Distinguish between: (i) Floods and droughts (ii) Sudden and Insidious disasters

Sure, here’s a brief differentiation:

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(i) Floods and Droughts:

  • Floods occur when an area is inundated with an excess of water, often due to heavy rainfall, melting snow, or the overflow of rivers and lakes. This inundation leads to water covering land that is usually dry.
  • Droughts, on the other hand, are extended periods of below-average precipitation in a region, causing a shortage of water resources. Droughts result in arid conditions, affecting agriculture, water supply, and ecosystems.

(ii) Sudden and Insidious Disasters:

  • Sudden disasters are events that occur abruptly, causing immediate and severe impact, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, or hurricanes. These disasters strike swiftly, often with little to no warning, causing widespread damage and loss of life in a short period.
  • Insidious disasters are slow-onset events that develop gradually and may not be immediately apparent. Examples include environmental degradation, slow-moving epidemics, or long-term effects of climate change. These disasters have a cumulative and often unnoticed impact, resulting in significant harm over time.