Disaster Management in India MCQs
1. The Disaster Management Act was enacted in India in which year?
The Disaster Management Act was passed by the Government of India in 2005 to provide for the effective management of disasters.
2. Who is the ex-officio Chairperson of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)?
The Prime Minister serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the NDMA.
3. The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) is located in:
NIDM is a premier institute for training and capacity building for disaster management in India, located in New Delhi.
4. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) is an example of which type of disaster?
It was caused by the leak of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas from the Union Carbide plant.
5. Which of the following is NOT a natural disaster?
Terrorist attacks are man-made disasters, whereas Tsunami, Cyclone, and Earthquake are natural disasters.
6. Who heads the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)?
The Chief Minister of the respective state is the ex-officio Chairperson of the SDMA.
7. Which zone of India is considered most prone to Earthquakes (Zone V)?
The Himalayan region and North-East India fall under Seismic Zone V, which is the highest risk zone.
8. What does NDRF stand for?
NDRF is a specialized force constituted for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster.
9. The International Tsunami Information Centre is located in:
It was established by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.
10. 'Mock Drills' are an essential part of:
Mock drills help check the readiness and efficiency of response mechanisms before a disaster strikes.
11. Which Indian state was severely affected by the 'Super Cyclone' of 1999?
The 1999 Odisha cyclone was the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded in the North Indian Ocean.
12. The term 'Tsunami' is derived from which language?
'Tsu' means harbor and 'Nami' means wave.
13. In India, Tsunami Warning Centre is located at:
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in Hyderabad houses the Tsunami Early Warning Centre.
14. Which agency is the nodal ministry for managing droughts in India?
While the Ministry of Home Affairs handles most disasters, Drought management is under the Ministry of Agriculture.
15. Landslides are most common in which region of India?
Steep slopes, heavy rainfall, and tectonic activity make these regions highly prone to landslides.
16. The Richter scale is used to measure the magnitude of:
It quantifies the energy released during an earthquake.
17. COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by:
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020.
18. Sendai Framework is associated with:
The Sendai Framework (2015-2030) is an international agreement on disaster risk reduction.
19. Which gas was responsible for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy?
Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) is an extremely toxic gas that leaked from the pesticide plant.
20. The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is headed by:
The District Collector or Magistrate acts as the Chairperson of the DDMA.
21. 'Build Back Better' is a concept used in which phase of disaster management?
It focuses on rebuilding infrastructure and systems that are stronger and more resilient than before.
22. Which of the following is a slow-onset disaster?
Droughts develop gradually over months or years, unlike sudden disasters like earthquakes.
23. National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) is managed by:
The fund is constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and is administered by the MHA.
24. IMD stands for:
IMD is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology.
25. What is the main objective of First Aid?
First aid provides immediate care to stabilize a patient before professional medical help arrives.
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⚠️ Disaster Management in India
🔹 What is a Disaster?
A disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts normal life and causes human, material, economic or environmental losses. It can be natural or man-made.
🔹 Types of Disasters in India
| Disaster Type | Examples | Region Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Natural | Earthquakes, Floods, Cyclones, Droughts | Himalayan belt, Eastern coast, North-East |
| Biological | COVID-19, Swine Flu | All India |
| Man-made | Industrial Accidents, Fire, Chemical Spills | Bhopal, Vizag, Urban zones |
🔹 India’s Vulnerability
- ~60% land prone to earthquakes
- ~12% land prone to floods
- ~8% of land prone to cyclones
- 70% of the cropped area prone to droughts
🔹 Major Disasters in India
- 2001 Gujarat Earthquake – 20,000+ deaths
- 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami – 10,000+ deaths
- 2013 Kedarnath Flash Floods – 5,000+ missing
- 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic – nationwide impact
🔹 Disaster Management Cycle
- Mitigation: Reducing risk (dams, retrofitting)
- Preparedness: Training, early warning, drills
- Response: Rescue, relief, medical aid
- Recovery: Rebuilding, long-term rehabilitation
🔹 Disaster Management Act, 2005
- Provides legal framework for disaster response in India
- Established National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
- Empowers Central, State, and District authorities
- Makes disaster plans mandatory
🔹 Key Institutions
| Institution | Role |
|---|---|
| NDMA | Policy, guidelines, coordination at national level |
| NDRF | Specialized force for rescue/relief |
| SDMA | State-level disaster management |
| IMD | Weather forecasting (cyclones, heatwaves) |
| ISRO | Remote sensing and early warning |
🔹 NDMA Guidelines – Key Features
- Building Code for Earthquake-prone zones
- Community preparedness programs
- Heatwave, flood, cyclone mitigation plans
🔹 Technologies in Disaster Management
- Early Warning Systems (Doppler Radars, Tsunami sensors)
- GIS Mapping for hazard zones
- Drone-based rescue and damage assessment
- Mobile apps (e.g., NDMA’s ‘Disaster Alert’ app)
🔹 Important Disaster-Prone Zones
| Zone | Disaster | States Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Himalayan Belt | Earthquakes, landslides | J&K, Uttarakhand, Himachal |
| Eastern Coast | Cyclones, floods | Odisha, AP, Tamil Nadu |
| North-West India | Droughts | Rajasthan, Gujarat |
🔹 Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction
- Training locals in rescue and first aid
- Mock drills in schools and offices
- Early warning via panchayats and mobile alerts
🔹 Role of Armed Forces
- Deploying rescue teams in floods and earthquakes
- Air-dropping relief materials
- Evacuations in cyclones and landslides
🔹 Climate Change and Disasters
- Increased frequency of extreme events
- Urban floods due to cloudbursts
- Rising heatwaves and wildfires
🔹 Key Government Schemes
- FANI Cyclone Response – Odisha praised for zero deaths
- PM CARES – COVID-19 aid
- School Safety Programme – NDMA initiative
🔹 One-Liners for Exams
- Nodal Ministry for Disaster Management: Ministry of Home Affairs
- NDMA Head: Prime Minister of India
- When was the DM Act passed? 2005
- Full form of NDRF: National Disaster Response Force
🔹 FAQs – People Also Ask
- Q: What is the full form of NDMA?
A: National Disaster Management Authority - Q: Which agency predicts cyclones?
A: Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) - Q: How many battalions are in NDRF?
A: 16 specialized battalions - Q: Which is the most disaster-prone state in India?
A: Odisha (due to cyclones)
🖚 Conclusion
India's diverse geography makes it vulnerable to multiple disasters. However, through effective disaster planning, NDMA guidelines, early warning systems, and community preparedness, we can reduce the loss of life and property. This topic is crucial for all competitive exams.