JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY HYDERABAD B. Tech III Year DISASTER MANAGEMENT Previous Question Paper (August - 2022 - R16)

Man-made hazards, often referred to as anthropogenic hazards, are threats resulting from human activities, negligence, or systemic failures that can trigger or exacerbate natural disasters. While these events originate from human action, their interaction with the environment often leads to catastrophic consequences.

• Deforestation and Land Use Changes: The large-scale removal of forests for agriculture, urbanization, or logging reduces the soil's ability to absorb water. This significantly increases the risk of flash floods and landslides during heavy rainfall, as the natural vegetation cover that stabilizes slopes and regulates water runoff is destroyed.
• Urbanization and Encroachment on Floodplains: Rapid, unplanned urban expansion often involves building on natural drainage channels and floodplains. This reduces the natural capacity of the land to manage excess water, leading to severe urban flooding even during moderate rainfall events.
• Dam Failures and Improper Water Management: The construction of large dams alters local hydrological cycles. If these structures are poorly maintained or if water release protocols are ignored during heavy monsoon seasons, it can lead to sudden, massive downstream flooding, effectively turning a manageable weather event into a major disaster.
• Environmental Degradation and Climate Change: Human-induced greenhouse gas emissions have accelerated global warming, which increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, cyclones, and droughts. The alteration of the atmosphere by human activity is a primary driver of modern natural disaster trends.
• Mining and Quarrying Activities: Unscientific mining practices, particularly in hilly regions, destabilize the geological structure of the terrain. This leads to frequent land subsidence and increases the susceptibility of the region to landslides, especially when triggered by seismic activity or heavy precipitation.
• Industrial and Chemical Accidents: While often localized, industrial accidents involving hazardous materials can contaminate water sources and soil, creating long-term environmental disasters. When such accidents occur in conjunction with natural events (a phenomenon known as Natech—Natural Hazard Triggering Technological Disaster), the impact is compounded significantly.

The relationship between these hazards and natural disasters is cyclical; human activities degrade the environment, which in turn makes the ecosystem less resilient to natural phenomena, ultimately leading to higher mortality and economic loss.