of disasters.
(6)	Retrofit old buildings.	Pre-disaster	Structural	Earthquakes
(7)	Constructing shelters and evacuation chambers.	Pre-disaster	Structural	Cyclones, Tsunamis, Earthquakes
(8)	Making change in land use policy regarding construction of houses in low-lying areas.	Pre-disaster	Non-structural	Floods, Tsunamis.
(9)	Constructing buildings and houses using disaster resistant material, designed to comply with relevant BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) codes.	Pre-disaster	Structural	Earthquakes, Fires.
(10)	Constructing proper drains.	Pre-disaster	Structural	Floods
(11)	Carrying out plantation activities.	Pre-disaster		Landslides
(12)	Regular disaster related activities through radio, TV newspaper, etc.	Pre-disaster	Non-structural	Cyclones, Floods, Tsunamis, Epidemics
(13)	Using satellites for early warning.	Pre-disaster	Non-structural	Cyclones, Flood, Tsunamis
(14)	Evacuation routes in disaster management plans should be delineated.	Pre-disaster	Non-structural	Cyclones, Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Fires.

Find Out! (Textbook Page No. 102)

 

Question 1. Who is responsible for looking after disaster management in our country?
Answer: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with the Prime Minister as the Chairperson heads the Disaster Management in our country. This apex body is responsible for laying down policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management to ensure a timely and effective response.
In simple words: The National Disaster Management Authority, led by the Prime Minister, is the main group in charge of planning and managing disaster responses in India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly mention both the full form of NDMA and that the Prime Minister is its Chairperson to secure full marks.

 

Question 2. Find out about the role of the military and paramilitary forces in disaster management of India. (Textbook Page No. 103)
Answer: Military and paramilitary forces evacuate people from the flood-affected areas. They distribute food packets and clothing in the flood-affected areas. They also help in cleaning debris. Additionally, their specialized training allows them to quickly set up temporary shelters and medical camps during emergencies.
In simple words: The military and paramilitary forces help save lives during disasters by moving people to safety, giving them food and clothes, and clearing up blocked roads.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the key actions of the military, such as evacuation, distribution of relief materials, and debris clearance, to secure full marks.