Disaster Management · TEE · papers
Q6A · Differentiate between preparedness and mitigation measures for Floods and Droughts.
2024-12-10 · Semester V final
Actual older TEE paper · 100 marks · Q1 compulsory; any four of Q2–Q7
Q6A. Differentiate between preparedness and mitigation measures for Floods and Droughts. [10 marks]
Answer
| Hazard | Mitigation reduces likely losses | Preparedness builds readiness |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Protect floodplains/storage, maintain drainage and apply suitable resilient construction. | Map routes/shelters, link forecasts to alerts, ready teams and practise evacuation. |
| Drought | Improve water efficiency, appropriate cropping, recharge and sustainable allocation. | Monitor deficits, set water priorities, prepare supply contingencies and livelihood support. |
Some measures contribute to both. A warning system is primarily preparedness, while land-use control primarily reduces exposure. Explain the function rather than relying only on a memorised category.
Explain the difference through two situations
Flood: keeping a hospital outside a mapped floodway reduces its exposure even if no warning is received; this is mitigation. Preparing an accessible route, shelter and transport plan enables people to act on a warning; this is preparedness. Both are needed because a flood barrier may be overtopped and an unpractised evacuation plan may fail.
Drought: efficient irrigation and suitable crops reduce long-term water demand and vulnerability, making them mitigation measures. Monitoring reservoir storage and agreeing when to activate priority drinking-water supply prepare authorities to act, making them preparedness. Emergency delivery of water after severe shortage is response. Mitigation asks “How can likely damage be reduced?”; preparedness asks “How will we act effectively when the threat develops?”