Complete  notes on Disaster Management – Floods, Droughts, Earthquakes for BPSC and Other Competitive Exams in 2025

Complete  notes on Disaster Management – Floods, Droughts, Earthquakes for BPSC and Other Competitive Exams in 2025

General Science- 27 (Environment)

Disaster Management

1. Introduction

• Disaster – A sudden, catastrophic event causing significant disruption, loss of life, and damage to property and environment.
• Disaster Management – A continuous and integrated process of planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing measures for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Governed in India by Disaster Management Act, 2005 – established the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

2. Floods

Definition

• Overflow of water submerging normally dry land.
• Classified as:
  • Riverine floods – caused by river overflow.
  • Flash floods – sudden and intense.
  • Urban floods – due to poor drainage in cities.

Causes

• Heavy rainfall, cyclones, dam failure, snowmelt.
• Encroachment on floodplains.
• Poor drainage systems in urban areas.

Impacts

• Social – Loss of lives, displacement, spread of diseases.
• Economic – Crop destruction, infrastructure damage.
• Environmental – Soil erosion, contamination of water.

Management & Mitigation

• Structural measures – Dams, levees, embankments, flood shelters.
• Non-structural measures – Flood forecasting, zoning, early warning systems.
• NDMA Guidelines on Flood Management (2008).

3. Droughts

Definition

• Prolonged period of deficient rainfall leading to water scarcity.
• Types:
  • Meteorological drought – less rainfall than average.
  • Agricultural drought – inadequate soil moisture for crops.
  • Hydrological drought – reduced water in rivers, lakes, aquifers.

Causes

• Climate variability, El Niño effect.
• Overexploitation of groundwater.
• Deforestation.

Impacts

• Social – Food insecurity, migration, malnutrition.
• Economic – Crop failure, livestock deaths.
• Environmental – Desertification, biodiversity loss.

Management & Mitigation

• Rainwater harvesting, watershed management.
• Drought-resistant crops.
• Early warning systems (IMD forecasts).
• National Drought Mitigation Project.

4. Earthquakes

Definition

• Sudden shaking of Earth’s surface due to release of energy from faults or volcanic activity.
• Measured using Richter scale (magnitude) and Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (intensity).

Causes

• Tectonic – movement of plates (major cause).
• Volcanic – magma movement.
• Man-made – mining, reservoir-induced.

Impacts

• Social – Casualties, displacement.
• Economic – Infrastructure collapse, loss of businesses.
• Environmental – Landslides, tsunamis.

Management & Mitigation

• Seismic zoning & building codes (BIS codes).
• Earthquake-resistant infrastructure.
• NDMA Earthquake Guidelines (2007).
• Public awareness & drills.

5. Institutional Framework in India

• National – NDMA, National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM).
• State – State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
• District – District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).
• Funds – National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

6. International Cooperation

• Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) – focuses on risk reduction, preparedness.
• UNDRR, ISDR.

7. Key Government Schemes

• Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP).
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
• National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project.
• Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project.

Objective Questions for Practice

1. Which year was the Disaster Management Act enacted in India?
(a) 2003
(b) 2004
(c) 2005
(d) 2006

2. Which of the following is a structural measure for flood control?
(a) Afforestation
(b) Embankment construction
(c) Flood forecasting
(d) Floodplain zoning

3. The El Niño phenomenon is associated with:
(a) Earthquakes
(b) Droughts
(c) Floods
(d) Tsunamis

4. Richter scale is used to measure:
(a) Wind speed
(b) Earthquake magnitude
(c) Rainfall intensity
(d) Soil fertility

5. Which NDMA guideline year focuses on earthquake risk mitigation?
(a) 2005
(b) 2007
(c) 2010
(d) 2012

6. Which is NOT a type of drought?
(a) Meteorological
(b) Hydrological
(c) Agricultural
(d) Geological