What Are Natural Disasters?
Natural disasters are sudden and extreme events caused by natural forces, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or wildfires. They can cause great damage to land, buildings, and people, and often lead to loss of life and property.
An earthquake is the shaking of the ground caused by movements in the Earth’s crust. It can damage buildings and roads.
A tsunami is a large ocean wave usually caused by an undersea earthquake. It can flood coastal areas.
A volcanic eruption is one of natural disasters when hot lava, ash, and gases come out of a volcano. It can destroy land and homes.
A hurricane is a powerful storm with strong winds and heavy rain. It forms over the ocean and can cause flooding and wind damage.
A tornado is a fast-spinning column of air that touches the ground. It can destroy buildings and trees in its path.
A flood: When there is flood, a lot of water covers the land. It can happen after heavy rains, hurricanes, or when rivers rise.
A drought is a long period with little or no rain. It can cause water shortages and harm crops.
A landslide/ a mudslide is the movement of rock, soil, or mud down a slope. It often happens after heavy rain or earthquakes.
A wildfire/ a forest fire is a large, uncontrolled fire that spreads quickly through forests or grasslands, often caused by dry weather or human activities.
An avalanche is a large amount of snow, ice, and rock falling quickly down a mountain. It can bury everything in its path.
An epidemic is when a disease spreads quickly to many people in a specific area or community. It can cause many people to get sick at the same time, and health systems may struggle to control it. Epidemics can happen with diseases like the flu, cholera, or measles.
A famine is a severe lack of food in a large area, causing many people to suffer from hunger. It can happen because of drought, war, or poor farming conditions. During a famine, people may not have enough to eat, leading to malnutrition and even death.
Natural disasters can cause serious damage to people, property, and the environment.
Natural Disasters Quiz
1. What causes a tsunami?
a) Heavy rain
b) An undersea earthquake
c) A volcanic eruption
d) A tornado
2. Which natural disaster is a fast-spinning column of air?
a) Hurricane
b) Avalanche
c) Tornado
d) Flood
3. What is a mudslide?
a) The movement of wet soil and debris down a slope
b) A strong wind blowing over the ocean
c) Large amounts of snow falling down a mountain
d) A wildfire spreading through forests
4. What happens during a famine?
a) There is too much rain
b) There is not enough food
c) The earth shakes
d) Large waves flood the coast
5. Which natural disaster involves a large, uncontrolled fire?
a) Flood
b) Wildfire
c) Drought
d) Volcanic eruption
6. What is the main problem during a drought?
a) There is too much rain
b) The ground shakes
c) There is not enough water
d) Strong winds cause damage
7. An earthquake happens when:
a) A volcano erupts
b) The ground shakes due to movements in the Earth’s crust
c) There is a large wave in the ocean
d) It rains heavily
8. What disaster can result from heavy rain or a hurricane?
a) Avalanche
b) Landslide
c) Flood
d) Tornado
9. Which natural disaster occurs when large amounts of snow fall down a mountain?
a) Tornado
b) Avalanche
c) Tsunami
d) Drought
10. What is an epidemic?
a) A large wave caused by an earthquake
b) A disease that spreads quickly in a community
c) A sudden movement of the earth’s surface
d) A lack of food due to crop failure
Writing
Write a dialogue between a journalist and a witness to a natural disaster. (Where was the witness? What did he/she see? How did he/she feel? Was anyone injured?)
Here’s a dialogue between a journalist and a witness to a natural disaster.
Journalist: Thank you for speaking with me. Could you tell me where you were when the disaster happened?
Witness: I was at home, just outside of town. It had been raining for days, but suddenly, there was this loud rumble. I looked out the window and saw the hillside collapsing. It was a massive mudslide, moving so fast.
Journalist: That sounds terrifying. What did you see next?
Witness: I saw trees, rocks, and mud crashing down the hill, destroying everything in its path. It covered the road and some houses. One of the houses was completely buried. I couldn’t believe how fast it all happened.
Journalist: Were there people in the houses that were hit?
Witness: Yes, there were. We heard people shouting for help. My neighbors ran outside, trying to dig through the mud with their hands. It was chaotic. Thankfully, emergency services arrived quickly, but a few people were injured. Some were taken to the hospital.
Journalist: I can’t imagine how scary that must have been. How did you feel during all of this?
Witness: I was in shock, really. At first, I couldn’t move. Then fear kicked in, and I was worried about my neighbors and if the mudslide would reach our house. It’s hard to explain. I just felt helpless.
Journalist: Were you or your family hurt?
Witness: Luckily, we weren’t injured. But others weren’t as fortunate. A couple of people had broken bones, and some were trapped in their homes. It’s a miracle that more people weren’t seriously hurt.
Journalist: I’m so sorry to hear that. Has the situation improved now?
Witness: The rescue teams are still working, clearing the mud and helping people. It will take time, but the community is coming together. We’re just grateful that everyone survived.
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