Disaster Management
Editor’s Pick
- India’s unique geo-climatic conditions make it prone to several natural disasters. Discuss with examples. (200 words)
- Describe the process of cloudburst formation, its effects, and recommend ways to minimize its impact. (200 words)
- How would you define community-based disaster preparedness? Describe the process and strategies involved in creating community-based disaster management plans to build resilience. (200 words)
- What are the key challenges encountered by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in carrying out its responsibilities, and what measures can be implemented to improve its effectiveness? (200 words)
- Local bodies play a crucial role in disaster risk mitigation in India. Can you discuss this with specific examples? (200 words)
- Assess India’s preparedness for managing cyclone-related disasters by discussing the steps taken to enhance the country’s cyclone disaster management capabilities. (200 words)
- What are the causes behind the rising frequency of urban floods in India, and what actions has the government taken to reduce urban flood risks across the country? (200 words)
- How do natural disasters differ from natural hazards? Explain the stages involved in disaster mitigation and management. (200 words)
- How are land-use changes contributing to the rising frequency of natural disasters in India? (200 words)
- How can India leverage Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to improve disaster planning, mitigation, and response strategies? (200 words)
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the current Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in safeguarding vulnerable populations from the impacts of heat waves in India. (200 words)
- Examine the need for India to transition its disaster management strategy from being relief-focused and reactive to a more comprehensive and proactive approach. (200 words)
- What are the key challenges in landslide mitigation and prevention in India, and how can the National Landslide Risk Management Strategy improve and mainstream landslide disaster preparedness and mitigation? (200 words)
- What measures are needed to address the challenges posed by the rising frequency of flash droughts? (200 words)
- Discuss the reasons behind the frequent occurrences of stampedes at public places in India. What measures can be taken to prevent such incidents? ( 200 Words)
- What are the factors that make India prone to flood-related hazards? Analyze the causes of flood disasters in different regions of India with appropriate examples. ( 200 Words)
- What role does the media play in disaster management in India?
- Although the littoral states of the Bay of Bengal have made considerable progress in disaster preparedness, their effectiveness has been constrained. Discuss.
UPSC PYQs
- Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyze the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures. (150 words)[UPSC 2023]
- Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard? (250 words) [UPSC 2022]
- Discuss the vulnerability of India to earthquake-related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades. (150 words) [UPSC 2021]
- Describe the various causes and effects of landslides. Mention the important components of the National Landslide Risk Management Strategy. (250 words) [UPSC 2021]
- Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of India departing from the earlier reactive approach. (250 words) [UPSC 2020]
- Vulnerability is an essential element for defining disaster impacts and its threat to people. How and in what ways can vulnerability to disasters be characterized? Discuss different types of vulnerability with reference to disasters. (150 words) [UPSC 2019]
- Disaster preparedness is the first step in any disaster management process. Explain how hazard zonation mapping will help disaster mitigation in the case of landslides.(250 words) [UPSC 2019]
- Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)’. How is this framework different from ‘Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005? (250 words) [UPSC 2018]
- In December 2004, a tsunami brought havoc on fourteen countries including India. Discuss the factors responsible for the occurrence of tsunamis and their effects on life and the economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. (250 words) [UPSC 2017]
- The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. (200 words) [UPSC 2016]
- With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of the recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand. (200 words) [UPSC 2016]
- The frequency of earthquakes appears to have increased in the Indian subcontinent. However, India’s preparedness for mitigating its impact has significant gaps. Discuss various aspects. (200 words) [UPSC 2015]
- Drought has been recognized as a disaster in view of its spatial expanse, temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effects on vulnerable sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), discuss the mechanisms for preparedness to deal with likely El Niño and La Niña fallouts in India. (200 words) [UPSC 2014]