Maharashtra State Board Textbook Solutions
Standard VII – Science
Chapter 10 – Disaster Management
1. Find the odd man out.
(a) Famine, earthquake, cloudburst, railway accident.
Ans: Railway accident (It is a man-made disaster, while the others are natural disasters.)
(b) Drought, heavy rains, storm, tsunami.
Ans: Drought (It is caused by lack of rainfall, while the others involve excess water or strong natural forces.)
(c) Lava, hot mud, ash, locusts.
Ans: Locusts (They are living organisms, while the others are products of a volcanic eruption.)
(d) Washing away of crops, attack of pests on crops, volcano, singeing of crops.
Ans: Volcano (It is a natural disaster, while the others are effects on crops.)
2. What are the remedial measures for the following calamities?
(a) Famine
Ans:
(i) Water should be used carefully and proper water management should be followed.
(ii) Water resources should be developed wherever necessary.
(iii) Dams should be constructed and rainwater harvesting should be practised.
(iv) Trees should be planted on a large scale to prevent soil erosion and conserve water.
(v) Plans should be changed according to the effects of climate change.
(b) Lightning strike
Ans:
(i) One should stay indoors during thunder and lightning.
(ii) One should not stand in open areas or under trees.
(iii) One should not stand near electric poles, towers, or wires.
(iv) People should not gather in one place.
(v) One should not touch wire fences or metal objects.
(vi) If travelling, one should get off vehicles like bicycles or two-wheelers and move to a safe place.
(vii) One should avoid using mobile phones and telephones.
(viii) One should not use plugged-in electrical appliances.
(c) Storm
Ans:
(i) During storms, strong winds may cause trees to fall, so one should stay indoors.
(ii) If outside, one should take shelter in a safe place and inform family members.
(iii) At home, the electricity supply should be switched off to prevent accidents.
(iv) Help and shelter should be provided to people in need.
(d) Cloudburst
Ans:
(i) One should carefully follow warnings given by the Meteorological Department.
(ii) One should not take shelter at the foot of hills.
(iii) One should keep a first-aid kit and emergency supplies ready.
(iv) Battery-operated radios and mobiles should be used during emergencies.
3. True or false? Give reasons for your answer.
(a) Information about a forthcoming storm is to be kept secret.
Ans: False – Information about a forthcoming storm should be shared so that people can take precautions and save lives.
(b) You should not swim when there is lightning in the sky.
Ans: True – Lightning can pass through water and may cause serious injury or death.
(c) It is possible to prevent the eruption of a volcano.
Ans: False – Volcanic eruptions are natural events and cannot be prevented.
(d) Heavy rains result in famine.
Ans: True – Heavy rains can destroy crops and farmland, which may lead to famine.
4. Write answers to the following questions in your own words.
(a) What is a tsunami? What gives rise to a tsunami?
Ans:
(i) A tsunami is a series of very large sea waves that cause heavy destruction in coastal areas.
(ii) It is caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea.
(iii) These events release energy that pushes water upwards and creates waves.
(iv) These waves travel very fast across oceans.
(v) When they reach the coast, their height increases and they cause great damage.
(b) What is a cloudburst?
Ans:
(i) A cloudburst is very heavy rainfall occurring suddenly in a short time in a small area.
(ii) Due to high temperature, water vapour accumulates in clouds.
(iii) Rapid condensation leads to sudden and intense rainfall.
(iv) Rainfall during a cloudburst can exceed 100 mm per hour.
(c) Explain the effects of a volcano.
Ans:
(i) Lava, ash, and gases come out and spread on the earth’s surface.
(ii) Mountains and hills may be formed.
(iii) The air gets polluted due to ash and harmful gases.
(iv) Temperatures rise because of hot gases.
(v) Forests, houses, and villages may get buried under lava and mud.
(d) What are the measures to prevent loss of life due to lightning?
Ans:
(i) One should stay indoors during lightning.
(ii) One should not stand in open areas or under trees.
(iii) One should avoid electric poles and metal objects.
(iv) People should not gather in groups.
(v) One should not touch wire fences.
(vi) One should move to a safe place if travelling.
(vii) One should avoid using phones.
(viii) One should not use electrical appliances.
5. What measures have been taken to deal with calamities such as floods and landslides under the disaster management programme in Maharashtra?
Ans:
(i) The Government of Maharashtra has established a disaster management cell.
(ii) People are given early warnings about disasters like floods and storms.
(iii) The National Flood Commission was established to control floods.
(iv) Plans are made from the national level to the village level.
(v) Temporary shelters are provided to affected people.
(vi) People are relocated to safer places when needed.
(vii) The government provides help and support during disasters.
6. With reference to disaster management, what are the things in your house that you will check?
Ans:
(i) Check that windows and glass panels are properly fixed and not broken.
(ii) Ensure that heavy objects are not hanging loosely from ceilings.
(iii) Keep essential medicines ready for emergencies.
(iv) Check that electrical wires are not damaged or exposed.
(v) Take immediate action to fix any unsafe conditions.
(vi) Teach all family members how to switch off electricity and gas connections.