Question

Which of the following falls under the categories of Act of God

• A. Storm and cyclone
• B. Extra ordinary rainfall or flood
• C. Lightning and thunder
• D. All of the above

Hint:

The key to the "Act of God" defence is not just that the event is natural, but that it is so extraordinary that a reasonable person could not have been expected to take precautions against it.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
"Act of God" (or vis major) is a defence in the law of torts. It refers to an extraordinary natural event that is not connected with human agency and could not have been foreseen or prevented by reasonable care or foresight.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
For an event to be considered an Act of God, two conditions must be met:
1. The event must be a result of natural forces, without any human intervention.
2. The occurrence must be extraordinary and not one which could have been anticipated and guarded against.
Let's analyze the options:
- (A) Storm and cyclone: These are natural phenomena that are often unforeseeable in their full intensity and are considered Acts of God.
- (B) Extra ordinary rainfall or flood: A normal amount of rain is foreseeable, but an extraordinary, unprecedented downpour or flood can be an Act of God.
- (C) Lightning and thunder: These are classic examples of natural, uncontrollable events.
All the events listed are natural, and when they occur in an extraordinary or unforeseeable manner, they fall under the category of an Act of God.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Storm, cyclone, extraordinary rainfall/flood, and lightning are all examples of events that can be categorized as an Act of God.