UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

In disaster studies,a natural hazard is a potentially damaging physical phenomenon such as an earthquake, flood or cyclone. It becomes a disaster only when it affects vulnerable people and assets. The stem clearly refers to the event before it interacts with society,so the correct term is hazard.

Option A:
A disaster is the serious disruption that occurs when a hazard actually impacts a vulnerable community and overwhelms its capacity to cope. Before this interaction happens, the event is classified as a hazard. Therefore disaster is not the right word in the blank.

Option B:
Hazard denotes the probability of occurrence of a potentially damaging physical event at a specific location. It is one of the components of disaster risk. Because the question emphasises the pre impact stage, hazard is the correct concept.

Option C:
Mitigation refers to measures taken in advance to reduce the potential impact of hazards by lowering vulnerability or modifying the hazard. It is a response strategy, not the physical event itself. Hence it does not fit the stem.

Option D:
Relief concerns immediate assistance after a disaster, including food, medical care and shelter. It occurs after the hazard has caused damage and is therefore not the term required in the question.