Major Disasters in India — Set 15
Disaster Management · भारत में प्रमुख आपदाएं · Questions 141–150 of 160
The Maharashtra Marathwada drought of which decade was so severe that it triggered farmer suicide crisis?
Correct Answer: D. 2010s
The Maharashtra Marathwada region experienced particularly severe and persistent droughts in the 2010s that were strongly associated with the farmer suicide crisis. Years like 2015-16 saw catastrophic drought conditions across Marathwada, Vidarbha, and western Maharashtra. The crisis triggered major national debates on agricultural policy, crop insurance, and drought relief, leading to the launch of programs like PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana).
What disaster management lesson did the Bhopal Gas Tragedy specifically contribute to?
Correct Answer: B. Industrial disaster preparedness and chemical safety regulations
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy contributed most specifically to the development of industrial disaster preparedness and chemical safety regulations in India. It led to the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules 1989, and improved emergency response protocols for chemical accidents. Internationally, it accelerated the development of the concept of Community Right to Know regarding industrial hazards.
The 2004 Tsunami struck India's coastline with waves traveling from which direction?
Correct Answer: B. East
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami waves struck India's coastline from the east, having originated off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The waves traveled westward and northwestward across the Bay of Bengal, hitting India's eastern coastline (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh) and then the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The waves also reached India's western coast of Kerala after traveling around Sri Lanka.
The Kosi River embankment that breached in 2008 was located in which country?
Correct Answer: B. Nepal
The Kosi River embankment that breached in August 2008, causing catastrophic floods in Bihar, was located at Kusaha in Nepal just 12 km from the Indian border. The embankment breach caused the Kosi River to shift its course eastward by approximately 120 km, inundating 5 Bihar districts. This disaster highlighted the trans-boundary nature of flood management challenges for India in the Himalayan river systems.
Cyclone Gaja of 2018 primarily affected which Indian state?
Correct Answer: C. Tamil Nadu
Cyclone Gaja of November 2018 made landfall near Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu, primarily affecting the Nagapattinam and Thanjavur districts. The cyclone killed approximately 45 people and uprooted millions of coconut and other agricultural trees in the Cauvery delta region. Gaja caused significant damage to agriculture and infrastructure in the affected districts of Tamil Nadu.
The first State in India to adopt a comprehensive Disaster Management Act before the national law of 2005 was?
Correct Answer: B. Gujarat
Gujarat was the first state in India to adopt a comprehensive disaster management framework after the Bhuj Earthquake of 2001, with the creation of GSDMA and Gujarat's own disaster management policies. This state-level initiative preceded the national Disaster Management Act of 2005. Gujarat's post-Bhuj disaster management framework became a model for the national disaster management architecture.
The Assam floods of 2022 affected approximately how many districts?
Correct Answer: C. 30 districts
The Assam floods of 2022 affected approximately 30 of Assam's 35 districts, making it one of the most widespread flood disasters in the state's recent history. Over 55 lakh (5.5 million) people were affected and hundreds of thousands were displaced. The floods caused extensive damage to the national highway network, bridges, and disrupted the livelihood of millions of farmers and fishermen.
The Nainital landslide of 2021 and recurring landslides affect which state?
Correct Answer: A. Uttarakhand
Nainital and surrounding areas in Uttarakhand experience recurring landslides that threaten the hill city's built environment and tourism infrastructure. The 2021 and 2022 monsoons caused particularly severe landslides and land subsidence in Nainital and other Kumaon hill towns. Uttarakhand's combination of fragile Himalayan geology, heavy monsoon rainfall, and rapid urbanization makes landslide risk an endemic challenge.
Which destructive event in Himachal Pradesh in 2023 caused major floods and landslides?
Correct Answer: B. Extreme monsoon rainfall causing widespread flooding
Himachal Pradesh experienced extreme monsoon rainfall in July-August 2023 causing widespread flooding and landslides that killed over 200 people in the state. The Beas River and Sutlej River caused catastrophic flooding, and major landslides blocked highways, destroyed bridges, and cut off numerous villages. The 2023 Himachal floods were considered the worst in decades and caused damage estimated at thousands of crores.
The Kedarnath temple is dedicated to which Hindu deity?
Correct Answer: C. Shiva
The Kedarnath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (sacred sites of Shiva worship) in India. It is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand at an altitude of approximately 3,584 meters. The 2013 disaster around Kedarnath occurred during the peak pilgrimage season (June), which contributed to the high casualty count as thousands of pilgrims were in the area.