Natural Hazards & Disaster Management – NDA Geography PYQ

Practice NDA Geography previous-year questions with detailed solutions and explanations.

Chapter-wise PYQs • Concept-based explanations • Exam insights

NDA 2010-II

Q. 1. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:

List-I (Places indicated in the map):

A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4

List-II (Seismic Zone):

1. Zone V 2. Zone IV 3. Zone III 4. Zone II

Codes:

(a) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4

(b) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

(d) A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2

Answer: (a) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4

Explanation: India’s seismic zonation map divides the country into four zones (II to V) based on earthquake risk: Zone V (Very High Damage Risk): The most earthquake-prone zone. Includes the entire northeastern India (Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim), parts of J&K and Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and the Kutch region of Gujarat. Zone IV (High Damage Risk): Includes the remaining parts of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, parts of UP, Bihar, and West Bengal near the Himalayan foothills. Zone III (Moderate Damage Risk): Includes parts of the Gangetic plains, Kerala, Goa, and some coastal regions. Zone II (Low Damage Risk): Includes the stable Peninsular plateau: most of Deccan, Rajasthan, and interior southern India. The specific mapping of numbered locations 1–4 to zones depends on the original map. The source answer is (a) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4. Concept Tested: India’s seismic zonation: Zone V (highest risk) in NE India and Himalayas; Zone II (lowest risk) in Deccan

★ JOVIK Exam Insight India’s seismic zones for NDA: Zone V (Very High) → Northeastern India, J&K/Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar, Kutch (Gujarat). Zone IV (High) → Himalayan foothills, Delhi, parts of Bihar/UP. Zone III (Moderate) → Gangetic plains, parts of western coast. Zone II (Low) → Stable Deccan Plateau, interior peninsula. High-risk zones follow the Himalayan belt and active tectonic plate boundaries. The stable Deccan shield is low-risk.

Quick Revision

Concept	Key Fact
Seismic Zone V (Very High Risk)	Northeastern India, J&K/Ladakh, Uttarakhand, HP, Andaman & Nicobar, Kutch (Gujarat)
Seismic Zone IV (High Risk)	Himalayan foothills, Delhi, parts of Bihar and UP
Seismic Zone III (Moderate Risk)	Parts of Gangetic plains, Kerala coast, Goa
Seismic Zone II (Low Risk)	Stable Deccan Plateau, interior peninsular India, Rajasthan
Highest earthquake risk in India	Northeastern states (especially Assam, Manipur) and the Himalayan arc
Tsunami-prone coast	Eastern coast (Bay of Bengal): especially Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh; also Andaman & Nicobar
Cyclone-prone coasts	Eastern coast (more frequent and severe); western coast (less frequent)
Flood-prone states	Assam (Brahmaputra), Bihar (Kosi/Ganga), UP, West Bengal
Drought-prone states	Rajasthan, parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra (Marathwada), Karnataka, AP
NDMA	National Disaster Management Authority: apex body for disaster management in India (established 2005 under DM Act)
Landslide-prone zones	Himalayan belt, northeast India, Western Ghats (especially during monsoon)
Cloudburst (IMD definition)	≥100 mm/hour; short duration; triggers flash floods and landslides