Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad B.Tech IV DISASTER MANAGEMENT Previous Question Paper (June - 2024 - R16)

A hazard is a dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity, or condition that may cause loss of life, injury, property damage, or environmental degradation. It is the potential source of harm.

A risk is the probability or likelihood of harmful consequences resulting from the interaction between a hazard and vulnerable conditions. It is expressed as the product of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability.

Floods are generally categorized based on their origin, speed of onset, and the geographical area affected. The primary types include:

• River (Fluvial) Floods: Occur when a river exceeds its bank capacity due to excessive rainfall or snowmelt, causing water to spill into surrounding floodplains.
• Flash Floods: Characterized by a rapid rise in water levels, typically occurring within six hours of heavy rainfall, often caused by intense storms, dam failures, or sudden ice jams.
• Coastal Floods: Result from storm surges, high tides, or tsunamis that push seawater onto low-lying coastal land.
• Urban Floods: Occur in developed areas when drainage systems are overwhelmed by heavy precipitation, preventing water from soaking into the ground due to impervious surfaces like concrete.
• Pluvial Floods: Happen when extreme rainfall creates a flood independent of an overflowing water body, often occurring in flat areas where water cannot drain away quickly.