Natural Hazards and Disasters in India for UPSC Prelims
1. Introduction to Natural Hazards and Disasters
India, due to its diverse geography and climate, is highly prone to natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, cyclones, droughts, and landslides. These disasters cause significant loss of life, property, and livelihoods, impacting millions annually. Understanding their causes, distribution, and management is critical for UPSC Prelims, as they intersect with physical geography, environmental issues, and disaster preparedness. Effective disaster management and mitigation strategies are essential to reduce their socioeconomic and environmental impacts.
Key Facts
- Major Hazards: Earthquakes, floods, cyclones, droughts, landslides
- Vulnerability: 60% of India’s landmass is earthquake-prone; 40 million hectares flood-prone
- Impact: Affects 8–10% of India’s population annually
- Management: Governed by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
Important Facts for UPSC
- India ranks 7th on the Global Climate Risk Index (2021).
- Floods and cyclones account for 60% of disaster-related economic losses.
- NDMA was established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
2. Types of Natural Hazards in India
Overview
Natural hazards in India are driven by geological, climatic, and topographical factors, varying by region.
Major Hazards
| Hazard |
Primary Cause |
High-Risk Areas |
Frequency |
| Earthquakes |
Tectonic plate movement |
Himalayas, Northeast, Gujarat |
Moderate to high |
| Floods |
Monsoon rainfall, river overflow |
Ganga-Brahmaputra basin, Assam, Bihar |
Annual |
| Cyclones |
Low-pressure systems in oceans |
Eastern coast, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh |
Seasonal (May, Oct–Nov) |
| Droughts |
Monsoon failure, low rainfall |
Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka |
Recurrent |
| Landslides |
Heavy rain, seismic activity |
Himalayas, Western Ghats |
Monsoon season |
Important Facts for UPSC
- India experiences ~5 major disasters annually, affecting 50 million people.
- Eastern coast faces 80% of India’s cyclones due to Bay of Bengal’s warm waters.
- 16% of India’s land area is drought-prone, mainly in the Deccan.
3. Earthquakes: Causes and Impacts
Causes
Earthquakes result from tectonic plate movements, particularly along fault lines in the Himalayas and Indo-Australian Plate boundaries.
Seismic Zones
- Zone V (Very High Risk): Northeast, J&K, Uttarakhand, Kutch (e.g., 2001 Bhuj quake).
- Zone IV (High Risk): Delhi, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh.
- Zone III–II (Moderate to Low Risk): Peninsular India, parts of Rajasthan.
Impacts
- Economic: Infrastructure damage (e.g., Bhuj quake caused ₹20,000 crore loss).
- Social: Loss of life, displacement (e.g., 20,000 deaths in 2001).
- Environmental: Landslides, altered river courses.
Important Facts for UPSC
- 60% of India’s land is earthquake-prone, mainly in Himalayan region.
- The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake triggered a tsunami, killing 12,000 in India.
- National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Project (NERMP) addresses seismic risks.
4. Floods: Causes and Impacts
Causes
Floods are primarily caused by heavy monsoon rainfall, river overflow, and poor drainage, exacerbated by climate change.
High-Risk Areas
- Ganga-Brahmaputra basin (Assam, Bihar, UP).
- Coastal plains (Odisha, West Bengal).
- Urban areas with poor drainage (e.g., Mumbai, Chennai).
Impacts
- Economic: Crop loss, infrastructure damage (e.g., 2018 Kerala floods: ₹40,000 crore).
- Social: Displacement (e.g., 1.5 million in Kerala 2018), disease outbreaks.
- Environmental: Soil erosion, wetland degradation.
Important Facts for UPSC
- 40 million hectares (12% of India’s land) are flood-prone.
- Assam faces annual floods due to Brahmaputra’s high silt load.
- National Flood Management Programme (NFMP) builds embankments, reservoirs.
5. Cyclones: Causes and Impacts
Causes
Cyclones form over warm ocean waters (Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea), driven by low-pressure systems, peaking in May and October–November.
High-Risk Areas
- Eastern coast (Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu).
- Western coast (Gujarat, Maharashtra).
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Impacts
- Economic: Infrastructure, fishery losses (e.g., Cyclone Amphan 2020: ₹1.5 lakh crore).
- Social: Displacement, casualties (e.g., 1999 Odisha cyclone: 10,000 deaths).
- Environmental: Coastal erosion, mangrove destruction.
Important Facts for UPSC
- Bay of Bengal accounts for 5–6% of global cyclones, but high intensity.
- Cyclone Fani (2019) was the strongest pre-monsoon cyclone in Odisha.
- National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) enhances coastal defenses.
6. Droughts: Causes and Impacts
Causes
Droughts result from monsoon failure, low rainfall, and over-extraction of groundwater, often linked to El Niño.
High-Risk Areas
- Rajasthan, Gujarat (arid regions).
- Maharashtra, Karnataka (Deccan Plateau).
- Telangana, Andhra Pradesh (rain shadow areas).
Impacts
- Economic: Crop failure, reduced GDP (e.g., 2015 drought: 10% kharif loss).
- Social: Migration, water scarcity, farmer distress.
- Environmental: Desertification, groundwater depletion.
Important Facts for UPSC
- 16% of India’s land (68% of sown area) is drought-prone.
- Marathwada faced severe drought in 2016, affecting 30 million people.
- National Drought Management Plan focuses on water conservation, crop insurance.
7. Landslides: Causes and Impacts
Causes
Landslides are triggered by heavy rainfall, seismic activity, deforestation, and human activities like road construction.
High-Risk Areas
- Himalayas (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim).
- Western Ghats (Kerala, Maharashtra).
- Northeast India (Arunachal Pradesh).
Impacts
- Economic: Infrastructure damage, disrupted connectivity.
- Social: Casualties, displacement (e.g., 2013 Kedarnath landslide: 5,000 deaths).
- Environmental: Soil erosion, altered ecosystems.
Important Facts for UPSC
- 15% of India’s land area is landslide-prone, mainly in Himalayas.
- Monsoon rainfall triggers 80% of landslides in India.
- Geological Survey of India (GSI) maps landslide vulnerability zones.
8. Disaster Management in India
Overview
India has a robust framework for disaster preparedness, response, and mitigation, led by the NDMA.
Key Components
- Institutional Framework: NDMA, State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
- Policy: Disaster Management Act, 2005; National Disaster Management Plan, 2016.
- Early Warning Systems: IMD for cyclones, floods; INCOIS for tsunamis.
- Mitigation Projects: NCRMP, NERMP, flood management programs.
Initiatives
- Sendai Framework (2015–2030): India aligns with global disaster risk reduction goals.
- Community-Based Preparedness: Training programs in vulnerable areas.
- Technology: GIS, satellite imagery for risk mapping.
Important Facts for UPSC
- NDRF, formed in 2006, has 16 battalions for disaster response.
- India hosted the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (2016).
- IMD’s cyclone warning system has reduced mortality by 90% since 1999.
9. Socioeconomic and Environmental Impacts
Socioeconomic Impacts
- Economic Loss: Disasters cost India ~2% of GDP annually (e.g., ₹2 lakh crore in 2020).
- Livelihoods: Affects farmers, fishermen, and urban poor the most.
- Displacement: 10–15 million displaced annually by floods, cyclones.
Environmental Impacts
- Degradation: Soil erosion, deforestation, wetland loss.
- Biodiversity: Threatens ecosystems (e.g., Sundarbans mangroves).
- Climate Feedback: Disasters exacerbate climate change impacts.
Important Facts for UPSC
- Floods destroy 3–5 million hectares of crops annually.
- Cyclones damage 20% of India’s coastal mangroves since 1990.
- Disaster-induced migration strains urban infrastructure.
10. Significance for Geography
Geographical Significance
Natural hazards are shaped by India’s diverse topography, climate, and tectonic setting, influencing regional planning.
Environmental Significance
Disasters degrade ecosystems and exacerbate environmental challenges, requiring sustainable mitigation.
Socioeconomic Significance
They impact agriculture, infrastructure, and livelihoods, necessitating robust disaster management.
UPSC Relevance
Natural hazards and disasters are core topics in Indian geography, tested for their causes, impacts, and management strategies.
Important Facts for UPSC
- India’s disaster vulnerability is linked to its 7,500 km coastline and Himalayan tectonics.
- Climate change increases disaster frequency by 15–20% since 2000.
- NDMA’s guidelines cover 12 major disaster types, including heatwaves.
UPSC Preparation Tips
- Memorize major hazards, high-risk areas, and their causes.
- Understand seismic zones, flood-prone areas, and cyclone seasons.
- Focus on disaster management framework (NDMA, NDRF, Sendai).
- Link hazards to climate change, monsoon, and topography.
- Practice map-based questions on disaster-prone regions.
- Revise key terms (tectonic faults, orographic rain, desertification) and initiatives.