India is one of the world’s most multi-hazard prone nations, facing cyclones, floods, droughts, and earthquakes. Earlier, disaster management was relief-centric, focused mainly on post-disaster response. Over time, it evolved into a comprehensive and resilience-driven approach—integrating prevention, preparedness, and risk reduction into development planning.
Evolution of India’s Disaster Management Framework:
a. Relief-Centric Phase (Pre-1980s): It focused mainly on post-disaster relief and compensation with no dedicated institutions or legal frameworks. Major disasters (e.g., Bihar famine, 1960s) exposed the lack of systematic preparedness.
b. Institutional and Preparedness Phase (1980s–2000s): The Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) and Latur Earthquake (1993) 2004 Tsunami was a turning point which led to establishment of Department of Environment and Cyclone Warning Systems for early alerts.
c. Legal and Institutional Strengthening (Post-2005):
- Disaster Management Act, 2005: Established NDMA, SDMAs, DDMAs, and NDRF.
- National Policy on Disaster Management (2009) emphasized multi-sectoral and community-based resilience building.
d. Proactive and Resilience-Oriented Reforms (2010–Present):
- Prime Minister’s Ten-Point Agenda on DRR (2016) focused on integrating disaster risk reduction into development planning and capacity building.
- Technological measures:
- Common Alerting Protocol for multi-hazard early warning.
- Doppler radar network and satellite-based disaster mapping.
- GIS-based risk zoning for floods and landslides.
- Nature-based and climate-adaptive solutions:
- Mangrove restoration, bio-engineering for slope stabilization, and wetland rejuvenation under NDMA projects.
- Institutional strengthening:
- NIDM developed training and standard courses on disaster management.
- Annual mock drills, state-wise appraisal committees, and risk assessments integrated into governance.
But challenges persist:
- Climate change intensification: Increased frequency of heatwaves, floods, and landslides.
- Urban vulnerability: Encroachments and poor drainage causing urban floods for e.g., Chennai, and Bengaluru floods.
- Resource gaps: Limited funds for mitigation as only 20% of funds has been allocated for DRR.
- Social vulnerability: Marginalized communities disproportionately affected.
Way Forward:
- Mainstream DRR into development: align with Smart Cities, AMRUT, and PMAY missions.
- Enhance local capacity: expand community-based disaster management and Apada Mitra network.
- Strengthen resilient infrastructure: enforce seismic safety codes and retrofitting.
- Develop financial resilience: insurance-based recovery and disaster risk financing tools.
Conclusion:
Going forward, India must sustain investment in preparedness, integrate DRR into all sectors, and build local adaptive capacities to ensure a disaster-resilient India by 2047.
‘+1’ Value Addition:
- 68% of India’s land is drought-prone; 12% flood-prone; 8% cyclone-prone (NDMA).
- Annual economic loss due to disasters which constitute $87 billion as per World Bank.
- 15th Finance Commission’s ₹2.28 lakh crore allocation — largest ever DRR funding in India.
- Odisha Model (2019 Cyclone Fani): Zero casualties due to robust early warning & evacuation — now UN-recognized success story.
- “Disasters are not natural they are the result of unpreparedness.” – UNDRR
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