GSEB Class 9 Social Science Chapter 20 Disaster Management Notes

 

Get GSEB Class 9 Social Science Chapter 20 Disaster Management notes, exercise solutions, important questions and answers, and MCQs for easy exam preparation.

 

Part A: Exercise Answers

 

1. Answer the following questions as directed

1. What should be done during flood?

Collect essential personal items and move to a safer place. Keep drinking water, dry food, candles, a lantern, a matchbox and a mobile phone with you. Do not let children go hungry. After the flood recedes, drink only boiled water. Beware of snakes and keep bamboo sticks to help drive them away if needed. Do not eat food prepared in flood water, and do not move without reliable information about the route and situation.

2. Give a brief account of tsunami.

A tsunami is a series of powerful sea waves caused by an underwater earthquake, a volcanic eruption in the sea, or a large landslide on the ocean floor. In deep water, the waves may not be very high, but near the coast they can rise and cause great destruction. The chapter notes that the tsunami of 26 December 2004 affected people in Thailand, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and other South-East Asian countries. When a tsunami warning is received, people should move away from the coast and follow the authorities’ instructions.

3. What should not be done at the time of gas leakage?

Do not gather around the affected area if you are not part of the rescue team. Do not enter the area until the authorities declare it safe. Do not attempt rescue work without proper training and the necessary equipment. Inform the Fire Brigade and Police, and allow rescue vehicles to move freely.

4. Discuss the remedies to remain safe from viral diseases.

Be alert to signs of infection and learn about how diseases spread and how to prevent them. Take the recommended anti-disease vaccines. Arrange separate wards for patients when needed, and follow the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and health authorities.

5. What is called a ‘Traffic Jam’? What are its effects?

A traffic jam occurs when too many vehicles move slowly or stop close to one another on a road. It is common on busy roads in large cities. Traffic jams waste time and fuel, delay people and emergency services, increase air and noise pollution, and can put people’s lives at risk when ambulances and rescue vehicles are stuck.

2. Answer the following questions in detail

1. Describe in detail the effects of disaster on human life.

Disasters affect people, property and the development of an area. Their effects can be grouped into four main categories:

• Effects on physical features and infrastructure: Buildings, roads, railways, bridges, electricity and communication facilities may be damaged. Floods can destroy agricultural land, and damaged infrastructure may take a long time to repair.
• Effects on human life: People may die or become permanently disabled. Survivors may suffer trauma and distress. Families may lose their homes and livelihoods, while orphaned children and older people may need special care and support.
• Effects on the economy: A large amount of money is needed for relief, rebuilding and rehabilitation. Development projects may be delayed, jobs may be lost, and businesses or industries may stop working. The economy of the affected area can become weaker.
• Social effects: People may have to leave their homes and move to safer places. Festivals and public celebrations may be affected, social networks may weaken, and it may take years for the community to return to normal.

2. Describe the process of rehabilitation after a disaster. Write notes.

Disaster response generally begins with rescue operations, followed by compensation or relief, and finally rehabilitation. Rehabilitation means helping affected people and communities rebuild their lives.

• Repair or rebuild houses and other buildings damaged by earthquakes, floods or cyclones.
• Create employment and provide support for farming after droughts, including necessary farm implements.
• After viral epidemics, arrange public awareness and educational programmes to help prevent future outbreaks.
• Repair damaged infrastructure and restore essential services.
• Provide timely emotional and psychological support to people who have experienced trauma.
• Arrange training and employment for survivors, including people who have become disabled.
• Plan rehabilitation carefully and carry it out step by step, because it is a difficult and long process.

3. What should be done to solve the problem of Traffic Jam? Write in details.

Traffic jams can be reduced through better planning, public transport, road safety and public awareness. The chapter suggests these measures:

• Develop townships near large cities and connect them well through public transport.
• Provide separate tracks for pedestrians and cyclists, and remove encroachments from roads.
• Restrict very slow vehicles, including animal-drawn vehicles, during peak traffic hours where required.
• Teach traffic rules through educational advertisements and public awareness programmes.
• Encourage people travelling to the same place to share a car instead of using separate vehicles.
• Carry out road digging and repairs promptly and avoid unnecessary delays.
• Schedule processions, marriage celebrations and religious processions during lean traffic hours.
• Develop express highways, overbridges, flyovers, ring roads and bypass roads.
• Encourage people to use public transport regularly.
• Use seat belts and helmets, obey traffic rules, drive in the correct lane and avoid mobile phone use while driving.
• Keep vehicle documents and a first-aid box in the vehicle, maintain vehicles properly and avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Keep roads and crossings safe, and do not obstruct emergency or rescue work.

3. Select the proper option and write the answer

1. Which of the following is a man-induced disaster? (D) Riot
2. With what do people associate floods? (A) River
3. After the flood recedes, which water would you use to drink? (D) Boiled
4. The stormy winds created due to atmospheric disturbances in the USA are called: (B) Hurricane
5. Meaning of Tsunami in Japanese language: (C) Destructive waves
6. The gas leaked during the Bhopal Gas Tragedy: (B) MIC
7. GSEB Class 9 Social Science Chapter 20 Disaster Management
8. GSEB Class 9 Social Science Chapter 20 Disaster Management

Important Chapter Notes

1. Meaning of Disaster

A disaster is a natural or human-made event that causes great damage to life and property. It may affect a small area or a large region. Examples include floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, industrial accidents and riots.

2. Types of Disasters

The chapter divides disasters into two main categories:

• Natural disasters: Floods, cyclones, tsunamis, droughts, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and forest fires.
• Man-induced disasters: Fire, industrial accidents, bomb explosions, riots, gas leakage, terrorist attacks, viral disease outbreaks and traffic problems.

3. Natural Disasters and Safety Measures

Flood: A flood occurs when a large area of land remains under water, often because a river overflows its banks or heavy rainfall continues. Floods can damage homes, crops and property.

• Move to a safer place and take essential supplies.
• Keep dry food, safe drinking water, a mobile phone and useful emergency items.
• Drink boiled water after floodwater recedes.
• Do not eat food prepared in floodwater or travel without reliable information.

Cyclone: A cyclone is a powerful storm with strong winds and heavy rain. It can damage buildings and affect coastal areas.

• Follow weather bulletins and official warnings.
• Keep a radio or mobile phone charged and keep an extra battery or power source if available.
• Store food, drinking water and medicines.
• Follow evacuation instructions and stay away from electric wires and poles.
• Do not believe rumours or go into open areas just because the wind temporarily becomes calm.

Earthquake: An earthquake is the shaking of the Earth’s surface caused by movements inside the Earth. Its exact occurrence cannot be predicted reliably.

• Take cover under a strong table or bench during shaking.
• If outdoors, stay away from buildings, balconies, power lines and poles.
• Do not use lifts. Stay in a safe place until shaking stops.
• After the shaking, beware of falling objects and follow local radio or official guidance.

Tsunami: A tsunami is a series of destructive sea waves, often caused by an underwater earthquake, a volcanic eruption or a large undersea landslide.

• Move to a safer place away from the sea coast when warned.
• Keep a radio handy and follow instructions from authorities.
• Do not go back to the coast until officials say it is safe.
• Mangroves can reduce the impact of tsunamis.

Drought: Drought is a long period of water shortage, often linked to low or irregular rainfall. It affects crops, food supplies, animals and people.

• Use drip irrigation and plan water use carefully.
• Plan fair distribution of food grains and relief supplies.
• Avoid wasting food and do not hoard food grains.

Forest fire: A forest fire is an uncontrolled fire in a forest. Dry grass, leaves, hot weather and wind can help fire spread quickly.

• Follow Forest Department instructions and report danger.
• Increase patrols during dry seasons and train forest staff to control fires.
• Never throw burning cigarettes, bidis or matches in forests.

4. Man-Induced Disasters

• Industrial accidents and gas leakage: Accidents in factories can cause deaths, injuries, property damage and environmental harm. During a gas leak, warn the authorities, stay away from the affected area and do not attempt a rescue without training and proper equipment.
• Bhopal Gas Tragedy: The chapter describes the gas leak at Bhopal on 3 December 1984. Methyl isocyanate (MIC) escaped from storage tanks and harmed thousands of people and animals.
• Viral diseases: An epidemic occurs when a disease affects many people across a wide area. Prevention includes awareness, vaccination where recommended, suitable treatment arrangements and following health-authority guidance.
• Terrorist attacks: Terrorism involves violent acts intended to create fear and achieve demands. Report suspicious behaviour or objects to the authorities, cooperate with security checks and do not touch unattended packages.
• Riots: Riots disturb public peace and can cause injury, loss of life and property damage. Avoid spreading rumours, follow official instructions and help affected people safely.
• Traffic problems: Too many vehicles, poor road planning, unsafe driving and road encroachments can cause traffic jams, pollution and accidents.

5. Effects of Disasters on Human Life

• Physical damage: houses, roads, bridges, railways, power and communication systems may be damaged.
• Human effects: death, disability, trauma, loss of homes and loss of livelihood.
• Economic effects: high rebuilding costs, delayed projects, unemployment and weaker local businesses.
• Social effects: displacement, disruption of community life and weakening of social support networks.

6. Rehabilitation after a Disaster

Rehabilitation is the process of helping people and places recover after a disaster. It follows rescue and relief work. It may include rebuilding homes, repairing infrastructure, restoring jobs and farming, providing education and public awareness, and giving emotional support to survivors. It requires planning and must be carried out step by step.

7. Quick Revision: Important Facts

• Disasters are classified as natural and man-induced.
• Floods are commonly associated with overflowing rivers and heavy rainfall.
• After a flood, drink safe water; the textbook recommends boiled water.
• A tsunami is described in the chapter as ‘destructive waves’.
• The Bhopal Gas Tragedy involved MIC (methyl isocyanate).
• Rehabilitation comes after rescue and relief operations.
• Traffic jams waste time and fuel, increase pollution and can delay emergency vehicles.
• During an earthquake, take cover under a strong table or bench; do not use lifts.
• Follow official instructions during disasters and avoid rumours.

 

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