Major Disasters in India — Set 4
Disaster Management · भारत में प्रमुख आपदाएं · Questions 31–40 of 160
The 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy plant was located in which city?
Correct Answer: B. Bhopal
The Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) plant responsible for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy was located in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. The plant was situated in a populated area, which greatly increased the number of casualties when the gas leaked. The site remains a major environmental concern with ongoing contamination of soil and groundwater in the surrounding area.
How many people were approximately exposed to MIC gas in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy?
Correct Answer: C. 5,00,000
Over 5,00,000 (500,000) people were exposed to the toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas during the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. Many survivors suffered permanent disabilities including blindness, respiratory disorders, neurological damage, and reproductive health issues. The affected population continued to suffer health consequences for generations, with elevated rates of cancer and birth defects reported in the area.
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami caused the most deaths in which country?
Correct Answer: C. Indonesia
Indonesia suffered the most deaths from the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami with approximately 1,27,000 to 1,68,000 people killed, primarily in Aceh province on the island of Sumatra which was closest to the earthquake epicenter. The total global death toll from the tsunami was over 2,27,000. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand were the four countries most severely affected.
Which measurement scale did Charles Richter develop in 1935 to measure earthquakes?
Correct Answer: B. Richter Scale
Charles Richter developed the Richter Scale in 1935 at the California Institute of Technology to measure the magnitude of earthquakes. The scale is logarithmic, meaning each whole number increase represents a tenfold increase in wave amplitude. Today, the Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw) is more commonly used by seismologists for large earthquakes, though the Richter Scale term remains popular.
The Kedarnath disaster of 2013 falls under which category of disaster?
Correct Answer: B. Flash flood and landslide
The Kedarnath disaster of 2013 was a flash flood and landslide disaster triggered by extreme rainfall and a cloudburst. The disaster destroyed the area around the Kedarnath temple and surrounding region on June 16-17, 2013. It was one of the worst natural disasters in Uttarakhand's history, with thousands of pilgrims and locals killed or missing.
Which Indian Union Territory was most severely damaged by the 2004 Tsunami due to proximity to the earthquake epicenter?
Correct Answer: C. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands suffered the most severe damage among Indian territories in the 2004 Tsunami as they were the closest to the earthquake epicenter off Sumatra. The islands experienced massive destruction of infrastructure, homes, and loss of life. Many of the smaller and more remote islands were completely inundated by the tsunami waves.
Cyclone Fani of 2019 made landfall in which Indian state?
Correct Answer: C. Odisha
Cyclone Fani made landfall near Puri in Odisha on May 3, 2019, as an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speeds of 175-185 km/h. It was one of the strongest tropical cyclones to make landfall in India in decades. Despite being a powerful storm, India's advance mass evacuation of approximately 12 lakh people kept the death toll to around 64, widely praised as a disaster management success.
Cyclone Tauktae of 2021 primarily affected which coast of India?
Correct Answer: B. West coast (Arabian Sea)
Cyclone Tauktae of May 2021 was an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm that affected the west coast of India, forming in the Arabian Sea. It was one of the most powerful cyclones to hit the Arabian Sea and impacted Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat as it moved northward. Tauktae made landfall near Una in Gujarat on May 17, 2021, causing significant damage.
In which district of Gujarat did the Bhuj Earthquake of 2001 have its epicenter?
Correct Answer: C. Kutch
The epicenter of the Bhuj Earthquake of January 26, 2001 was located near Bhuj town in the Kutch district of Gujarat. The earthquake completely destroyed or severely damaged most buildings in Bhuj and neighboring towns. Kutch district bore the brunt of the disaster with the city of Bhuj being almost completely rebuilt after the earthquake.
What is the approximate annual flood-prone area in India?
Correct Answer: C. 40 million hectares
Approximately 40 million hectares of India's land is flood-prone, making India one of the most flood-affected countries in the world. The flood-prone areas are concentrated in the Indo-Gangetic plains, Brahmaputra valley, and coastal regions. The Central Water Commission (CWC) is the primary government body responsible for flood management and forecasting in India.