Class 9 English Moments Chapter 6: Weathering the Storm in Ersama NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This section provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Moments, Chapter 6, 'Weathering the Storm in Ersama'. The chapter narrates the devastating impact of a super cyclone on the coastal region of Orissa and the resilience of its people. The solutions cover the havoc caused by the cyclone, the role of the teenager Prashant in leading his community, and how the people helped each other in the aftermath. It highlights the community's efforts in organizing relief, providing food and shelter, and caring for the vulnerable. The solutions also explore the importance of community support and the potential of young people in disaster management. These solutions are designed to help students understand the narrative's themes and prepare for their exams.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 9
Subject	English Moments
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 6

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'Weathering the Storm in Ersama' (Class 9 English Moments, Chapter 6) focus on the aftermath of a super cyclone in Orissa. The solutions detail the destruction, the challenges faced by survivors, and the remarkable spirit of community help and leadership. Key aspects covered include Prashant's role as a leader, the community's collective efforts in relief and rehabilitation, and the importance of mutual support during crises. These solutions aid in understanding the story's themes of resilience and human solidarity.

Learning outcomes

Understand the devastating impact of natural disasters like cyclones.
Analyze the role of leadership in crisis situations.
Recognize the importance of community support and collective action.
Appreciate the resilience of people in the face of adversity.
Identify the challenges faced by survivors in a disaster-stricken area.
Evaluate the effectiveness of different relief and rehabilitation strategies.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Super cyclone impact on Orissa
Prashant's leadership
Community response to disaster
Relief and rehabilitation efforts
Challenges faced by survivors
Role of youth in disaster management
Support for orphans and widows
Human resilience and solidarity

Important topics

Prashant's leadership and initiative
Community cooperation and mutual help
Impact of natural calamities
Rehabilitation strategies for vulnerable groups
Themes of resilience and hope

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Questions and Solutions

1. What havoc has the super cyclone wreaked in the life of the people of Orissa?

What havoc has the super cyclone wreaked in the life of the people of Orissa?

Solution: The super cyclone brought about widespread devastation in Orissa. It caused torrential rainfall and extremely strong winds that destroyed the majority of the houses, leaving only the sturdier cement structures intact. Vast areas were submerged under dirty floodwaters, creating a grim landscape. The cyclone led to numerous deaths, with human bodies and animal carcasses floating in the water. Even large, strong trees were uprooted. The aftermath was gruesome, with many people losing their relatives and children becoming orphans. There was a severe shortage of food, and a pervasive sense of sadness and helplessness descended upon the survivors.

2. How has Prashant, a teenager, been able to help the people of his village?

How has Prashant, a teenager, been able to help the people of his village?

Solution: Prashant, despite being initially shocked by the cyclone's aftermath, stepped up to become a leader for his village. He first composed himself and then rallied a group of young people and elders. Together, they successfully persuaded a merchant to share his stock of rice for the displaced people in the shelter. Following this, Prashant organized a team of youth volunteers to clean the shelter and provide medical aid to the injured. He also gathered orphaned children and arranged for a polythene shelter for them, mobilizing women to care for them while men procured essential supplies. Recognizing the emotional toll on the women, he encouraged them to join the food-for-work program initiated by an NGO and organized recreational sports for the children to lift their spirits.

3. How have the people of the community helped one another? What role do the women of Kalikuda play during these days?

How have the people of the community helped one another? What role do the women of Kalikuda play during these days?

Solution: Under Prashant's leadership, the community members united to support each other. They collectively pressured a merchant to release his rice for the shelter residents and gathered fallen branches to build fires for cooking. When a military helicopter dropped supplies but didn't return, the youth task force devised a plan: they had children lie down with empty utensils on their stomachs in the sand. This visual signal successfully conveyed their hunger to passing helicopters, leading to regular airdrops of food and necessities. The women played a vital role by caring for the orphans and later by participating in the food-for-work program initiated by an NGO, despite their own grief and trauma.

4. What do Prashant and other volunteers resist the plan to set up institutions for orphans and widows? Why alternatives do they consider?

What do Prashant and other volunteers resist the plan to set up institutions for orphans and widows? Why alternatives do they consider?

Solution: Prashant and the other volunteers opposed the idea of establishing separate institutions for orphans and widows. Their concern was that such institutions would isolate these vulnerable individuals, leading to a lack of love and affection for the children, and fostering loneliness and a sense of stigma among the widows. Instead, they proposed a more integrated approach: resettling the children and widows within their own community. They suggested creating foster families, where childless widows could care for children who had lost their adult guardians, thereby providing a more nurturing and homely environment for everyone involved.

5. Do you think Prashant is good leader? Do you think young people can get together to help people during natural calamities?

Do you think Prashant is good leader? Do you think young people can get together to help people during natural calamities?

Solution: Yes, Prashant is an excellent leader. Despite experiencing personal grief from the cyclone's devastation, he took decisive action to lead his village. He effectively organized the community, secured essential resources like food, arranged for shelter and care for the vulnerable, and implemented practical solutions to meet the survivors' needs. His ability to inspire and mobilize others demonstrates strong leadership qualities.

Furthermore, the chapter strongly suggests that young people are capable of coming together to provide significant help during natural calamities. Their energy, enthusiasm, and willingness to take initiative can be instrumental in organizing relief efforts, offering support, and rebuilding communities in times of crisis.

Common mistakes

Underestimating the psychological impact of disasters on individuals.
Overlooking the importance of community-led initiatives.
Failing to recognize the specific needs of vulnerable groups like orphans and widows.
Not considering long-term rehabilitation strategies beyond immediate relief.

Revision tips

Focus on Prashant's leadership qualities and decision-making process.
Identify specific examples of community help and cooperation in the text.
Understand the contrast between institutional care and community-based support for orphans and widows.
Reflect on the themes of resilience, hope, and human solidarity presented in the chapter.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the primary natural disaster described in 'Weathering the Storm in Ersama'?

Q2. Who emerged as a key leader in Prashant's village after the cyclone?

Q3. What was one of the immediate challenges faced by the survivors after the cyclone?

Q4. How did the villagers communicate their hunger to the helicopters?

Q5. What alternative did Prashant and his group propose instead of institutions for orphans and widows?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 6 of Class 9 English Moments about?

Chapter 6, 'Weathering the Storm in Ersama', is about the devastating super cyclone that hit Orissa and the resilience of its people, particularly highlighting the leadership of a teenager named Prashant in helping his community recover.

What kind of havoc did the super cyclone cause, according to the chapter?

The super cyclone caused immense destruction, including the loss of most houses, widespread flooding, loss of lives, uprooted trees, and a general atmosphere of gloom and helplessness among the survivors.

How did Prashant help his village after the cyclone?

Prashant took charge as a leader, organized youth and elders to secure food, cleaned the shelter, tended to the injured, arranged care for orphaned children, and encouraged women to participate in relief work.

What does the chapter teach about community help during disasters?

The chapter emphasizes the importance of community solidarity, where people come together to help each other, share resources, and support the vulnerable, demonstrating remarkable resilience and cooperation.

Why did Prashant and others resist setting up institutions for orphans and widows?

They resisted because they believed that children would lack love in institutions, and widows would face loneliness and stigma. They preferred integrating them into the community through foster families.

Can young people effectively help during natural calamities?

Yes, the chapter shows that young people, with their energy and willingness to lead, can play a crucial role in organizing relief efforts and supporting their communities during natural calamities.

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