1. Floods are most commonly caused by:
Correct Answer: b) Heavy rainfall and river overflow
Explanation: Floods primarily occur due to excessive rainfall that causes rivers to overflow their banks. In India, about 40 million hectares (12% of land) is flood-prone. The Ganga-Brahmaputra basin experiences frequent floods during monsoon season (June-September).
2. Drought is classified as:
Correct Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Drought has multiple classifications: (1) Meteorological (rainfall deficit), (2) Agricultural (soil moisture deficit), and (3) Hydrological (water supply shortage). India experiences drought in about 16% of its area annually, with Rajasthan being most vulnerable.
3. The Richter scale measures:
Correct Answer: b) Earthquake magnitude
Explanation: Developed by Charles Richter in 1935, this logarithmic scale measures earthquake energy release. Each whole number increase represents 10x amplitude and ~32x energy. India's most severe quake (8.6 magnitude) occurred in Assam (1950).
4. Cyclones in the Indian Ocean are monitored by:
Correct Answer: b) IMD (India Meteorological Department)
Explanation: IMD, founded in 1875, is India's official cyclone warning agency. It uses satellites (INSAT), radars, and buoys to track cyclones. The North Indian Ocean averages 5 cyclones annually, with Odisha's 1999 Super Cyclone being the deadliest (10,000+ deaths).
5. Landslides are triggered by:
Explanation: Landslides occur when slope stability is compromised by: (1) Saturation from heavy rain (e.g., Kerala 2018), (2) Removal of vegetation roots that bind soil, and (3) Seismic activity. The Himalayan region is particularly vulnerable due to young, unstable geology.
6. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was established in:
Correct Answer: b) 2005
Explanation: NDMA was created after the Disaster Management Act (2005), prompted by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Headed by the Prime Minister, it coordinates disaster response across agencies. India's disaster management follows 4 phases: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
7. "Latur Earthquake" occurred in:
Correct Answer: b) 1993
Explanation: The Latur earthquake (6.4 magnitude) struck Maharashtra on September 30, 1993, killing ~10,000 people. It revealed India's lack of seismic zoning awareness, as the region was considered "low-risk." This disaster prompted improved building codes and disaster preparedness measures.
8. Tsunami early warning systems use:
Correct Answer: d) All
Explanation: After the 2004 tsunami (2.3 lakh deaths), India established the Indian Tsunami Early Warning System (ITEWS) in 2007. It integrates: (1) Seismic sensors to detect quakes, (2) Deep-ocean buoys to measure wave height, and (3) Satellite data for coastal monitoring.
9. The "Sendai Framework" focuses on:
Correct Answer: b) Disaster risk reduction
Explanation: Adopted at the 2015 UN World Conference, the Sendai Framework (2015-2030) has 7 targets including reducing disaster mortality and economic losses. It emphasizes preparedness over response, aligning with India's "Make India Disaster Resilient" campaign.
10. Which Indian state is most vulnerable to cyclones?
Correct Answer: b) Odisha
Explanation: Odisha's 480km coastline makes it India's most cyclone-prone state, facing 35% of all cyclones. The 1999 Super Cyclone (10,000+ deaths) prompted creation of robust shelters and evacuation systems. Odisha's 2019 Fani evacuation (1.2 million people) is a global model.
11. The "Himalayan Tsunami" (2013) refers to:
Correct Answer: b) Flash floods in Uttarakhand
Explanation: The June 2013 Uttarakhand disaster saw unprecedented rainfall (375% above normal) triggering flash floods and landslides that killed 5,700+ people. Unregulated construction and pilgrimage tourism exacerbated the damage, prompting stricter Himalayan development norms.
12. Drought-prone areas in India include:
Correct Answer: b) Rajasthan
Explanation: Rajasthan is India's most drought-prone state (19% of area), followed by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The Thar Desert region receives <100mm annual rainfall. India's Drought Prone Areas Programme (1973) covers 972 blocks across 16 states.
13. The "National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project" is implemented by:
Correct Answer: a) NDMA
Explanation: The NCRMP (launched 2011) is implemented by NDMA with World Bank support. It focuses on: (1) Early warning systems, (2) Cyclone shelters (200+ built), and (3) Coastal vegetation (mangrove planting). Phase-I covered Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
14. Earthquake-resistant construction techniques include:
Correct Answer: b) Base isolation systems
Explanation: Earthquake-resistant features include: (1) Base isolators (rubber bearings separating building from ground), (2) Shear walls, (3) Cross-bracing, and (4) Lightweight materials. India's Bureau of Indian Standards publishes seismic codes (IS 1893) for construction.
15. The "Great Gujarat Earthquake" occurred in:
Correct Answer: b) 2001
Explanation: The Bhuj earthquake (7.7 magnitude) struck Gujarat on January 26, 2001, killing 20,000+ people. It led to creation of NDMA and Gujarat's successful reconstruction program, becoming a global model for post-disaster recovery.
16. "Avalanches" are common in:
Correct Answer: b) Snow-covered mountains
Explanation: Avalanches occur in Himalayan regions (J&K, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Sikkim) during winter. The 2023 Uttarakhand avalanche killed 27 mountaineers. Defense Geoinformatics Research Establishment monitors avalanche risks for the armed forces.
17. The "National Flood Control Program" was launched in:
Correct Answer: a) 1954
Explanation: Launched after devastating 1953 floods, the program has three phases: (1) Immediate (embankments), (2) Short-term (dams), and (3) Long-term (catchment treatment). India now has 75,000km of flood embankments and 50+ major flood forecasting stations.
18. "Lightning" is a major disaster in:
Correct Answer: b) Odisha and Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: Eastern coastal states record India's highest lightning strikes (100+ annually). Odisha's "Amar Jyoti" lightning arresters and early warnings reduced deaths from 500/year (2005) to <100/year (2020). India records 2,500+ lightning deaths annually (30% global total).
19. The "Bhopal Gas Tragedy" was a:
Correct Answer: b) Industrial disaster
Explanation: The 1984 Union Carbide methyl isocyanate gas leak killed 15,000+ people in Bhopal. It remains the world's worst industrial disaster, prompting India's Environment Protection Act (1986) and stricter industrial safety norms under the "Make in India" initiative.
20. "Biological disasters" include:
Correct Answer: b) Pandemics (e.g., COVID-19)
Explanation: Biological disasters involve pathogens affecting humans/animals/plants. India's National Disaster Management Guidelines for Biological Disasters (2008) were activated during COVID-19 (2020-22) which infected 44+ million Indians. The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme monitors outbreaks.