what is Natural Disaster?
Natural disasters are those events that occur due to natural causes and cause severe damage to humans, animals, property, and the environment. These are called natural disasters. They are very dangerous and cause massive destruction. The places that fall in their path do not remain safe, and they create terrifying devastation.
How many types of natural disasters are there?
1. Earthquake : -
It happens when there is a vibration inside the Earth, and it shakes the surface. We call it an earthquake. It can be very dangerous or sometimes mild.
2. Drought : -
This happens when it doesn’t rain for a long time, and the water in the ground starts to dry up. Then a drought occurs. Sometimes, it becomes so dangerous that it destroys the crops, animals, and even human lives in an area. In some places, its effect is not very noticeable, while in others, it has a very severe impact.
3. Cyclone / Hurricane / Storm : -
We call it a storm when very strong winds blow and there is heavy rainfall. A storm can be so dangerous that if it is very intense, it can completely destroy a place and even carry things away. But if it is mild, it doesn’t cause much trouble. If a storm occurs over the sea, it becomes twice as powerful.
4. Flood : -
Floods occur when too much water gets collected in a dam, and the dam is suddenly opened, leading to flooding. Sometimes, floods also happen due to heavy rainfall. Floods are very dangerous — they wash away everything in their path. Even if the flood is mild, it still causes damage. But if it is strong and powerful, it can cause massive destruction.
5. Volcanic Eruption : -
A volcanic eruption occurs when the lava and gases inside the Earth try to come out. That is when a volcanic eruption happens. It is so dangerous that wherever it happens, it completely destroys the local climate. The air in that area becomes polluted, and the place where the lava flows turns to ashes.
6. Landslide : -
A landslide occurs when the land on a mountain slope slides downward. When this happens, anything that comes in the way of the falling debris gets crushed or destroyed. There are many reasons behind landslides. They are highly destructive and also life-threatening.
7. Blizzard : -
A blizzard occurs due to heavy snowfall and strong winds. It is not seen everywhere — it mainly happens in places where the temperature is cold. It can be very dangerous because ice chunks are no less than rocks, and if the wind speed is high, they can cause serious damage. However, blizzards can also be mild and less harmful sometimes.
Characteristics of Natural Disasters.
1. Caused by natural forces : -
These natural disasters do not involve human actions; rather, they are caused by natural forces, such as earthquakes, floods, and storms.
2. Occur suddenly : -
Most natural disasters come without any warning, all of a sudden, and leave after causing massive destruction.
3. Damage to life and property : -
Natural disasters cause a lot of damage wherever they occur — to people's lives, their property, and they are uncontrollable.
4. Affect the environment : -
Natural disasters completely damage water, plants, animals, soil, and even the air.
5. Depend on geography : -
It is not necessary that natural disasters occur everywhere; some places have a higher chance of experiencing them — for example, cyclones in coastal areas and landslides in mountainous regions.
6. Hard to control : -
These disasters cannot be prevented; only measures can be taken to manage and respond to them.
7. Can be intensified by human activities : -
We make the biggest mistake by cutting down forests and replacing them with cities. This disrupts the balance of nature and increases the intensity of disasters.
What can we do about natural disasters?
Whenever a natural disaster occurs, it does not happen at a fixed time. At such times, we should prioritize saving our family and our lives more than our belongings and property. We should face different natural disasters in different ways. For example, during an earthquake, we should take shelter under a table to avoid injury or move to an open area. During a flood, we should go to a strong and tall building. During a storm, we should stay inside our house and close all the windows and doors. We should stay safe in different ways according to the type of disaster and wait until the rescue team arrives.
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