NATURAL HAZARDS AND DISASTERS: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES AND MANAGEMENT | Class 11 Geography Notes

Hydrological Hazards

Hydrological hazards are related to water and its movement, including floods, droughts, and tsunamis. Floods occur when water overflows from rivers, lakes, or the sea onto land, often due to heavy rainfall, cyclones, or dam failures. Floods cause loss of life, damage to crops, infrastructure, and spread waterborne diseases. Droughts are prolonged periods of deficient rainfall leading to water scarcity, crop failure, and famine. They affect agriculture, drinking water supply, and economic stability. Tsunamis are large sea waves caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. They can inundate coastal areas, causing massive destruction. Hydrological hazards are influenced by climatic factors and human activities such as deforestation and poor land management. Effective management includes flood control measures, drought preparedness, and early warning systems for tsunamis.

📊 Diagram: Diagrams showing flood inundation, drought-affected areas, and tsunami wave propagation.

🧪 Activity: Activity: Study local flood history and prepare a flood preparedness plan.

🔗 Connection: Prepares for the next section on meteorological hazards, focusing on atmospheric phenomena.