disasters management

Q1) Distinguish between 

a) Natural and human made disasters?

Ans: 

Natural disasters	Human mad disasters
1- Natural disasters are the sudden, unexpected occurrence due to geographical factors that cause massive destruction. 2- it can be due to internal and external disturbance on the earth. 3- Examples: earthquakes – volcanoes – floods-- droughts	1- human made disasters are massive destruction caused by human activities. 2- examples : industrial accidents – environmental pollution – wars – terrorist attacks.

  b) cyclone and flood

Cyclone	flood
1- cyclones are powerful, spinning storms which form over warm tropical waters. 2- wind speeds during a cyclone can reach up to 120 km per hour. 3- tropical cyclone move anti-clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.	1- floods happen when a river has too much water in its channel. 2- the water then breaks through the river banks and spreads over the surrounding land.

 c) Biological warfare and nuclear warfare

Biological warfare

nuclear warfare

1- Biological agents like anthrax or virus causing epidemics, are released into the air or water bodies to cause death and destruction by the enemies or terrorists. 2- biological weapons can work without much symptoms. If diagnosis gets delayed, it can kill people in large numbers. 3- precaution: a) wear a gas mask or cover the mouth and nose with a cloth. b) move away from the site at once. c) inform the government agencies. d) follow the instructions of local authorities. e) seek medical attention without wasting time.

1-exposure to nuclear radiation can be fatal for all living beings. 2- in nature, radioactive substances are found below the earth or in low concentration that cause no danger to humans. 3- nuclear bombs were used by USA during world war II. The Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima were wiped off the face of the earth. 4- Precaution: a) check for symptoms of exposure to radioactivity like nausea,dizziness,vomiting,etc.

2) What are disasters?how are they classified? 

 Ans: Disaster can be defined as a sudden unexpected occurrence that causes massive damage to lives and properties of people.

We can classify disasters into two categories based on the cause

a) natural disaster – caused by geographical factors

earthquakes – floods – cyclones – droughts

b) human made disasters – caused by human activities

nuclear bombs – viruses – anthrax

3) what is disaster management ?

Ans: Disaster management

a- studies how the impact of disasters can be mitigated or lessened.

b- Tries to prepare people to deal with disasters and its aftermath of death and destruction.

c- Tries to monitor, predict and prevent the occurrence of disasters.

Q4) Define epicentre? What are the precautions to be taken?

Ans: the point of origin in the interior of the earth from where the seismic energy is released is called seismic focus. The point perpendicularly above it on the surface of the earth is called epicentre.

The shockwaves called seismic waves travel outside from the epicentre in concentric circles causing damage to places in its way.

The closer a place to the epicenter, the more the damage is.

- precaution:

a) find a safe place at home, school and office

b) stay away from buildings, trees and electric poles which can fall on you.

c) learn first aid and to operate a fire extinguisher.

d) after earthquake subsides, check for any injuries you may have.

e) check your home for damage . Take everyone out if the home is not safe.

f) listen to the radio for instructions

Q5) what is cyclone?what are its effects?

Ans: cyclones are powerful, spinning storms which form over warm tropical waters. cyclone moves anti-clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.

Effects of cyclone:

a) Increase in rains that can cause flooding

b) Damage buildings and properties

c) Destroy crops

d) Capsize boats at sea

e) Uproot trees

f) Cause death due to drowning

 Q6) what are floods? Write a short notes on floods in India.

Ans: floods happen when a river has too much rain in its channels.

The water breaks through the river banks and spread over the surrounding land.

Floods are an annual feature in several parts in India, during the monsoon months, many of the river flood their banks . The government with the help of the army and navy launches rescue operations to move people to safer places. Food packets are air dropped for people who are still trapped in unreachable places. Relief camps are opened where the affected can stay till the flood waters recede.

After water recedes, rehabilitation work has to start. Bleaching powder is sprayed all over the place to prevent the outbreak of epidemics. Houses have to be rebuilt and lost cattle accounted for.

Q7) mention a few effects of drought. What are its precautions?

Ans: drought means water shortage. Large parts of the world including parts of India are prone to recurrent drought.

Effects of drought:

- hunger, thirst and famine

- Wild fires

- Diseases

- Social conflicts

Precautions:

-educate farmers to avoid over cropping and overgrazing

- Check deforestation and plant trees

- practice rain water harvesting

- constructs dams in advance to store water when rain falls

- urge people not to waste water or food.

Q8) list a few human-made disasters

Ans: human-made disasters are caused because of the negligence and mistakes of human beings.

They include terrorism, war, riots, use of weapons of mass destruction, industrial accidents, large fires and collapse of economic and social structures.

Q9) explain in brief about weapons of mass destruction

Ans: the weapons of mass destruction refer to nuclear, biological and chemical warfare.

They can cause death on a massive scale and cause permanent damage to health among the living.

Weapons of mass destruction can be

- Nuclear weapon : atom bombs like the ones that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan by USA during the second world war.

- Bombs: bombs are used by terrorists to blow up crowded places

- Germ warfare: germs of deadly diseases like small box, jaundice are released among the enemy to infect and kill them.

- Chemical warfare: chemicals like Agent Orange and napalm are used during war.

Q10) what precautions can be taken during chemical disasters?

Ans: the precautions to be taken during chemical disasters are

- find out whether the industrial units close to your city use chemicals

- find out if the local administration has emergency plans to deal with industrial accidents.

- find about the antidotes needed in case of poisoning of people, animals and water resources.

- find out from the hospital if they are capable of handling cases of exposure to chemicals.