(SEM VII) THEORY EXAMINATION 2022-23 DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND MANAGEMENT

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND MANAGEMENT (KCE079)

B.Tech SEM VII – Complete Solved Question Paper (2022–23)
                                                                                                             ⏱ Time: 3 Hours | 📊 Marks: 100

SECTION A

Attempt all questions in brief (2 × 10 = 20 marks)

(a) What is disaster management?

Disaster management is the systematic process of planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing measures to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters in order to reduce loss of life, property, and environmental damage 

(b) What are the hazardous effects of volcanoes?

Volcanoes cause lava flow, ash fall, toxic gas emissions, landslides, destruction of settlements, loss of life, air pollution, climate disturbance, and damage to agriculture and infrastructure 

(c) Write a short note on mitigation.

Mitigation refers to measures taken before a disaster to reduce its severity and impact. It includes structural measures like dams and embankments, and non-structural measures such as land-use planning, awareness, and building codes 

(d) Define coastal erosion.

Coastal erosion is the gradual loss of land along the coastline due to wave action, tides, sea-level rise, storms, and human activities such as sand mining and construction 

(e) Explain how disasters cause climate change.

Disasters like forest fires and industrial accidents release large amounts of greenhouse gases. Deforestation due to disasters reduces carbon absorption, indirectly contributing to climate change 

(f) How to prevent a hazard from changing into a disaster?

Hazards can be prevented from becoming disasters through preparedness, early warning systems, proper planning, infrastructure safety, public awareness, and timely response measures 

(g) What monitoring systems are used for tracing the path of cyclones?

Cyclone paths are traced using satellites, Doppler weather radars, ocean buoys, GIS systems, and meteorological forecasting models 

(h) What are the causes of soil erosion?

Causes include deforestation, overgrazing, heavy rainfall, floods, wind action, improper farming practices, and construction activities 

(i) Write a short note on DRR.

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) involves policies, strategies, and practices aimed at minimizing vulnerabilities and disaster risks to prevent or reduce adverse impacts 

(j) What are the factors which affect vulnerability?

Vulnerability is affected by physical, social, economic, environmental, and institutional factors such as poverty, population density, weak infrastructure, and lack of awareness 

SECTION B

Attempt any THREE (10 × 3 = 30 marks)

(a) Explain in detail the various stages in disaster management

The stages are:

Pre-disaster stage: Includes prevention, mitigation, preparedness, early warning, and training

During disaster stage: Emergency response, rescue, evacuation, and relief operations

Post-disaster stage: Rehabilitation, reconstruction, recovery, and development

These stages together form the disaster management cycle 

(b) Environmental stress and disaster

Environmental stress refers to pressure on natural systems due to population growth, industrialization, pollution, and resource exploitation. When stress exceeds the coping capacity of the environment, it results in disasters like floods, droughts, and landslides 

(c) Post-disaster stages

Post-disaster stages include:                                         Damage assessment

Relief and rehabilitation                                                Reconstruction of infrastructure

Psychological support                                                   Long-term development and resilience building

These stages aim at restoring normal life and reducing future risks 

(d) Landslides: causes and mitigation

A landslide is the movement of soil, rocks, or debris down a slope due to gravity.

Causes: Heavy rainfall, earthquakes, deforestation, mining, slope instability
Measures: Early warning, proper drainage, retaining walls, afforestation, controlled construction, and evacuation plans 

(e) Mitigation strategies for specific disasters

Earthquake: Earthquake-resistant buildings, zoning laws

Flood: Dams, embankments, flood forecasting

Cyclone: Cyclone shelters, coastal afforestation

Drought: Water conservation, rainwater harvesting

Mitigation reduces disaster impact and losses 

SECTION C

Q3 (Attempt any one)

(a) Earthquake and pre-disaster measures

An earthquake is the sudden shaking of the earth due to movement of tectonic plates.

Pre-disaster measures:                                            Seismic zoning

Earthquake-resistant construction                             Public awareness

Emergency drills                                                        Early warning systems 

(b) Disaster impacts

(i) Social impacts: Displacement, loss of livelihood, social disruption
(ii) Health impacts: Injuries, diseases, mental stress
(iii) National disaster trends: Increasing frequency due to climate change and urbanization 

Q4 (Attempt any one)

(a) Man-made disasters

Man-made disasters include industrial accidents, nuclear accidents, chemical spills, fires, terrorism, war, and transportation accidents. These occur due to human negligence or intentional actions 

(b) Activities of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

NDMA formulates disaster management policies, prepares guidelines, coordinates with states, ensures preparedness, promotes mitigation strategies, and oversees implementation of disaster management plans in India 

Q5 (Attempt any one)

(a) Disaster preparedness plan and aspects

A disaster preparedness plan includes risk assessment, early warning systems, emergency response planning, training, resource allocation, evacuation plans, and community awareness 

(b) Types of environmental disasters

Environmental disasters include floods, droughts, earthquakes, cyclones, landslides, forest fires, and volcanic eruptions. These disasters affect ecosystems, human life, and infrastructure 

Q6 (Attempt any one)

(a) Vulnerability and its factors

Vulnerability refers to the degree to which people and systems are susceptible to disaster damage.

Factors: Physical location, poverty, education, infrastructure quality, governance, and environmental degradation 

(b) Role of various agencies in disaster management

Agencies include NDMA, SDMA, district authorities, NGOs, armed forces, health services, and international organizations. They coordinate relief, rescue, rehabilitation, and preparedness activities 

Q7 (Attempt any one)

(a) Effect of reconstruction and development on environment

Unplanned reconstruction leads to deforestation, pollution, habitat loss, and resource depletion. Sustainable reconstruction minimizes environmental damage and builds resilience 

(b) Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in India

(i) Policies: National Disaster Management Policy, Sendai Framework adoption
(ii) DRR programmes: National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project, community-based DRR programmes, early warning systems