Meaning & Importance
- Definition: Systematic approach to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
- Relevance: India is highly disaster-prone due to geography, population density, and socio-economic vulnerabilities.
Disaster Management Phases
- Pre-Disaster Phase
- Prevention: Avoiding occurrence (e.g., embankments to prevent floods).
- Mitigation: Reducing impact (e.g., earthquake-resistant buildings).
- Preparedness: Capacity building for effective response (e.g., mock drills, awareness campaigns).
- During Disaster Phase
- Emergency response: search and rescue, relief, shelter, law & order, funding.
- Post-Disaster Phase
- Recovery: Restoration of basic services.
- Rehabilitation: Temporary facilities and utilities.
- Reconstruction: Building back better with improved infrastructure.
Legal and Policy Framework
- Disaster Management Act, 2005
- Created NDMA (headed by PM), SDMAs (headed by CMs), and DDMAs (district level).
- Established NDRF, NEC (chaired by Home Secretary), and SECs at state level.
- National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM) 2009
- Shift from relief-centric to prevention, preparedness, and mitigation.
- Emphasizes equity, inclusion, and multi-hazard approach.
- National Disaster Management Plan 2018
- Integrated all phases of disaster cycle; aligned with Sendai Framework.
- PM’s 10-Point Agenda (2016)
- Community participation, use of technology, risk-sensitive development, etc.
Institutional Framework
- NDMA: Apex body, formulates policies, chaired by PM.
- SDMA: State-level, chaired by CM.
- DDMA: District-level, chaired by DM.
- NDRF & SDRF: Specialized response forces.
- Civil Defence: Amended 2010 for disaster response integration.
Challenges
- Lack of Resilient Infrastructure: Need integration of indigenous techniques (e.g., Koti Banal architecture).
- Poor Coordination: Among NDMA, SDMA, DDMA, SEC, NEC.
- Weak Early Warning Systems: Especially for non-cyclonic hazards.
- Limited Role of Local Bodies: Capacity & awareness gaps.
- Under-utilized Private Sector & CSR: Low engagement in DRR.
- Neglect of Unnatural Disasters: Eg. chemical spills, biological attacks.
- Governance Gaps: Weak accountability, resource constraints, lack of DRR integration into development.
Way Forward
- Resilient Infrastructure: Integrate indigenous & modern tech.
- Capacity Building: At all levels with SOPs.
- Stronger Early Warning Systems.
- Multi-stakeholder Participation: Local bodies, NGOs, private sector.
- Mainstreaming DRR: In planning and development.
- Gender Sensitivity & Equity in DRR planning.
- Strengthening International Cooperation.