Module 4- Disaster Risk Management

Disaster Management Cycle

The traditional approach to disaster management has been to regard it as a number of phased
sequences of action or a continuum. These can be represented as a disaster management cycle. The
basic disaster management cycle convex of six main activities.

Key Phases of Disaster Management

There are three key phases of activity within disaster management:
1. Pre – Disaster: Before a disaster to reduce the potential for human, material or
environmental losses caused by hazards and to ensure that these losses are minimized
when the disaster actually strikes.
2. During Disaster: It is to ensure that the needs and provisions of victims are met to
alleviate and minimize suffering.
3. Post Disaster: After a disaster to achieve rapid and durable recovery which does not
reproduce the original vulnerable conditions
P re – Disaster Phase

Prevention and Mitigation

 Reducing the risk of disasters involves activities, which either reduce or modify the scale
and intensity of the threat faced or by improving the conditions of elements at risk.
 Although the term “prevention” is often used to embrace the wide diversity of measures to
protect persons and property its use is not recommended since it is misleading in its
implicit suggestion that natural disasters are preventable. The use of the term reduction to
describe protective or preventive actions that lessen the scale of impact is therefore
preferred. Mitigation embraces all measures taken to reduce both the effects of the hazard
itself and the vulnerable conditions to it in order to reduce the scale of a future disaster.
 In addition to these physical measures, mitigation should also be aimed at reducing the
physical, economic and social vulnerability to threats and the underlying causes for this
vulnerability. Therefore, mitigation may incorporate addressing issues such as land
ownership, tenancy rights, wealth distribution, implementation of earthquake resistant
building codes, etc.

Preparedness
 This brings us to the all-important issue of disaster preparedness. The process embraces
measures that enables governments, communities and individuals to respond rapidly to
disaster situations to cope with them effectively.
 Preparedness includes for example, the formulation of viable emergency plans, the
development of warning systems, the maintenance of inventories, public awareness and
education and the training of personnel.
 It may also embrace search and rescue measures as well as evacuation plans for areas that
may be „at risk‟ from a recurring disaster. All preparedness planning needs to be
supported by appropriate rules and regulations with clear allocation of responsibilities and
budgetary provision.

Early Warning
This is the process of monitoring the situation in communities or areas known to be vulnerable to
slow onset hazards, and passing the knowledge of the pending hazard to people in harm’s way. To
be effective, warnings must be related to mass education and training of the population who know
what actions they must take when warned.
The Disaster impact
This refers to the “real-time event of a hazard occurring and affecting elements at risk. The
duration of the event will depend on the type of threat; ground shaking may only occur in a matter
of seconds during an earthquake while flooding may take place over a longer sustained period.

D uring disaster Phase

Response
 This refers to the first stage response to any calamity, which include for examples such as
setting up control rooms, putting the contingency plan in action, issue warning, action for
evacuation, taking people to safer areas, rendering medical aid to the needy etc.,
simultaneously rendering relief to the homeless, food, drinking water, clothing etc. to the
needy, restoration of communication, disbursement of assistance in cash or kind.
 The emergency relief activities undertaken during and immediately following a disaster,
which includes immediate relief, rescue, and the damage needs assessment and debris
clearance.

T he Post- disaster Phase

Recovery: Recovery is used to describe the activities that encompass the three overlapping phases
of emergency relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation includes the provision of temporary public utilities and housing as
interim measures to assist long-term recovery.

Reconstruction: Reconstruction attempts to return communities to improved pre-disaster

functioning. It includes such as the replacement of buildings; infrastructure and lifeline facilities
so that long-term development prospects are enhanced rather than reproducing the same
conditions, which made an area or population vulnerable in the first place.

Development: In an evolving economy, the development process is an ongoing activity. Long-

term prevention/disaster reduction measures for examples like construction of embankments
against flooding, irrigation facilities as drought proofing measures, increasing plant cover to
reduce the occurrences of landslides, land use planning, construction of houses capable of
withstanding the onslaught of heavy rain/wind speed and shocks of earthquakes are some of the
activities that can be taken up as part of the development plan.
Disaster Relief

"The provision of emergency services and public assistance during or immediately after a disaster in
order to save lives, reduce health impacts, ensure public safety and meet the basic subsistence needs of
the people affected"

Focused predominantly on immediate and short-term needs the division between this response/relief
stage and the subsequent recovery stage is not clear-cut. Some response actions, such as the supply of
temporary housing and water supplies, may extend well into the recovery stage. Rescue from immediate
danger and stabilization of the physical and emotional condition of survivors is the primary aims of
disaster response/relief, which go hand in hand with the recovery of the dead and the restoration of
essential services such as water and power.

Coordinated multi-agency response is vital to this stage of Disaster Management in order to reduce the
impact of a disaster and its long-term results with relief activities including.

 Rescue
 Relocation
 Provision Food and Water
 Provision Emergency Health Care
 Prevention of Disease and Disability
 Repairing Vital Services e.g. Telecommunications, Transport
 Provision Temporary Shelter.

Disaster Recovery:

Vulnerability of communities often continues for long after the initial crisis is over. Disaster Recovery
refers to those programmes which go beyond the provision of immediate relief to assist those who have
suffered the full impact of a disaster and include the following activities.
 Rebuilding Infrastructure e.g. Homes, Schools, Hospitals, Roads
 Health Care and Rehabilitation
 Development Activities e.g. building human resources for health
 Development Policies and Practices to avoid or mitigate similar situations in future
Vulnerability and Capacity assessment :

The Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) is an essential part of Red Cross operations. This
assessment is not only used in regions prone to natural disasters, but also for surveying health risks and
abilities to cope.
VCA is used in determining risks and planning actions in order to prevent dangers resulting from the
risks. Members of the community lead the planning process. Red Cross volunteers and trainer
(facilitators) support, train and assist in the implementation according to the most relevant needs.
Community-level operations are linked to plans at a municipal, provincial and national level. The target
is a disaster preparedness system covering the entire country.

VCA goals:
 to evaluate the risks threatening the community as well as the capabilities the community has for
coping with the threats
 to bring all parties to the same table and thereby promote cooperation between inhabitants,
authorities and other actors
 to prepare an implementation plan to improve disaster preparedness
 specify actions that reduce or, at best, even prevent damage caused by natural phenomena.

Structural and Non- Structural Issues:

Structural Mitigation:
• Any physical construction to reduce or avoid possible impacts of hazards, or application of engineering
techniques to achieve hazard-resistance and resilience in structures or systems
• The “structural elements” of a building carry the weight of the building itself, the people and the things
inside, and the forces of nature. These “load-bearing” elements include the frame (columns, beams) and
in masonry or construction also the “shear-wall”.

Non Structural Mitigation:

• Any measure not involving physical construction that uses knowledge, practice or agreement to reduce
risks and impacts, in particular through policies and laws, public awareness raising, training and
education.
• The “non-structural elements” of a building do not carry the weight of the building, and include
windows, doors, stairs, partition walls, pipes and ducts. They include “building contents” that users
bring with them such as furniture, appliances, coolers, water tanks, etc. In other words non-structural
elements are those which are either attached to building or kept in building.
Components of Structural Mitigation
• Resistant construction
• Building codes and regulatory measures
• Relocation
• Structural modification
• Physical modification
• Lintel Beam
• Column
• Masonry Wall
• Plinth Beam/Bend
• Foundation
• Corrosion

Structural Mitigation Measures

• Geographical Area of Building Construction

– Coastal Area
– Desert area
– River bank area
– Flood prone area
– Rural & Urban
– Nearby Industrial area or Hazardous industries
• Earth Quake Zoning of Building Construction
• Types of Structure ( Frame, Load bearing OR Wooden)
 • Soil Pattern (Rocky OR Sandy)
• Roofing pattern, (RCC, mud tiles, Cement or steel sheet)
• Age of the Building
• Retrofitting of the building
• If Building is multistory (Fire safety Installed or Not)
• Building Insurance

Components of Non Structural Mitigation

• Within the school building:

• Furniture and Fixture
• School Equipment (Electrical, Electronics, Gaming)
• Utensils
• Electricals wirings (Open, Putti & Pipe fitting)
• Show case & Frames & Notice Boards
• Study Materials (Books/Charts, Demonstration/Toys)
• Storage cabinet (In the Wall, Outside of the wall)
• Laboratory Material (Spirit, Microscope, Beaker/Test
• Tube etc.)
• Display Cupboard/ Almari
• Ensure mass evacuation dimensions of halls or
• stairways
• Smoke in the hallway
• Doors and windows opening inward
• Glass panes
• Tall bookcases or cabinets not properly secured to the
• wall
• Areas where flammable liquids are stored – science
• labs
• Fire extinguishers
• Other movable, falling and blocking hazards

Non Structural Mitigation Measures

• Relocate furnishing and contents

• Secure non-structural building elements and furnishing
• Actions for offsite non-structural hazard
• Ask for consultation engineers and maintenance personnel together for solution
• Behavioral changes among users: it is very vital and indispensable that users develop the culture
of safety. Like use of dustbin to avoid water blocking/logging or discipline when moving in a
mass.
Early Warning Systems.

The term 'early warning' is used in many fields to describe the provision of information on an emerging
dangerous hazard that enables advance action to reduce the associated risks. Early warning systems exist
for natural geophysical and biological hazards, complex socio-political emergencies, industrial hazards
and personal health risks, among many others.

Early warning is a major element of disaster risk reduction. Early action can often prevent a hazard
turning into a human disaster by preventing loss of life and reducing the economic and material impacts.
To be effective and sustainable they must actively involve the communities at risk.

Early warning systems can be set up to avoid or reduce the impact of hazards such as floods, landslides,
storms, and forest fires. The significance of an effective early warning system lies in the recognition of
its benefits by local people.

Forecasting
Forecasting refers to the prediction of future weather events and trends, tested against historic data.
Along with Early Warning Systems, forecasting has the ability to deliver immense benefits in the form
of improved planning and preparedness, especially when combined with indigenous knowledge of past
trends. Unfortunately very few people in the developing world are receiving these benefits and their
wellbeing is therefore compromised.
EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS

(i) State of the art (i) IMD/CWC to carry out Indian Meteorological
sensors to be set up. a review of sensors Department/ Central
available and draw up Water Commission/
plans for strengthening the National Centre for
system. Medium Range
(ii) Hazard monitoring, Weather Forecasting
tracking and modelling. (ii) Models to be updated
to improve prediction
accuracy.
Warning Protocols (i) Warning protocols to .Ministry of Home
be user friendly. Affairs/ State
Governments /Indian
(ii) Warning to be
Meteorological
communicated as quickly as
Department/ Central
possible to the
Water Commission/
States/districts/community.
National Remote
(iii) Protocols should be Sensing Agency/
simple to understand. Information and
Broadcasting/
(iv) Districts to set up Doordarshan/ All India
protocols for Radio
communication of early
warning to the community.
(v) Panchayats/local
bodies to be used for early
warning communication.
vi) Communication linkages
for early warning.
Roles and Responsibilities of Organizations
Disaster Management is not an individual but a team exercise – a team not of individuals but of a
variety of organizational setups and community clusters whom we know as Stakeholders. They are
stakeholders because, directly or indirectly, their interests are somehow affected by the impact of a
disaster.
Government Departments are stakeholders by their very executive concern and responsibilities
towards the people in general and the victims of a disaster in particular, stakeholders other than the
government departments are so because of their organizational interests and objectives or their
organizational social responsibility, or organizational concern for the welfare of the people.
The stakes being different both in nature and kind, it becomes essential to place them in a position
where they serve their own interest and, in the process, serve the larger interest of communities in
disaster management.

Roles and Responsibilities of Government:

The responsibility of Disaster Management lies with both central and state government. India is
disaster prone country where floods are annual affair in NE stated, West Bengal and central India.
While our entire Norther and NE border is prone to avalanche, landslide and earthquakes.

Following are the role and responsibilities of the govt. to reduce the effectiveness of any disaster.

Pre-Disaster measures

1. Keep a check and monitoring any impending disaster.

2. Early warning .
3. Planning and liaison with different DM agencies.
4. Educating people about DM.
5. Stocking relief material.
6. Rehearsing drills.

During Disaster

1. Launch search and rescue operations as quick as possible.

2. Provide relief material.
3. Transport people to safe places.
4. Provide temp shelter.
5. Immediately medical and health facilities.
6. Provide clean water and food.
 7. Shift critically injured people to hospital.
8. Pool all resources and DM agencies. ( Include Army, Navy and Air force if required.
Though in our country only defense forces are seen during any disaster or rescue
operations as NDRF is almost defunct).

Post Disaster

1. Analyses the damage

2. Cleanup of rubble and rebuilding activities to begin.
3. Preference to rebuild and restart basic amenities
4. Analyses causes of disaster and future planning to tackle such disaster in future.

These are some the responsibility of our govt. to tackle and minimize the damage of the disaster. Our
NDRF and district administration are needed to be better prepared for any contingencies, this
reducing the reaction time ( our reaction time to disaster is very poor as we lack initial preparations).

Roles and Responsibilities of Communities:

The community plays a critical role in disaster management in India just as it does in other countries.
The framework for community based disaster management (CBDM) in India is provided by the
National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA). The NDMA recognises the community as the
first responder in the event of a disaster, which means that it has invested significantly in ensuring
that communities know what, where, when, and how they should
be planning for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. This is especially the case with rural
communities, who usually are most exposed to disaster risks. The NDMA decided to produce the
National Policy Guidelines on Community-based Disaster Management to better inform
communities and those working with them in this regard.

Some examples:

 Public Distribution Centres (fair price shops) should set up special mechanisms to
ensure that food supplies are not disrupted and discontinued.
 Cattle pounds should provide precautionary veterinary care for animals (for example
immunisations) as well as fodder storage and supply facilities, as well as coordinate
animal care actions with veterinary doctors and para-veterinary workers.
 Cultural groups should engage in awareness building for disaster preparedness.
 Mason and artisan groups should promote awareness in the community about safe
constructions
  Women's representatives from Panchayat should assist and advise panchayat
members on matters related to women’s needs, gender justice, etc.

Functions and responsibilities of NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority)

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.

Roles and responsibilities of NDMA

Responsibilities of Operations Division

1. Efficient functioning of the NDMA Control Room.

2. Monitoring disasters at National, Regional and International levels.
3. Liaisoning and coordinating with Early Warning Agencies like IMD, CWC, INCOIS,
SASE etc for disaster specific information and disseminating the information for
coordinating with the State Govt and facilitating the deployment of NDRF in the disaster
affected states during disaster.
4. Carrying out coordination of support to other countries affected by major disasters as may
be determined by the Central Government.
Responsibilities of Communication and IT Division

1. Formulation and implementation of National Disaster Management Services (NDMS) Pilot

Project and Decision Support System for Handling Offsite Nuclear Emergencies
(DSSNOE)
2. Establishment and management of LAN and WAN at NDMA
3. Interaction with Nodal Ministries, Forecasting and Early Warning Agencies
4. Interaction with Central and State Govts. and related Departments on IT and
Communication matters.
5. Advise NDRF Bns on IT and Communication matters
6. Interaction with service providers

Additional Responsibilities:
 Coordination and conduct of Mock Exercise in the States /UTs/Districts.
 Capacity Building in States /UTs on Incident Response System.
 Training on Disaster Management for Associated NCC Officers, Civil Defence
Volunteers and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangthan at NDRF Bn locations.
 Coordinating SDRF Training of Trainers at various Disaster Management Training
Institutions.
 Coordination of DM Training of Home Guard Platoons at State ATIs with the help of
NDRF, CD and Fire department.
 Conduct weekly review monsoon meetings involving IMD, CWC, NDRF and Resident
Commissioner of affected states.
NGO’s

What is an NGO?

 A non-governmental organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens' group which is

organized on a local, national or international level.
 Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of
service and humanitarian functions, bring citizen concerns to Governments, advocate and
monitor policies and encourage political participation through provision of information.

Role Of NGOs in Disaster Management

Role in Disaster preparedness phase

 Advocacy/ awareness
 Assessment/ Analysis
 Capacity building
 Co-ordination and partnership
 Miscellaneous like shelter, water availability, sanitation, conservation, mock drills, etc.
 Other responsibilities

Disaster Response phase

 Early warning and evacuation

 Search and Rescue
 Emergency Relief and Humanitarian Assistance
  Civil Military Coordination
 Primary Damage and Needs Assessment

Recovery phase

 Water
 Sanitation
 Public health promotion
 Vector control
 Food security and nutrition
 Shelter
 Reconstruction

The positive points of NGOs in DM

 Initial response and as first responders

 Ability to experiment freely with innovative approaches and, if necessary, to take risks.
 Ability to recruit both experts and highly motivated staff with fewer restrictions than the
government
 Ability of international NGOs to provide specialized emergency medical care
 Ability to gather funds from international societies / communities
 Ability of local NGOs to communicate without language barriers
 Their knowledge of the local area and community

The Negative points of NGOs in DM

 Political pressure
 Lack of proper Funds from governments and their proper utilization
 Harassment of victims by un-sensitized volunteers
 Paternalistic attitudes restrict the degree of participation in
programme/project design.
 Territorial possessiveness/ competitiveness
 Lack of Dedicated Leadership
 After-response phase wastages.
 Policies and Legislation for DRR

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

LEGAL/POLICY FRAMEWORK

Disaster Management (i) Bill to be drafted. Ministry of Home

to be listed in List – III Affairs/
– [Concurrent List] of (ii) Bill to be brought Ministry of Law
Seventh Schedule to before Parliament (Legislative Department)
the Constitution

State Model Act to be Ministry of Home

Disaste circulated to the States. Affairs
r Management Acts State Governments
National Policy on (i)Mainstreaming Ministry of Home Affairs,
Disaster Management disaster management Ministry of Finance,
into planning and Planning
development process. Commission, Ministry of
 Environment & Forests,
(ii) Mandate safe Rural Development,
construction. Urban Development and
other relevant Ministries
to be consulted.
(iii) Coordinated
action by all relevant
Departments as per
policy
States to enunciate (i)Mainstreaming State Governments
Policy on Disaster disaster management
Management . into planning and
development process.
(iii) Mandate safe
construction.
(iii) Coordinated action
by all relevant
Departments as per
policy
-
 State Disaster Amendment of existing State Governments
Management Codes relief codes/scarcity
codes/famine codes to
incorporate mitigation,
preparedness and
planning measures at all
levels from community
to State, constitution of
Emergency Support
Teams /Disaster
Management
Teams/Committees/State
Disaster Management
Authorities, delegation
of administrative and
financial powers to
disaster incident
managers etc, protocol
to update the inventory
of resources and plans

Activities of National Disaster Management Authority:

• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the apex statutory body for disaster
management in India.
• The NDMA was formally constituted on 27th September 2006, in accordance with the Disaster
Management Act, 2005 with Prime Minister as its Chairperson and nine other members, and
one such member to be designated as Vice-Chairperson.
• Mandate: Its primary purpose is to coordinate response to natural or man-made disasters and for
capacity-building in disaster resiliency and crisis response. It is also the apex body to lay down
policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management to ensure timely and effective response to
disasters.
• 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.
Evolution of NDMA

• In recognition of the importance of Disaster Management as a national priority, the Government

of India set up a High-Powered Committee (HPC) in August 1999 and a National Committee
after the Gujarat earthquake (2001), for making recommendations on the preparation of
Disaster Management plans and suggesting effective mitigation mechanisms.
The Tenth Five-Year Plan document also had, for the first time, a detailed chapter on Disaster
Management. The Twelfth Finance Commission was also mandated to review the financial
arrangements for Disaster Management.

• On 23 December 2005, the Government of India enacted the Disaster Management Act, which
envisaged the creation of 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.

Functions and Responsibilities of NDMA

• Approve the National Disaster Plan

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

• The Disaster Management Act, 2005 has provided the legal and institutional framework for
disaster management in India at the national, state and district levels.
• In the federal polity of India, the primary responsibility of Disaster management vests with the
state government.
• The central government lays down the plans, policies and guidelines and provides technical,
financial and logistical support while the district administration carries out most of the operations
in collaboration with central and state level agencies.

National Executive Committee (NEC)\

 A National Executive Committee is constituted under Section 8 of DM Act, 2005 to assist the
National Authority in the performance of its functions.
 Union Home secretary is its ex-officio chairperson.
 NEC has been given the responsibility to act as the coordinating and monitoring body for
disaster management, to prepare a National Plan, monitor the implementation of National
Policy etc.

National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)

 NIDM has the mandate of human resource development and capacity building for disaster
management within the broad policies and guidelines laid down by the NDMA.

National Disaster response force (NDRF)

 NDRF is the specialized force for disaster response which works under the overall supervision
and control of NDMA.

State level Institutions

 State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)

 Headed by Chief Minister of the respective state, SDMA lays down the policies and plans for
disaster management in the state.
 It is responsible to coordinate the implementation of the state Plan, recommend provision of
funds for mitigation and preparedness measures and review the developmental plans of the
 different departments of the state to ensure integration of prevention, preparedness and
mitigation measures.
 State Executive Committee (SEC)- Headed by the Chief Secretary of the state, SEC has the
responsibility for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the National Policy, the
National Plan and the State Plan as provided under the DM Act.

District level Institutions

District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)

 Section 25 of the DM Act provides for constitution of DDMA for every district of a state.
 The District Magistrate/ District Collector/Deputy Commissioner heads the Authority as
Chairperson besides an elected representative of the local authority as Co-Chairperson except in
the tribal areas where the Chief Executive Member of the District Council of Autonomous
District is designated as Co-Chairperson.
 Further in district, where Zila Parishad exists, its Chairperson shall be the Co-Chairperson of
DDMA.
 The District Authority is responsible for planning, coordination and implementation of disaster
management and to take such measures for disaster management as provided in the guidelines.
 The District Authority also has the power to examine the construction in any area in the district
to enforce the safety standards and to arrange for relief measures and respond to the disaster at
the district level.
 NDMA conducts mock exercises for better crisis management during a disaster situation.

Way Forward

 Policy guidelines at the macro level are needed that would inform and guide the preparation
and implementation of disaster management and development plans across sectors.
 Building in a culture of preparedness and mitigation is the need of the hour.
 Operational guidelines should be framed for integrating disaster management practices into
development, and specific developmental schemes for prevention and mitigation of disasters.
 Robust early warning systems coupled with effective response plans at district, state and
national levels should be put in place.
 Community, NGOs, CSOs and the media should be involved at all stages of disaster
management.
  Climate risk management should be addressed through adaptation and mitigation.

o A dynamic policy is required to develop disaster-resilient infrastructure through proper

investment in research. ISRO, NRSA, IMD and other institutions have to collectively
provide technological solutions to enhance capabilities to tackle disasters.
• India should learn from best global practices.

o Countries such as Hong Kong, China, Japan and Korea have built a robust infrastructure
over the years to effectively tackle typhoons and other disasters.

NDMA Framework

Expected Outputs Areas of intervention Agencies/sectors to be

involved and resource
linkages.
Nodal agency for disaster (i) Constitution of Ministries/ Departments of
management at the National Emergency Health, Water Resources,
national level with Management Authority Environment and Forests,
appropriate systems with appropriate legal, Agriculture, Railways,
financial and Atomic
administrative powers. Energy, Defence,
Chemicals, Science &
(ii) Roles and Technology, Rural
responsibilities of the Development, Road
NEMA: Transport & Highways
etc.
-Coordinating multi-
hazard mitigation,
prevention, preparedness
and response
programmes.
- Policies for disaster risk
reduction and mitigation
 -Preparedness at all
levels.

-Coordination of
response

-Coordination of post
disaster relief and
rehabilitation.
-Amendment of existing
laws, procedures,
instructions.
Creation of State Departments of Relief & State Governments/ UT
Departments of Disaster Rehabilitation to be re- Administration.
Management designated as
Department of Disaster
Management with
enhanced areas of
responsibility to include
mitigation, prevention and
preparedness
Setting up State Disaster (i) State Disaster Ministers for
Management Authorities Management Authority to Agriculture, Home,
be headed by the Chief Disaster Management,
Minister. Water Resources,
Health, Road & Transport,
(ii) The Authority to lay Civil
down policies and Supplies, Environment &
monitor mitigation, Forests, Rural
prevention and Development, Urban
preparedness as also Development and Public
oversee response. Health Engineering
Departments as
Members.