Types of Disasters — Set 7
Disaster Management · आपदाओं के प्रकार · Questions 61–70 of 120
Which Himalayan pass is particularly notorious for avalanche risk in India?
Correct Answer: B. Zoji La
Zoji La, a high mountain pass in the Himalayan range connecting the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh, is particularly notorious for avalanche risk in India. The pass lies at an altitude of about 3,528 metres and remains closed for several months every winter due to heavy snow and avalanche danger. Soldiers and civilians traversing Zoji La are among those most at risk from avalanche events in the region.
Which of the following disasters is described as 'sudden-onset'?
Correct Answer: C. Tsunami
A tsunami is a sudden-onset disaster: once triggered by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption, the waves can strike coastlines within minutes to hours. Unlike slow-onset disasters that develop gradually over months or years, sudden-onset disasters require immediate emergency response and pre-positioned resources. Early warning systems for tsunamis are designed to provide the few minutes of lead time needed for coastal evacuation.
Which of the following correctly pairs a disaster with its type?
Correct Answer: C. Flood — Hydro-meteorological
Flood is correctly classified as a hydro-meteorological disaster because it is caused by extreme rainfall, river overflow, or coastal storm surge — all atmospheric and hydrological processes. Earthquakes are geological, epidemics are biological, and the Bhopal Gas Tragedy is a man-made (chemical/industrial) disaster. Correct disaster classification is fundamental for assigning the right management protocols, early warning systems, and response resources.
A 'nuclear disaster' at a power plant is an example of:
Correct Answer: C. Man-made technological disaster
A nuclear accident at a power plant is a man-made technological disaster caused by the failure of engineered systems, design flaws, or human error. While some nuclear accidents are triggered by natural events (as at Fukushima), the primary hazard is the result of human technology. Nuclear disasters require specialised decontamination, long-term monitoring, and health surveillance that differ substantially from natural disaster response.
Oil spills in marine environments are classified as:
Correct Answer: C. Industrial/Chemical (man-made) disasters
Oil spills are classified as industrial or chemical man-made disasters caused by accidents during oil extraction, transportation, or refining. Major oil spills cause severe environmental damage to marine ecosystems, coastlines, and fishing industries. India has experienced several notable oil spills, including the MSC Chitra-Khalijia collision off Mumbai in 2010 and the January 2017 Ennore oil spill near Chennai.
Heatwaves cause most deaths through which primary mechanism?
Correct Answer: B. Heat stroke and hyperthermia
Heatwaves primarily cause death through heat stroke and hyperthermia, where the body's core temperature rises dangerously above 40°C and the body's heat-regulatory mechanisms fail. Vulnerable populations including the elderly, outdoor workers, infants, and people with chronic illnesses are at highest risk. India loses approximately 300–700 people per year to direct heatwave mortality, with major death events recorded in 2002, 2010, 2015, and 2019.
Which of the following classification describes the 2020 locust invasion in India?
Correct Answer: C. Biological disaster
The 2020 locust invasion in India is classified as a biological disaster involving an organism — the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) — that causes massive agricultural destruction. The 2020 invasion was the worst in India in nearly 27 years, with swarms covering hundreds of square kilometres and destroying crops in Rajasthan, Gujarat, MP, and other states. Biological disasters require specialised response involving agriculture departments, aerial spraying, and coordination with FAO's Desert Locust Early Warning System.
Which term describes disasters that result from human activities rather than natural processes?
Correct Answer: C. Man-made or anthropogenic disasters
Man-made or anthropogenic disasters result from human activities, technological failures, or deliberate acts rather than natural processes. They include industrial accidents, chemical spills, nuclear incidents, dam failures, oil spills, and deliberate attacks. Anthropogenic climate change is now considered a background driver that is intensifying both natural and man-made disasters globally.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) classifies which of the following as a meteorological disaster?
Correct Answer: D. Cyclone
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) classifies cyclones (also called hurricanes and typhoons in other ocean basins) as meteorological disasters driven by atmospheric processes over warm tropical oceans. The WMO coordinates global weather monitoring and issues cyclone intensity classifications through Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres (RSMCs). IMD is the RSMC for the North Indian Ocean region and is responsible for cyclone naming and tracking.
Which of the following disasters has historically caused the highest annual economic losses in India?
Correct Answer: C. Flood
Floods cause the highest annual economic losses in India, responsible for an estimated average annual damage of over Rs 1,805 crore in crop area, infrastructure, and houses according to the National Flood Commission. Approximately 75% of India's total annual rainfall occurs in 3–4 months of monsoon, making the country extremely vulnerable to flood events. Flood losses are disproportionately borne by the poor and marginalised populations living in floodplains.