Test: Natural Hazards & Disasters - 2 - UPSC MCQ

The largest cyclone that hit Andhra Pradesh, displacing 63,40,000 people, occurred in 1990. This cyclone is remembered for its severe impact on the region, leading to significant displacements and damage. This year marks the occurrence of the devastating cyclone, highlighting the profound effects natural disasters can have on densely populated regions.

• Statement I is true as incorporating earthquake-resistant designs is crucial for safety in earthquake-prone areas.
• Statement II is false because building high-rise structures in such zones increases the risk and potential damage during seismic events.

- Statement i is correct as the Yokohama Strategy emphasizes that each country holds the responsibility for the safety of its citizens during natural disasters.

- Statement ii is incorrect; the strategy explicitly prioritizes attention to developing countries, particularly the least developed.

- Statement iii is correct; the decade 1990-2000 was indeed declared as the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.

- Statement iv is correct as it highlights the importance of local community participation in disaster preparedness as stated in the plan.

Thus, the correct statements are i, iii, and iv, making Option B the right answer.

The assertion is correct; earthquakes do pose severe socio-environmental challenges in densely populated regions, leading to homelessness and loss of cultural heritage.

The reason is false; while earthquakes indeed damage infrastructure, they also disrupt social structures and cultural dynamics, making the assertion's impact broader than just physical destruction.

Therefore, the reason is false, leading to Option C being the correct answer.

• (a) Earthquakes are directly linked to tectonic activities, hence matching with description 4 (Sudden energy release during earth's crust movements).
• (b) Tsunamis are large ocean waves triggered by underwater disturbances, aligning with description 2.
• (c) Tropical Cyclones are described as intense low-pressure systems with strong winds, fitting description 3.
• (d) Droughts involve prolonged water shortages, corresponding to description 1.

- The assertion is true as natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods often strike suddenly, leaving little time for communities to prepare.

- The reason is also true since effective preparedness and early warning systems can significantly reduce the adverse effects of disasters.

- The reason correctly explains the assertion because preparedness and early warning systems directly relate to how communities can respond to the sudden onset of natural disasters, thus mitigating their impacts.

- Statement i is incorrect. Tectonic earthquakes are more destructive and have a wider reach than those associated with volcanic eruptions.

- Statement ii is correct. The Indian plate indeed moves about one centimeter annually towards the north and northeast.

- Statement iii is correct. The National Institute of Disaster Management classifies regions into five earthquake damage risk zones.

- Statement iv is incorrect. The Deccan plateau is considered stable and is categorized under low to very low damage risk zones.

Thus, the correct statements are ii and iii, making Option A the correct answer.

- Statement i is correct because tsunamis result from the sudden displacement of water caused by underwater earthquakes and volcanic activity.

- Statement ii is incorrect; tropical cyclones require a large supply of warm, moist air to form.

- Statement iii is incorrect; the eye of the storm is a low-pressure area that is typically cloudless, not high pressure.

- Statement iv is correct as tsunamis generally have less impact at sea and can cause significant destruction when they reach coastal areas.

Thus, the correct statements are i and iv, making Option D the right answer.

- Assertion (A) is true. Tsunamis, due to their wave characteristics and behavior, do indeed cause more significant damage when they reach shallow coastal waters rather than in the deep ocean.

- Reason (R) is also true. The speed of tsunami waves is affected by water depth; they travel faster in deeper water. However, this does not explain why they cause more destruction near the coast. Instead, the wave height increases as they approach shallower waters, which is the primary cause of coastal devastation.

- Therefore, while both statements are true, the reason provided does not correctly explain the assertion.

Hyderabad is home to the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), which includes the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC). Established after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the ITEWC is equipped to detect tsunamigenic earthquakes and issue tsunami warnings and alerts. It utilizes seismic data, sea level information from coastal tide gauges, and deep ocean buoys to assess potential tsunami threats and disseminate timely warnings to mitigate the impact on coastal communities.

The two atomic bombs during World War II were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. These bombings are significant historical events, marking the only instances of nuclear weapons being used in warfare, which led to the immediate and long-term devastation of both cities and contributed significantly to the end of World War II.

The intensity of earthquakes is measured on a scale known as the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, which describes the effects of an earthquake on the Earth's surface, humans, objects of nature, and man-made structures on a scale of I to XII. Each increasing number indicates a greater level of damage to structures and a more noticeable impact on people.

Statement i is incorrect because earthquakes can have devastating impacts on densely populated urban areas. Statement ii is correct as earthquakes can lead to significant losses in cultural and material aspects of communities. Statement iii is also correct, as monitoring centers can help provide vital information during such disasters.
Statement iv is incorrect; modifying building designs to be more resistant to earthquakes is essential in high-risk areas to minimize damage and casualties. Thus, the correct answer is that statements ii and iii are correct.

• iv Structural damages are the initial direct impacts of an earthquake.
• i Following structural damages, transport and communication disruptions occur.
• ii Rescue and relief operations are then mobilized to assist affected individuals.
• iii Long-term rehabilitation and recovery efforts are undertaken last.

• The Assertion is true because the Yokohama Strategy indeed states that each country has a sovereign responsibility to protect its citizens from natural disasters.
• The Reason is also true as the strategy specifically emphasizes giving priority to developing countries, which includes the least developed and land-locked countries.
• The Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion because prioritizing these countries directly supports the overarching assertion of sovereign responsibility.