Disaster Management JKBOSE Q&A Notes
JKBOSE Important Questions and Answers: Disaster Management
Short Answer Type Questions (2-3 Marks)
Q1. Define Disaster and Hazard.
• Disaster: A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society at any scale due
to hazardous events interacting with conditions of exposure, vulnerability, and capacity, leading
to one or more of the following: human, material, economic, and environmental losses and
impacts.
• Hazard: A dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition that may cause
loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and services,
social and economic disruption, or environmental damage. Hazards can be natural
(earthquakes, floods) or human-induced (fires, pollution).
Q2. Distinguish between Natural Disaster and Man-Made Disaster.
Answer:- Difference Between Natural Disaster and Man-Made Disaster
● Origin
Natural Disaster:
Occurs due to natural processes of the Earth.
Example: Earthquake, flood, cyclone, volcanic eruption.
Man-Made Disaster:
Occurs due to human activities, negligence, or technological failures.
Example: Industrial accidents, fire, pollution, nuclear leakage.
● Cause
Natural Disaster:
Caused by natural forces such as tectonic movements, weather changes, or climatic conditions.
Man-Made Disaster:
Caused by human errors, carelessness, mismanagement, conflicts, or technological faults.
3. Predictability
Natural Disaster:
Difficult to predict accurately (e.g., earthquakes), though some (like cyclones) can be forecast.
Man-Made Disaster:
Generally preventable with proper safety measures and planning.
● Control
Natural Disaster:
Cannot be controlled by humans; only the impact can be reduced.
Man-Made Disaster:
Can be prevented or minimized through rules, technology, and responsible behavior.
● Examples
Natural Disaster: Floods, droughts, tsunamis, landslides, storms.
Man-Made Disaster: Gas leaks, train accidents, oil spills, terrorism, nuclear accidents.
Q3. What is Mitigation in Disaster Management?
Mitigation refers to the structural and non-structural measures undertaken to limit the adverse
impact of natural hazards, environmental degradation, and technological hazards.
• Structural measures include building earthquake-resistant homes and constructing dams.
• Non-structural measures include land-use zoning, public awareness campaigns, and better
regulations.
Q4. What is the role of 'Retrofitting' in disaster preparedness?
Retrofitting is the process of modifying existing structures to make them more resistant to
seismic activity, winds, and other hazards. It is crucial in disaster-prone areas like J&K
(vulnerable to earthquakes) as it strengthens older buildings that were not built using
disaster-resistant technology, thereby reducing potential loss of life and property.
Long Answer Type Questions (5-6 Marks)
Q5. Discuss the key phases of the Disaster Management Cycle.
Disaster Management is a continuous process divided into four main phases:
1. Mitigation: Actions taken to reduce the risk of a disaster occurring or to reduce the severity of
its impact. (e.g., retrofitting buildings, developing building codes).
2. Preparedness: Measures taken before a disaster to be ready for an effective response. (e.g.,
developing warning systems, conducting mock drills, creating emergency kits).
3. Response: Actions taken during or immediately after a disaster to save lives, protect property,
and meet the basic humanitarian needs of the affected population. (e.g., search and rescue,
medical assistance, providing shelter).
4. Recovery: Actions taken to restore the affected area to its former or a better condition. This
involves short-term (restoring essential services) and long-term (reconstruction, economic
revival) efforts.
Q6. Explain the role of the community in Disaster Management.
The local community is the first responder and plays the most critical role in all phases of
disaster management:
1. Before Disaster (Preparedness & Mitigation):
• Awareness: Spreading information on local risks and safe practices.
• Training: Participating in First Aid and Search & Rescue training.
• Planning: Helping local authorities prepare a Community Disaster Management Plan and
identifying safe zones.
2. During Disaster (Response):
• Rescue: Conducting immediate Search and Rescue operations for neighbours and family
members.
• First Aid: Providing immediate medical help to the injured until professional help arrives.
• Communication: Disseminating correct information and warning signals.
3. After Disaster (Recovery):
• Relief: Organizing and distributing relief material (food, clothes, medicine).
• Rehabilitation: Assisting in the reconstruction of homes and restoring livelihoods, which helps
in the economic recovery of the region.
Q7. Describe the economic impact of floods and suggest mitigation measures in J&K.
Economic Impact of Floods: Floods are a recurrent major hazard in J&K, especially in the
Kashmir Valley. They cause massive economic damage by:
• Destruction of Infrastructure: Damaging roads, bridges, power grids, and communication lines,
which disrupts economic activity and trade.
• Loss to Agriculture/Horticulture: Ruining standing crops, fertile topsoil, and livestock, which
severely impacts J&K's agrarian economy.
• Damage to Industry and Tourism: Flooding of commercial areas and tourist sites (hotels,
shops) leads to business loss and a decline in tourism revenue, a key economic sector for the
UT.
• Health and Livelihoods: Loss of homes and capital assets pushes people into poverty,
diverting government and private resources towards immediate relief instead of development.
Mitigation Measures in J&K:
1. River Dredging and Embankments: Regularly desilting the Jhelum river and strengthening its
embankments to increase its water-carrying capacity.
2. Improved Drainage System: Developing a modern and efficient urban drainage system in
Srinagar and other low-lying areas.
3. Floodplain Zoning: Implementing regulations that prohibit or restrict construction in high-risk
flood-prone areas.
4. Early Warning Systems: Installing and maintaining advanced weather forecasting and flood
warning systems to allow for timely evacuation and preparation.
