Natural Disasters

Natural Disasters Natural disaster is a

natural event such as a flood,
earthquake, drought, landslides, volcanic
eruptions or hurricane that causes great
damage or loss of life (see the above
image). Earthquake Earthquake
Earthquakes are sudden vibration or
tremors on the surface of the earth.
Earthquakes can be both minor and
major in intensity.

Natural Disasters
Natural disaster is a natural event such as a flood, earthquake, drought, landslides, volcanic eruptions or
hurricane that causes great damage or loss of life (see the above image).
Earthquake

Earthquake
Earthquakes are sudden vibration or tremors on the surface of the earth. Earthquakes can be both minor
and major in intensity. Major earthquakes are the most dangerous, widespread and destructive of all
natural disasters.
Why Earthquake Occurs?
Earthquakes occurs when two large pieces of the earth’s crust suddenly slip. When this slip happens
massive energy moves through the earth in the form of waves, which we feel and call an earthquake.
Earthquakes are the most deadly of all natural disasters. Strong earthquake can destroy entire city. Over
10,000 people die every year in earthquakes.

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The place on the surface of the earth where the earthquake is strongest is called epicenter. Therefore
places close to epicenter suffer maximum damage.
It is very difficult to accurately predict the earthquakes. People living in earthquake-prone areas should
build houses that can withstand earthquakes tremors. During earthquake people should quickly leave
their houses to be in an open place to remain safe.
Cyclone

Cyclone
A cyclone is a powerful spinning storm that forms over warm oceans. In a cyclone strong winds move in
a circle and is often accompanied by heavy rain.
Why Cyclone Occurs?
Cyclone occurs when air over the ocean becomes warm very quickly and move upwards. Then cooler air
rushes in to take its place. This fast moving air swirls around in a circle to form cyclone.
Cyclone form over the ocean and move towards coastal areas. When a cyclone hits land, it brings heavy
rains and strong winds. These strong winds can destroy buildings and uproot trees. Sometimes cyclones
causes flood also.
In India, cyclone-prone areas are Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Cyclones have different
names around the world. In North America and the Caribbean it is called hurricanes. Cyclones that form
near the Philippines, Japan, and China are known as typhoons. In Australia, it is called willy-willy.
Thus, a cyclone, a hurricane, a typhoon and a willy-willy are all same. The only true difference between
a cyclone, a hurricane, a typhoon and a willy-willy is where in the world the storm is!
Flood

Flood
Flood is a sudden flooding of water in low lying dry areas due to heavy rain. During raining season many
parts of India get flooded. Flood cause damage to roads, buildings and crops. In India every year
thousands of people and animals loose their live due to floods.
Why Flood Occurs?
Flood occurs when due to heavy rain the water level in the river keeps rising. When the rivers do not
have the capacity to hold excess water, these excess water flows over the river bank and floods the
surrounding areas. Flood causes damages to property and lives. In villages, crops get damaged due to
flood and farmers suffer huge losses. If flood remains in an area for longer time it can contaminate the
drinking water and can cause waterborne diseases like cholera.
In India, some states like Assam and Bihar experience regular floods.
Drought

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Drought
Droughts happen when there is not enough rain for a long period of time. As there is no or little rain
during drought, the crops get damaged. It also causes scarcity of drinking water.
Why Drought Occurs?
Failure of monsoon over several years causes drought. Farmers cannot irrigate their crops as the land
dries up due to shortage of rain fall. They suffer huge loses as the crops get damaged due to shortage of
water. Due to damage of crop there is shortage of food in that area.
In India, parts of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan receives very little rainfall and are
thus drought-prone areas.
Volcanic Eruptions

A volcano is a mountain with a large opening at the top through which hot molten rock and gases are
forced out into the air. When these are thrown out with great force, it is called volcanic eruption.

What Causes Volcanic Eruptions?

Inside of Volcanic Mountain

When the heat inside the earth creates huge pressure volcanic eruptions take place. The molten rocks and
gases burst out through weak cracks on the earth’s surface called vents. Over the period of many years
and with repeated eruptions, molten rocks or lava cools down and hardens forming a cone-like structure
called volcano around the vent.
Types of Volcanoes
Active volcanoes: They are the volcanoes that have erupted recently and are likely to erupt again.
Dormant volcanoes: They are the volcanoes which were active in the past but have remained quiet in
recent times.
Extinct volcanoes: They are the volcanoes which have not erupted for many years.

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