Disaster Management - Standard 7 - General Science - Balbharati
Disaster Management
Exercise
(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.
Q. 2 What are the remedial measures for the following calamities?
(a) Famine
Ans. 1. Planned usage of water and reuse of water.
2. Proper planning of water conservation and harvesting at the local level.
3. Large scale plantation of trees and prevention of deforestation.
4. Making appropriate changes in plans, taking into account the weather forecasts.
(b) Lightning strike
Ans. 1. Seek immediate medical help for lightning-struck individuals to increase chances of survival.
2. Avoid open areas during storms; seek shelter indoors or in a substantial structure.
3. Stay away from high places and tall objects during thunderstorms to reduce the risk of lightning strikes.
4. Educate communities on lightning safety measures for outdoor activities.
5. Promote awareness about the dangers of standing near trees or water during thunderstorms.
(c) Storm
Ans. 1. Get warnings out early to let people know about upcoming storms.
2. Build strong structures that can handle storm damage.
3. Teach communities how to prepare and evacuate when a storm is coming.
4. Make sure the power supply is tough so it doesn't go out during storms.
5. Improve communication so everyone can stay informed and coordinate during storms.
(d) Cloudburst
Ans. 1. Create effective early warning systems to alert communities about possible cloudbursts.
2. Implement proper land-use planning to decrease risk in cloudburst-prone areas.
3. Build strong drainage systems to manage heavy rainfall and prevent flash flooding.
4. Educate the public on evacuation procedures when cloudbursts actually happen.
5. Develop infrastructure capable to bear heavy rainfall to minimize damage in affected regions.
Q. 3 True or false? Give reasons for your answer.
(a) Information about a forthcoming storm is to be kept secret.
Ans. False.
(b) You should not swim when there is lightning in the sky.
Ans. True.
(c) It is possible to prevent the eruption of a volcano.
Ans. False.
(d) Heavy rains result in famine.
Ans. True.
Q. 4 Write answers to the following questions in your own words.
(a) What is a tsunami? What gives rise to a tsunami?
Ans. 1. A tsunami is a wave generated by an earthquake or volcano occurring on the ocean floor.
2. The energy released during the event pushes water upwards, forming waves that spread rapidly across long distances.
3. When reaching coastal areas, the waves can dramatically increase in height, even reaching up to 30 meters.
4. The term "tsunami" originates from the Japanese words meaning "harbour wave."
(b) What is a cloudburst?
Ans. Sometimes the water coming down from rain clouds does not reach the land in the form of rain. Instead, due to very high temperature near the land, it vapourizes and goes back into the same clouds. As a result, the amount of vapour in those clouds becomes very high. Due to rapid condensation, it rains suddenly over a specific and small region at a rate of 100 mm per hour or more. This is known as a cloudburst.
(c) Explain the effects of a volcano.
Ans. 1. The chemical substances such as lava, vapor, mud, sulfur, etc. get collected on the surface of the earth, and thereby mountains and hills are created.
2. The atmosphere gets polluted due to the ash and gases ejected by the volcano.
3. Often, it rains as a result of a volcanic eruption.
4. Temperature rises due to hot gases.
5. Forests and settlements get buried under the hot mud.
(d) What are the measures to prevent loss of life due to lightning?
Ans. 1. Seek shelter indoors during thunderstorms to avoid being exposed to lightning.
2. Avoid open areas, high places, and tall objects during lightning storms.
3. Educate the public about lightning safety and the importance of taking precautions.
4. Install lightning protection systems in buildings to reduce the risk of lightning strikes.
5. Implement early warning systems to provide timely alerts about approaching thunderstorms.
Q. 5 What measures have been taken to deal with calamities such as floods and landslides under the disaster management programme in Maharashtra?
Ans. 1. On civil authorities’ request, 7 Naval Flood Rescue Teams from Mumbai deployed to Ratnagiri & Raigad districts.
2. One Seaking 42C Helicopter from Mumbai deployed for aerial reconnaissance at Poladpur/Raigad.
3. NRDF teams are engaged in rescue and relief operations in flood-affected Kolhapur.
4. NDRF team is carrying out rescue, relief operations in flood-affected Maharashtra’s Chiplun. Four additional NDRF teams are expected to arrive in Kolhapur.
6. With reference to disaster management what are the things in your house that you will check?
Ans. 1. Check your emergency kit with first aid, flashlight, and food.
2. Know the evacuation plan and find exits and safe spots.
3. See if phones and radios work and keep them charged.
4. Check gas, water, and electricity connections for safety.
5. Keep important documents in a waterproof container.
6. Test home safety items like fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.
7. Secure heavy furniture to avoid injuries during disasters.
8. Have a list of emergency contacts, including local authorities and family.
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