NCERT Solutions Class 9 Social Science Chapter 2 Specific Hazards Mitigation

1. What do you understand by structural and non- structural mitigation efforts? Suggest any two for each of the hazards discussed in the chapter.

Answer. Mitigation efforts can be structural or non- structural.

Structural mitigation measures include any physical construction to reduce or avoid possible impacts of hazards. It includes engineered solutions such as redesigning buildings and designing physical barriers to disaster events to reduce damage.

Non-structural mitigation measures include social solutions such as early warning, evacuation planning, and emergency response preparedness, knowledge to reduce impact of disasters through policies and laws, public awareness raising, training and education.

2. What is hazard mapping? How is it an effective mitigation tool for cyclones?

Answer. Hazard mapping is one of the important mitigation measures. In this, a map is prepared that highlights the areas that are affected by or vulnerable to a certain hazard. It is prepared for natural hazards like cyclones, landslides, earthquakes, etc. A cyclone hazard map will illustrate the areas vulnerable to cyclones in any given year and a disaster management plan can be prepared accordingly to face the disaster effectively.

3. What is water harvesting? How is it good measure in overcoming shortage of water?

Answer. Rain water harvesting is an activity of collecting rainwater directly or recharging it into the ground to improve groundwater storage. It is a good measure in overcoming shortage of water as it increases the ground water level. It supplies water to areas lacking groundwater supply. It prevents the runoff from going to sewers or storm drains. Rainwater harvesting system provides water for domestic consumption. It reduces water table depletion.

4. What efforts do you think helped the people of the Ralegaon Siddhi village in Ahmednagar to overcome the problems of drought?

Answer. The people of Ralegaon Siddhi in Maharashtra transformed the dire straits to prosperity. Twenty years ago, the village had no trees, the topsoil had blown off, there was no agriculture and the people were jobless. Anna Hazare, one of the India’s most noted social activists, started his movement, concentrating on trapping every drop of rain, which is basically a drought mitigation practice. Villagers put in lots of efforts to overcome their problems. They built check dams and tanks and planted trees for soil conservation. Due to this, the area under irrigation increased from 80 acres to 1,300 acres. The migration for jobs has stopped and the per capita income has increased ten times from Rs 225 to 2,250 in this span of time.

The entire effort was an enterprise of the people and involved no funds or support from the Government.

5. Explain why is it women and children who are the most affected in drought prone areas.

Answer. Women and children are most affected in drought prone areas because of the following reasons:

i. They don’t get sufficient food and timely medicines and health care due to drought.

ii. They are vulnerable as they are physically weak. 

iii. Due to drought, the males leave the place to find jobs in other places. This results in women and children living in extreme conditions of drought.

6. Explain any two structural mitigation strategies for floods.

Answer. structural mitigation strategies for floods:

i. Natural water retention basis: Construction and protection of flood protection embankments, ring bunds and other bunds. Dams and levees can also be constructed, which can be used as temporary storing space which will reduce the chances of lower plains getting flooded.