Maharashtra Board Class 6 Science Chapter 4 Disaster Management PDF Download

Disaster Management

Can You Tell?

1. What events do you see in these pictures?

2. What would you have done in these situations?

3. Have you experienced such a situation yourself?

4. Why do these events occur?

Some Disastrous Events

In 1993, many people died due to the earthquake at Killari in Latur district.

Even today people of Mumbai shudder at the memory of July 2005 when many people had lost their lives in the deluge caused by heavy rains.

In July 2014, the whole village of Malin in Ambegaon taluka of Pune district was destroyed in a matter of minutes due to a landslide. Many got buried under the heaps of soil and stone and lost their lives.

In November 2015, many people died due to the flooding caused by heavy rains in Tamil Nadu.

What Is A Disaster?

A sudden event that causes large scale damage to life, property and social aspects of a nation or society is called a disaster.

Use Your Brain Power!

1. What disasters can occur in school or on the way to school?

2. According to you, what can be done to deal with such a disaster?

Teacher's Note

In India, disasters happen every year. During monsoon, many cities like Mumbai face heavy floods and lose many lives. We should always be ready and alert.

Exam Trick

Remember: A disaster is a sudden and big problem that hurts many people and damages many buildings. Think of floods in Mumbai or earthquakes.

Points to Remember

A disaster is a sudden bad event.
It causes big damage to life and property.
Disasters happen naturally or man-made.
We must always be ready for disasters.
Helping others during disaster is our duty.

How And Why Do The Following Disasters Occur?

1. Floods due to heavy rains.

2. An earthquake, lightning, a volcanic eruption, etc.

3. Forest fires

4. Increased risk due to high density of population in a limited area.

5. Rampant and irregular constructions.

6. Ecological imbalance.

7. Terrorism, riots and crimes resulting in bomb explosions, assaults, fire and accidents, etc.

Disasters are of two main kinds - man-made and natural.

Earthquakes

Movements in the interior of the earth release tremendous amounts of energy. This causes seismic waves leading to movements of the earth's surface like tremors, shaking, cracking up, etc.

Such vibrations or quaking in the earth's crust is known as an earthquake. It is believed that besides other causes, man-made causes like mining and construction of big dams can also lead to earthquakes.

Effects Of Earthquake

Destruction of infrastructure, i.e., buildings, bridges, roads, railway tracks, etc.

Change in the direction of the flow of rivers.

Huge loss of life and property.

Teacher's Note

In 1993, an earthquake in Killari killed many people in Maharashtra. Buildings fell down. People lost their homes and loved ones.

Exam Trick

Remember: Earthquake = ground shakes = buildings fall = big damage. India has earthquakes in many areas, so be ready.

Points to Remember

Earthquakes are caused by movements inside the earth.
They cause buildings and roads to break.
Many people die in earthquakes.
Some earthquakes are caused by dams and mining.
We must build strong houses to be safe.

Floods

A frequently occurring natural disaster in all parts of the world is 'floods'. Due to excessive rains in the same place, a river overflows its banks causing a flood. The water drainage system in big cities falls short when there is heavy rainfall, resulting in choking of gutters and drainage lines. Water overflows on to the roads and surrounding areas and even enters nearby houses.

Effects Of Floods

Huge loss to life and property.

Soil erosion.

Destruction of standing crops.

After-effects of floods, like spread of diseases and epidemics affecting the health of the people.

Teacher's Note

In July 2005, Mumbai got so much rain that all the streets became like rivers. Thousands of people got stuck in water and many died. Floods happen in monsoon season in India.

Exam Trick

Remember: Heavy rain = river overflows = flood = houses get water = crops are damaged. Mumbai floods happen in July.

Points to Remember

Floods happen when it rains too much.
Rivers overflow and water goes everywhere.
Many homes and farms are damaged.
People get sick from flood water.
We should move to higher places during floods.

Classify The Following Disasters As Man-made Or Natural

Fire, earthquake, leakage of chemical gases, storms, floods, tsunami, bomb explosion, collapse of a building, war, forest fire.

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