UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Upheaval in undulating valley

Q1. The Jhelum, the principal river of the Kashmir Valley whose overflow drives Valley floods, has an approximate total length of about how many kilometres?

  • A. About 725 km
  • B. About 1,100 km
  • C. About 400 km
  • D. About 1,450 km

Q2. Consider the following statements about the Jhelum river and its drainage: 1. The Jhelum originates from the Verinag spring in Anantnag district, while the Lidder joins it as a tributary near Khanabal. 2. The Jhelum flows through Wular Lake — one of the largest freshwater lakes in India — before entering Pakistan-administered Kashmir. 3. After leaving the Kashmir Valley the Jhelum drains independently into the Arabian Sea without joining any larger river system. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Jhelum originates from the Verinag spring in Anantnag district, while the Lidder joins it as a tributary near Khanabal.
  2. The Jhelum flows through Wular Lake — one of the largest freshwater lakes in India — before entering Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
  3. After leaving the Kashmir Valley the Jhelum drains independently into the Arabian Sea without joining any larger river system.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Which one of the following was the designated nodal agency responsible for issuing rainfall forecasts and weather warnings for the Kashmir Valley during the July 2026 floods?

  • A. The Central Water Commission, the sole authority for all weather forecasting in India
  • B. The National Remote Sensing Centre, which alone issues every rainfall alert in the Himalayas
  • C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Srinagar
  • D. The National Disaster Management Authority, the exclusive forecaster of monsoon rainfall

Q4. Regarding rainfall recorded across Jammu & Kashmir during July 19–24, 2026, consider the following: 1. Reasi recorded the highest rainfall in the Union Territory, at 473.2 mm. 2. Kulgam recorded the highest cumulative rainfall within the Kashmir Valley. 3. Udhampur recorded the second-highest rainfall in the Union Territory, at about 417 mm. 4. Srinagar recorded the highest rainfall in the entire Union Territory, at about 473 mm. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. Reasi recorded the highest rainfall in the Union Territory, at 473.2 mm.
  2. Kulgam recorded the highest cumulative rainfall within the Kashmir Valley.
  3. Udhampur recorded the second-highest rainfall in the Union Territory, at about 417 mm.
  4. Srinagar recorded the highest rainfall in the entire Union Territory, at about 473 mm.
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to a cloudburst, consider the following: 1. It is a convective phenomenon associated with towering cumulonimbus clouds and strong updrafts. 2. It is commonly triggered by orographic lifting when moisture-laden air is forced up steep terrain. 3. Himalayan cloudburst-like days have risen markedly over the past two decades. 4. It is caused primarily by western disturbances during the peak winter season. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified as features of a cloudburst?

  1. It is a convective phenomenon associated with towering cumulonimbus clouds and strong updrafts.
  2. It is commonly triggered by orographic lifting when moisture-laden air is forced up steep terrain.
  3. Himalayan cloudburst-like days have risen markedly over the past two decades.
  4. It is caused primarily by western disturbances during the peak winter season.
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. Consider the following statements distinguishing a cloudburst from ordinary heavy rainfall: 1. The IMD defines a cloudburst as 100 mm or more of rain within one hour over a limited area, whereas ordinary heavy rain is assessed over a full day. 2. Unlike widespread monsoon rainfall, a cloudburst is highly localised, typically affecting an area of only about 20–30 sq km. 3. A cloudburst, unlike normal rainfall, can occur only during the winter months. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The IMD defines a cloudburst as 100 mm or more of rain within one hour over a limited area, whereas ordinary heavy rain is assessed over a full day.
  2. Unlike widespread monsoon rainfall, a cloudburst is highly localised, typically affecting an area of only about 20–30 sq km.
  3. A cloudburst, unlike normal rainfall, can occur only during the winter months.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the apex body of India's disaster management structure, is chaired by which one of the following?

  • A. The Union Home Minister, who heads every disaster body in the country
  • B. The Prime Minister of India
  • C. The Cabinet Secretary
  • D. The Vice-Chairperson of the NDMA

Q8. Consider the following statements about India's disaster-management institutions: 1. The NDMA is chaired by the Prime Minister. 2. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is chaired by the Chief Minister of the state. 3. The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is chaired by the District Magistrate/Collector. 4. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The NDMA is chaired by the Prime Minister.
  2. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is chaired by the Chief Minister of the state.
  3. The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is chaired by the District Magistrate/Collector.
  4. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 3 and 4

Q9. The inundation of Srinagar during the catastrophic 2014 Kashmir floods — the principal comparative reference for the 2026 event — was primarily caused by the breaching/overflowing of which one of the following rivers?

  • A. Chenab
  • B. Tawi
  • C. Lidder
  • D. Jhelum

Q10. The catastrophic Kashmir floods marked by a Jhelum breach and the submergence of Srinagar — repeatedly cited as the benchmark comparison for the July 2026 crisis — occurred in which year?

  • A. 2014
  • B. 2010
  • C. 2013
  • D. 2016

Q11. A 'western disturbance', whose interaction with monsoon currents can intensify rainfall over Jammu & Kashmir, is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A tropical cyclone that forms over the Arabian Sea and moves northeastward into the Kashmir Valley
  • B. A monsoon low-pressure depression that develops over the Bay of Bengal and travels westward across the Gangetic plains
  • C. A localised convective thunderstorm system that develops seasonally over the Thar Desert
  • D. An extratropical storm originating over the Mediterranean region, carried eastward by the westerlies to bring non-monsoonal precipitation to northwest India

Q12. According to the July 2026 assessment of Jammu & Kashmir, the recurring pattern of short-duration, high-intensity cloudburst events through June–July 2026 was observed across how many named districts/locations of the region?

  • A. Three
  • B. Four
  • C. Five
  • D. Seven