Disaster Management | Class 7 | Science | Chapter 10 | Maharashtra State Board
Welcome to our channel, where we delve into the critical aspects of disaster management and safety measures to protect ourselves and our communities. We cover a wide range of topics, including famine, cloudburst, floods, lightning, volcanoes, tsunamis, and the role of national institutions in disaster reduction.
1. Famine: Learn about the causes of famine and whether we, as a society, bear responsibility for it. Discover practical steps we can take to alleviate the severity of famines.
2. Cloudburst and Floods: Understand the risks associated with cloudbursts and floods, and explore the protective measures that can be taken to minimize damage and loss of life. We’ll discuss the role of the National Flood Commission in India and how flood control plans are implemented from the national level down to the village level.
3. Lightning: Uncover the intense power of lightning and the precautions you should take during thunderstorms to stay safe. Lightning often strikes open ground, and we’ll provide valuable tips to protect yourself.
4. Volcano: Explore the effects of volcanic eruptions, from ash clouds to lava flows, and the associated risks. Learn how to prepare for and respond to volcanic activity in your region.
5. Tsunami: Discover the destructive effects of tsunamis, including coastal inundation and widespread destruction. We’ll also share crucial precautionary measures to ensure your safety if you’re in a tsunami-prone area.
6. National Institutions: Learn about the role of national institutions in disaster reduction and how they contribute to the safety and well-being of our communities.
7. International Day for Disaster Reduction: Join us as we recognize the importance of International Day for Disaster Reduction, observed on the 13th of October. We’ll discuss its significance and the collective efforts to reduce the impact of disasters on a global scale.
By subscribing to our channel, you’ll gain valuable insights into disaster management, preparedness, and safety measures that can make a significant difference in times of crisis.
Questions & Answers
1. Find the odd man out:
(a) Famine, earthquake, cloudburst, railway accident. Ans. Railway accident. (The other three options are all natural disasters, while a railway accident is a man-made disaster.)
(b) Drought, heavy rains/storm, tsunami. Ans. Drought. (Drought is a period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water. Heavy rains, storms, and tsunamis are all natural disasters that involve an excess of water.)
(c) Lava, hot mud, ash, locusts.
Ans. Locusts. (Lava, hot mud, and ash are all substances that are released during a volcanic eruption. Locusts are insects that can swarm in large numbers and destroy crops.)
(d) Washing away of crops, attack of pests on crops, volcano, singeing of crops. Ans. Volcano. (Washing away of crops, attack of pests on crops, and singeing of crops are all events that can damage crops. Volcanoes are natural disasters that can cause a variety of problems, including ash fall, lava flows, and mudflows, but they do not directly damage crops.)
2. What are the remedial measures for the following calamities?
(a) Famine Ans. Here are some remedial measures for famine in short simple points:
Provide food aid to the affected population.
Improve access to water and sanitation.
Support agricultural production by providing farmers with seeds, tools, and training.
Reduce poverty and inequality.
Strengthen social safety nets to protect the most vulnerable people.
(b) Lightning strike Ans. Remedial measures for lightning strikes:
Seek Shelter: Stay indoors during thunderstorms.
Avoid Water: Don’t touch water sources or conductive materials.
Lightning Rods: Install lightning rods on buildings for protection.
Stay Low: If caught outdoors, crouch down to minimize contact with the ground.
Unplug Electronics: Disconnect electrical devices during storms.
Stay Informed: Pay attention to weather forecasts and warnings.
Safe Zones: Identify safe locations in open areas (e.g., cars with hard tops).
First Aid: Administer first aid if someone is struck and seek medical help.
(c) Storm
Ans. Remedial measures for storms:
Monitor Weather: Stay informed about weather forecasts and warnings.
Seek Shelter: Take cover indoors when a storm approaches.
Secure Outdoor Items: Secure or bring in loose objects that can become projectiles.
Emergency Kit: Prepare an emergency kit with essentials like food, water, and first aid supplies.
Stay Away from Windows: Protect against flying debris by avoiding windows.
Power Outages: Have flashlights and backup power sources ready.
Safe Rooms: If available, use a designated safe room or basement during severe storms.
Stay Calm: Remain calm and reassure others, especially children.
Evacuation Plan: Know evacuation routes and follow official guidance if necessary.
(d) Cloudburst Ans. Remedial measures for storms:
Monitor Weather: Stay informed about weather forecasts and warnings.
Seek Shelter: Take cover indoors when a storm approaches.
Secure Outdoor Items: Secure or bring in loose objects that can become projectiles.
Emergency Kit: Prepare an emergency kit with essentials like food, water, and first aid supplies.
Stay Away from Windows: Protect against flying debris by avoiding windows.
Power Outages: Have flashlights and backup power sources ready.
Safe Rooms: If available, use a designated safe room or basement during severe storms.
Stay Calm: Remain calm and reassure others, especially children.
Evacuation Plan: Know evacuation routes and follow official guidance if necessary.
3. True or false? Give reasons for your answer.
(a) Information about a forthcoming storm is to be kept secret. Ans. False. Information about a forthcoming storm should not be kept secret. It is important to share weather forecasts and storm warnings with the public and authorities to ensure the safety of individuals and communities. Keeping such information secret could lead to avoidable dangers and risks.
(b) You should not swim when there is lightning in the sky. Ans. True. You should not swim when there is lightning in the sky. Swimming during a lightning storm is extremely dangerous as water is a good conductor of electricity, and being in the water increases the risk of being struck by lightning. It’s important to wait until the lightning has passed and it is safe to swim again.
(c) It is possible to prevent the eruption of a volcano. Ans. False. It is not possible to prevent the eruption of a volcano. Volcanic eruptions are natural processes resulting from the movement of magma beneath the Earth’s surface, and they cannot be prevented or controlled by human actions.
(d) Heavy rains result in famine. Ans. True. Excessive or prolonged heavy rains can sometimes lead to flooding and crop damage, they are indirect cause of famine.
(e) A loud crashing sound follows a lightning. Ans. True. Friction and brushing happens between two clouds making them charged and lightning is produced between two clouds or one cloud and earth. The temperature increases and air pressure also increases to high amount and produces a loud sound of thunder.
4. Write answers to the following questions in your own words.
(a) What is a tsunami? What gives rise to a tsunami? Ans. A tsunami is a series of large waves caused by an abrupt displacement of the ocean floor, usually the result of an earthquake below or near the ocean.
Tsunamis are caused by the sudden displacement of a large volume of water. This can happen when:
An earthquake occurs beneath the ocean floor, causing the seafloor to rise or fall.
A volcanic eruption occurs beneath the ocean, causing a large volume of water to be displaced by the erupting magma.
When a tsunami is generated, it travels outward in all directions from its source. Tsunami waves can travel at speeds of up to 500-800 miles per hour. As the waves approach the shore, they slow down and grow taller.
Tsunami waves can be up to 100 feet (30 meters) tall and can travel several miles inland. Tsunamis can be very destructive, causing widespread damage and loss of life.
(b) What is cloudburst? Ans. A cloudburst is a sudden, intense rainfall event over a small area, lasting less than an hour. It’s caused by the interaction of warm, moist air and cold, dry air, which leads to flash flooding and other hazards. Cloudbursts are most common in mountainous regions.
(c) Explain the effects of a volcano. Ans. Effects of a volcano:
Lava Flow: Molten rock (lava) can destroy structures and vegetation.
Ashfall: Volcanic ash can damage crops, machinery, and disrupt transportation.
Pyroclastic Flows: Fast-moving, hot ash and gas clouds can be lethal.
Volcanic Gas: Emissions like sulphur dioxide can harm air quality.
Landslides: Volcanic eruptions can trigger landslides, causing damage.
Tsunamis: Underwater volcanic eruptions can generate tsunamis.
Climate Impact: Ash can affect global climate by blocking sunlight.
(d) What are the measures to prevent loss of life due to lightning? Ans. Measures to prevent loss of life due to lightning:
Monitor weather forecasts and warnings: Keep track of local weather forecasts and warnings so you can plan accordingly.
Avoid being outside during thunderstorms, especially in open areas or near tall objects like trees or power lines.
Stay away from conductive objects like metal fences, golf clubs, and bicycles.
Avoid being near water during a thunderstorm, including swimming pools, lakes, and puddles.
Unplug appliances and electronics before the storm to prevent damage from power surges.
If you’re caught outside, stay low to the ground and avoid standing under tall objects.
Avoid being in isolated areas, such as fields or forests, where there may be no shelter or help available.
Follow safety guidelines: Follow safety guidelines provided by local authorities, such as evacuating certain areas or taking shelter in designated locations.
5. What measures have been taken to deal with calamities such as floods and landslides under the disaster management programme in Maharashtra?
Ans. In Maharashtra, measures under the disaster management program for floods and landslides include:
Early Warning Systems: Utilizing technology to provide timely alerts.
Evacuation Plans: Developing and practicing evacuation procedures.
Emergency Response Teams: Trained personnel for rescue and relief efforts.
Flood Control Infrastructure: Building dams and embankments.
Awareness Programs: Educating communities on disaster preparedness.
Coordination: Effective coordination among various agencies and stakeholders.
Relief Shelters: Establishing safe places for affected people.
Rehabilitation: Providing support to affected individuals for recovery.
6. With reference to disaster management what are the things in your house that you will check?
Ans. When checking for disaster preparedness in your house:
Emergency Kit: Ensure you have essential supplies like food, water, and first-aid items.
Batteries: Check and replace batteries in flashlights and radios.
Fire Extinguishers: Ensure they are working and accessible.
Smoke Alarms: Test and replace batteries as needed.
Evacuation Plan: Review and discuss escape routes with your family.
Important Documents: Keep passports, IDs, and important papers secure.
Emergency Contact List: Update and keep it handy.
Communication: Ensure you have a way to charge your phone.
Food and Water: Maintain a stock of non-perishable food and water.
Pets: Plan for their safety and well-being during emergencies.
E X T R A
1. Fill in the blanks.
1. Natural and manmade disasters are related to each other.
2. Malik Ambar implemented a canal scheme for drinking water in Aurangabad.
3. Asia has turned out to be the most famine-affected contents of the world.
4. The government of India established the National Flood Commission in 1976.
5. About 40 lightning flashes occur per second in the atmosphere.
6. The temperature generated by lightning is higher than that of the sun.
7. When some substances comes out of the earth’s crust in an eruption and start flowing is called a volcano.
8. Some islands are created due to the eruption, of volcano in the sea.
9. Tsunami is a Japanese word which means ‘harbour wave’.
10. About 177 nations from all over the world are members of the UNDP.
11. United Nations established a standing international organization UNDP in 1965.
12. 13th October is celebrated as International Day for Disaster Reduction.
13. The condition that arises due to long term and severe scarcity of food grains and water is called famine.
2. Answer the following questions:
1. What should be done to prevent the bunds on a farm from getting washed away in the rainy season? Ans. Here are some things that can be done to prevent the bunds on a farm from getting washed away in the rainy season.
Strengthen the bunds. This can be done by adding more soil, planting grass or shrubs on the bunds, or using other materials such as concrete or stones.
Create drainage channels. Drainage channels can help to divert water away from the bunds and prevent them from being eroded.
Plant vegetation on the slopes above the bunds. This can help to slow down the flow of water and prevent it from eroding the bunds.
Inspect and repair the bunds regularly. This should be done before the rainy season begins and after any heavy rains.
2. Why do we experience water scarcity? Ans. Water scarcity occurs due to:
Population Growth: Increased demand for water resources.
Climate Change: Altered precipitation patterns and droughts.
Pollution: Contaminated water sources become unusable.
Poor Management: Inefficient use and wastage of water.
Over-extraction: Depletion of groundwater and aquifers.
Environmental Degradation: Damage to ecosystems and water sources.
Infrastructure: Lack of proper water storage and distribution systems.
Geographical Factors: Uneven distribution of freshwater resources.
3. What causes rain? Ans. Rain is caused by the Earth’s water cycle, which involves the evaporation of water from the oceans, lakes, rivers, and the ground into the atmosphere, followed by the condensation of this water vapor into droplets of liquid water that fall as rain. This process is driven by the sun’s heat and the movement of air in the atmosphere.
4. What causes lightning? Ans. Lightning is caused by the build-up of electrical charge in the atmosphere, typically during thunderstorms. The charge builds up between the clouds and the ground, and eventually discharges in the form of a bright flash of electricity called lightning.
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