The Indian subcontinent is among the world’s most disaster prone areas. Almost 57% of the land is vulnerable to earthquake (high seismic zones lll-V), 68% to drought, 8% to cyclones and 12% to floods.

Disaster management in India has evolved from an activity-based setup to an institutionalized structure; from single faculty domain to a multi-stakeholder setup; and from a relief-based approach to a ‘multi-dimensional approach for reducing risk’

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Institutional framework for disaster management in India:

The institutional structure for disaster management in India is hierarchical and functions at four levels – Centre, State, District and Local. The structure draws involvement of various relevant ministries, government departments and administrative bodies.

 National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):

• The Disaster Management ACT, 2005 provides for setting up of a National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with the Prime Minister as Chairperson.
• NDMA is to be assisted by a National Executive Committee which comprises of Secretaries to the Government of India heading various Ministries or Departments having administrative control over Agriculture, Atomic Energy, Defence, drinking water supply, environment and forests, finance, health, power, rural development, science and technology, space, telecommunication, urban development and water resources.

State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA):

• The Disaster Management Act 2005 also provides for setting up of Stage Disaster Management Authorities under the Chairpersonship of the Chief Minister.
• State Authority is to be assisted by a State Executive Committee under the Chairpersonship of the Chief Secretary of the State.

District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA):

• The structure of disaster management institutions goes down to the district level where the responsibility is given to DDMA which is headed by the Collector/ District Magistrate with elected representative of the local authority as co-chairperson.
• DDMA will act as the planning, coordinating and implementing body for disaster management at the district

Local Authority:

• For the purpose of disaster management, local authorities would include Panchayati Raj institutions and those agencies which control and manage civic services.
• These bodies are required to ensure capacity building of their employees for managing disasters and carrying out relief and reconstruction activities in the affected areas.

National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM):

• The institute was formed as National Centre for Disaster Management (NCDM) in 1995 but was re-designated as National Institute of Disaster Management in 2005 after the enacting of the Disaster Management Act.
• The institute is headed by the Union Home Minister and Vice-Chairman, NDMA also acts as the Vice-President of the Institute.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF):

• NDRF was constituted in 2006 with 8 battalions drawn from the paramilitary forces.
• Presently it has strength of 10 battalions. General superintendence of the force vests in NDMA and the force is headed by the Director General of NDRF and Civil Defence.
• These battalions are positioned at different locations to provide timely response to disaster situations and are available to State Governments at the time of need.

Integrated Data Resource Network (IDRN):

• Integrated Data Resource Network is a database in the electronic form maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The data enlists inventory of equipment and human resources relevant to disaster management.

National Disaster Management Authority:

The Government of India (GOI), in recognition of the importance of Disaster Management as a national priority, has set up a High-Powered Committee (HPC) in August 1999 and also a nation committee after the Gujarat earthquake, for making recommendations on the preparation of Disaster Management plans and suggestion effective mitigation mechanisms.

NDMA Vision:

“To build a safer and disaster resilient India by a holistic, pro-active, technology driven and sustainable development strategy that involves all stakeholders and fosters a culture of prevention, preparedness and mitigation.”

Functions and Responsibilities:

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.

Conclusion:

International agencies also play a role in disaster management. UNDP along with NDMA took up Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Urban Risk Reduction programmes. World Bank is associated with National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) being taken up in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. Red Cross Society also provides valuable support during relief operations.