NCERT Solutions Class 9 Social Science Chapter 1 Getting Acquainted With Disaster Management Becoming a Disaster Manager

1. Match each of the items in column A with one of the items in column B (you may have more than one item on the left matching with the same item on the right).

2. Can a disaster be prevented? Enumerate some of the ways through which impact of a disaster can be reduced.

Answer. A disaster occurs when the impact of a hazard on a section of society is such that the people are unable to cope with the event, causing death, injury, loss of property and economic losses. Thus a disaster cannot be prevented but the impact of its hazardous effects can be reduced by taking necessary precautions, mitigation measures and through disaster management.

Some of the steps through which the impact of a disaster can be reduced are:

i.   Emergency Response and relief

ii.   Rehabilitation and reconstruction

iii.  Mitigation

iv.   Preparedness

3. List the hazards in the mountain areas, coastal regions and plateau areas of India.

Answer. The hazards are also influenced by the physiography of a region:

i.   Common hazards in mountain areas-Landslides, land subsidence, avalanches, volcano eruption, earthquakes, flash floods

iii.   Common hazards in plateau areas-Landslides, drought, earthquakes

4. List out at least 10 risk inducing factors in your home, school or office.

Answer. There are various risk inducing factors in our home, school and office that can result in disasters.

i.   Risk inducing factors at home: Gas cylinder, electrical circuits and wires, room heater, water storage tanks, etc.

ii.   Risk inducing factors at school: Chemicals in lab, swimming pool, stairs, swings, water storage tanks, lifts, open drains, etc.

iii.   Risk inducing factors in office: Lifts, electrical appliances, Fire, type of material used in building, etc.

5. What do we understand by mitigation? Why is it important? Give three examples of non-structural mitigation.

Answer. Mitigation is any action taken to minimise the extent of a disaster or a potential disaster. Mitigation can take place before, during or after a disaster.

Mitigation is important because it helps to reduce the impact of disasters and reduces loss of life and property.