UPSC Disaster Management – Chapter 9: Landslides, Avalanches, Cloudbursts and Glacial Lake Outbursts (20 MCQs)

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UPSC Disaster Management – Chapter 9: Landslides, Avalanches, Cloudbursts and Glacial Lake Outbursts (20 MCQs) – 20 questions, subject: Disaster Management. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The nodal agency for landslide studies in India is the:

Correct Answer: D [Geological Survey of India]

Explanation:

The Geological Survey of India, under the Ministry of Mines, is the nodal agency for landslide studies, mapping and hazard assessment.

2.  

The Geological Survey of India works under the Ministry of:

Correct Answer: D [Mines]

Explanation:

The Geological Survey of India is an attached office of the Ministry of Mines, which makes it the nodal ministry for landslides.

3.  

A cloudburst is usually described as rainfall of about:

Correct Answer: C [100 mm or more in an hour over a small area]

Explanation:

IMD describes a cloudburst as about 100 mm or more of rain in an hour over a small area of roughly 20–30 sq km.

4.  

The Landslide Atlas of India released in 2023 was prepared by the:

Correct Answer: B [National Remote Sensing Centre]

Explanation:

ISRO.

5.  

The Pettimudi landslide of August 2020, which buried the homes of plantation workers, occurred in which district?

Correct Answer: B [Idukki]

Explanation:

Pettimudi, near Munnar in Idukki district of Keralam, was hit on 6 August 2020; about 70 were killed or missing.

6.  

The Chamoli disaster of February 2021 was triggered by:

Correct Answer: A [a rock-and-ice avalanche]

Explanation:

A mass of rock and ice broke off Ronti peak and sent a debris flood down the Rishiganga and Dhauliganga valleys.

7.  

Avalanche forecasts in India are issued by the:

Correct Answer: B [Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment]

Explanation:

DRDO.

8.  

NDMA's guidelines on the management of glacial lake outburst floods were issued in:

Correct Answer: D [2020]

Explanation:

NDMA issued its Guidelines on Management of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods in 2020, covering lake mapping, monitoring, early warning and lowering lake levels.

9.  

The Kedarnath disaster of 2013 involved the collapse of the:

Correct Answer: A [Chorabari lake]

Explanation:

Chorabari lake, a moraine-dammed lake above Kedarnath, burst during the extreme rain of June 2013 and sent debris flows onto the town.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. Moraine-dammed lakes are prone to outburst floods.
2. Glacier retreat is increasing the number of glacial lakes in the Himalaya.
3. Glacial lake outburst floods can be forecast weeks in advance.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2 are right; statement 3 is wrong because GLOFs give little warning unless lakes are monitored.

11.  

Assertion (A): Road cutting without slope protection increases landslides in hilly areas.

Reason (R): Cutting the toe of a slope removes its support and disturbs drainage.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Cutting a slope's toe removes its support and disturbs drainage, which is exactly why unprotected road cuts trigger landslides.

12.  

The Malin landslide of 2014 occurred in:

Correct Answer: C [Maharashtra]

Explanation:

Pune district.

13.  

Joshimath came into the news in 2023 because of:

Correct Answer: C [land subsidence]

Explanation:

In January 2023 cracks appeared in hundreds of Joshimath buildings as the town, built on old landslide debris, subsided.

14.  

The Wayanad landslides of 2024 devastated the villages of:

Correct Answer: D [Mundakkai and Chooralmala]

Explanation:

The debris flows of 30 July 2024 in Wayanad destroyed the villages of Mundakkai and Chooralmala.

15.  

The National Landslide Risk Management Strategy was released in:

Correct Answer: C [2019]

Explanation:

NDMA released the National Landslide Risk Management Strategy in September 2019, covering mapping, monitoring, awareness and capacity building.

16.  

The Teesta III dam destroyed in 2023 was located at:

Correct Answer: D [Chungthang]

Explanation:

The 1,200 MW Teesta III dam stood at Chungthang in north Sikkim and was washed away by the October 2023 flood.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order: 1. Joshimath land-subsidence crisis 2. National Landslide Risk Management Strategy released 3. South Lhonak glacial lake outburst flood 4. Irshalwadi landslide

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [2-1-4-3]

Explanation:

Strategy 2019, Joshimath January 2023, Irshalwadi July 2023, South Lhonak October 2023.

18.  

Which of the following reduces the risk from a dangerous glacial lake?

Correct Answer: B [Lowering the lake level by siphoning or controlled outflow]

Explanation:

Siphoning or controlled outflow lowers the water held behind a weak moraine dam, reducing the volume that could burst out.

19.  

Slow, almost unnoticeable downslope movement of soil is called:

Correct Answer: B [creep]

Explanation:

Creep is the slow, almost unnoticeable downslope movement of soil, seen in tilted poles, fences and trees.

20.  

About what share of India's land (excluding snow-covered areas) is landslide-prone?

Correct Answer: A [12.6 per cent]

Explanation:

GSI estimate.

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