Unit-4

Disaster Management
in India

Source: Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disaster

COVID-19 (2019-2023): Fatalities 1.8 Million (official) 3 million (unofficieal)
http://sdmassam.nic.in/pdf/publication/undp/d https://www.unisdr.org/2005/mdgs-drr/nation
isaster_management_in_india.pdf al-reports/India-report.pdf

Disaster profile of India

COVID-19 (2019-2024): Fatalities 5.3 Lakhs (official) Affected 4.4 Crores (Officieal)
Vulnerability profile of India
The country is vulnerable to large number of natural as well as human
made disasters
● Highly vulnerable to
● Floods, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, avalanches
ad forest fire
● Almost 58.6 per cent of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of
moderate to very high intensity;
● over 40 million hectares (12 per cent of land) are prone to floods
and river erosion;
● of the 7,516 km long coastline, close to 5,700 km is prone to
cyclones and tsunamis;
● 68 per cent of the cultivable area is vulnerable to drought and hilly
areas are at risk from landslides and avalanches
Hazard profile of India

● One of the ten worst disaster prone countries of the world. Disasters include
both natural and human induced
● Geo-climatic conditions, topographic features, environmental degradation,
population growth, urbanization, industrialization etc are the various factors
increasing the intensity or frequency of the hazards
● Hazard vulnerability differs among the Five distinct regions of the country:
The himalayan region,
The alluvial plains,
The hilly parts of the peninsula,
The coastal zones,
Dessert part of the country

Hazard profile of India

● Dessert part of the country: Droughts and famine
● Coastal zones : Cylones and storms
● Himalayan region and alluvial planes;
○ Characteristics: Geo-tectonic features and the large number of
major rivers in the region
○ Susceptible to earthquake, landslides and water erosion
○ River channel siltation, frequent floods (especially in UP and
Bihar)
● Western part of the country (Rajasthan, Gujarat, parts of
Maharashtra)
○ Frequent droughts
○ Cyclones along the coastal area, and also threats from tsunami
(in case of earthquake)
○ Earthquake prone areas
 Hazard profile of India
Factors that increase the intensity of the disasters
● Demographic pressure, deteriorating environmental conditions, deforestation,
unscientific development, faculty agricultural practices, unplanned
urbanisation, construction of large dams and their improper management
● Vulnerability to Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) disasters
has increased on account of socio-economic development
● Climate change: The unprecedented increase in global atmospheric
temperature is expected to have severe impacts on the hydrological cycle,
water resources, drought, forest and ecosystems, sel level / coastal area,
coastal wetlands, food security, health and other related issues
● Poor section of the society is worst affected in case of disaster. Poverty also
compels the poor people to migrate to physically more vulnerable areas, often
on unsafe land / shelters. Dwellings made up of low cost material without
giving much consideration to technical aspect are easy targets of various
hazards

Extreme weather
1. Droughts

● Cause: Deficiency of rainfall for a prolonged period.

● water supplies dry up, crops fail to grow, animals die, and malnutrition
and ill health become widespread
● The environmental effects of drought, including salinization of soil,
and groundwater decline, increased pollution of freshwater
ecosystems and regional extinction of animal species.
● In India around 68 percent of the country is prone to drought in
varying degrees
● Of the entire area 35 percent receives rain falls between 750 mm and
1125 mm which is considers drought prone while 33 percent which
receives rainfalls between less than 750 mm is considered to be
chronically drought prone.

2. Floods
Floods occur in almost all rivers basins in India.
Main causes of floods:
● Heavy rainfall,
● inadequate capacity of rivers to carry the high flood discharge,
● inadequate drainage to carry away the rainwater quickly to streams/ rivers.
● Ice jams or landslides blocking streams;
● typhoons and cyclones also cause floods.
● Flash floods occur due to high rate of water flow as also due to poor
permeability of the soil.
● Areas with hardpan just below the surface of the soil are more prone to,
floods as water fails to seep down to the deeper layers
● The principal reasons for flood lie in the very nature of natural ecological
systems in this country, namely, the monsoon, the highly silted river systems
and the steep and highly erodible mountains, particularly those of the
Himalayan ranges.
● Most of the floods occur during the monsoon period and are usually
associated with tropical storms or depressions, active monsoon conditions
and break monsoon situations.
Floods…
● Flood results in the outbreak of serious epidemics, specially malaria
and cholera. Simultaneously, scarcity of water also arises.
● It has a drastic effect on agricultural produce. Sometimes, water
remains standing over large areas for long span of time hampering
the Rabi crops.
● 40 million hectares of land, roughly one-eighth of the country’s
geographical area, is prone to floods.

❏ Vulnerability to floods and other natural disasters is caused by the

high population density, widespread poverty, unemployment, illiteracy,
enormous pressure on rural land, and an economy traditionally
dominated by agriculture.
❏ Children and women are particularly vulnerable.
❏ 85% of the deaths during disasters are of women and children (Centre
for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, CRED 2000).
3. Tropical cyclones

● India has a coastline of about 7516 kms, it is exposed to nearly 10 percent of

the world’s tropical cyclones. A
● About 71 percent of this area is in ten states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa,
Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and
West Bengal).
● The islands of Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep are also prone to
cyclones.
● On an average, about five or six tropical cyclones form in the Bay of Bengal
and Arabian sea and hit the coast every year. Out of these, two or three are
severe.

Tropical cyclones…
● When a cyclone approaches to coast, a risk of serious loss or
damage arises from severe winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges and
river floods.
● The effect of a storm surge is most pronounced in wide and shallow
bays exposed to cyclones such as in the northern part of Bay of
Bengal
● Most cyclones occur in the Bay of Bengal followed by those in the
Arabian Sea and the ratio is approximately 4:1
● The incidence of cyclonic storms, with wind speeds between 65
Km/h and 117 Km/h and severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds
between 119 Km/h and 164 Km/h,
● the highest annual number of storms, severe storms occur in the
Orissa - West Bengal coast.
Tropical cyclones…

A severe super cyclonic storm with winds

of upto 250 km/hour crossed the coast in
Orissa on October 29, 1999. T
his may have been the worst cyclone of
the country in the Orissa region and was
responsible for as many as 10,000
deaths, rendering millions homeless and
extensive damage to property and
environment.
4. Heat wave

● Extreme positive departures from the normal maximum temperature

result in a heat wave during the summer season.
● The rising maximum temperature during the pre-monsoon months
often continues till June, in rare cases till July, over the northwestern
parts of the country.
● Abnormally high temperatures were observed during April 2002
across the country. On 10th May 2002, the maximum temperature at
Gannavaram (Vijayawada) 49°C (WMO 2003) was recorded.
● Decrease in the Diurnal Temperature Range (DTR) due to
urbanisation is a new factor leading to human mortality and discomfort
5. Cold waves

● Occurrences of extreme low temperature in association with incursion

of dry cold winds from north into the sub continent are known as cold
waves
● Where: The northern parts of India, specially the hilly regions and the
adjoining plains
● The cold waves mainly affect the areas to the north of 20°N but in
association with large amplitude troughs, cold wave conditions are
sometimes reported from states like Maharashtra and Karnataka as
well
● UP and Bihar rank the highest in terms of casualties from cold wave
and this could be due to poor level of development and lack of
shelters to the outdoor workers and farmers.

6. Thunderstorm, hail storm and dust storm

● While the southernmost part of the country is free from dust storms
and hailstorms, such hazardous weather affects the central,
northeastern, north and northwestern parts of the country
● The hailstorm frequencies are highest in the Assam valley, followed by
hills of Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Vidarbha Maharashtra
● thunderstorms also occur in Kolkata, Delhi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad
● Tornadoes are rare in India but some of them are quite devastating
Thunderstorm, hail storm and dust storm…

7. Earthquake

● Massive earthquakes generally occur near the junction of two tectonic

plates, e.g., along the Himalayan range, where the Indian plate goes
below Eurasian plate. The Indian sub- continent situated on the
boundaries of two continental plates is very prone to earthquakes
● According to latest seismic zoning map brought out by the Bureau of
Indian Standard (BIS), over 65 percent of the country is prone to
earthquake of intensity Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MSK) VII or
more.
● India has been divided into four seismic zones according to the
maximum intensity of earthquake expected. Of these, zone V is the
most active which comprises of whole of Northeast India, the northern
portion of Bihar, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Gujarat and
Andaman & Nicobar Islands. India has highly populous cities and the
constructions in these cities are not earthquake resistant. Regulatory
mechanisms are weak, thus any earthquake striking in one of these
cities would turn into a major disaster.
8. Landslides
● Landslides mainly affect the Himalayan region and the western ghats
of India.
● Landslides are also common in the Nilgiri range
● It is estimated that 30 percent of the world’s landslides occur in the
Himalayas
● The Himalayan mountains, which constitute the youngest and most
dominating mountain system in the world. The Himalayas have a
history of landslides that has no comparison with any other mountain
range in the world.
● Scientific observation in north Sikkim and Garhwal regions in the
Himalayas clearly reveal that there is an average of two landslides per
sq. km.
● Landslides are also common in western ghat. In the Nilgiris,
● The mean rate of land loss is to the tune of 120 meter per km per year
and annual soil loss is about 2500 tones per sq km
9. Industrial and Chemical Disasters

● Industrial disasters include events that occur due to mishaps or

failures in industry or related activities and also the disasters that
affect the industrial functions, property and productivity
● A chemical disaster may occur due to both, natural or human-made
sources, however, in view of growing chemical usage and industrial
development worldwide
● Chemical disasters are occurrence of emission, fire or explosion
involving one or more hazardous chemicals in the course of industrial
activity (handling), storage or transportation or due to natural events
leading to serious effects inside or outside the installation likely to
cause loss of life and property including adverse effects on the
environment.
Chemical and industrial emergencies may arise in a number of ways,
such as -

10. Tsunami

● A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a

large volume of a body of water, usually an ocean.
● Seismicity generated tsunamis are result of abrupt deformation of sea
floor resulting vertical displacement of the overlying water.
Earthquakes occurring beneath the sea level, the water above the
reformed area is displaced from its equilibrium position. The release
of energy produces tsunami waves which have small amplitude but a
very long wavelength (often hundreds of kilometer long).
● It may be caused by non-seismic event also such as a landslide or
impact of a meteor.
Characteristics of Tsunami

● Tsunami in the deep ocean may have very long waves length of
hundred of kilometer and travels at about 800 km per hour. It remains
undetected by ships in the deep sea. However when it approaches
the coast its wavelength diminishes but amplitude grows
enormously, and it takes very little time to reach its full height.
● Tsunamis have great erosion potential, stripping beaches of sand,
coastal vegetation and dissipating its energy through the destruction
of houses and coastal structure.
Tsunami risk assessment
● The east and west coasts of India and the island regions are likely to be
affected by Tsunamis generated mainly by subduction zone related
earthquakes from the two potential source regions, viz., the
Andaman-Nicobar-Sumatra Island Arc and the Makran subduction zone north
of Arabian Sea.
● Depending upon the location of the Earthquake, the response time for
evacuation of coastal population could range between 10 minutes to a few
hours
● Considering that a credible worst case earthquake of 7.5 or higher occurs
near Nicobar, the travel time to the nearest coast in Nicobar would be
approximately 20 – 30 minutes and for the Indian mainland about 2 – 3 hours.
● For earthquakes occurring near Indonesia, the travel time to Andaman &
Nicobar would be in the range of 1 – 2 hours and to the Indian mainland
about 3 – 5 hours
 Hazard profile of India

1. Droughts
2. Floods
3. Tropical cyclones
4. Heat waves
5. Cold waves
6. Thunder storms, dust storms, hail storms
7. Earthquakes
8. Landslides
9. Industrial and chemical disasters
10. Tsunami
11.
12.
13.

11. Stampede
● Sudden rush of a crowd of people, usually resulting in many injuries and
death from suffocation and trampling.
● In stampede, the term mob or crowd is used to refer to a congregated, active,
polarized aggregate of people, which is basically heterogeneous and
complex.
● Its most salient features include homogeneity of thought and action among
its participants and their impulsive and irrational actions.
 Stampade…
● Causes: Incidents of stampedes can occur in numerous socio-cultural
situations.
● situations where stampedes can occur

To know more about crowd management refer

https://ndma.gov.in/sites/default/files/PDF/Reports/managingcrowdsguide.pdf
12. Nuclear emergency

● Nuclear emergency /Disaster is caused due to an extraordinary release of

radioactive material or radiation either in the operation of nuclear reactors
or other nuclear events like explosion of a Radiological Dispersal Device
(RDD) or Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) or explosion of a nuclear
weapon.
● It is accompanied with sudden release of harmful radiations or radioactive
materials or both together in to the environment.

Nuclear emergency may be encountered in the following situations:

● Intentional use of nuclear weapons in the event of war

● Accidents in nuclear power project:
● Accidents in handling radiation sources

● Intentional use of nuclear weapons in the event of war: Nuclear attacks

may make use of nuclear weapons, which are extremely destructive and
powerful enough to destroy an entire city. With the advancement of
scientific research in the world, several countries have acquired the
technology to produce nuclear weapons, which are more destructive and
harmful than the atom bomb used more than half a century ago against
Japan during the Second World War.

● Accidents in nuclear power project: The nuclear Power Plants take care
of safety to prevent any mal-operations and to bring the system to a safe
shut down in case of any abnormalities. However, in case of a major
malfunction, there is a remote possibility of release of radioactivity/
radiation to the environment. The area affected would depend on the
amount of the release, and wind direction, speed and weather conditions.
● Accidents in handling radiation sources :Other accidental exposure of
radiation could be due to accident with the radioactive material during
transportation, wrong/faulty practices, failure of machinery of a
radiation facility etc.
Fukushima nuclear disaster

● On 11th March 2011, at 14:46 the northeastern part of Japan was

triggered by a major earthquake of magnitude 9 with an epicenter at
130 km off the pacific coast of Tohoku region and depth of 24 km. As
per the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the seismic intensity of
7[in the Japanese scale of 1 to 7] was recorded in Kurihara city of
Miyagi prefecture. Moreover, the intensity of 6+ was recorded in 28
cities and towns in Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Tochigi prefecture.
● It was followed by a major Tsunami, with maximum height of 11.87
meter recorded near the coast of Akamae at 15:31 JST,
● Major tsunami of more than 3 m or more arrived in northern part of
Japan: eastern, central, western part of pacific coast of Hokkaido,
Pacific coast of Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Chiba
prefecture, Kujukuri, & Sotoboare and Izu islands.
● Same day at 20:30 CET (04:30 JST), a nuclear emergency situation at the
Fukushima Daiichi (number one) nuclear power plant was declared.
● Three reactors automatically began the process to be shut down. The back-up
diesel generators for supplying the water to cool down the fuel rods were
damaged. The water available began to evaporate and at 15:30 JST on March 12 a
first hydrogen explosion took place at the number one reactor
● This led the Japanese government to evacuate people within a 20 km radius
around the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.
● On March 14 at 11:01 JST, another explosion took place in reactor number 3. At
06:14 JST on March 15, another explosion took place in the number 2 reactor.
● A fire broke out in the number 4 reactor where spent fuel rods were stored to
undergo their cooling process, soon after the fire was extinguished.
● These incidents led to further increase of emission of radiation with levels up to
400 millisievert per hour near the site. (A person is normally not to be exposed to
more than 2.4 millisivert per year!)
● Subsequently, the Japanese Government established a 30km radius “No Fly Zone”
around the Fukhushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
● On March 17, the helicopters’ water spraying supported by further units of the
Self Defense Force (SDF) shot water from the ground, using heavy water cannon
trucks, into the most troubled number 3 reactor which continued the following
days.
● Meanwhile new power cables were installed to provide the reactors number 1 and
2 with energy to start-up again the cooling mechanisms.
● Increased radiation levels were reported in spinach, milk and tap water outside
the demarcated 30km evacuation zone. Farmers were advised to voluntarily
avoid distributing contaminated food into the markets
13. Road accidents

It involves high human suffering and monetary costs in terms of premature deaths,
injuries, loss of productivity etc. Most deaths and injuries due to road accidents are
invisible to society. They are a hidden epidemic.
Global Status Report on Road Safety (WHO, 2009) has estimated that 1.2 million people
die on the world’s road every year, and as many as 50 million others are injured.
Over 90% of deaths occurred in low income and middle income countries, which have
only 48% of the world’s registered vehicles. The problem of road safety is acute in India.
In the year 2008 alone, number of road accidents were 4.8 lakh resulting in close to 1.2
lakh deaths and 5.2 lakh injured, many of whom are disabled for rest of their lives. Sadly,
many of these victims are economically active young people.
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka which had a share of around 30.4 % in total
number of vehicles registered in India in 2006, accounted for about 38% of the total road
accidents , 28 % of the total number of persons killed and 35% of the total persons
injured in road accidents in year 2008
14. Rail accidents

Based on the definition of the Disaster

Management Act 2005, Ministry of
Railways has adopted the following
definition on Railway Disaster:
“Railway Disaster is a serious train
accident or an untoward event of grave
nature, either on railway premises or
arising out of railway activity, due to
natural or human-made causes, that
may lead to loss of many lives and /or
grievous injuries to a large number of
people, and/or severe disruption of
traffic etc, necessitating large scale help
from other
government/non-government and
private organizations.”

15. Air accidents

● Air accidents are by and large of four types; mid-air collisions, forced
landings, crash due to technical snags and air-crash in mountainous
terrain due to poor visibility
● areas within about 30 – 40 kms. radius of airports are most vulnerable
● Experience shows that a majority of air accidents occur either during
take-off or landing near major airports
16. Epidemics
● An increase, often sudden, in number of cases of a disease in a community
clearly in excess of what is normally expected in that population.
● Epidemics are public health emergencies which disrupt routine health
services and are major drain on resources.
● Epidemics include viral infections disease (mengitis, measles, dengue, polio,
typhoid fever etc.) and Bacterial infectious diseases (cholera, diarrheoa etc.)
● Several factors related to microbes, environment and host susceptibility
contribute to the occurrence of epidemics
● The main causes for epidemic are non availability of clean and hygienic
drinking water contamination of drinking water sources, lack of awareness
about sanitation, unhygienic food, overcrowding, biological conditions in
addition to ecological factors.
● Besides direct costs in epidemic control measures and treatment of patients,
the indirect costs due to negative impact on domestic and international
tourism and trade can be significant.
Epidemics…
Many infectious diseases like tuberculosis and malaria are endemic, but some of
them occasionally attain epidemic proportion.
Epidemics are an unexpected, often sudden, increase of a specific illness within a
community or region.
Pandemics are when an epidemic occurs worldwide, crossing international
borders and affecting a large number of people.
Endemic : The amount of a particular disease that is usually present in a
community. It's also called a baseline.

Examples of pandemic:
Influenza in 1918-1919, also known as Spanish influenza, is an example of a very
deadly pandemic in recent history. It is estimated to have killed between 20-50
million people.
Other, more recent examples, include the 2009 H1N1 influenza and COVID-19
2019-present.
 Covid-19 Surveillance system
1. Sero-surveillance: A useful tool to assess exposure to the virus (and /or to
vaccination).
2. Sewage / Wastewater Surveillance: Several studies have demonstrated that
increases in SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in environmental samples
several days before detection of COVID-19 through clinical surveillance.
3. Whole Genomic Surveillance: A proportion of international arrivals,
Identified sentinel sites, Positive samples from large clusters
4. Community-based Surveillance: Event-based surveillance through media
scanning
5. Sentinel Surveillance: Health facility based surveillance, Labs testing for
COVID-19 should upload their data on ICMR portal
6. Surveillance of Incoming International Travelers: Randomly screen 2% of
passengers in each incoming flight, Subject all positive specimens to
genomic sequencing

https://ndma.gov.in/sites/default/files/PDF/covid/COVID-19-Indian-Experience.pdf
https://ndma.gov.in/sites/default/files/PDF/covid/COVID-19-Indian-Experience.pdf
*Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG)

17.
Forest fire
https://fsi.nic.in/uploads/documents/technical_inform
ation_series_vol1_no1.pdf
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969720318441
 More information about managing and mitigating forest fire can be found in

1. Global best practices

https://ndma.gov.in/sites/default/files/PDF/Reports/BestPracticesForestFire_fin
al.pdf

2. Forest fire management in India

https://ndma.gov.in/sites/default/files/PDF/Reports/Forest_Fire_Proceedings.pdf

Hazard profile of India

1. Droughts 11. Stampede

2. Floods 12. Nuclear emergency
3. Tropical cyclones 13. Road accidents
4. Heat waves 14. Rail accidents
5. Cold waves 15. Air accidents
6. Thunder storms, dust storms, 16. Epidemics
hail storms 17. Forest fire
7. Earthquakes 18.
8. Landslides 19.
9. Industrial and chemical
disasters
10. Tsunami
 Disaster management
act and policies

Major Disasters in Independent India in 20th Century

Odissa State Disaster

Mitigation Authority: 1999

Gujarath State Disaster

Mnagement Authority:
2001
 Disaster
management
act-2005

https://ndma.gov.in/sites/default/files/PDF/DM_act2005.pdf

Disaster Management Act- 2005

● Enacted on 23rd December 2005. Came into the statue book on 26th
December 2005 by a Gazette notification.
● Empowers the setting up of an effective disaster management system that
extends across the country
● Lays down the institutional, legal, financial and coordination mechanism at
the National, State, district and Local levels. These institutions are not
parallel structures and will work in close harmony
● Usher in a paradigm shift in disaster management from relief-centric
approach to a proactive regime with focus on preparedness, prevention and
mitigation.
● It encompasses the entire scope of disaster management activity. ie.,
prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, relief and rehabilitation with
adequate financial and administrative powers.
● Creation of the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) with the
mandate of undertaking training and capacity building, develop training
modules on various aspects of disaster management, provide assistance in
national level policy formulation and provide assistance to state government
and state training institutions
Act 2005….

It envisages the formation of the following authorities

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) at the national level:

Chaired by the Prime Minister. NDMA is responsible for laying down the national
policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management

The State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA) at the state level: SDMA is
responsible for formulating policies and plans for disaster management in the
states

District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMA): Responsible for coordinating,

and establishing systems for disaster management at the district level in
accordance with the guidelines laid down by the national and state authorities.

Act 2005…

The act also provides guidelines for the creation of

● the creation of National Disaster response Fund (NDRF),

● the creation of National Mitigation Fund (NMF) and
● Establishment of funds by the State Government and
● Allocation of funds by ministries and departments for emergency procurement
Objectives / Roles / Responsibilities of NDMA
Functions of the National Executive Committee
● Act as the coordinating and monitoring body for disaster management
● Prepare the National plan to be approved by the National Authority, and
monitor the implementation of the same
● Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the National Policy
● Lay down guidelines for preparing disaster management plans by different
ministries or departments of the Government of India and the State
Authorities and provide the necessary technical assistance
● Monitor, coordinate and give directions regarding the mitigation and
preparedness measures to be taken by different ministries or Departments
and agencies of the Government
● Promote general education and awareness, Plan and coordinate specialised
training programme for disaster management for different levels of officers
and volunteers.
● Evaluate the preparedness at all government levels for the purpose of
responding to any threatening disaster situation Lay down guidelines
● Require any department of the Government to make available to the
National Authority or State Authorities such men and material resources as
are available with it for the purpose of emergency response, rescue and
relief

The National Plan

The National Plan shall be prepared by the National Executive Committee

It shall include
● Measures to be taken for the prevention of disaster or the mitigation of
their effects
● Measure to be taken for the integration of mitigation measures in the
development plans
● Measures to be taken for preparedness and capacity building to
effectively respond to any threatening disaster situation or disaster
● Role and responsibilities of different ministries or departments of the
Govt. India in respect to the above measures
Roles of the district disaster authority
Roles and responsibilities of NIDM
● Develop training modules, undertake research and documentation in disaster
management and organise training programmes
● Formulate and implement a comprehensive human resource development plan
covering all aspects of disaster management
● Provide assistance in national level policy formulation
● Provide required assistance to the training and research institutions for
development of training and research programmes for stakeholders including
Govt. functionaries and undertake training of faculty members of the state level
training institutes
● Provide assistance to the state governments and state training institutes in the
formulation of state level policies
● Develop educational material for disaster management
● Promote awareness among stakeholders including college or school teachers,
students, technical personnels etc
● Undertake, organise and facilitate study courses, conferences etc within and
outside the country
● Undertake and provide for publication of journals , research papers and books

National Disaster Response Force

NDRF
● For the purpose of specialized response to a threatening disaster situation or
disasters/emergencies both natural and man-made, the DM Act has
mandated the constitution of a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
● The general superintendence, direction and control of this force is by the
NDMA and the command and supervision of the Force is with an officer to be
appointed by the Central Government as the Director General of the NDRF.
● Presently, the NDRF comprises 18 battalions, positioned at different
locations as may be required. NDRF units will maintain close liaison with the
designated State Governments and will be available to them in the event of
any serious threatening disaster situation.
● Training centers will be set up by respective paramilitary forces to train
personnel from NDRF battalions of respective Forces and will also meet the
training requirements of State/UT Disaster Response Forces.
● The NDRF units will also impart basic training to all the stakeholders
identified by the State Governments in their respective locations. Further, a
National Academy will be set up to provide training for trainers in disaster
management and to meet related National and International commitments.

National DIsaster Response Fund

 Funds…

The act also envisages the formation of

● National Disaster Mitigation Fund for disaster mitigation activities

● State Disaster Response Fund and State Disaster Mitigation Fund
● District Disaster Response Fund and District Disaster Mitigation Fund

Allocation and release of funds from SDRF and NDRF during 2020-23

https://ndmindia.mha.gov.in/images/SDRF-NDRF%20%20Status%20-%2011-01-2023.pdf
Act…

It also includes funds for Fund allocation for

● Relief measures (temporary ● Recovery and reconstruction
accommodation, food,
● Housing (Fully / partially
emergency supply etc.)
● Clearance of affected areas of damaged)
debris, flood water etc. ● Infrastructure
● Agriculture (Assistance to small ● Water supply, irrigation
and marginal farmers, assistance structures, power
for lad loss, assistance for crop
● Public amenities
loss, )
● Animal husbandry (Assistance
for the loss of milch animals,
draught animals or animals used
for haulage etc., Provision for
fodder )
● Fisheries
● Handicrafts
● Locust control

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DRF%20and%20NDRF%20dtd%2010%20Oct%202022.pdf
Disaster Management Act, 2005 …..

It envisages a paradigm shift, from the erstwhile relief-centric response

to a proactive prevention, mitigation and preparedness-driven
approach for conserving developmental gains and to minimise loss of
life, livelihood and property
 National policy on
disaster
management- 2009

https://nidm.gov.in/PDF/policies/nd
m_policy2009.pdf

National policy on disaster management (NPDM)

The NPDM is a framework of guidelines, roles, responsibilities and rules to manage

disaster in INDIA. NPDM is an institutional mechanism for centre, state and districts to
manage disaster effectively.
It was approved by union cabinet in 2009.

VISION

To build a safe and disaster resilient India by

developing a holistic, proactive, multi-disaster oriented and technology
driven strategy
through a culture of prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response.
 NPDM
According to the policy,

Typical DM continuum
comprises six elements;

the pre-disaster phase includes

prevention, mitigation and
preparedness,

while the post-disaster phase

includes response,
rehabilitation, reconstruction
and recovery.

A legal and institutional

framework binds all these
elements together

Objectives of the NPDM

● Promoting a culture of prevention, preparedness and resilience at all levels
through knowledge, innovation and education
● Encouraging mitigation measures based on technology, traditional wisdom and
environmental sustainability
● Mainstreaming disaster management into the developmental planning process
● Establishing institutional and technolegal frameworks to create an enabling
regulatory environment and a compliance regime
● Ensuring efficient mechanism for identification, assessment and monitoring of
disaster risks
● Developing contemporary forecasting and early warning systems backed by
responsive and fail-safe communication with information technology support
● Ensuring efficient response and relief with a caring approach towards the needs
of the vulnerable sections of the society
● Undertaking reconstruction as an opportunity to build disaster resilient
structures and habitat for ensuring safer living
● Promoting a productive and proactive partnership with the media for disaster
management.
NPDM

Proposes a paradigm shift from disaster relief-centric response to a

proactive prevention, mitigation and preparedness-driven approach
The following are the content, each deals with approach and other
methodology to be followed

1. Disaster management Act 2005, 6. Relief and rehabilitation

Institutional and legal 7. Reconstruction and recovery
arrangement 8. Capacity development
2. Finance arrangements 9. Knowledge management
3. Disaster prevention, 10. Research and development
preparedness, mitigation 11. Road ahead
4. Techno-legal regime
5. Response

Institutional framework under the Act

Stakeholders in disaster
management
 Roles and responsibilities
Central Government
● The Central Government will take all such measures for the purpose of DM and
will coordinate actions of all agencies.
● The Central Ministries and Departments will take into consideration the
recommendations of the State Government Departments while deciding upon the
various pre-disaster requirements and measures for prevention and mitigation
● It will ensure that the Central Ministries and Departments integrate measures for
the prevention and mitigation of disasters into their developmental plans and
projects, make appropriate fund allocation for pre-disaster requirements and take
necessary measures for preparedness and response.
● It will have the power to issue directions to NEC, State Governments/SDMAs,
SECs or any of their officers or employees, to facilitate or assist in DM, and these
bodies and officials shall be bound to comply with such directions.
● ..

Roles and responsibilities

Central Government….
● The Central Government will extend cooperation and assistance to the State
Governments.
● It will take measures for the deployment of the Armed Forces for disaster
management.
● The Central Government will also facilitate coordination with the UN Agencies,
International Organisations and Governments of Foreign Countries in the field of
disaster management. The Ministry of External Affairs in coordination with the
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will facilitate external coordination/cooperation.
Roles…

Central ministries
● As disaster management is a multidisciplinary process, all Central
Ministries and Departments will have a key role in the field of disaster
management.
● The nodal Ministries and Departments of the GoI (i.e., the Ministries of
Agriculture, Atomic Energy, Civil Aviation, Earth Sciences, Environment &
Forests, Home Affairs, Health, Mines, Railways, Space, Water Resources
etc.) will continue to address specific disasters as assigned to them.
● The Ministry of Home Affairs is the Nodal Ministry at the center for
coordinating disaster management activities for all natural hazards except
drought which is taken care by Ministry of Agriculture under the
Department of Agriculture and Cooperation.
● Other Ministries are assigned the responsibility of providing emergency
support in case of disasters that fall within their preview

roles…

State Governments
● The primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the
States.
● The Act mandates the State Governments to take measures for
preparation of Disaster Management Plans, integration of measures
for prevention of disasters or mitigation into development plans,
● allocation of funds, establishment of early warning systems, and to
assist the Central Government and other agencies in various aspects
of Disaster Management.
roles…

District administration
At the District level, DDMAs will act as the District planning, coordinating
and implementing body for disaster management and
will take all measures for the purposes of disaster management in the
District in accordance with the guidelines laid down by NDMA and SDMA.
 Roles and responsibilities of the communities

community disaster team

community action (Volunteers) to
● Meet and discuss about the disaster
● Warning people of danger
● Conduct visits to those sites
● Search and rescue operations
exposed to risk
● Supplying food to the victims
● Clearly identify risks and locate them
● Setting up temporary shelters
on a risk map
● Flood mitigation structure
● Strengthening adequate shelters,
constructions
identify the shelter places
● Safety disposal of hazardous
● Planning evacuation routes in the
materials
event of fire
● Drills and mock exercises
● Make up of emergency service
● Performing first aid
workers, local government leaders
● Transporting sick and injured to the
and other members of the society
hospital
● List the resources available to the
● Reporting critical information
community in case of disaster
● Propose actions and carry out efforts
to reduce the risk
● Risk assessment

Role of citizens
What can be done in advance What should be done after the disaster

● Be aware of the disaster plan and ● Volunteer to help with disaster

whom to turn to in an emergency preparedness and relief
● Pay attention to emergency warning ● Stay positive, cooperative and peaceful
● Be responsible for their own ● Use their skills for response operations
preparation and carry on if possible ● Stay informed, cooperate with agencies
● Make sure that they have extra and comply with directions
supplies in case of disaster (food, ● Report injuries, looting etc
water, candles, blakent, first aid…) ● Organize, determine the needs and
● Learn how to use a fire extinguisher, communicate the same to NOGs and
check them every year government
● Learn and continue to update skills in ● Raise funds to help the needy people
CPR and first aid
● Pay taxes to fund sevices, donate
bood…
● Participate in public sensitization
campaign and education programs
● Avoid living in high-risk zones
 Role of NGOs

Coordination for disaster response, rescue, and Advantages of NGOs

mitigation activities
They have more flexibility in working and hence
Provide support like health, education, water they better able to respond and adapt quickly
supply and sanitation, shelter and and easily
infrastructure
They often work with the poorest and the most
Operate at grassroot level with communities vulnerable
and local oraganizations as partners

Take participatory approach to development

planning

They can help the Government in identifying

and reaching out to real victims and needy
people

Role of media

● Educational : educate Other areas

people about the hazard, ● Early warning to the people: media can provide an early
prevention, self-help. warning to people likely to be affected and the Do’s and
● Guiding: Guiding people Don’ts during a disaster
in preparation of resource ● Watchdog on the disaster machinery: Especially during
maps and contingency the rehabilitation, media can watch the time delay of the
plan relief machinery working
● Appeal to the people: Appeal to people to come forward to
● Critical : evaluate and
render help in various ways
critically review the ● Prevent rumours and panic management: media can
existing emergency plan monitor any spread of rumours and can relay correct
● Suggestive: Long term information , can help to establish contacts, and to identify
suggestions on structured the needy spots
measure like legislation ● Law and order controlling situation: Media can keep a
watch on anti-social elements
enactment, adoption of
● Resource mobilization: Media can convince people for
code of conduct etc. larger participation highlighting the contributions and
mechanisms for donations
● Use of established communication network: mass media
can be used to communicate with the communities
Role of social media

● Disseminate information and receive user feedback

● Use social media more systematically as an emergency management tool

Summary

Disaster Management Act National Policy on Disaster

Management
Salient features
Stakeholders
Organizational structure for
disaster management in India Roles & responsibilities
Roles and responsibilities
 Organisational structure for
disaster management in
India

Institutional framework under the Act

Committee for disaster management at national level

National Crisis Management Committee National Executive Committee (NEC)

(NCMC)

Consists of representatives from NEC is under the Union Home

ministries related to agriculture, Secretary
defence, finance, power, information
Coordinates the responses in the event
and broadcasting, environment and
of any threatening disaster situation or
forest etc.
disaster
The operations are coordinated by the
Give directions to the central
cabinet secretary
ministries and the state authorities
It gives necessary directions to NEC regarding the measures to be taken in
and other ministries case of any disaster

Committee for disaster management at state level

State Crisis Management Committee State Executive Committee (SEC)

(SCMC)

Consists of relief commissioner /

Respond to any disasters and provide
secretary, dept. Revenues, Collector /
relief to the affected people
Dt. Magistrate,
Coordinate the response of various
agencies

Take necessary steps to pool

resources

Requisition of NDRF
 Committee for disaster management at district level

District disaster management authority District Executive Committee (SEC)

(DDMA)
On receipt of warning from the
Commander: Administrative head of
agencies involved in disaster
the district
management, DEC need to set up the
All the central and state agencies in the District Emergency Operation Centre.
district are involved in DDMA
The lower administrative units of DEC shall issue allert to all designated
districts viz., office of the sub-divisional authorities at the district level
magistrate, Block Development officer,
Tehsildar coordinate the functioning of DEC shall send report to SEC, NEC and
various departments in their MHA on a daily basis until the situation
jurisdiction normalizes

DEC shall maintain all records and

documents related to the relief and
responses

Integrated operation centre

Integrated operation centre (IOC) has been set up in MHA to handle disaster
situation.

IOC is responsible for initiating incident alert message, when the disaster is
likely to occur or when it has actually taken place
 The National Disaster Management Authority (NMDA)

Headed by the Prime Minister of India NDMA has 5 major divisions:

Apex body for Disaster Management in India 1. Policy and plans
Setting up of NDMA was mandated by the 2. Mitigation
Disaster Management Act, 2005 3. Operations and
communication
Mandated to lay down policies, plans and
4. Capacity building
guidelines for Disaster Management
5. Administration and finance

NDMA
Vision: "To build a safer and disaster resilient India by a holistic, proactive,
technology driven and sustainable development strategy that involves all
stakeholders and fosters a culture of prevention, preparedness and mitigation.

Functions and Responsibilities ● Coordinate the enforcement and

● Lay down policies on disaster implementation of the policy and plans for
management and approve the National disaster management.
Plan, and plans prepared by the ● Recommend provision of funds for the
Departments of the Government of India purpose of mitigation.
in accordance with the National Plan. ● Provide such support to other countries
● Set guidelines to be followed by the State affected by major disasters as may be
Authorities in drawing up the State Plan. determined by the Central Government.
● Lay down guidelines to be followed by the ● Take other measures for the prevention of
different Ministries or Departments for disaster, or the mitigation, or
integrating the measures for prevention preparedness and capacity building for
of disaster or the mitigation of its effects dealing with disasters
in their development plans and projects. ● Lay down broad policies and guidelines
for the functioning of the National
Institute of Disaster Management.
 Divisions of NDMA :
1.Policy & plans
Policy & Plans Division deals with all matters pertaining to formulation of
policies and guidelines as well as approval of plans of all Central Ministries and
Departments.

Public Relation & Awareness Generation Division deals with all matters in
which NDMA takes the lead in preparing the community and sensitizing all
stakeholders, Ministries,

Divisions of NDMA :
2.Mitigation

Ongoing projects
Aim:
●Project on deployment of Mobile Radiation Detection
● To conserve Systems(MRDS) to handle Radiological Hazards in
Metros/Capital Cities/Big Cities in India:-
developmental gains
●Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme (LRMS)
● Minimize losses to lives,
livelihood and property ●Flood Risk Mitigation Scheme (FRMS)
● Prevention and ●Pilot Projects for development of model Multi-Purpose
Flood Shelters
mitigation
●Development of River Basin specific Flood Early Warning
● Contribute to lasting
System and Digital Elevation Maps for preparation of
improvement in safety. Inundation Models for giving early warning to the
villagers for evacuation in case of flood.
●Core Group for Preparation of Guidelines to avert Boat
Tragedies in India
●National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Project (Preparatory
Phase)
 Divisions of NDMA :
3.Operations and Communication Division
Operations Sub- Division
● Headed by Joint Advisor (Operations) who is assisted by one Assistant Advisor
(Operations) and two Duty Officers (Operations) along with support staff.
● Ensures situational awareness at NDMA and a continuous flow of latest
updated information to enable NDMA to be prepared to render timely advice
to the Government of India on disaster situations at all times.
Communication & IT Sub Division
● Headed by Joint Advisor (Comn & IT) who is assisted by Assistant Advisor (IT)
and Assistant Advisor (Comn) along with support staff. The Comn & IT
sub-division is responsible for provisioning of State-of-the-art
multi-redundancy communication, IT Support and Knowledge Management.

Responsibilities of Operations Sub-Division Responsibilities of Comn & IT Sub-Division

● To monitor disasters at National and ● Formulation and implementation of National

International level on near real time basis. Disaster Communication Network (renamed
● Coordination with Early Warning Agencies as NDMS)
like IMD, CWC, INCOIS and DGRE for disaster ● Interaction and coordination with Central,
specific information. State Government, related Departments and
● To facilitate the deployment of NDRF and Early Warning Agencies on Communication
other Central Resources in the States/UTs and IT Matters.
during disasters. ● Advice NDRF on matters related to
● To work in close coordination with NEC, Communication and IT.
NDRF and State Governments. ● Interaction and liaison with TSPs for hiring of
● To assist in movement of relief material by media, facilities and circuit including dynamic
multiple agencies during response phase of reengineering during disaster contingencies.
disasters. ● Technical training on operation and
● To carry out coordination of support to other maintenance of Communication and IT
countries affected by major disasters as may Systems.
be determined by the Central Government. ● Spectrum and frequency management related
● Additional Responsibilities: to disaster management.
○ Coordination and conduct of state level / ● Additional Responsibility
multistate level mock exercises for ○ Maintenance of NDMA Website and DM
various types of disasters in order to Awards Portal.
inculcate culture of preparedness and to ○ Maintenance of Communication and IT
generate awareness. System at NDMA
○ Capacity Building in States/UTs on
Incident Response System.
○ Capacity Building of first responders.
Divisions of NDMA :
4. Capacity building
An ongoing process that equips officials, stakeholders and the community to
perform their functions in a better manner during a crisis/disaster
Include elements of human resource development, i.e., individual training,
organizational development such as improving the functioning of groups and
organizations and institutional development.

At the national level, The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) is

the capacity building arm

In the state, Administrative Training Institutes performs the function of capacity

building for effective and efficient disaster management.
Divisions of NDMA :
5. Finance
The Finance and Accounts Division deals with the work relating to maintenance of
accounts, preparation of budget, financial scrutiny of proposals, etc.
Details of its functions and responsibilities are:
● Advise NDMA on all matters falling within the field of delegated powers.
● Associate closely with the formulation of schemes and important expenditure
proposals from their initial stages.
● To watch settlement of audit objections, inspection reports, draft audit
paragraphs etc.
● To ensure prompt action on Audit Reports, Reports of Public Accounts
Committee (PAC) and Estimates Committee.
● To ensure timely submission of periodical reports and returns.
● Preparation and monitoring of budget of NDMA.

Financial mechanism and activities

Disaster Response Fund at the Central Govt. is the Financial mechanism for the
entire Disaster Management Organization

Funded by the central government

It can also receive grants from persons and institutions

● Central government department and organization (National, State, District
response and mitigation fund)
● Non-governmental organizations

International assistance can be obtained from

● Foreign governments or their departments
● UN and its organizations
● International red cross society, World vision etc
● International funding agencies like World bank, Asian Development Bank
● International technical agencies like World Meteorological Organization
 https://dea.gov.in/

Disaster front

Disasters happen at community level. They may affect several

communities at one and the same time. These communities constitute
what might be called the “disaster front.”
An important note: The disaster management organization does not duplicate
normal government organization.

● It does not act independently of government.

● It does not control other government departments.
● It does not act outside the charter or terms of reference given to it by
government, except perhaps in cases of extreme urgency.
● It would normally comprise senior government officials and representatives of
NGOs (because these people best understand and are responsible for the availability and
utilization of resources in their respective spheres. They also understand the
management factors and systems which apply within these two spheres.)
● It adapts existing resources for disaster purposes.
○ The system utilizes the existing government structure; from a national level down to local
government and community level. (This government structure is, permanent. It therefore makes
sense to utilize it for all disaster- related purposes.)
● Non- government resources can be easily coordinated into the system.
● Any disaster management organization must cater to appropriate community
involvement and participation.

Disaster management system- A dynamic entity

A disaster management organizational system is essentially a dynamic entity.

This requires a range of specialist facilities and systems, usually needed to cover
things such as

(i) Direction and coordination of disaster-related action

(ii) Emergency operations center activities

(iii) Alerting and activating the disaster management system, as and when
required

(iv) Communications

(v) Warning

(vi) Survey and assessment

(vii) Information management; and

(viii) Emergency logistics