DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND MANAGEMENT (KCE079)
B.Tech – Semester VII
Time: 3 Hours | Max Marks: 100
SECTION – A (10 × 2 = 20 Marks)
(Attempt all questions in brief)
(a) Write a short note on hazard.
A hazard is any potential source of harm or adverse effect on human life, property, or the environment. Hazards may be natural or man-made and can lead to disasters if not managed properly.
(b) What do you understand by disaster?
A disaster is a sudden or severe event that causes widespread damage, loss of life, and disruption of normal life beyond the capacity of the affected community to cope using its own resources.
(c) Define urbanization.
Urbanization is the process by which a growing proportion of a population lives in cities and urban areas, leading to expansion of infrastructure and economic activities.
(d) Explain disaster risk reduction.
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) refers to systematic efforts to analyze and reduce the factors causing disasters by reducing exposure, vulnerability, and improving preparedness.
(e) What monitoring systems are used for tracing the path of cyclones?
Satellite imagery, Doppler weather radars, ocean buoys, and numerical weather prediction models are used to monitor and trace cyclone paths.
(f) What are the causes of soil erosion?
Soil erosion is caused by deforestation, overgrazing, heavy rainfall, floods, improper agricultural practices, and wind action.
(g) What are the factors which affect vulnerability?
Vulnerability is affected by social, economic, environmental, physical, and institutional factors such as poverty, poor infrastructure, population density, and lack of awareness.
(h) Explain how disasters cause climate change.
Disasters like forest fires, industrial accidents, and large-scale deforestation increase greenhouse gas emissions and disturb natural ecosystems, contributing to climate change.
(i) Write a short note on “Disaster impacts on society.”
Disasters affect society by causing loss of life, displacement, psychological trauma, disruption of education and healthcare, and increased poverty.
(j) Explain how nuclear radiation causes disaster.
Nuclear radiation disasters occur due to accidental release of radioactive materials, causing long-term health effects, environmental contamination, and genetic damage.
SECTION – B (3 × 10 = 30 Marks)
(Attempt any three questions)
2(a) Discuss the hazard and vulnerability profile of Indian mountain and coastal areas.
Indian mountain regions are highly vulnerable to landslides, earthquakes, avalanches, and flash floods due to steep slopes, seismic activity, and deforestation. Poor road connectivity and fragile ecosystems increase risk.
Coastal areas face cyclones, storm surges, tsunamis, coastal erosion, and sea-level rise. High population density, fishing-based livelihoods, and inadequate infrastructure enhance vulnerability.
2(b) What are the various reconstruction and development methods?
Reconstruction involves rebuilding infrastructure, housing, and livelihoods after disasters. Methods include owner-driven reconstruction, community-based development, use of disaster-resistant materials, and sustainable land-use planning.
Development focuses on restoring economic activities, improving resilience, and integrating risk reduction into long-term planning.
2(c) Define earthquake. What pre-disaster measures are taken to manage earthquake disaster?
An earthquake is the sudden shaking of the Earth’s surface caused by movement of tectonic plates.
Pre-disaster measures include seismic-resistant construction, land-use zoning, public awareness programs, early warning systems, and emergency preparedness drills.
2(d) What do you understand by sustainable and environment-friendly recovery?
Sustainable recovery focuses on rebuilding communities in a way that minimizes environmental damage, uses renewable resources, strengthens resilience, and supports long-term development.
2(e) Explain the concept of environmental stress and disaster.
Environmental stress refers to pressure on natural systems due to human activities like pollution, deforestation, and climate change. When stress exceeds tolerance limits, it results in environmental disasters.
SECTION – C
3. Attempt any one part (10 × 1 = 10 Marks)
3(a) Roles and responsibilities of government and community in disaster risk reduction
The government formulates policies, provides funding, ensures early warning systems, and coordinates emergency response.
Communities play a key role by participating in preparedness, spreading awareness, and supporting local response and recovery.
3(b) Define landslides. Explain how landslides occur and measures taken during a landslide disaster.
A landslide is the downward movement of soil, rocks, or debris due to gravity.
Landslides occur due to heavy rainfall, earthquakes, slope instability, and human activities like mining.
Measures include evacuation, slope stabilization, drainage control, and afforestation.
4. Attempt any one part (10 × 1 = 10 Marks)
4(a) What are the various types of disasters? Discuss any two.
Disasters are classified as natural and man-made.
Earthquakes cause ground shaking and infrastructure damage.
Floods result from excessive rainfall or river overflow causing property damage and loss of life.
4(b) Explain the activities of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
NDMA formulates disaster management policies, coordinates response, issues guidelines, promotes preparedness, and supports capacity building at national and state levels.
5. Attempt any one part (10 × 1 = 10 Marks)
5(a) Explain DRR programs in India and activities of NDMA.
India’s DRR programs include early warning systems, disaster-resilient infrastructure, community awareness, and school safety programs. NDMA plays a central role in implementation.
5(b) What is meant by post-disaster stages?
Post-disaster stages include relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and long-term recovery to restore normal life and improve resilience.
6. Attempt any one part (10 × 1 = 10 Marks)
6(a) Explain the various stages in disaster management.
The stages are mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and reconstruction, forming a continuous disaster management cycle.
6(b) Discuss various types of environmental disasters.
Environmental disasters include oil spills, nuclear accidents, industrial pollution, deforestation, and climate-induced disasters.
7. Attempt any one part (10 × 1 = 10 Marks)
7(a) Define floods and describe flood control measures.
Floods are overflow of water submerging normally dry land.
Control measures include dams, embankments, afforestation, proper drainage systems, and flood forecasting.
7(b) Explain how urbanization affects the environment.
Urbanization increases pollution, waste generation, deforestation, water scarcity, and climate stress due to unplanned development.
