Grade 10 Q&A: Chapter 20: Disaster Management

Concept Questions

Q1: What is a disaster?

Answer: A disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts the functioning of a community or society and causes human, material, and economic or environmental losses that exceed the community's or society's ability to cope using its own resources.

Q2: List the two main types of disasters.

Answer: The two main types of disasters are natural disasters and man-made disasters.

Q3: Give examples of natural disasters.

Answer: Examples of natural disasters include earthquakes, floods, droughts, famines, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, cyclones, and forest fires.

Q4: Give examples of man-made disasters.

Answer: Examples of man-made disasters include terrorism, theft, riots, industrial accidents, chemical leaks, and wars.

Q5: What is meant by 'catastrophic disasters'?

Answer: Catastrophic disasters are those that have a very widespread and severe impact, often affecting large regions or even entire countries, causing immense loss of life and property, and requiring significant external aid for recovery.

Q6: What is a 'long-duration disaster'?

Answer: A long-duration disaster is one that has a prolonged impact over a considerable period, such as famine, drought, or the effects of rising sea levels, which can lead to sustained socio-economic disruption.

Q7: Name four types of effects of a disaster.

Answer: Four types of effects of a disaster are economic effects, social effects, medical effects, and administrative effects.

Q8: What is the primary objective of disaster management?

Answer: The primary objective of disaster management is to reduce the loss of life and property, minimize suffering, and ensure rapid recovery and rehabilitation after a disaster.

Q9: What are the two main aspects of disaster management?

Answer: The two main aspects of disaster management are pre-disaster management and post-disaster management.

Q10: What activities are included in pre-disaster management?

Answer: Pre-disaster management activities include identifying potential hazards, preparing action plans, training personnel, raising public awareness, and establishing communication systems.

Q11: What is the purpose of a 'mock drill' in disaster management?

Answer: The purpose of a mock drill is to practice and evaluate the preparedness for a disaster, identify shortcomings in the response plan, improve coordination among different agencies, and familiarize people with emergency procedures.

Q12: What is 'first aid'?

Answer: First aid is the immediate assistance or treatment given to an injured or ill person before professional medical help arrives. It aims to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, and promote recovery.

Q13: Why is it important to have a first aid kit ready?

Answer: It is important to have a first aid kit ready because it allows for immediate treatment of minor injuries or illnesses, which can prevent complications, reduce pain, and sometimes even save lives in emergency situations.

Application-Based Questions

Q14: How does a food chain relate to environmental management during a disaster?

Answer: A food chain represents the flow of energy through an ecosystem. During a disaster, disruption of any link in the food chain (e.g., destruction of producers by flood, death of herbivores due to lack of food) can have cascading negative effects on the entire ecosystem, leading to imbalance and potential collapse. Understanding food chains helps in assessing the environmental impact and planning for ecological rehabilitation.

Q15: Explain how population explosion can indirectly contribute to disaster vulnerability.

Answer: Population explosion can indirectly contribute to disaster vulnerability by increasing pressure on natural resources, leading to deforestation, urbanization in high-risk areas (like floodplains or unstable slopes), and inadequate infrastructure. This can exacerbate the impact of natural disasters and make communities more susceptible to their effects.

Q16: Describe the role of a 'Disaster Management Authority' at the district level.

Answer: A District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is responsible for coordinating and implementing disaster management activities at the district level. Its roles include preparing district disaster management plans, ensuring resource availability, conducting mock drills, organizing training programs, and overseeing relief and rehabilitation efforts during and after a disaster.

Q17: Why is it crucial to avoid spreading rumors during a disaster?

Answer: Spreading rumors during a disaster can cause panic, confusion, and misinformation, hindering organized relief efforts and potentially leading to dangerous situations. Accurate and timely information from official sources is vital for effective response and public safety.

Q18: How can modern technology and communication media be both beneficial and detrimental in disaster management?

Answer: Modern technology (like early warning systems, GPS, social media) and communication media can be beneficial by facilitating rapid information dissemination, coordinating rescue efforts, and connecting affected people with aid. However, they can be detrimental if used to spread rumors, misinformation, or if infrastructure fails, leading to communication breakdowns and increased panic.

Higher-Order Thinking Questions

Q19: "Mock drill is useful." Justify this statement with examples.

Answer: Mock drills are extremely useful because they provide practical experience in handling emergency situations. For instance, a school fire drill helps students and staff practice evacuation routes, assembly points, and roles, ensuring a smoother and safer response during a real fire. Similarly, an earthquake drill in an office can identify bottlenecks in evacuation, test communication systems, and help employees learn "drop, cover, and hold on" procedures, ultimately reducing chaos and potential casualties when an actual disaster strikes.

Q20: "Effective disaster management makes us well prepared for the future." Explain.

Answer: Effective disaster management is a continuous process that involves learning from past events, implementing preventive measures, and building resilience. By analyzing vulnerabilities, developing robust response plans, training communities, and investing in resilient infrastructure, societies can significantly reduce the impact of future disasters. This proactive approach transforms potential crises into manageable events, ensuring quicker recovery and sustainable development, thus making communities well-prepared for the future.

Q21: You are part of a school's disaster management committee. Which different aspects of disaster management would you check for your school? Why?

Answer: As part of a school's disaster management committee, I would check the following aspects: 1. **Hazard Identification:** Identify potential hazards specific to the school (e.g., fire risks, structural weaknesses, proximity to busy roads, chemical storage). This helps in tailoring preparedness plans. 2. **Emergency Exits and Assembly Points:** Ensure all exits are clear, well-marked, and known to everyone. Designate safe assembly points away from buildings. This is crucial for rapid evacuation. 3. **Communication System:** Verify that there's a reliable system to alert students/staff and communicate with parents/emergency services. This ensures timely response and information flow. 4. **First Aid Facilities and Training:** Check the availability of well-stocked first aid kits and ensure staff are trained in basic first aid. This allows immediate care for injuries. 5. **Mock Drills Schedule:** Plan and conduct regular mock drills (fire, earthquake, etc.) to practice response protocols and identify areas for improvement. 6. **Contact Information:** Maintain an updated list of emergency contacts for all students and staff. 7. **Special Needs Accommodation:** Plan for students or staff with special needs during emergencies. 8. **Resource Inventory:** Keep an inventory of resources like water, non-perishable food, and blankets. These checks ensure a comprehensive and practical approach to school safety and preparedness.

Q22: Identify the type of disaster for each of the following: a. Terrorism b. Soil erosion c. Hepatitis d. Forest fire e. Famine f. Theft

Answer: a. Terrorism: Man-made disaster b. Soil erosion: Natural disaster (often exacerbated by man-made factors) c. Hepatitis: Natural disaster (biological/epidemic) d. Forest fire: Natural disaster (can also be man-made) e. Famine: Natural disaster (often exacerbated by man-made factors like conflict or poor policy) f. Theft: Man-made disaster

References

1. MSBSHSE Class 10 Science and Technology Textbook Part 2 (2021-22 English) - Chapter 10: Disaster Management
2. Maharashtra State Board 10th Standard Science Syllabus 2025-26
3. Balbharati Science and Technology Part 2 Textbook
4. Shaalaa.com Balbharati solutions for Science and Technology 2