10.DISASTER MANAGEMENT (STD.7th)

Question 1:

Find the odd one out.

(a) Famine, earthquake, cloudburst, railway accident.
(b) Drought, heavy rains, storm, tsunami.
(c) Lava, hot mud, ash, locusts.
(d) Washing away of crops, attack of pests on crops, volcano, singeing of crops

ANSWER:

(a) Railway accident is the odd one. Famine, earthquake and cloudburst are natural disaster whereas railway accident is not.

(b) Drought is the odd one. Drought is the main cause of famine whereas heavy rains, storm and tsunami are the secondary factors.

(c) Locusts is the odd one. It is an insect which destroys crops. Lava, hot mud and ash are the substances released during volcanic eruption.

(d) Volcano is the odd one. Washing away of crops, attack of pests on crops and singeing of crops are causes of famine.

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Question 2:

What are the remedial measures for the following calamities?

(a) Famine 
(b) Lightning strike
(c) Storm
(d) Cloudburst

ANSWER:

(a) Remedial measures for famine are:

• Planned usage of water and its reuse.
• We should avoid wastage of food and water.
• Plant more and more trees to prevent soil erosion.
• Adopting water harvesting methods to conserve rain water.

(b) Remedial measures for lightning strike are:
If outdoor:
1. Avoid taking shelter under trees.
2. Avoid being near to any kind of metal objects which may include metal wires, fences, machinery and power appliances.
3. Take shelter inside a fully enclosed car with all the windows shut.

If indoor:
1. Turn off all the electrical appliances such as television and refrigerator.

(c) Remedial measures for storm are:

• Do not stand on open ground, below a tree, near electric poles or on high locations.
• Gathering together at one place should be avoided.
• Get down from vehicles like bicycle, tractor, boat, etc. and go to a safer place.
• Swimmers and fishermen should immediately come out of the water.

(d) Remedial measures for cloudburst are:

• Pay heed to warning issued by the Meteorological depatment carefully.
• Do not take shelter at the foot of a hill.
• Be ready with your first-aid kit and other necessary equipments.
• Use battery operated radios and mobiles.

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Question 3:

True or false ? Give reasons for your answer.

(a) Information about a forthcoming storm is to be kept secret.
(b) You should not swim when there is lightning in the sky .
(c) It is possible to prevent the eruption of a volcano.
(d) Heavy rains result in famine.

ANSWER:

(a) The statement given is a false statement. Infact, information regarding a forthcoming storm should be propagated to everyone. This will enable everyone to get prepared for this natural disaster. Everyone will be equipped with all the precautionary measures needed to be taken during the storm.

(b) The statement given is a true statement. This is because the water in the water bodies in which we swim are good conductors of electricity. Also, a wet person is more conductive than a dry person. Due to this, our body inside the water will become very prone to lightning strike. It could cause severe burns or might kill us if lightning falls on our wet body. 

(c) No, it is not possible to prevent or control the eruption of a volcano. However, by means of science and technology, it is possible to predict an eruption and take immediate steps for disaster management.

(d) Heavy rains may cause flood in a region. Due to this, food crops, plants etc. of that region are going to get washed away. Also, the land of that region will lose it fertility and would require sometime to regain it. Because of these reasons, the region will be affected by famine. Thus, we can say, heavy rains result in famine.

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Question 4:

Write answers to the following question i your own words.

(a) What is a tsunami? What gives rise to a tsunami?
(b) What is a cloudburst?
(c) Explain the effects of a volcano.
(d) What are the measures to prevent loss of life due to lightning?

ANSWER:

(a) A tsunami is a series of waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of water, generally in an ocean. These waves are generated by an earthquake or volcano erupting on the ocean floor.

(b) A sudden rainstorm falling for a short period of time and to a small geographical area at the rate of 100 mm per hour or more is known as  cloudburst.

(c) Various effects of volcano are:

• Volcanoes add up to the greenhouse gases by ejecting ash and various gases.
• Temperature increases due to hot gases.
• Forests and settlements get buried under the hot mud.
• Mountains and hills are created after volcanic eruption.

(d) To prevent loss of life due to lightning, following measures can be taken
If outdoor:
1. Avoid taking shelter under trees.
2. Avoid being near to any kind of metal objects which may include metal wires, fences, machinery and power appliances.
3. Take shelter inside a fully enclosed car with all the windows shut.

If indoor:
1. Turn off all the electrical appliances such as television and refrigerator.
2. Avoid bathing or showering.

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Question 5:

What measures have been taken to deal with calamities such as floods and landslides under the disaster management programme in Maharashtra?

ANSWER:

Following are the measures taken by Maharashtra government to deal with calamities such as floods and landslides under the disaster management programme:

• It ensured that all 36 districts in the state will have their own disaster management plans. The district-level disaster management plan has detailed information about geographical details, population, flood-prone areas, villages and other macro details. The plan also deals extensively with the emergency and evacuation measures to be taken up in cases of heavy downpour, flash floods, landslides, lightning strikes and other natural calamities. 
• A disaster management orientation training programme will be launched soon in 100 schools in every district. The government also decided to impart master trainers training for 50 school teachers from all these schools. 
• Maharashtra School Security Programme will be set up under which steps will be taken to ensure protection of schools and other educational institutions during and after natural disasters.
• The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Plan also consists of special provisions for dealing with women, children, the aged, handicapped and animals.

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Question 6:

With reference to disaster management what are the things in your house that you will check?

ANSWER:

With reference to disaster management, the following things in the house needs to be checked:

• Check whether there are cracks developed on walls or not. If yes, get the repairing done as soon as possible. 
• Check whether glass panes and windows are tightly secured or not. If not, get it done urgently.
• Check whether bulky things hanging from ceiling or walls, like chandelier etc., are tightly secured or not. If not, get it done urgently.
• Check whether there are any broken electric live wires or not . If yes, call the electrician and get it repaired urgently.