Unit 6: Calamities

15 Natural Calamities

Expected Learning Outcomes

Knowledge to be gained : • Floods and cyclones • Drought • Earthquakes •Tsunami
Skill to be developed : • Precau ons against various calami es.
A tude to be inculcated : • To stay calm and face the situa on bravely when natural
calami es occur.

An accident is an unfortunate happening that

occurs suddenly. Accidents can take place
anywhere—at home, on the road or in the
playground. Accidents cause injuries and pain.
Some unfortunate happenings occur due to
natural reasons. ese are called calamities.
Calamities or disasters that occur due to natural
forces are called natural calamities. We have no
control over such happenings. ese events can
take place due to changes in temperature, Natural Calamity
pressure or the magnetic forces of the Earth. Floods, cyclones, earthquakes, volcanoes,
etc., are some natural calamities. We can reduce the effects of natural calamities by
preparing ourselves in advance, and protect ourselves from their drastic effects.

FLOODS AND CYCLONES

In some parts of India, we have very heavy
rainfall during monsoon. Due to this, the
water in the rivers over ows onto the nearby
lands causing oods.
Floods in a region depend on various
conditions of the region like the climate, soil,
vegetation cover and overall rainfall .
Floods can be controlled to an extent by
Floods cause lot of damage to property and life afforestation.
Afforestation means converting a land into forest by planting trees.
In coastal areas, heavy rain is accompanied with very strong winds. is is called cyclone.
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 In India, states like Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Assam are prone to
cyclones and oods. In October 1999, a super cyclone (Phailin) hit the Odisha coast. Many
people died and there was a huge loss of property too.
Effects of Floods and Cyclones Due to global warming
Do
Ÿ Strong cyclonic winds cause destruction on the land by
damaging buildings and houses, uprooting trees and Know
You ? chunks of ice on the
mountains melt. This
can cause big floods.
other structures.
Ÿ Fields get immersed in water and the crop is destroyed.
Ÿ Electric lines, communication networks and water supplies get affected.
Ÿ Belongings of people get washed away. People become homeless and so also the animals.
Ÿ Shortage of drinking water and food affects all living beings.
Ÿ Due to unhygienic conditions, germs spread and there is an outbreak of diseases such as
jaundice, malaria and cholera.
Preventive Measures The outbreak of a
Do
Ÿ Dams should be built across the rivers to check the ow of You ? disease that affects
a large number of
water into lands. Know people, is called an
epidemic.
Ÿ Trees should be planted in large numbers as they slow
down the ow of water.
Ÿ A good drainage system can prevent waterlogging, thereby, controlling oods to some
extent.
Ÿ During oods, one should be careful of certain things. e water that collects during
oods should not be used. It is highly
contaminated and would make people sick. The government and other agencies,
Do
Ÿ One should avoid walking in the ood water. You ?
such as the Red Cross society, set up
relief camps for people in flood-
It may contain snakes and dangerous Know affected areas, and provide free
reptiles. medicines, food, drinking water and
clothes to all.
Ÿ One should move into relief camps for food,
safe drinking water and medicines.
DROUGHT
Sometimes there is no rain for a long time. Water
is continuously drawn from under the ground
and the level of groundwater goes below normal
in a particular region.
Land and waterbodies dry up, crops fail to grow,
and people and animals die in the absence of
water and food. And we say that the region is hit
by drought. Drought
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Effects of Drought
Ÿ Crops dry up, resulting in a severe shortage of grains, vegetable and fruits.
Ÿ Livestock perish due to shortage of fodder and water, resulting in shortage of milk and
animal products.
Ÿ Soil erosion increases because the crops
die and the land becomes barren.
Preventive Measures
Ÿ Afforestation or planting of trees
reduces the chances of drought.
Ÿ Rainwater harvesting can be done
to store water. is can be used during
drought.

EARTHQUAKES Rainwater harvesting

e Earth is made up of different layers. e outermost layer of the Earth is the crust, which
is made up of huge blocks called plates. ese plates oat over the inner layer called mantle
which is in the form of a thick hot molten liquid.
e plates of the crust t together like a jigsaw puzzle. Sometimes the mantle, which
keeps moving slowly, makes the plates to slide past each other. is causes an
earthquake and the ground under our feet shakes.
Sometimes, an earthquake is so mild that it is not even felt. But sometimes, it is so severe
that it causes major destruction. e point deep below the Earth’s surface, where the
earthquake begins, is called the focus.
e corresponding point on the Earth’s The Richter
sur face is called the epicentre . Do
You
e intensity of an earthquake is Know levels. The
? scale has eight

lowest level,
recorded by an instrument called a one, indicates
seismograph. It is measured on a scale occurrence of
called the Richter scale. After the rst an earthquake that was not felt, and the
highest level, eight, indicates a massive
big earthquake, smaller tremors may earthquake.
occur. ese are called aftershocks.

Effects of Earthquake
Ÿ Cracks develop on the walls of buildings. ese cracks may lead to the collapse of the
buildings.
Ÿ Electric wires get snapped resulting in short-circuit and res.
Ÿ Breaking of dams can result in oods.

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 Preventive Measures
Ÿ Earthquake-prone areas should have
wooden houses. ey stand a chance of
remaining upright during an earthquake.
Ÿ If you feel the ground shaking, move out
of the building or from your house to an
open space, away from trees, buildings,
etc.
Ÿ If you are not able to move out, take
refuge under a table to avoid getting hurt. Earthquake
Ÿ Avoid entering a building for some time even after the earthquake stops, as damaged
portions may continue to fall later also.

TSUNAMI
Tsunami is a Japanese word meaning
‘harbour wave’. Tsunami is a wave or a series
of waves caused by undersea earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions, landslides, etc. During
tsunami, the water in the seas moves at a
great speed and as it reaches the land, it
turns into gigantic waves. e tsunami
disaster on December 26, 2004, was one of
the biggest natural calamities to have
occurred. It killed about 3,00,000 people Tsunami
across a dozen countries, with Indonesia, SriLanka, India, Maldieves and ailand
sustaining massive damages. It was caused by an undersea earthquake off the coast of
Sumatra.
Effects of Tsunami
Ÿ Tsunami causes huge loss of life and property due to ooding of land by sea-water.
Ÿ Tsunami affects transportation and communication as electric wires get snapped and
roads get ooded.

Preventive Measures
Ÿ Try and move to places that are at higher levels.
Ÿ If prior warning is given, evacuate the places near the sea.

YOUR ROLE WHEN NATURAL CALAMITIES STRIKE

Ÿ Stay calm and do not get carried away by rumours.
Ÿ Encourage people to face the situation bravely and be positive.
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Ÿ Provide help to the affected people by giving food, water, clothes, shelter and
medicines.
Ÿ Encourage people around you to do their bit.

GOVERNMENT’S ROLE WHEN NATURAL CALAMITIES STRIKE

Ÿ A weather forecasting system is operated by the Meteorological Department of the
Government, which gives warning about cyclones and oods.
Ÿ e government ensures evacuation or the removal of people from the disaster-affected
area. In situation that requires immediate action, the army is also called in for help.
Ÿ Helicopters are used to airlift people stranded in the affected areas. Medicine and food
are also dropped.
Ÿ Medical help is provided by the government by organising medical camps and by rushing
the injured people to the hospital. Earthquake victims who get trapped in collapsed
buildings are rescued by people working for government agencies.
Ÿ e government ensures that law and order is maintained as some people take advantage
of the situation and indulge in looting unattended properties. Essential commodities are
made available at reasonable prices. Restoration of communication network is done on
priority basis.
Ÿ Psychological counselling is provided to people who have lost their near and dear ones.
Ÿ Some Non-Government organisations (NGOs), such as the Red Cross Society and
the World Health Organisation (WHO), also
provide help by supplying medical aid, food and other A severe shortage of
Do
necessary things to the disaster-affected people. e
NGOs set up relief camps for people who have lost
You ?
food in a region is
called famine.
Know
their homes in the calamity.

Army deployed to provide food to the disaster struck people

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 New words
Natural calamity : calamity or disaster that occurs due to natural forces
Crust : the outermost layer of the Earth
Focus : the point deep below the Earth’s surface, where the earthquake begins

SUMMARY
v The unfortunate happenings that occur due to natural reasons are called
calamities.
v In October 1999, a super cyclone hit the Odisha coast.
v The intensity of an earthquake is recorded by an instrument called a seismograph.
v Tsunami disaster on December 26, 2004, was caused by an undersea earthquake.
v Government and NGOs provide help during natural calamities.

Exercise
A. Write one word for the following:
1. This calamity occurs due to heavy rainfall during ______________
the monsoon season.
2. An instrument used to measure earthquakes. ______________
3. Spread of a disease on a large scale that affects a large ______________
number of people.
4. A series of waves. ______________
5. Small shocks and tremors that are felt after an earthquake. ______________
B. Answer the following questions:
1. What are calamities?
2. What are oods?
3. What is an epicentre?
C. Give reasons for the following:
1. When an earthquake occurs, one should move away from buildings or poles if
one is indoors.
2. Planting trees reduces oods.
3. Communication networks are affected during earthquakes.

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 4. People in the ood-affected areas are prone to diseases such as typhoid and
cholera.
5. Livestock perish in a drought.
D. True or False:
1. Diseases are likely to break out after an earthquake. _________
2. Cyclones occur in the coastal areas. _________
3. Floods occur due to shortage of rainfall. _________
4. Crust is the uppermost layer of the Earth. _________
5. Earthquakes are measured on the Richter scale. _________
E. Answer the following questions:
1. What role should you play when a natural calamity occurs?
2. How does the government help people to deal with a natural calamity?
3. How do earthquakes occur?
4. How does a tsunami occur?
5. What precautions one should take during the following emergencies?
(a) Flood
(b) Earthquake
(c) Drought
6. What effect do the following natural calamities have on people and their life?
(a) Drought
(b) Cyclone
(c) Earthquake
(d) Floods

Activity Time
A. Make a list of natural calamities that have occurred in India during the last ve
years. List their causes and their after-effects.
B. Make a list of some NGOs in your city that have been active in helping the victims of
natural calamities, whenever they have occurred in the recent past.
C. With the help of a teacher, students should regularly do mock drills regarding what
they would do if an earthquake occurred. Practising earthquake drills will help us all
understand what to do in case an adult is not with us during an earthquake.
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 Remember—Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Drop to the ground and take Cover under
something sturdy like a desk or table. With one hand Hold On to the heavy object and
with your other arm, protect your head and neck. If you don’t have anything sturdy to
take cover under, crouch down next to an interior wall. Stay indoors until the shaking
stops and until you are sure that it is safe to exit.
e teacher will ring an alarm on his/her mobile to indicate and children will practise
Drop, Cover and Hold On.

Be a young
Researcher
Read the following names: Tauktae, Yaas, Nisarga, Amphan, Vayu, Bulbul.
What are these names? ese are names of some cyclones that hit India recently.
Cyclones are not named randomly. ere is a procedure to name a cyclone. e World
Meteorological Organisation nalises a name for every cyclone.
With the help of the Internet, go through articles about naming a cyclone and nd out
the following:
Ÿ How are the cyclones named?
Ÿ Why is it important to name cyclones?
Ÿ What are the guidelines to adopt names of cyclones?
Ÿ What cyclone names has India suggested?

Subject Link : English

Do you like watching movies? Many movies have been made on theme natural
calamities. For example, Kai Po Che! is based on the Bhuj earthquake. e story of the
movie Kedarnath is related to the Uttarakhand ood. ere are many more such
movies.
Watch such a movie and write about the calamity on which its story is based. Write an
essay about what you have liked the most in the movie. Have you learnt any lesson from
the movie? If yes, write about that as well.

FOOTNOTE
Give a detailed description of various kinds of natural calamities and the preventive measures we should undertake
in this regard.

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 MM : 40
1
A. Fill in the blanks: 5
1. ________________ are called our green friends.
2. Oceans contain ________________ water.
3. Cells can only be seen through a ________________.
4. e ________________ controls all the involuntary muscles.
5. In front, the ribs are connected to the ________________.
B. Write 'T' for true and 'F' for false statement: 5
1. All cells look alike.
2. Proteins are energy giving nutrients.
3. Mango seeds are generally dispersed by man.
4. Penguins are found in deserts.
5. e biggest part of the brain is cerebrum.
C. Circle the odd ones: 5
1. Cheek cell Bone cell Mitochondria
2. Muscle tissue Lungs Nerve tissue
3. Heart Stomach Liver
4. Kidney Urethra Airtubes
5. Octopus Frog Shark
D. Name the following: 10
1. e longest part of brain. ________________
2. It is also called the brain stem. ________________
3. Nerve cell. ________________
4. Part of the brain that works even while we are sleeping. ________________
5. e dark coloured part of the eye. ________________
E. Answer the following questions: 15
1. What is meant by dispersal of seeds?
2. What are amphibians?
3. What is cell membrane? What is its function?
4. What are the functions of our muscles?
5. How can you keep your skin healthy?
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 MM : 40
2
A. Fill in the blanks: 5
1. Liquid water changes into solid on ______________.
2. e protection of soil against erosion is called ______________.
3. Atmosphere is about ______________ km thick.
4. Biting of dogs and cats cause ______________.
5. Any tool having a sharp edge and a blunt edge is known as a ______________.
B. Write 'T' for true and 'F' for false statements: 5
1. Oil and water are miscible.
2. Deforestation causes soil erosion.
3. Nitrogen is essential for burning.
4. Cyclones occur in coastal areas.
5. Crust is the uppermost layer of the Earth.
C. Write one word for each of the following: 5
1. A hard igneous rock which is used to make buildings. _____________
2. A sedimentary rock made from grains of sand. _____________
3. Granite metamorphoses formed into this. _____________
4. Limestone metamorphoses into this. _____________
5. A sedimentary rock formed from shells and bones of animals. _____________
D. Match the following: 10

1. Sprains a. Cover the vic m with a blanket and ask him to roll on the ground.
2. Fractures b. Wash the area under running water and apply ice.
3. Burns c. Apply an ice pack and do not move the joint.
4. Animal bites d. Use a splint and do not move the bone.
5. Fire e. Wash the affected area with soap and water and apply an an sep c cream.

E. Answer the following questions: 15

1. What are molecules and atoms?
2. How is soil formed?
3. How is coal formed? How is it useful to us?
4. How do earthquakes occur?
5. How are shadows formed?
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Notes

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 Notes

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