Types of Disasters — Set 5
Disaster Management · आपदाओं के प्रकार · Questions 41–50 of 120
Earthquakes in India are associated with which type of disaster classification?
Correct Answer: B. Geological
Earthquakes are geological disasters caused by the sudden release of energy stored in the Earth's crust, producing seismic waves. India experiences frequent earthquakes because of its position on the Indian tectonic plate, which is continuously colliding with the Eurasian plate. Over 59% of India's land area is vulnerable to earthquakes of varying intensity, as classified in the seismic zone map of the country.
IMD classifies normal drought as rainfall deficiency of:
Correct Answer: C. 26–50% below normal
IMD classifies a moderate drought as rainfall deficiency of 26–50% below normal, while a severe drought is 51–75% deficiency and an extreme drought exceeds 75% deficiency. A deficiency of less than 25% is classified as 'normal' or 'below normal' rather than drought. These thresholds guide the declaration of drought conditions by state governments and the mobilisation of government relief schemes.
A volcanic eruption is classified as which type of natural disaster?
Correct Answer: C. Geological
Volcanic eruptions are geological disasters driven by the movement of magma from beneath the Earth's crust to the surface. Volcanic eruptions can trigger secondary disasters including pyroclastic flows, lahars (volcanic mudflows), ashfall, tsunamis, and acid rain. Barren Island in the Andaman Sea is India's only active volcano and has erupted several times in recent decades.
Which state in India is home to the only active volcano?
Correct Answer: B. Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Barren Island, India's only active volcano, is located in the Andaman Sea in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands union territory. Barren Island is part of a volcanic chain that extends from Sumatra in Indonesia northward through the Andaman arc. The volcano has shown activity in several recent years and continues to be monitored by the Geological Survey of India.
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami primarily originated near the coast of:
Correct Answer: C. Sumatra, Indonesia
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami originated from a 9.1 magnitude submarine earthquake off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The rupture occurred along the Sunda megathrust fault at a depth of about 30 km beneath the ocean floor. The energy released by the earthquake was equivalent to 23,000 Hiroshima-type atomic bombs, generating waves that devastated coastlines across the Indian Ocean within hours.
A disease outbreak affecting a large number of people in a specific region is called:
Correct Answer: B. Epidemic
An epidemic is a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease that exceed what is normally expected in a specific geographical area. A pandemic is an epidemic that spreads to multiple countries or continents. Endemic refers to a disease that is consistently present in a particular geographic area, such as malaria in certain regions of India.
Which of the following best describes a 'compound disaster'?
Correct Answer: B. Two or more hazards occurring together with combined impacts
A compound disaster involves two or more hazard events occurring simultaneously or sequentially whose combined impacts are greater than the sum of their individual effects. The 2020 locust invasion coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic in India is an example of a compound disaster affecting agriculture and health simultaneously. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of compound disasters globally.
Droughts differ from floods in that droughts are:
Correct Answer: C. Slow-onset disasters
Droughts are slow-onset disasters that develop gradually over weeks, months, or years as precipitation remains below normal levels. Unlike floods and earthquakes which strike with little warning, drought allows time for advance preparation and mitigation if early warning systems and monitoring are in place. The Drought Early Warning System (DEWS) operated by NCPOR and ICAR helps in advance drought declaration in India.
Nuclear accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima are classified under which category?
Correct Answer: C. Radiological/Nuclear (man-made) disasters
Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011) are classified as nuclear/radiological man-made disasters caused by failure of nuclear technology and operator error. Nuclear accidents can release radioactive isotopes that contaminate land, water, and air for decades. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) rates nuclear events on the seven-level International Nuclear Event Scale (INES), with both Chernobyl and Fukushima rated at the maximum Level 7.
Which state in India is most affected by locust attacks due to its arid terrain?
Correct Answer: C. Rajasthan
Rajasthan is most vulnerable to locust attacks in India due to its arid and semi-arid terrain that provides suitable breeding grounds for desert locusts migrating from Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The Thar Desert region along the India-Pakistan border serves as a major breeding area for locusts during favourable monsoon years. The Locust Warning Organisation (LWO), headquartered in Jodhpur, monitors and controls locust threats in India.