Q20. A storm surge belongs primarily to which category of natural disasters?
[ICAR Technician – 2 Mar 2022, Shift 2 | 2022]
A. Land-related
B. Water-related
C. Atmospheric
D. Biological
Answer: B. Water-related
Explanation: A storm surge is an abnormal rise of sea level driven mainly by strong cyclone winds and low atmospheric pressure. It is classified as a water-related coastal hazard because seawater floods low-lying areas, often compounding cyclone damage during high tide.
Q19. For which disaster are retaining walls and improvements to surface drainage common risk-reduction measures?
[ICAR Technician – 28 Feb 2022, Shift 3 | 2022]
A. Landslide
B. Avalanche
C. Flood
D. Cloudburst
Answer: A. Landslide
Explanation: Retaining structures support unstable slopes and drainage channels reduce the buildup of pore-water pressure. Both measures are routinely applied in landslide-prone terrain. Their effectiveness depends on sound geotechnical design and regular maintenance, especially during intense monsoon rain.
Q18. What is measured by the Saffir–Simpson scale?
[ICAR Technician – 28 Feb 2022, Shift 2 | 2022]
A. Volcanic activity
B. Hurricane intensity
C. Tsunami height
D. Drought severity
Answer: B. Hurricane intensity
Explanation: The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale classifies tropical cyclones into five intensity categories based on sustained wind speed. India generally uses the India Meteorological Department’s own cyclone-intensity classification, but the international scale illustrates how stronger winds imply greater damage potential.
Q17. Cyclone Tauktae developed in which sea?
[UP RO/ARO Prelims – 2021 | 2021]
A. Bay of Bengal
B. Indian Ocean, unspecified basin
C. Caspian Sea
D. Arabian Sea
Answer: D. Arabian Sea
Explanation: Tauktae formed over the Arabian Sea in May 2021 and intensified before striking the Gujarat coast. The case shows that although Bay of Bengal cyclones frequently affect eastern India, the Arabian Sea also produces destructive tropical cyclones.
Q16. Which statement about tsunamis is NOT correct?
[DSSSB TGT Social Studies Female – 9 Oct 2021 | 2021]
A. Tsunamis can travel into estuaries and rivers
B. All low-lying coasts may be exposed
C. Maximum speed of a tsunami over a coastal plain is always 20 km/h
D. Tsunamis may occur at any hour
Answer: C. Maximum speed of a tsunami over a coastal plain is always 20 km/h
Explanation: A tsunami has no universal maximum speed of 20 km/h over a coastal plain. Its inland movement depends on topography, wave energy and water depth. Tsunami waves may also surge into river channels and strike coasts at any time.
Q15. Who chairs the National Disaster Management Authority of India?
[UPSC CDS General Knowledge – 7 Feb 2021 | 2021]
A. Prime Minister
B. Union Home Minister
C. President
D. Union Health Minister
Answer: A. Prime Minister
Explanation: The National Disaster Management Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The Union Home Ministry coordinates many operational aspects of disaster response, but that does not make the Home Minister the chairperson of NDMA.
Q14. Which processes can generate tsunamis?
1. Earthquake-related vertical water displacement
2. Earthquake-related horizontal displacement
3. Submarine volcanic eruptions
4. Rapid seabed mass movement
[MPSC State Services Mains, GS-I – 2019 | 2019]
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation: Sudden large-scale movement of seawater can result from earthquakes, submarine landslides or volcanic disturbances. Vertical seabed deformation is especially effective, but sufficiently large horizontal displacement may also disturb water indirectly through sloping seafloor or submarine instability.
Q13. Match natural hazards to vulnerable Indian regions:
A. Floods
B. Earthquakes
C. Droughts
D. Tsunamis;
i. Himalayan zone
ii. Uttar Pradesh–Bihar plains
iii. West and central India
iv. Southern coast
[MPPSC Prelims – 2019 | 2019]
A. A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-iv
B. A-i, B-ii, C-iii, D-iv
C. A-iv, B-i, C-ii, D-iii
D. A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv
Answer: A. A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-iv
Explanation: The Himalayan belt is seismically active; the middle Gangetic plains experience frequent river floods; western and central areas have recurrent drought exposure; and India’s southern coasts experienced the destructive 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Hazard patterns vary within each broad region.
Q12. Which of the following is the most landslide-prone region of India?
[Himachal Pradesh PCS Prelims – 2019 | 2019]
A. Ganga plain
B. South Indian plateau
C. Himalayas and northeastern hills
D. Thar Desert
Answer: C. Himalayas and northeastern hills
Explanation: The Himalayas and northeastern hill states combine young, fractured geology, steep slopes, seismic activity and intense rainfall. Road cutting and deforestation may compound the danger. Western Ghats districts also experience serious landslides, particularly during very heavy monsoon rainfall.
Q11. Which of the following is NOT a direct physical cause of flooding?
[APPSC Group-II Screening – 2019 | 2019]
A. Melting snow and ice
B. Loss of natural vegetation
C. Failure of dams
D. Biological disaster
Answer: D. Biological disaster
Explanation: Rapid snowmelt, vegetation loss and dam failures can all raise discharge or worsen inundation. A biological disaster, such as an epidemic, does not itself supply or release floodwater. Distinguishing drivers of hazards supports the selection of appropriate prevention measures.
