Natural Hazards and Disasters (India) — Practice

Question 1

Why is the Himalayan belt classified under Seismic Zone V — India's highest risk zone?

Accepted Answer

The Himalayan region sits directly on the Indian Plate-Eurasian Plate convergent boundary. The Indian Plate continuously pushes northward at ~5 cm/year, building enormous stress along the Himalayan front. When this stress is suddenly released, it causes major earthquakes. The young, unstable Himalayan geology (soft sedimentary rocks on steep slopes) amplifies shaking and triggers landslides, making it India's most seismically dangerous zone.

Question 2

How has India improved its management of cyclones since the 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone? What explains the dramatic reduction in deaths?

Accepted Answer

The 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone killed approximately 10,000 people with inadequate warning and no evacuation plan. Since then, India has built a comprehensive cyclone preparedness system: (1) Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) now issues 5-day cyclone track forecasts with high accuracy, enabling 72-hour advance evacuations; (2) India's National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project built thousands of multi-purpose cyclone shelters along both coasts; (3) NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams are pre-positioned before landfall; (4) mass communication (SMS alerts, siren systems, community radio) reaches remote coastal villages. Results: Cyclone Phailin (2013) — comparable in intensity to 1999 — killed fewer than 50 people. Cyclone Fani (2019) — category 5 at landfall — was met with evacuation of over 1 million people in 48 hours, with fewer than 100 deaths. India's cyclone preparedness is now cited as a global model.

Question 3

Describe India's major natural hazards, their geographic distribution, and explain how India's disaster management system has evolved from relief-centric to mitigation-focused.

Accepted Answer

India faces five major natural hazards: (1) EARTHQUAKES: Himalayan belt and Kutch (Zone V — active plate boundaries); Delhi, Bihar (Zone IV). Major events: Bhuj 2001 (M 7.7, ~20,000 dead), Latur 1993 (M 6.4, ~10,000 dead), Kashmir 2005 (M 7.6, ~80,000 dead); (2) CYCLONES: Bay of Bengal coast (Odisha, AP, WB) more prone; Post-monsoon season (Oct–Dec) most active. Improved early warning has cut deaths dramatically since 1999; (3) FLOODS: Ganga-Brahmaputra plains annual floods; Assam devastated nearly every year; new GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) threat in Himalayas from climate-change-driven glacier retreat; (4) DROUGHTS: Chronic in Rajasthan, interior Maharashtra/Karnataka/Andhra — rain-shadow regions; (5) LANDSLIDES: Himalayas, Western Ghats, NE India — triggered by heavy rain, earthquakes, deforestation. Evolution of disaster management: Until 2000s, India's approach was reactive — the government provided relief (food, compensation) AFTER the disaster. Post-Bhuj and post-Odisha Super Cyclone, India enacted the Disaster Management Act (2005), establishing NDMA (apex body), NDRF (specialised rescue force), and SDMAs (state bodies). The shift is now to pre-disaster risk reduction: building codes, early warning systems, land-use zoning, and community preparedness. India also adopted the Sendai Framework (2015–2030) globally, committing to reduce disaster mortality and economic losses through proactive resilience building.

Practice — Natural Hazards and Disasters (India)

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