Question

Complete the exercises given at the end of each type of disaster with the help of newspapers, atlases, and books. Make a list of disaster-prone areas from India and the world and enlist mitigation measures quoting recent examples.

Answer 1

Disaster	Disaster-prone areas in India	Disaster-prone areas in the world	Mitigation measures/Recent example
Floods	Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala	Bangladesh, China, USA, Netherlands	Improve drainage, construct embankments, restore wetlands, avoid construction in floodplains and develop early-warning systems. In 2026, severe floods in Assam affected hundreds of thousands of people, showing the importance of flood forecasting, evacuation and relief systems.
Cyclones	Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat	Philippines, Japan, Bangladesh, USA, Caribbean islands	Use cyclone shelters, strengthen coastal embankments, plant mangroves, improve warning systems and evacuate people from vulnerable areas.
Earthquakes	Himalayan states, Northeast India, Gujarat, parts of Jammu and Kashmir	Japan, Indonesia, Nepal, Turkey, California	Construct earthquake-resistant buildings, follow building codes, conduct earthquake drills and prepare emergency response plans.
Landslides	Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Northeast India, Western Ghats	Nepal, Japan, Indonesia, Italy	Avoid construction on unstable slopes, improve drainage, plant vegetation and use retaining structures. Early warnings and evacuation can reduce loss of life.
Droughts	Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana	Sahel region of Africa, Australia, parts of the USA	Rainwater harvesting, water conservation, drought-resistant crops, efficient irrigation and proper management of groundwater should be encouraged.
Wildfires	Himalayan forests, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, parts of central and southern India	Australia, USA, Canada, Indonesia	Create firebreaks, monitor forests, control human activities that cause fires and maintain emergency firefighting systems. In 2026, wildfires in Indonesia were fought using firefighters, helicopters, drones and other measures.
Tsunamis	Andaman and Nicobar Islands and parts of the eastern and western coasts	Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Chile	Establish tsunami warning systems, prepare evacuation routes and shelters, conduct awareness programmes and avoid settlements in highly exposed coastal zones.

General Mitigation Measures:

• Use early-warning systems and timely evacuation plans.
• Build disaster-resistant structures and follow proper land-use planning.
• Conduct awareness programmes and mock drills.
• Protect forests, wetlands and mangroves.
• Ensure quick rescue, relief and emergency response.
• For example, during the 2026 Assam floods, relief camps and rescue measures were used to help affected people.
• Proper planning and preparedness can reduce the loss of life, property, crops and infrastructure.