Explanation: The Kerala floods of 2018 were a significant natural disaster that affected a large portion of the state's population. The floods were caused by heavy rainfall and resulted in widespread damage to infrastructure, homes, and agricultural land. The Kerala government conducted extensive surveys and assessments to determine the extent of the impact on the population.
The official data released by the Kerala government indicated that one-sixth of the total population of Kerala was directly affected by the floods. This means that approximately 16.67% of the population experienced direct impacts such as displacement, loss of property, or other forms of damage due to the floods. The government's data is based on comprehensive surveys and assessments, which provide a reliable estimate of the disaster's impact.
It is important to understand the scale of such disasters to develop effective disaster management strategies and policies. The data on the number of people affected can help in planning relief and rehabilitation efforts, as well as in future disaster preparedness. The floods of 2018 highlighted the need for improved infrastructure and disaster response mechanisms to mitigate the impact of such events in the future.
The other options (one-fourth, one-fifth, and one-third) are incorrect because they represent larger fractions of the population than the actual impact of the floods. These options might seem plausible due to the severity of the disaster and media coverage, but the official data from the Kerala government provides a more accurate representation of the population affected.
In summary, the floods of 2018 in Kerala affected one-sixth of the total population, as per the official data released by the government. This information is crucial for understanding the scale of the disaster and for developing effective disaster management strategies.