Page 194 - SST Class 08
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This led to a major fall in agricultural production planes over deep waters, only slowing down
and paved the way for famines. when reaching shallow waters. While tsunamis
Droughts still occur at frequent intervals. are often referred to as tidal waves, this name is
However, its capacity to kill large number of discouraged by oceanographers because tides
people and animals has now been reduced due have little to do with these giant waves.
to better brought management and development Precautions Against Tsunamis
of irrigation and transport facilities. g If you experience an earthquake that lasts
Precautions Against Droughts for about 20 seconds or longer when you
g Learn to harvest and conserve water at happen to be in a coastal area, move to
home. higher ground immediately after the shaking
stops.
g Develop rainwater harvesting systems.
g Promote drip irrigation. g In some cases, the sea water may recede
upto 800 m from the coast. Do not enter
g Increase forest cover through plantations.
this temporary dry area, as the sea water
g Encourage crop insurance schemes.
may come back soon.
g Plant drought-resistant crops.
g Know the height of your street above sea
The best way to fight the menace of drought on level and the distance from the coast. The
the agricultural front is to provide proper areas of great risk are less than 10 m above
irrigational facilities. This has been quite success- sea level and within two km from the coast.
ful in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar
g Prepare a plan of the evacuation route from
Pradesh.
your house, school or workplace and find
TSUNAMIS an area about 30 m above sea level. You
Tsunamis are giant waves caused by earthquakes should be able to reach a safe location in 15
or volcanic eruptions under the sea. Out in the minutes.
depths of the ocean, tsunami waves do not g The tsunami warning systems should be
dramatically increase in height. But, as the waves installed in high-risk zones.
travel inland, they build up to higher and higher
g If you are visiting a place in the high-risk
heights as the depth of the ocean decreases. The
zone, check with the hotel or tour operators
speed of tsunami waves depends on ocean depth
about tsunami evacuation information, and
rather than the distance from the source of the
how you would be warned about it.
wave. Tsunami waves may travel as fast as jet
g Discuss tsunami with your family as this will
help reduce the fear and anxiety associated
with it.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
g Disaster Management refers to the measures
taken for the safety and protection of life
and property from natural or man-made
disasters.
This means being prepared for disasters,
fighting disasters effectively, ensuring the
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