NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography India Physical Environment Chapter 6 Natural Hazards and Disasters 2026-27

1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.

(i) Which one of the following states of India experiences floods frequently?

(a) Bihar

(b) West Bengal

(c) Assam

(d) Uttar Pradesh

Answer: (c) Assam 

(ii) In which one of the following districts of Uttaranchal did the Malpa Landslide Disaster takes place?

(a) Bageshwar

(b) Champawat 

(c) Almora

(d) Pithoragarh

Answer: (d) Pithoragarh. 

(iii) Which one of the following states receives floods in the winter months?

(a) Assam

(b) West Bengal

(c) Kerala

(d) Tamil Nadu

Answer: (d) Tamil Nadu. 

(iv) In which of the following rivers is the Majuli River Island situated?

(a) Ganga

(b) Brahmaputra 

(c) Godavari

(d) Indus

Answer: (b) Brahmaputra 

(v) Under which type of natural hazards do blizzards come?

(a) Atmospheric 

(b) Aquatic 

(c) Terrestrial

(d) Biological

Answer: (a) Atmospheric 

2. Answer the following questions in fewer than 30 words.

(i) When can a hazard become a disaster?

Answer: A hazard becomes a disaster when it causes large-scale loss of life, property, livelihood, or environment. If proper warning, preparation, and safety measures are absent or fail, the hazard turns into a disaster. For example, floods become a disaster when they damage homes, crops, roads, and human lives. 

(ii) Why are there more earthquakes in the Himalayas and in the north-eastern region of India?

Answer: The Himalayas and north-eastern India are highly earthquake-prone because the Indian Plate is moving northwards and colliding with the Eurasian Plate. This movement creates stress along the Himalayan region. When the accumulated stress is suddenly released, it causes earthquakes. Hence, this region experiences frequent seismic activity. 

(iii) What are the basic requirements for the formation of a cyclone?

Answer: The formation of a cyclone requires a continuous supply of warm and moist air, which releases latent heat. A strong Coriolis force is needed to help the winds rotate around the low-pressure centre. Unstable atmospheric conditions and the absence of strong vertical wind shear are also necessary for cyclone development.

(vi) How are the floods in Eastern India different from the ones in Western India?

Answer: Floods in Eastern India are more frequent and severe because the region receives heavy rainfall and has major river systems, including the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Godavari, and Kaveri. In Western India, rivers like the Luni, Mahi, Narmada, and Tapi receive less rainfall, so floods are comparatively less frequent. 

(v) Why are there more droughts in Central and Western India?

Answer: Central and Western India face more droughts because these regions receive low and irregular rainfall. High evaporation rates, limited groundwater, fewer water bodies, desert conditions in the west, and plateau regions in central India exacerbate water scarcity. These conditions make droughts more common in these areas. 

3. Answer the following questions in not more than 125 words.

(i) Identify the Landslide-prone regions of India and suggest some measures to mitigate the disasters caused by these.

Answer: Landslide-prone regions in India include the Himalayas, the north-eastern states, the Western Ghats, the Nilgiris, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These areas have young mountains, steep slopes, heavy rainfall, and frequent earthquakes. Landslides are also common where road construction, dam building, mining, and deforestation disturb slopes.

To reduce landslide disasters, large-scale afforestation should be promoted. Construction on steep and unstable slopes should be controlled. Proper drainage systems and retaining walls can help reduce the risk of slope failure. Terrace farming should be encouraged in hilly areas. Developmental activities like roads, dams, and settlements must be carefully planned in high-risk zones.

(ii) What is vulnerability? Divide India into natural disaster vulnerability zones based on droughts and suggest some mitigation measures.

Answer: Vulnerability means the risk of being affected by a disaster. Areas with higher exposure to hazards and lower capacity to cope are more vulnerable.

Based on drought, India can be divided into extreme, severe, and moderate drought-prone areas. Extreme drought areas include western Rajasthan and Kachchh in Gujarat. Severe drought-prone areas include parts of eastern Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Moderate drought areas include parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and interior Karnataka.

Mitigation measures include rainwater harvesting, groundwater conservation, interlinking of rivers, construction of reservoirs, drought-resistant crops, safe drinking water supply, fodder availability, and use of satellite data for planning.

(iii) When can developmental activities become the cause of disasters?

Answer: Developmental activities can cause disasters when carried out without proper planning and environmental care. Unscientific construction of roads, dams, buildings, and industries in fragile areas can increase the risk of landslides, floods, and pollution. Deforestation weakens slopes and increases soil erosion. 

Mining and quarrying can disturb land stability. Industrial accidents, such as gas leaks and nuclear disasters, also show how development can become dangerous. Pollution caused by industries, vehicles, and chemicals can damage air, water, and soil. Therefore, development should be sustainable, planned, and environmentally friendly to reduce disaster risks. 

Project/Activity

Prepare a project report on any one of the topics given below.

(i) Malpa Landslide

(ii) Tsunami 

(iii) Odisha and Gujarat Cyclones 

(iv) Inter-linking of rivers 

(v) Tehri Dam/Sardar Sarovar

(vi) Bhuj/Latur Earthquakes

(vii) Life in a delta/riverine island

(viii) Prepare a model of rooftop rainwater Harvesting

Answer: Students should do it by themselves.

Why are Vedantu’s NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography Natural Hazards and Disasters important?

Class 11 Geography Natural Hazards and Disasters from India Physical Environment helps students understand how natural events affect people, property, and the environment. Topics such as earthquakes, floods, droughts, cyclones, and landslides are important for both exam preparation and real-life awareness. Vedantu’s NCERT Solutions make these topics easy to revise, with clear, well-structured answers.

Students can learn about hazards, disaster-prone areas, vulnerability zones, and mitigation measures in simple language. The FREE PDF helps students practise textbook answers anytime.

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