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NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography - Natural Hazards and Disasters

Q1: Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
(i) Which one of the following states of India experiences floods frequently?
(a) Bihar
(b) West Bengal
(c) Assam
(d) Uttar Pradesh
Ans: (c)

(ii) In which one of the following districts of Uttaranchal did Malpa Landslide
 disaster take place?

(a) Bageshwar
(b) Champawat
(c) Almora
(d) Pithoragarh
Ans: (d)

(iii) Which one of the following states receives floods in the winter months?
(a) Assam
(b) West Bengal
(c) Kerala
(d) Tamil Nadu
Ans: (d) 

(iv) In which of the following rivers is the Majuli River Island situated?
(a) Ganga
(b) Brahmaputra
(c) Godavari
(d) Indus
Ans: (b)

(v) Under which type of natural hazards do blizzards come?
(a) Atmospheric
(b) Aquatic
(c) Terrestrial
(d) Biological
Ans: (a)

Q2: Answer the following questions in less than 30 words.
(i) When can a hazard become a disaster?
Ans: A hazard can become a disaster when it becomes active. A disaster causes losses to property and life on a large scale.

(ii) Why are there more earthquakes in the Himalayas and in the north-eastern region of India?
Ans: The Indian plate is moving at a speed of one centimetre per year towards the north and northeastern direction and the movement of plates is being constantly obstructed by the Eurasian plate from the north. This result in accumulation of energy at different points of time. Excessive accumulation of energy results in building up of stress, which ultimately leads to the breaking up of the lock and the sudden release of energy causes earthquakes in the Himalayas and in the north-eastern region of India.

(iii) What are the basic requirements for the formation of a cyclone?
Ans: The basic requirements for the formation of a cyclone are:

  • Large and continuous supply of warm and moist air that can release enormous latent heat.
  • Strong Coriolis force that can prevent filling of low pressure at the centre.
  • Unstable condition through the troposphere that creates local disturbances around which a cyclone develops.
  • Absence of strong vertical wind wedge, which disturbs the vertical transport of latent heat.

(iv) How are the floods in Eastern India different from the ones in Western India?
Ans: The flood occur more in Eastern India as compared to Western India because of high rainfall in eastern India than western India. Also, the floods of eastern India are more disastrous in comparison to western India.

(v) Why are there more droughts in Central and Western India?
Ans: Central and Western India experiences less rainfall because the intensity of monsoon winds becomes weak as they reach in these areas.

Q3: Answer the following questions in not more than 125 words.
(i) Identify the Landslide-prone regions of India and suggest some measures to mitigate the disasters caused by these.
Ans: The Landslide-prone regions of India are:

  • Young mountainous areas in the Himalayas and Andaman and Nicobar.
  • High rainfall regions with steep slopes in the Western Ghats and Nilgiris.
  • The north-eastern regions.
  • Trans-Himalayan areas of Ladakh and Spiti (Himachal Pradesh)
  • Undulated yet stable relief and low precipitation areas in the Aravali
  • Rain shadow areas in the Western and Eastern Ghats and Deccan plateau.
  • Landslides due to the mining and subsidence are most common in the states like Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka etc.

Some measures to mitigate the disasters are:

  • Restriction on the construction and other developmental activities such as roads and dams, limiting agriculture to valleys.
  • Areas with moderate slopes, and control on the development of large settlements in the high vulnerability zones, should be enforced.
  • Terrace farming should be encouraged in the northeastern hill states where Slash and Burn/Shifting Cultivationis still prevalent.

(ii) What is vulnerability? Divide India into natural disaster vulnerability zones based on droughts and suggest some mitigation measures.
Ans: Vulnerability means the risk of becoming a victim to a disaster.
Based on the severity of droughts, India is divided into the following regions:

  • Extreme Drought Affected Areas: Most parts of Rajasthan, particularly areas to the west of the Aravali hills, i.e. Marusthali and Kachchh regions of Gujarat. Included here are also the districts like Jaisalmer and Barmer from the Indian desert that receive less that 90 mm average annual rainfall.
  • Severe Drought Prone Area: Parts of eastern Rajasthan, most parts of Madhya Pradesh, eastern parts of Maharashtra, interior parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Plateau, northern parts of interior Tamil Nadu and southern parts of Jharkhand and interior Odisha are included in this category.
  • Moderate Drought Affected Area: Northern parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, southern districts of Uttar Pradesh, the remaining parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra except Konkan, Jharkhand and Coimbatore plateau of Tamil Nadu and interior Karnataka are included in this category. The remaining parts of India can be considered either free or less prone to the drought.

Some mitigation measures are:

  • Identification of groundwater potential in the form of aquifers.
  • Transfer of river water from the surplus to the deficit areas.
  • Planning for inter-linking of rivers and construction of reservoirs and dams.
  • Remote sensing and satellite imageries can be useful in identifying the possible river-basins that can be inter-linked and in identifying the ground water potential.

(iii) When can developmental activities become the cause of disasters?
Ans: Development has created many such problems whereby disasters occur. There are some activities carried by human beings that are directly responsible for disasters.

  • Industrial development: Bhopal Gas tragedy, Chernobyl nuclear disaster, wars, the release of CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons), etc are examples where industrial development has created disasters.
  • Pollution: Increase in greenhouse gases, environmental pollutions like noise, air, water, and soil are some of the disasters which are caused directly by human actions.
  • Deforestation: Some other activities of human beings accelerate or intensify disasters indirectly. Landslides and floods due to deforestation, unscientific land use, and construction activities in fragile areas are some of the disasters that are the results of indirect human actions.
The document NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography - Natural Hazards and Disasters is a part of the UPSC Course Geography for UPSC CSE.
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FAQs on NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography - Natural Hazards and Disasters

1. What are natural hazards and disasters?
Ans. Natural hazards are events or phenomena that occur naturally in the environment and have the potential to cause harm or damage to human life, property, and the environment. These hazards can include earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions. When a natural hazard results in significant damage or loss of life, it is classified as a natural disaster.
2. How do natural hazards and disasters impact human lives?
Ans. Natural hazards and disasters can have devastating consequences for human lives. They can cause injuries, fatalities, and displacement of people from their homes. Additionally, they can lead to the destruction of infrastructure, such as buildings, roads, and bridges, disrupting essential services like water and electricity supply. Economic losses can also occur, affecting livelihoods and regional economies.
3. What are the factors that contribute to natural hazards and disasters?
Ans. Several factors contribute to the occurrence and severity of natural hazards and disasters. These include geological factors like tectonic plate movements, volcanic activity, and soil erosion. Climate-related factors such as extreme weather events, changing precipitation patterns, and rising sea levels also play a significant role. Human activities like deforestation, urbanization, and improper land use can exacerbate the impact of natural hazards.
4. How can we mitigate the impact of natural hazards and disasters?
Ans. Mitigating the impact of natural hazards and disasters involves a combination of preparedness, response, and recovery measures. This includes developing early warning systems, educating communities about evacuation procedures, constructing resilient infrastructure, implementing land-use planning strategies, and promoting sustainable practices. Adequate disaster management plans, coordination between government agencies, and community participation are crucial in minimizing the impact.
5. What is the role of government and international organizations in managing natural hazards and disasters?
Ans. Governments play a vital role in managing natural hazards and disasters by formulating policies, allocating resources, and coordinating emergency response efforts. They establish disaster management agencies, invest in research and technology for early warning systems, and provide financial assistance for recovery and reconstruction. International organizations like the United Nations and non-governmental organizations also support countries in disaster management through funding, technical expertise, and knowledge sharing. Collaboration and cooperation between governments and international organizations are essential for effective disaster risk reduction.
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