Disaster management in Raigad district
Ayaan Arshad, Yasir Chawdhary, Saad Ansari, Sahil Gholave
Government Medical College, Alibag
Abstract
Disasters such as landslides, floods, and cyclones are unpredictable and bring huge destruction
to life and property. Raigad district in Maharashtra, with steep Sahyadri slopes, heavy monsoons,
and extensive river systems, is vulnerable to natural disasters. Human activities like
deforestation, quarrying, and unplanned urbanization have aggravated these risks, making
disaster management critical.
The district faces challenges in disaster management, including poor coordination between
agencies, insufficient resources, and unawareness in the community. Historical disasters, like the
2023 Irshalwadi landslide and the 2021 Taliye landslide, highlight the urgent need for stronger
preventive measures.
Government efforts, through organizations like the National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), focus on policy development,
funding, and response. Recommendations for improvement include afforestation, better
infrastructure, and community engagement in risk reduction strategies.
Preparedness, collaboration, and effective early warning systems can significantly reduce
disaster impacts, helping communities recover faster. By strengthening these areas, Raigad can
build resilience and better safeguard its people and environment against future disasters.
Introduction
Disaster
It is a sudden, calamitous event bringing great damage, loss, and destruction and devastation to
life and property. The damage caused by disasters is immeasurable and varies with the
geographical location and climate. A disaster may have the following main features:
Unpredictability, Unfamiliarity, Speed, Urgency, Uncertainty, and Threat.
Thus, in simple terms we can define disaster as a hazard causing heavy loss to life, property and
livelihood, e.g. a cyclone killing 10,000 people, a landslide causing multiple deaths and
infrastructural damage, etc
Raigad
Raigad district, formerly known as Colaba district, is located in the Konkan division of
Maharashtra, India.The district's headquarters is Alibag, and other major cities include Panvel,
Karjat, Navi Mumbai, Khopoli, Shrivardhan, and Mahad.The district was renamed after the Raigad
fort, which served as the first capital of the Maratha Empire.The district's population grew from
2,207,929 in 2001 to 2,634,200 in 2011. Raigad district is bordered by Mumbai and Thane
districts to the north, Pune district to the east, Satara district to the southeast, Ratnagiri district
to the south, and the Arabian Sea to the west.The place is situated at about 100kms from the
finance capital of India, Mumbai and is at an exact co-ordinate of 18°38'29?N 72°52'20?E.
A disaster management survey carried out by the Raigad administration showed the district has
520 villages that can be affected by calamities like landslides, flooding and water incursion due
to high tides, an official said on Saturday.There are 239 landslide-prone villages, 136 villages that
could be affected by floods and 145 villages that could face adverse effects of high tides.
Historical evidence
● July 19, 2023 landslide
A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall destroyed the entire village of Irshalwadi, killing 27 people
and leaving 57 missing. The landslide occurred on a slope that showed no signs of disturbance
before the failure. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded the highest rainfall in
the region in the days leading up to the landslide.
● July 22, 2021 landslide
A massive hillock had come crashing down on the Taliye village in Mahad tehsil of Raigad district
killing 85 people. Activists had blamed Malin tragedy to uncontrolled quarrying.
Understanding disaster risks in Raigad
● The geographical and topographical features of Raigad District in Maharashtra
significantly influence the natural disasters it experiences, such as landslides, floods, and
earthquakes. Here are some key factors:
1. Topography and Geology
Sahyadri Hills: Raigad is part of the Western Ghats, which have steep slopes and dense
vegetation. The hill slopes are prone to landslides, especially during heavy monsoon rains, as the
soil becomes unstable due to water infiltration.
2. Hydrology
River Systems: Raigad is crisscrossed by rivers like Savitri and Kundalika, which are prone to
overflowing during heavy rainfall. Poor drainage systems and urbanization exacerbate flood risks
in low-lying areas.
3. Seismic Activity
Seismic Zone IV: Raigad falls in a moderate-to-high seismic zone, making it prone to
earthquakes.
4. Climatic Factors
Monsoons: Raigad receives heavy monsoon rains, with some areas experiencing over 4,000 mm
annually. Intense rainfall is a major trigger for landslides and floods.
Cyclones: The proximity to the Arabian Sea exposes the region to cyclonic winds and storms,
which can lead to coastal erosion and flooding.
5. Human Activities
Deforestation: Large-scale deforestation for infrastructure development disturb the ecological
balance, making the area more vulnerable to natural disasters.
Urbanization: Expansion of roads and settlements into ecologically sensitive zones destabilizes
hill slopes and increases flood risks.
● Factors like poverty, urbanization, and infrastructure development can significantly
exacerbate the impacts of disasters due to their influence on vulnerability, exposure, and
response capacity. Here's how each factor plays a role:
1. Poverty
Poor communities often lack the financial resources to invest in disaster-resistant housing,
insurance, or emergency supplies, leaving them more exposed to the impacts of disasters.
2. Urbanization
Rapid and unregulated urban expansion often leads to the occupation of unsafe areas, such as
riverbanks or coastal zones, increasing exposure to hazards like floods and cyclones.Urban areas
frequently lack adequate drainage systems, leading to waterlogging and urban flooding.
3. Infrastructure Development
Poor infrastructure leads to the construction of unsafe buildings that collapse during
earthquakes or storms, causing significant casualties.Infrastructure projects like dams, roads,
and urban expansion can block natural water channels, increasing flood risks.
*In Raigad District, Maharashtra, unplanned construction on hilly terrain exacerbates landslide
risks, and deforestation for urban expansion removes the protective cover against soil erosion.
Current disaster management strategies
On behalf of the Central Government, DM Division in the Ministry of Home Affairs co-ordinates
with disaster affected State Government(s), concerned line ministries/departments, National
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), National
Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) and the Directorate General of Fire Services, Home
Guards and Civil Defence, and Armed Forces for effective disaster risk reduction. The Division is
responsible for legislation, policy, capacity building, prevention, mitigation, response and long
term rehabilitation. Major responsibilities of the Disaster Management Division, MHA are as
follows:
Resource mobilization for relief and response to natural disasters except drought, hail storms,
cold and frost waves and pest attack.
Operation of control room and situation reports.
Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems.
Matters related to State Disaster Response Fund and National Disaster Response Fund.
All matters related to disaster response, preparedness, prevention, mitigation and capacity
building.
International cooperation in disaster management.
Post-disaster/long term rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Strengthening of fire and emergency services.
All matters related to Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards including Director General of
(Fire Services, Civil Defence & Home Guards) and National Fire Service College (NFSC).
Administration of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)
The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) in Maharashtra is a government body
responsible for disaster management at the state level. It is established under the Disaster
Management Act, 2005, which mandates the creation of disaster management authorities at
both the national and state levels.
The SDMA in Maharashtra is tasked with formulating policies, plans, and guidelines for effective
disaster management in the state. It coordinates and monitors various disaster management
activities and ensures their implementation across different departments and agencies. The
authority works towards enhancing the states preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities
in the face of disasters.
The SDMA Maharashtra is headed by the Chief Minister of the state as the Chairperson and
consists of members from different government departments, experts, and representatives from
relevant sectors. It works closely with district-level disaster management authorities, local
authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to disaster
management.
The Mumbai floods(1993), which killed over 10,000 people, led to the establishment of the
Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA).
The MSDMA is responsible for coordinating all disaster management activities in the state. It has
a number of functions, including:
Preparing and implementing disaster management plans.
Conducting disaster drills and exercises.
Providing training to disaster management personnel.
Providing relief and rehabilitation to disaster victims.
The MSDMA has made significant progress in improving the state's disaster management
system. However, there is still more work to be done. The state needs to continue to invest in
disaster management infrastructure and to strengthen its disaster response capabilities.
Important policy decisions:
Funding:
Schemes:
On June 13, 2023, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah chaired a
meeting with Ministers of Disaster Management of the States/Union Territories and announced
three major schemes worth more than 28000 crore for disaster management in the country-
+₹5,000 Crore project to expand and modernize fire services across states.
2,500 Crore project to reduce the risk of urban flooding in the seven most populous metros-
Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune.
₹825 Crore National Landslide Risk Mitigation Project for 17 States and Uts.
NGO’s:
Given India's multi-hazard risk and vulnerability to natural and man-made disasters, NGOs have
been playing a significant role in providing humanitarian assistance to disaster-affected people in
most of the severe disasters like the Latur earthquake in 1993, Orissa super cyclone in 1999,
Bhuj earthquake in 2001, Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, Kashmir earthquake in 2005, Barmer
floods in 2006, Kosi floods in 2008, cyclones Aila and Laila and the more recent cloud burst in
Leh in August 2010, apart from participating in providing relief to disaster affected communities
in various other localized disasters.
In the recent past, the role of NGOs in disaster management (DM) has started changing from
providing post-disaster relief to strengthening pre- disaster preparedness and mitigation through
capacity building, public awareness campaigns, mock exercises, workshops and conferences,
etc.
The High Powered Committee on Disaster Management recommended a nationwide network of
NGOs for coordinated action in all aspects of disaster management, which was supported by the
Disaster Management Act of 2005.
• During disasters, they assist in rescue, first aid, sanitation, hygiene, damage assessment, and
relief material distribution.
• In the post-disaster phase, NGOs provide technical and material support for safe construction,
educational institution revival, livelihood restoration, and monitoring of reconstruction and
recovery programs.
Early warning system:
Early warning system (EWS) represents the set of capacities needed to generate timely and
meaningful warning information to enable individuals, communities and organizations threatened
by a hazard to prepare and to act appropriately and in sufficient time to reduce the possibility of
harm or loss.
The importance of early warning systems in disaster preparedness:
Early warning systems aim to mitigate the risk produced by disasters. By providing advanced
notice of potential hazards, early warning systems enable individuals, communities, and
organizations to take appropriate measures to minimize the potential impact of disasters.
By providing information about potential hazards, decision-makers can develop response plans,
allocate resources, and take appropriate measures to reduce the impact of a disaster.
Challenges and gaps in disaster management:
1. Lack of Coordination
There is often poor coordination between national, state, and local disaster management
agencies, leading to delayed or inefficient responses during emergencies.Different departments
managing specific disaster aspects (health, environment, urban development) may not work
cohesively, which affects timely decision-making.
2. Insufficient Resources
Funding for disaster preparedness and recovery is often inadequate, especially for smaller
districts like Raigad.
Human Resources: A shortage of trained personnel, such as rescue teams or health workers,
limits effective disaster management, particularly in remote areas.
3. Weak Community Preparedness
Communities often lack awareness about disaster risks, evacuation procedures, and mitigation
measures, particularly in rural and low-income areas.
Recommendations:
For Disaster Management:
Implement afforestation and restrict quarrying in eco-sensitive zones.
Avoid unplanned urbanization and maintain natural drainage systems.
Enhance early warning systems and educate local communities about disaster preparedness.
For addressing the Gaps in disaster management:
1. Strengthen Coordination Mechanisms:
Establish integrated communication systems among all levels of disaster management
authorities.
2. Enhance Resource Allocation:
Increase budgets for disaster management and recovery.
Train local personnel in disaster response techniques to address human resource shortages.
3. Promote Community Involvement:
Encourage local communities in developing and implementing risk reduction plans.
Conclusion:
Disasters, like floods, earthquakes, and cyclones, are scary events that can happen anytime. We
can't stop them, but we can be ready for them.It's important to plan ahead, get ready, and work
together to deal with disasters. When we are prepared, we can protect ourselves and help
others. We should be kind and help each other during these tough times.By being prepared, we
can make sure that our community can recover and rebuild after a disaster. Together, we can
face any challenge and come out stronger.
Acknowledgements and References:
Shri Sagar Pathak (District disaster management officer)
Dr. Devdatt Suryawanshi(Professor community medicine, GMC Alibag)
Wikipedia
The print
Times of India
NDMA(National Disaster Management Authority)
PIB(Press Information Bureau)
Journal of Political science
Office of relief commissioner, Govt of Uttar Pradesh
Preparecenter.org(Global disaster preparedness centre)
devdiscourse.com
