NCERT 8th Class (CBSE) Social Science: Disaster And Its Management

Question: What precautions are needed in cyclone-affected areas?

Answer: Precautions against Cyclones:

1. Listen regularly to weather bulletins on television and radio.
2. Keep an emergency kit ready at home.
3. Secure your home or move to a safer place before the cyclone hits your area.
4. Store enough non-perishable food articles in waterproof bags.
5. Do not venture into the sea.
6. Keep phone numbers of hospitals, police, help agencies, relatives and friends handy.
7. After the cyclone, check gas leaks and dry the electrical appliances.
8. Avoid floodwater and be careful about snake bites.

Question: What precautions are taken against floods?

Answer: Precautions against Floods:

1. Know the routes and locations of safe shelters.
2. Listen to the radio or watch television for warning and advice.
3. Keep the first aid kit ready, especially for diarrhoea and snake bites.
4. Keep strong ropes for tying things.
5. Keep a radio, torch, matchbox, candles and spare batteries.
6. Keep adequate stock of freshwater, food articles and kerosene.
7. Keep waterproof bags for packing food articles and clothes.
8. Keep bamboo sticks to ward off snakes.
9. Do not enter the flooded areas of unknown depth.
10. Switch off power and electrical appliances.
11. Drink only boiled water and eat only fresh cooked food.
12. Take help from disaster management teams and other agencies.

Question: Discuss the precautionary measures you will take in tsunami-prone areas.

Answer: Precautions against Tsunamis:

1. If you experience an earthquake that lasts for about 20 seconds or longer when you happen to be in a coastal area, move to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops.
2. In some cases, the sea water may recede upto 800 m from the coast. Do not enter this temporary dry area, as the sea water may come back soon.
3. Know the height of your street above sea level and the distance from the coast. The areas of great risk are less than 10 m above sea level and within two km from the coast.
4. Prepare a plan of the evacuation route from your house, school or workplace and find an area about 30 m above sea level. You should be able to reach a safe location in 15 minutes.
5. The tsunami warning systems should be installed in high-risk zones.
6. If you are visiting a place in the high-risk zone, check with the hotel or tour operators about tsunami evacuation information and how you would be warned about it.
7. Discuss tsunami with your family a this will help reduce the fear and anxiety associated with it.