Major Natural Disasters in India| Class 11 Geography Notes
Major Natural Disasters in India: India has seen numerous natural disasters, such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004), the Gujarat Earthquake (2001), and the Odisha Super Cyclone (1999). The list of the top 7 most terrible natural disasters in Indian history can be found in the article below.
Major Natural Disasters in India| Class 11 Geography Notes
What is a Natural Disaster?
A natural disaster is an occurrence that occurs naturally and results in significant property damage or human casualties. In India, as in other parts of the world, natural calamities have a tragic past. The Earth is now more vulnerable to them happening because of the prolonged climate change and rising temperatures. As it stands, the past year was filled with numerous tragedies. See the list of the deadliest natural disasters in Indian history in the article below. Natural disasters include hurricanes, cyclones, volcanoes, floods, tsunamis, and earthquakes.
7 Major Natural Disasters in India
Below we have mentioned the 7 major natural disasters in India.
1. Kashmir Floods disaster, 2014
Devastating floods that affected places including Rajouri, Srinagar, and Bandipur occurred in the Kashmir region in 2014. Continuously heavy rains caused the Jhelum River to overflow and submerge residential areas, setting off the disaster. Over 550 people lost their lives as a result of the deluge, and estimates of the property damage range from Rs. 5000 cr to Rs. 6000 cr. In the midst of the confusion and devastation caused by the natural disaster, the Indian Army was instrumental in responding to the crisis by supplying relief and support to the inhabitants who were stuck.
2. Uttarakhand Flash Floods, 2013
One of Uttarakhand’s worst ever natural catastrophes struck the state in 2013, causing flash floods and landslides to damage 12 of the state’s 13 districts. The districts of Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, and Chamoli were among the most severely affected. Over 5,700 people lost their life in the disaster, which left a path of devastation in its aftermath. From June 14 to June 17, the area was devastated by flash floods that were caused by intense rainfall and large-scale landslides. The situation of some 100,000 people who were stuck in the holy Kedarnath temple was especially heartbreaking since it represented the scope of the catastrophe and the difficulties encountered by rescue efforts.
3. Bihar flood disaster 2007
The United Nations declared the 2007 flood to be the worst in living memory, wreaking havoc on Bihar. The calamity, which affected 19 districts, including Bhagalpur, East Champaran, Darbhanga, Patna, Muzaffarpur, Saharsa, Sitamarhi, and Supaul, was caused by an excessive five-fold increase in rainfall when compared to the previous three decades’ monthly average. About 1,287 people lost their lives in the flood, and a great deal of livestock was destroyed as well. The severe impact affected an estimated 10 million people in the state, with 29,000 completely destroyed and another 44,000 damaged dwellings. In addition, the flooding destroyed 1 crore hectares of crops and sank 4,822 villages, wreaking havoc and causing great hardship for the impacted families.
4 . The Indian Ocean Tsunami 2004
A devastating tsunami in 2004 destroyed many areas, including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Lakshadweep Island, Southern India, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The tsunami, which originated from a strong earthquake off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, crossed international borders and destroyed almost 12 countries. It was one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded, with a magnitude between 9.1 and 9.3, and it lasted for a terrifying 10-minute period. With almost 2.3 lakh lives destroyed in its unrelenting onslaught, the toll was astounding. This event is among the deadliest natural disasters in contemporary history, leaving communities in ruins and landscapes irreversibly changed.
5. Gujarat Earthquake,2001
The 51st Republic Day of India took a terrible turn on January 26, 2001, when a powerful earthquake rocked Gujarat’s Bhachau Taluka of Kutch. With a magnitude of 7.6 to 7.9 and a duration of 120 frightening seconds, the earthquake devastated many areas, including Ahmedabad, Bhuj, Gandhinagar, Surat, Surendranagar, Rajkot, and Jamnagar. The effect was devastating, with 167,000 people injured and about 20,000 people losing their lives. Nearly 400,000 people became homeless as a result of the aftermath, adding to the already extreme suffering of people. This earthquake is considered to be one of the most catastrophic in recent Indian history because it not only severely damaged the afflicted towns and resulted in a large-scale loss of life and property.
6. Super Cyclone, Odisha 1999
The deadliest tropical cyclone in recorded history, the Super Cyclone of 1999, devastated the North Indian Ocean in 1999. It wreaked devastation on coastal areas in India, including Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam, and Puri, unleashing winds reaching astounding speeds of up to 260 km/h. The destruction was not limited to India; it also had a severe effect on Bangladesh, Burma, and Thailand, among other nearby nations. An estimated 15,000 or more lives were lost, resulting in a devastating aftermath that left 1.67 million people without a place to live. Over 2.75 lakh houses were destroyed by the cyclone’s wrath, uprooting countless families and shattering entire towns.
7. Great Bengal Famine 1770
One of the worst disasters in Indian subcontinent history, the famine of 1770 struck large portions of West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Bangladesh. The famine was caused by a failed monsoon in 1769 and another dry season in 1770. The effects of the famine were further compounded by unfavourable weather patterns and the British East India Company’s exploitative methods. Amartya Sen, the economist who won the Nobel Prize, called this disaster “man-made,” emphasising the connection between natural disasters and economic exploitation. Between 1769 and 1773, four traumatic years, roughly 10 million people died from starvation and malnutrition; the toll was highest in areas like Birbhum, Murshidabad, Tirhut, Champaran, and Bettiah.
Conclusion
In conclusion, researching India’s most significant natural disasters offers priceless insights on the nation’s susceptibility to a range of environmental issues. India has experienced numerous catastrophic disasters throughout its history, ranging from deadly earthquakes and cyclones to crippling droughts and floods. Preparation, mitigation, and reaction for disasters all depend on an understanding of the origins and effects of these calamities.
These lessons also highlight how crucial it is to take preventative action in the form of strong infrastructure, early warning systems, and sustainable development methods in order to reduce the number of people who perish and lose their means of subsistence in the event of future disasters. India can better prepare itself to face the difficulties brought on by natural disasters and create a more secure and resilient future for its people by taking lessons from the past.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What were the main areas affected by the Bihar flood disaster of 2007?
The worst affected districts were Bhagalpur, East Champaran, Darbhanga, Patna, Muzaffarpur, Saharsa, Sitamarhi, and Supaul.
What was the cause of the 2004 tsunami that struck Southern India and other countries?
The tsunami was triggered by a powerful earthquake off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.
How many people were estimated to have lost their lives in the Gujarat earthquake of 2001?
Around 20,000 individuals lost their lives due to the earthquake in Gujarat.
Which countries were affected by the Super Cyclone of 1999 besides India?
Besides India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand were also affected by the Super Cyclone of 1999.
According to estimates, how many people died during the famine of 1770 in India?
Approximately 10 million people died due to hunger during the famine of 1770 in India.