Disaster management in India including Disaster Management ACT 2005, National and state policies, Plans and institutional mechanism in the country

Highlights of the National Disaster Management Plan

The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) is the first ever national plan prepared in the country.

Following are the highlights of the NDMP:

The NDMP has been aligned broadly with the goals and priorities set out in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The Vision of the Plan is to “Make India disaster resilient, achieve substantial disaster risk reduction, and significantly decrease the losses of life, livelihoods, and assets – economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental – by maximizing the ability to cope with disasters at all levels of administration as well as among communities.
For each hazard, the approach used in this national plan incorporates the four priorities enunciated in the Sendai Framework into the planning framework for Disaster Risk Reduction under the five Thematic Areas for Actions:
- Understanding Risk
- Inter-Agency Coordination
- Investing in DRR – Structural Measures
- Investing in DRR – Non-Structural Measures
- Capacity Development
- The Response part of the Plan has identified eighteen broad activities which have been arranged into a matrix to be served as a ready reckoner:
- Early Warning, Maps, Satellite inputs, Information Dissemination
- Evacuation of People and Animals
- Search and Rescue of People and Animals
- Medical Care
- Drinking Water/ Dewatering Pumps/ Sanitation Facilities/ Public Health
- Food & Essential Supplies
- Communication
- Housing and Temporary Shelters
- Power
- Fuel
- Transportation
- Relief Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Disposal of Animal Carcasses
- Fodder for Livestock in scarcity-hit areas
- Rehabilitation and Ensuring Safety of Livestock and other Animals, Veterinary Care
- Data Collection and Management
- Relief EMPLOYMENT
- Media Relations
- The Plan has also incorporated a Chapter on Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance.
- The generalized responsibility matrix given in this section summarizes the themes for strengthening Disaster Risk Governance and specifies agencies at the Centre and State with their respective roles.
- The matrix has six thematic areas in which Central and State Governments have to take actions to strengthen disaster risk governance:

Mainstream and integrate DRR and Institutional Strengthening
Capacity Development
Promote Participatory Approaches
Work with Elected Representatives
Grievance Redress Mechanism
Promote Quality Standards, Certifications, and Awards for Disaster Risk Management
The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) provides a framework and direction to the government agencies for all phases of Disaster Management Cycle.
The NDMP is a dynamic document in the sense that it will be periodically improved keeping up with the emerging global best practices and knowledge bases in disaster management.
Globally, the approach towards post-disaster restoration and rehabilitation has shifted to one of betterment reconstruction. The NDMP provides a generalized framework for recovery since it is not possible to anticipate all the possible Elements of betterment reconstruction.
The Plan also highlights that the disaster risk reduction will be achieved by mainstreaming the requirements into the developmental plans.

Disaster Management Act

The Disaster Management Act envisaged the creation of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister, and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by respective Chief Ministers, to spearhead and implement a holistic and integrated approach to Disaster Management in India.

Provisions of the Act

Chapter I -Definition

‘Disaster’ is defined as a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from either natural or man made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering, or damage to and destruction of property or damage to or degradation of Environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area.
‘Disaster Management’ is defined as a continuous and integrated process of planning, organizing, coordinating and implementing measures which are necessary or expedient to prevent danger or threat of any disaster, mitigation or reduce the risk or severity or consequences of any disaster, capacity-building and preparedness to deal with any disaster, prompt response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster, assessing the severity or magnitude of effects of any disaster, evacuation, rescue and relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Chapter II- National disaster management authority

Chapter III – State Disaster Management Authorities

Chapter IV – District Disaster Management Authorities

Chapter V – Measures by the Government and International Agencies for Disaster Management

Chapter VI – Local Authorities

Chapter VIII – National Disaster Response Force

Chapter IX – Finance, Accounts and Audits

Chapter X -Offences and Penalties

Chapter XI-Miscellaneous

NDMA, as the apex body, is mandated to lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management to ensure timely and effective response to disasters. Towards this, it has the following responsibilities:-

Lay down policies on disaster management ;
Approve the National Plan;
Approve plans prepared by the Ministries or Departments of the Government of India in accordance with the National Plan;
Lay down guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities in drawing up the State Plan;
Lay down guidelines to be followed by the different Ministries or Departments of the Government of India for the Purpose of integrating the measures for prevention of disaster or the mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects;
Coordinate the enforcement and implementation of the policy and plans for disaster management;
Recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation;
Provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as may be determined by the Central Government;
Take such other measures for the prevention of disaster, or the mitigation, or preparedness and capacity building for dealing with threatening disaster situations or disasters as it may consider necessary;
Lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of the National Institute of Disaster Management.

Disaster Management Support Programme in India by ISRO

India has been traditionally vulnerable to natural disasters on account of its geo-climatic conditions.
Floods, droughts, Cyclones-2/”>Cyclones, Earthquakes and landslides have been recurrent phenomena.
About 60% of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of various intensities; over 40 million hectares is prone to floods; close to 5,700 km long coastline out of the 7,516 km, is prone to cyclones; about 68% of the cultivable area is susceptible to drought.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the East and part of West coast are vulnerable to Tsunami.
The deciduous/ dry-deciduous forests in different parts of the country experience forest fires.
The Himalayan region and the Western Ghats are prone to landslides

DMS programme

Under the DMS programme, the Services emanating from aerospace Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE, set up by ISRO, are optimally synthesized to provide data and information required for efficient management of natural disasters in the country.
The Geostationary satellites (Communication and Meteorological), Low Earth Orbiting Earth Observation satellites, aerial survey systems together with ground infrastructure form the core element of the observation Systems for disaster management.
The Decision Support Centre established at National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO is engaged in monitoring natural disasters such as flood, cyclone, agricultural drought, landslides, earthquakes and forest fires at operational level.
The information generated from aero-space systems are disseminated to the concerned in near real time for aiding in DECISION MAKING.
The value added products generated using satellite imagery helps in addressing the information needs covering all the phases of disaster management such as, preparedness, early warning, response, relief, rehabilitation, recovery and mitigation.

National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)

National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) has been entrusted with the nodal responsibility for Human resource development, capacity building including training & Education, research, documentation and policy planning in the field of disaster management.
Upgraded from the National Centre for Disaster Management of the Indian Institute of Public Administration on the 16th October, 2003, NIDM is steadily marching forward to fulfill its mission to make a disaster resilient India by developing and promoting a culture of prevention and preparedness at all levels, and emerge as a Centre of Excellence.
Union Home Minister is the President of the Institute and, its Governing Body is chaired by Vice Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Mission and Objectives

Mission of NIDM is to strive relentlessly towards making a disaster free India by developing and promoting a culture of prevention and preparedness at all levels, provide assistance in policy formulation and to facilitate in reducing the impact of disasters through achieving the following objectives:
Planning and promoting training and capacity building services including strategic Learning.
Research, documentation and development of national level information base.
System development and expertise promotion for effective disaster preparedness and mitigation.
Promoting awareness and enhancing knowledge and skills of all stakeholders.
Strengthening institutional mechanisms for training and capacity building of all stakeholders.
To become National Resource Centre for the Central and State Governments in the field of Disaster Management in collaboration with other premier institutions

India is a country that is prone to natural disasters. In recent years, the country has experienced a number of major disasters, including the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, the 2014 Chennai floods, and the 2015 Nepal earthquake. These disasters have caused widespread damage and loss of life.

In order to better manage disasters, the Indian government passed the Disaster Management Act in 2005. This act established the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which is responsible for coordinating disaster response and relief efforts at the national level. The act also established State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) at the state and district levels.

The NDMA is responsible for developing and implementing national policies and plans for disaster management. It also provides financial assistance to states and districts for disaster preparedness and response. The SDMAs are responsible for implementing the national policies and plans at the state level. They also coordinate disaster response and relief efforts within their states. The DDMAs are responsible for implementing the national policies and plans at the district level. They also coordinate disaster response and relief efforts within their districts.

In addition to the NDMA, SDMAs, and DDMAs, there are a number of other government agencies that are involved in disaster management in India. These include the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF), and the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF).

The NDRF is a specialized force that is responsible for responding to natural disasters. It has a strength of over 16,000 personnel and is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. The SDRF is a state-level force that is responsible for responding to natural disasters. It is composed of personnel from the police, fire, and civil defense departments. The NDMF and SDMF are funds that are used to finance disaster preparedness and response activities.

The Indian government has also implemented a number of national and state-level programs for disaster risk reduction. These include the National Disaster Risk Reduction Programme (NDRRP), the State Disaster Risk Reduction Programme (SDRRP), the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP), and the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Project (NTHMP).

The NDRRP is a centrally-sponsored scheme that aims to reduce the risk of natural disasters in India. It provides financial assistance to states and districts for disaster preparedness and response. The SDRRP is a state-level scheme that aims to reduce the risk of natural disasters in states. It provides financial assistance to districts for disaster preparedness and response. The NCRMP is a centrally-sponsored scheme that aims to reduce the risk of cyclones in India. It provides financial assistance to states for cyclone preparedness and response. The NTHMP is a centrally-sponsored scheme that aims to reduce the risk of Tsunamis in India. It provides financial assistance to states for tsunami preparedness and response.

The Indian government has also taken a number of measures to improve public awareness about disaster risk reduction. These include the National Disaster Management Awareness Programme (NDMAP), which is a public awareness campaign that aims to educate people about the risks of natural disasters and how to prepare for them.

The Indian government has made significant progress in disaster management in recent years. However, there is still more work to be done. The government needs to continue to invest in disaster preparedness and response, and it needs to continue to improve public awareness about disaster risk reduction.

What is disaster management?

Disaster management is the organization and planning for the prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery from disasters.

What are the different types of disasters?

There are many different types of disasters, including natural disasters, man-made disasters, and technological disasters. Natural disasters are caused by natural phenomena, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. Man-made disasters are caused by human activity, such as wars, terrorism, and industrial accidents. Technological disasters are caused by the failure of technology, such as nuclear accidents and chemical spills.

What are the phases of disaster management?

The phases of disaster management are prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. Prevention is the effort to avoid or reduce the risk of a disaster occurring. Preparedness is the effort to make sure that people and organizations are ready to respond to a disaster. Response is the effort to save lives and property during a disaster. Recovery is the effort to rebuild communities and restore lives after a disaster.

What is the Disaster Management Act 2005?

The Disaster Management Act 2005 is an Indian law that provides for the establishment of a National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) to coordinate disaster management efforts in the country. The Act also provides for the creation of a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs) to respond to disasters.

What are the national and state policies on disaster management?

The National Disaster Management Policy (NDMP) is a policy document that outlines the government’s approach to disaster management in India. The NDMP was adopted in 2005 and revised in 2016. The NDMP emphasizes the need for a multi-sectoral approach to disaster management, involving the participation of government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

The State Disaster Management Policies (SDMPs) are policy documents that outline the state governments’ approach to disaster management. The SDMPs are based on the NDMP and are tailored to the specific needs of each state.

What are the plans and institutional mechanisms for disaster management in India?

The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) is a plan that outlines the government’s response to disasters. The NDMP was developed by the NDMA and was adopted in 2005. The NDMP is based on the principle of “all-hazards, all-phases, and all-stakeholders.” This means that the NDMP is designed to respond to all types of disasters, at all stages of a disaster, and with the participation of all stakeholders.

The State Disaster Management Plans (SDMPs) are plans that outline the state governments’ response to disasters. The SDMPs are based on the NDMP and are tailored to the specific needs of each state.

The institutional mechanisms for disaster management in India include the NDMA, the SDMAs, the NDRF, and the SDRFs. The NDMA is the apex body for disaster management in India. The SDMAs are the state-level bodies for disaster management. The NDRF is a central government force that is responsible for responding to disasters. The SDRFs are State Government forces that are responsible for responding to disasters.

What are the challenges in disaster management in India?

The challenges in disaster management in India include the following:

The large Population of India makes it difficult to provide adequate warning and evacuation services.
The country’s diverse geography makes it vulnerable to a wide range of disasters.
The lack of infrastructure and Resources in many parts of the country makes it difficult to respond to disasters effectively.
The lack of awareness about disaster preparedness among the population makes it difficult to reduce the risk of disasters.

What are the initiatives taken by the government of India to improve disaster management?

The government of India has taken a number of initiatives to improve disaster management in the country. These initiatives include the following:

The establishment of the NDMA and the SDMAs.
The creation of the NDRF and the SDRFs.
The development of the NDMP and the SDMPs.
The implementation of a number of awareness campaigns about disaster preparedness.
The provision of financial assistance to states for disaster management.

What are the roles of individuals and communities in disaster management?

Individuals and communities can play a vital role in disaster management. They can do the following:

Be aware of the risks of disasters in their area.
Prepare for disasters by having a plan and supplies.
Volunteer to help others during a disaster.
Donate to organizations that are working to help those affected by disasters.

Which of the following is not a type of disaster?
(A) Natural disaster
(B) Man-made disaster
(C) Technological disaster
(D) Economic disaster
The Disaster Management Act 2005 was enacted to provide for a comprehensive framework for disaster management in India. Which of the following is not one of the objectives of the Act?
(A) To provide for a coordinated response to disasters
(B) To ensure the safety and security of people and property
(C) To promote preparedness for disasters
(D) To provide relief and rehabilitation to victims of disasters
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the apex body for disaster management in India. Which of the following is not one of the functions of the NDMA?
(A) To formulate and lay down policies on disaster management
(B) To coordinate the activities of various central and state government departments and agencies involved in disaster management
(C) To provide financial assistance to states for disaster management
(D) To monitor and review the implementation of disaster management plans
The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is the nodal agency for disaster management in each state. Which of the following is not one of the functions of the SDMA?
(A) To formulate and implement disaster management plans
(B) To coordinate the activities of various state government departments and agencies involved in disaster management
(C) To provide financial assistance to district disaster management authorities (DDMAs) for disaster management
(D) To monitor and review the implementation of disaster management plans
The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is the nodal agency for disaster management in each district. Which of the following is not one of the functions of the DDMA?
(A) To formulate and implement disaster management plans
(B) To coordinate the activities of various district government departments and agencies involved in disaster management
(C) To provide financial assistance to Panchayats And Municipalities for disaster management
(D) To monitor and review the implementation of disaster management plans
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is a specialized force of the Central Government for disaster response. Which of the following is not one of the functions of the NDRF?
(A) To carry out search and rescue operations
(B) To provide medical assistance
(C) To provide relief and rehabilitation
(D) To undertake disaster preparedness activities
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) is a specialized force of the State Government for disaster response. Which of the following is not one of the functions of the SDRF?
(A) To carry out search and rescue operations
(B) To provide medical assistance
(C) To provide relief and rehabilitation
(D) To undertake disaster preparedness activities
The National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) is a fund established by the Central Government for disaster mitigation. Which of the following is not one of the uses of the NDMF?
(A) To provide financial assistance to states for disaster mitigation
(B) To provide financial assistance to individuals and organizations for disaster mitigation
(C) To undertake research on disaster mitigation
(D) To create awareness about disaster mitigation
The State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) is a fund established by the State Government for disaster mitigation. Which of the following is not one of the uses of the SDMF?
(A) To provide financial assistance to districts for disaster mitigation
(B) To provide financial assistance to individuals and organizations for disaster mitigation
(C) To undertake research on disaster mitigation
(D) To create awareness about disaster mitigation
The National Disaster Response Force Act 2005 was enacted to provide for the establishment of the NDRF. Which of the following is not one of the objectives of the Act?
(A) To provide for a specialized force for disaster response
(B) To ensure the safety and security of people and property during disasters
(C) To provide relief and rehabilitation to victims of disasters
(D) To undertake disaster preparedness activities