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Std 6 General Science · Chapter 5

5. Disaster Management

Complete solutions to the Exercises. Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Six General Science.

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About the chapter

A disaster is a sudden event that causes great loss of life and property. Some disasters are natural. Some are man-made. This chapter tells us how to stay safe during disasters. It also teaches simple first aid.

Key points

  • Earthquakes, floods, storms and forest fires are natural disasters.
  • War, fires, accidents and cyber crime are man-made disasters.
  • We should stay calm and follow safety rules during a disaster.
  • First aid is the help given to an injured person before medical help arrives.
  • A person bitten by a snake should not be made to run.
  • We should never share an OTP or a password with anyone.

Words to remember

  • disaster – a sudden event that causes great loss
  • first aid – immediate help given to an injured person
  • sunstroke – illness caused by too much heat of the sun
  • cyber crime – a crime done using a computer or a mobile phone
  • tsunami – huge sea waves caused by an earthquake under the sea

Exercises

1State whether the following statements are true or false and give reasons.

(1) A person bitten by a snake should be made to run quickly to the hospital.

False. Running spreads the venom faster in the body.

(2) The body of a person suffering from sunstroke should be wiped with cold water.

True. Cold water brings down the high body temperature.

2Suggest appropriate first aid for the following situations. Explain your answer with reason.

(1) Boiling water falls on your colleague’s hand. The hand has turned red and is causing severe pain.

  1. Hold the hand under cool running water. It reduces heat and pain.
  2. Remove rings or bangles before the hand swells.
  3. Do not burst the blisters. They protect the skin from germs.
  4. Do not apply toothpaste or oil. It can cause infection.
  5. Cover the burn loosely with a clean cloth and see a doctor.

(2) A person’s clothes on the street have caught fire and he started running in panic.

  1. Stop him from running. Running gives more air to the fire.
  2. Make him lie down and roll on the ground. This puts out the fire.
  3. Wrap him in a thick blanket or sack. It cuts off the air.
  4. Pour water on the burnt parts after the fire is out.
  5. Take him to a hospital at once.
3Some wells in a village that had plenty of water suddenly started drying up. At the same time, water levels began to rise in wells that were previously dry. Yash thought this was a miracle. Priya thought this happened because of underground movements caused by an earthquake. Whom do you agree with? Give reasons for your answer.

I agree with Priya.

  1. Water reaches wells through cracks in underground rocks.
  2. An earthquake moves these rocks.
  3. Some cracks close, so some wells dry up.
  4. New cracks open, so water rises in other wells.

So it is not a miracle.

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4Answer the following questions.

(a) What are the various effects of earthquakes on human life?

  1. Buildings collapse and many people die.
  2. Many people are injured.
  3. Roads, bridges and railway tracks are damaged.
  4. Water and electricity supply stops.
  5. People lose their homes.
  6. An earthquake under the sea can cause a tsunami.

(b) Write the harmful effects of war.

  1. Many people are killed or injured.
  2. Buildings are destroyed.
  3. Water gets polluted.
  4. People lose their homes and have to move away.
  5. There is a shortage of food and medicines.
  6. Weapons and chemicals pollute the air.

(c) What will you do if you receive a call from an unknown number asking for an OTP?

  1. I will never tell the OTP to anyone.
  2. A bank never asks for an OTP on the phone.
  3. I will cut the call and block the number.
  4. I will tell my parents at once.
  5. If money is lost, we will complain on the cyber helpline 1930.
5Find information about the risks involved in pulling off clothes that are stuck to the skin of a person injured in a fire accident.
  1. The burnt skin comes off with the cloth.
  2. The wound becomes deeper and starts bleeding.
  3. The pain becomes very severe.
  4. Germs enter the open wound and cause infection.
  5. The wound takes longer to heal.

So the cloth should be left as it is. The doctor will remove it.

6Why should people avoid crowding at the site of a major accident, fire or river flood just to watch the situation or take videos and photos?
  1. A crowd blocks ambulances and fire engines.
  2. Rescue workers cannot work freely.
  3. People in the crowd may also get hurt.
  4. A crowd can cause a stampede.
  5. Taking photos of injured people is disrespectful.
7List the ways in which we can help during a railway or vehicle accident.
  1. Call the police (100 / 112), ambulance (108) and fire brigade (101).
  2. Give first aid to the injured.
  3. Help to carry the injured to the ambulance.
  4. Keep the crowd away and clear the road.
  5. Comfort the frightened people.
  6. Donate blood if needed.
  7. Do not spread rumours or take videos.
8Air-conditioned buses and trains have large glass windows, but why are these windows always kept completely closed? Also, a large hammer is kept in a prominent, easily visible place in such vehicles. What could be its purpose?

Windows are kept closed:

  1. To keep the cool air inside.
  2. To keep out dust, noise and rain.

Purpose of the hammer: It is used to break the glass in an emergency. Then the passengers can get out safely. It is kept in a visible place. So it can be found quickly.

9Some words related to disasters are hidden in the grid below. Identify these words and write them in your notebook.
apforestfiresebqjafsdghfnacriwertyuiardhmzxcvbnrktegsgyuiknsehsunstroketbqwkitetufbaiuardoasgjkitaryercftjmdekeigmanmadekeafgnmstrylfcybercrimeb

All nine words found. Four read across and five read downwards.

The words are:

  1. Forest fire
  2. Sunstroke
  3. Man made
  4. Cyber crime
  5. Snake bite
  6. Earthquake
  7. War
  8. Storm
  9. First aid
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