CBSE 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 chapter, 'Weathering The Storm In Ersama,' from CBSE Class 9 English Moments, vividly portrays the catastrophic super cyclone that struck the coastal town of Ersama in Orissa. The NCERT Solutions for this chapter explore the immense destruction wrought by the cyclone and the profound challenges faced by the survivors. Central to the narrative is the inspiring role of a young man named Prashant, who emerges as a leader in the aftermath. The solutions detail how Prashant mobilizes the community, organizes relief operations, secures essential resources like food and shelter, and provides crucial emotional support to the traumatized villagers. They emphasize the power of collective action, self-reliance, and the significant contribution of young people in disaster response. Through this story, students learn about courage, leadership, and the enduring strength of human solidarity when confronting immense adversity, which is vital for their understanding and exam preparation.

Home

Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 9
Subject	Moments
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	6. Weathering The Storm In Ersama

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'Weathering The Storm In Ersama' (Class 9 English Moments) focus on the aftermath of a super cyclone in Orissa. The solutions cover the extensive damage to life and property, the immediate survival challenges, and the community's efforts to rebuild. Special emphasis is placed on the leadership role of Prashant, a teenager, and how he mobilized the villagers, organized relief, and provided support to orphans and widows. The exercises explore themes of community help, leadership qualities, and the importance of emotional support during crises.

Learning outcomes

Understand the devastating impact of natural calamities like super cyclones.
Analyze the leadership qualities demonstrated by Prashant.
Explain the importance of community cooperation and self-help during disasters.
Identify the challenges faced by survivors in the aftermath of a cyclone.
Appreciate the resilience and strength of the human spirit in adversity.
Discuss the role of youth in disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Super cyclone impact
Destruction in Orissa
Ersama town
Prashant's leadership
Community relief efforts
Food distribution
Shelter management
Orphans and widows
Self-help initiatives
Youth in disaster management
Resilience of survivors
Emotional support

Important topics

Prashant's leadership and initiative
Community cooperation and collective action
Impact of the super cyclone on Ersama
Challenges faced by survivors
Alternative solutions for orphans and widows
The role of youth in crisis management

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …

Page of

Loading page …

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 caused immense destruction in Ersama, a small town in coastal Orissa. It devastated the lives of the people by destroying the majority of houses, leading to the loss of families and belongings, and uprooting countless trees. Only the sturdier cement houses remained standing. The aftermath was grim, with the air filled with screams and the landscape covered in dirty, flood-borne water carrying bloated carcasses of animals and human bodies. Survivors were seen desperately trying to salvage what little they could, facing severe shortages of food and overwhelming sadness and helplessness.

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 demonstrated remarkable leadership qualities in the face of devastation. Initially shocked by the destruction, he quickly took charge and motivated his fellow villagers towards self-help. He organized a group of young people and elders to collectively pressure a merchant into sharing his rice for the displaced people in the shelter. Subsequently, he formed a youth volunteer team to clean the shelter, tend to the injured, and provide care for orphaned children. He also mobilized women to look after the children and men to secure essential supplies. Recognizing the growing grief, he encouraged women to participate in a food-for-work program and organized sports for children, helping the community to begin rebuilding their lives.

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: The community members actively helped each other, inspired by Prashant's leadership. They united to persuade a merchant to donate rice for the shelter residents. Fallen tree branches were gathered to build fires for cooking the shared rice. When a military helicopter dropped food but didn't return, the youth organized children to lie in the sand with utensils to signal their hunger, prompting regular food drops. The women played a crucial role by taking care of the orphans while the men focused on securing food and materials. Despite their own grief, the women also joined an NGO's food-for-work program, contributing to the community's recovery.

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. They believed that such institutions would deprive children of love and affection and would lead to loneliness and social stigma for the widows. Instead, they proposed integrating these vulnerable individuals back into their own community. Their alternative plan was to create a supportive and homely environment where orphaned children and childless widows could live together, fostering a sense of belonging, love, and mutual care to help them heal from their trauma.

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 being personally affected by the cyclone's devastation, he overcame his grief to take charge and guide his village. He understood the immediate needs and acted decisively, motivating others to join him in the relief and recovery efforts. Absolutely, young people possess the energy, enthusiasm, and capacity to unite and provide significant help during natural calamities. When they come together, they can draw strength from each other and effectively utilize their vigor to support those in crisis and contribute to recovery efforts.

Common mistakes

Underestimating the psychological impact of disasters on survivors.
Overlooking the importance of community-led initiatives versus external aid.
Failing to recognize the leadership potential in young individuals.
Not considering the long-term needs of vulnerable groups like orphans and widows.

Revision tips

Focus on Prashant's actions and leadership as a case study.
Identify key instances of community help and cooperation.
Understand the sequence of events from destruction to rehabilitation.
Note the specific challenges faced by the villagers and how they were addressed.
Consider the emotional and psychological aspects of the story.

Practice MCQs

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

Q2. Which town in coastal Orissa was severely affected by the super cyclone?

Q3. What role did Prashant, a teenager, play in his village after the cyclone?

Q4. How did the villagers manage to get rice from the merchant?

Q5. What was the initial plan for the orphans and widows that Prashant and others resisted?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the chapter 'Weathering The Storm In Ersama'?

The main theme is the devastating impact of a super cyclone and the resilience, courage, and leadership shown by the community, particularly a teenager named Prashant, in overcoming the crisis.

How did Prashant help the people of his village?

Prashant took leadership, organized relief efforts, mobilized villagers to get food, cleaned the shelter, tended to the injured, and helped in creating a supportive environment for orphans and widows.

What were the specific damages caused by the super cyclone in Ersama?

The cyclone destroyed most houses, uprooted trees, caused widespread loss of life and belongings, and left the land covered with debris and corpses, creating a gruesome scene.

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

They believed that institutions would lead to a lack of love and affection for children and loneliness and stigma for widows. They preferred to resettle them within the community.

How did the community help each other after the cyclone?

They worked together under Prashant's leadership to pressurize a merchant for rice, cooked food, organized relief, and supported each other emotionally and physically.

What does this chapter teach about young people during natural calamities?

It teaches that young people can be effective leaders, capable of organizing and motivating others to help during natural calamities, bringing strength and vigor to relief efforts.

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.