UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Drought report

Q1. With reference to additional central assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to a State hit by a notified calamity, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The amount approved from the NDRF is adjusted against a part of the balance available in the State's own State Disaster Response Fund.
  2. The Inter-Ministerial Central Team that assesses the damage on the spot also gives the final approval for release from the NDRF.
  3. The State's memorandum, which sets out the damage suffered and the funds sought, is one of the bases of the central assessment.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. A State faces a localised hailstorm, a notified calamity, that damages crops in a few villages. Its State Disaster Response Fund has an ample uncommitted balance. Which one of the following best describes how the relief would ordinarily be financed?

  • A. From the SDRF, since NDRF help is meant for severe calamities that strain State resources
  • B. From the NDRF, since every notified calamity automatically qualifies for central assistance from it
  • C. From the NDRF, after the State's SDRF balance has first been transferred back to the Centre
  • D. From the SDRF, but only after a central team has assessed losses and approved the release

Q3. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. In India, drought is usually declared for sub-district units such as taluks, blocks or mandals rather than for a whole State at one go.
  2. Rainfall deficiency is the only drought indicator for which data are available below the district level.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q4. With reference to the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) used in drought monitoring, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Healthy green vegetation reflects most of the red light it receives, which is why NDVI is high over dense crops.
  2. A crop under moisture stress tends to reflect less near-infrared and more red light, which lowers its NDVI.
  3. Because NDVI is a normalised ratio of two reflectances, it gives a pixel-level measure of greenness that can be compared with the normal for the same period.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 3 only

Q5. As the central and eastern equatorial Pacific warms during an El Niño event, consider the following changes: Which of the changes given above are typically associated with such an event?

  1. The trade winds across the equatorial Pacific weaken.
  2. The belt of heavy tropical rainfall shifts eastward, away from the western Pacific.
  3. The risk of drought rises over Indonesia and Australia.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. With reference to the different dimensions of drought, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Meteorological drought is defined by soil moisture falling below what standing crops require.
  2. Agricultural drought can set in even when the seasonal rainfall total is close to normal, if long dry spells at critical crop stages deplete soil moisture.
  3. Hydrological drought, the depletion of reservoirs and groundwater, typically appears in the first weeks of a rainfall deficit and ends as soon as the rains resume.
  • A. 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q7. A district receives normal monsoon rainfall this year after three consecutive deficient years. Kharif crops perform normally, yet village tanks stay low, wells remain dry and towns ration drinking water. Which one of the following best describes this situation?

  • A. Meteorological drought persisting even though the current season's rainfall is normal
  • B. Agricultural drought arising from moisture stress at critical crop stages
  • C. Meteorological drought arising from below-normal rainfall in the current season
  • D. Hydrological drought continuing after the meteorological drought has ended