Natural Disasters Archives

1. Which one of the following is not among the areas classified as ‘moder

Which one of the following is not among the areas classified as ‘moderate drought-affected areas’ in India?

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Coimbatore Plateau

Northern part of Rajasthan

Southern districts of Uttar Pradesh

Konkan region of Maharashtra

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023

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The Konkan region of Maharashtra is generally not classified as a ‘moderate drought-affected area’ in India; it is known for receiving heavy rainfall.

Drought-prone areas in India are typically identified based on rainfall patterns, irrigation facilities, and agricultural practices. Regions commonly classified as drought-prone include parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra (Vidarbha, Marathwada), Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh (Bundelkhand), and Uttar Pradesh (Bundelkhand).

– Northern part of Rajasthan (Thar desert region) is severely drought-prone.
– Southern districts of Uttar Pradesh (Bundelkhand region) are moderately drought-prone.
– Coimbatore Plateau (in Tamil Nadu) is also known to be a drought-prone area.
– The Konkan region, situated along the Western Ghats, receives very high rainfall during the monsoon season and is not typically considered drought-prone.

Classification of drought-affected areas can vary based on the criteria used (meteorological, agricultural, hydrological drought) and the specific year’s conditions. However, geographically, the Konkan belt is consistently among the high-rainfall regions of India, making it an unlikely candidate for a drought-affected classification.

2. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, which of the follow

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, which of the following is/are the feature/features of cloudburst?

1. Heavy precipitation in short period of time in a limited geographical area
2. It occurs generally during monsoon period and triggers flash flood and landslides

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2022

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The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2.

Statement 1 correctly describes a key feature of a cloudburst: it is a very intense rainfall event concentrated over a small area and occurring within a short duration. This is often defined by specific rainfall intensity thresholds (e.g., 100 mm of rain per hour over a limited area).
Statement 2 correctly describes typical circumstances and consequences of cloudbursts in India: they often occur during the monsoon season, particularly in hilly and mountainous regions where topography enhances rainfall intensity. The sudden and massive volume of water can rapidly overwhelm drainage systems and saturate slopes, triggering flash floods and landslides.

Cloudbursts are highly localized phenomena and are notoriously difficult to predict precisely. While they primarily occur during the monsoon, they are not exclusive to this period and can happen in other seasons under specific atmospheric conditions. However, their association with monsoon and their role in causing hydro-meteorological disasters like flash floods and landslides are well-established, making statement 2 accurate in its description of common occurrences and triggers.

3. Who amongst the following will be at more risk with respect to the ear

Who amongst the following will be at more risk with respect to the earthquake hazard zone specified by the Geological Survey of India ?

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Shahji at Secunderabad

Ranbir at Indore

Malti at Pithoragarh

Maitri at Bhubaneswar

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2021

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Earthquake hazard zones in India are classified based on seismic activity. Pithoragarh is located in Uttarakhand, a state in the Himalayan region, which is categorized in Zone V, the highest seismic risk zone in India according to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) seismic zoning map.

Zone V is the most seismically active zone, encompassing areas with a high risk of experiencing severe earthquakes. Secunderabad (Telangana) and Indore (Madhya Pradesh) are generally in Zone II (low risk), and Bhubaneswar (Odisha) is in Zone III (moderate risk).

The seismic zoning map of India divides the country into four zones: Zone II (low intensity), Zone III (moderate intensity), Zone IV (severe intensity), and Zone V (very severe intensity). The Himalayan region, parts of the North-East, and the Rann of Kutch are prominent areas falling under Zone V.

4. Which one of the following States of India is not covered by Flood For

Which one of the following States of India is not covered by Flood Forecasting Stations set up by the Central Water Commission?

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Rajasthan

Jammu and Kashmir

Tripura

Himachal Pradesh

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2019

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Based on information regarding the Central Water Commission’s (CWC) flood forecasting network, stations are established on various inter-state rivers and their tributaries across India. While CWC has coverage in various states, historical network development and focus areas might lead to one state having less extensive or no coverage for certain types of forecasting compared to others. Although specific definitive data from the time the question was framed is needed for absolute certainty, Rajasthan has historically been cited in the context of having less extensive riverine flood forecasting network compared to the other flood-prone states listed, which are part of major comprehensive river basin forecasting systems (Jhelum/Chenab in J&K, Satluj/Beas/Ravi/Yamuna in HP, Barak/Gomti in Tripura). However, it’s important to note that CWC *does* have stations in parts of Rajasthan, particularly in the Chambal basin and monitoring reservoir levels. The question might be referring to a complete lack of coverage which might be outdated or pertain to specific criteria. However, given the options and standard interpretations of such questions, Rajasthan is often indicated as having less comprehensive coverage compared to the others listed.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) is responsible for flood forecasting on major rivers in India.

CWC’s network covers many river basins across India to issue flood forecasts and warnings. The density and type of stations can vary by region depending on hydrological characteristics and flood risk. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Tripura are situated in regions highly vulnerable to riverine floods and have significant CWC presence.