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Disaster Management in India

Article  in  Indian Research Journal of Extension Education · February 2012

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Indian Streams Reserach Journal
Vol.2,Issue.I/Feb; 12pp.1-4 Pramod Patil ISSN:-2230-7850

Research Papers

Disaster Management in India

Pramod Patil
Assistant Professor
School of Management,
S.R.T.M.U.N., Sub-centre Latur
Abstract
India has been traditionally vulnerable to natural disasters on account of its unique geo-climatic
conditions. Floods, droughts, cyclone, earthquakes and landslides have been a recurrent phenomenon. The
vulnerability in India is more compared to developed countries .This is resulting in huge loss in terms of
human, financial, environmental and livelihood. At global level, there has been considerable concern over
natural disasters. After Orissa super cyclone and Bhuj earthquake we realized the need to adopt multi
disciplinary and multi sectoral approach and incorporation of risk reduction in the development plans and
strategies. The new approach of Government of India proceeds from the conviction that development
cannot be sustainable unless disaster mitigation is built in to the development process. Disaster
Management occupies an important place in this country's policy framework. This paper is to highlight
disaster profile of India and Disaster Management in India.

INTRODUCTION significantly impacted by at least one hazard and

India is one of the most disasters prone
countries of the world, almost 80% of India's
geographical area is considered at risk to one or
more type of natural disaster. Every year between
2000 to 2009, 65 million people on average in
India were affected by disaster, of these; 3.25
million were pregnant and lactating mothers.
Every year, 8.45 million children under 5 years of
age are affected by disasters; of these, 1.25 million
were malnourished (UNICEF).
Floods and droughts significantly impact
the majority of India though they are most
prevalent in the northwestern and eastern regions
respectively. Geophysical hazards affect the
Himalayan region in the north and northeastern
portion of the country where they rank in high
deciles for mortality and lower deciles for GDP
impact. Cyclones influence a relatively small area
of the country but have high-ranking mortality.
This multi-hazard mortality of entire country is
mortality impacts are particularly concentrated in
the north and northeastern regions.
India has also become much more vulnerable to
tsunamis since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Almost 57% of the land is vulnerable to
earthquake (high seismic zones III–V), 68% to
drought, 8% to cyclones and 12% to floods.
OBJECTIVES :
· To Study Disaster Profile of India
· To study Disaster Management in India
PART I DISASTER :
“Disaster is a serious disruption of the
functioning of a society, causing widespread
human, material, or environmental losses which
exceed the ability of the affected society to cope
using its own resources”
High Power Committee Disaster was
constituted in 1999 by Government of India for
drawing a systematic, comprehensive, and holistic
approach towards disaster.

Please Cite This Article As : Pramod Patil , Disaster Management in India : Indian Streams Research Journal
(Feb ; 2012)
 Disaster Management in India
Indian Streams Reserach Journal
Vol.2,Issue.I/Feb; 2012

The Committee has classified disaster in to five Earthquake:

groups as An earthquake is a violent shaking of
Sub Water & Flood s & earth's crust due to breaking of shifting of rocks
Group I Climate Drainage Mgt., beneath the earth's surface.
Related ,Tornadoes & Of the earthquake-prone areas, 12% is prone to
Disasters Hurricanes, very severe earthquakes, 18% to severe
Cyclon es earthquakes and 25% to damageable earthquakes.
Hailstorm, Cloud The biggest quakes occur in the Andaman and
burst, Heat Wave Nicobar Islands, Kutch, Himachal and the North-
& Cold wave,
Snow
East. The Himalayan regions are particularly
Avalan ches, prone to earthquakes. (As Indian plate is moving
Droughts, Sea towards Eurasian plate)
Erosion and Major Earthquakes in India
Th under &
Lightning. YEAR PLACE OF MAGNITUDE Human
OCCURRENCE loss
Sub Geologically Landslides, 1 905 Kangara 8 19,000
Group related Mudflows, 1 934 Bihar- Nepal 8.3 10,700
II Disasters Earthquakes, 1 993 Latur 6.4 7,928
Dam Failures / 2 001 Bhuj 6.9 20,000
Dam bursts and 2 004 Sumatra 9.3 8030
Mine Fires. (Tsun ami )
Sub Chemical, Th e Chemical
Group Indus., & and Industrial & (Source :National Geophysical data centre,
III Nuclear Nuclear Disasters NIDM & GOM)
Related h ave been Flood and drought:
Disaster included. Flood : It is a rise, usually brief, in water level in a
Sub Acciden t Forest / Urban stream to a peak from which the water level
Group related Fires, Mine recedes at a slower rate- WMO/UNESCO.
IV Disasters Flood in g, Oil Floods in the Indo–Gangetic–Brahmaputra plains
spill, major bldg. are an annual feature. On an average, a few
Collapse, Serial hundred lives are lost, millions are rendered
Bomb blasts,
Festival related
homeless and several hectares of crops are
Disasters, Elec. damaged every year. Mumbai 2005 flood caused
Disasters & fires, approximately damage of ` 20,000 crore
Air, Road & Rail Drought: About 50 million people are affected
Accidents, Boat annually by drought. Of approximately 90 million
Capsizin g hectares of rain-fed areas, about 40 million
Sub Biologically Biological hectares are prone to scanty or no rain. Rainfalls
Group related Disaster & poor in nine meteorological subdivisions.
V Disasters Epidemics, Pest
Attacks, Cattle Major Droughts in India
epidemics & YEAR AFFECTED DETAILS
DISTRICTS
Food
2000- 31 Affected population
Disaster Profile Of India 2001 (Rajasthan ) 330.41 lac;
Damaged crop
Total area of India: GDP per capita: 3511.77crore;
3287263 sq km $1031 cattle 399.69 lac
2001- 18 Affected population
2002 (Rajasthan ) 69.70 lac;
Total population: GDP- Agriculture:
Damaged crop
1.18 billion 17%
1252.27crore;
cattle 69.73 lac
Urban: 27.8% GDP- Industry: 2002- 32 Affected population
28.2% 2003 (Rajasthan ) 447.80 lac;
Rural: 72.2% GDP- Service: 54.9% Damaged crop
4414crore;
(Source World Bank Indicators 2008 ) cattle 451.63 lac
Please Cite This Article As : Pramod Patil , Disaster Management in India : Indian Streams Research Journal
(Feb ; 2012)
 Disaster Management in India
Indian Streams Reserach Journal
Vol.2,Issue.I/Feb; 2012

Cyclone: About 8% of the land is vulnerable to have been well-established since Independence.
cyclones of which coastal areas experience two or These mechanisms have proved to be robust and
three tropical cyclones of varying intensity each effective in so far as response, relief and
year. Cyclonic activities on the east coast are more rehabilitation are concerned.
severe than on the west coast. B) At the national level, the Ministry of Home
Major Cyclones in India Affairs is the nodal Ministry for all matters
YEAR PLACE OF DETAILS concerning disaster management. The Central
OCCURENCE Relief Commissioner (CRC) in the Ministry of
1998 Gujarat Killed 1173, missing Home Affairs is the nodal officer to coordinate
1174 , Loss estimated relief operations for natural disasters. The CRC
Rs.1865 crore receives information relating to
1999 Orissa Killed 9885, affected forecasting/warning of a natural calamity from
12.5 million people, India Meteorological Department (IMD) or from
Loss estimated Central Water Commission of Ministry of Water
Rs.6228 crore Resources on a continuing basis. The
(Source: IMD & White paper , Govt of Ministries/Departments/ Organizations concerned
Orissa) with the primary and secondary functions relating
to the management of disasters include:
Landslide: Landslides occur in the hilly regions India Meteorological Department, Central
such as the Himalayas, North-East India, the Water Commission, Ministry of Home Affairs,
Nilgiris, and Eastern and Western Ghats. Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Finance,
Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of
Hazard Profile of India Urban Development, Department of
Hazard Populat Coun GDP Count Communications, Ministry of Health, Ministry of
ion try Expos ry Water Resources, Ministry of Petroleum,
Expose ranki ed Ranki Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.
d ng ( ng Ministry of Power, Department of Civil Supplies,
billio
Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Information and
n US
$) Broadcasting, Planning Commission, Cabinet
Cyclon 7,60,78 4 th out 5.78 9th out Secretariat, Department of Surface Transport,
e 21 of 89 of 89 Ministry of Social Justice, Department of Women
Drough 58,912, 2
nd
-- -- and Child Development, Ministry of Environment
t 300 out of and Forest, Department of Food.
184 Each Ministry/Department/Organization
Flood 15,859, 2
nd
9.39
th
4 out nominates their nodal officer to the Crisis
640 out of of 162 Management Group chaired by Central Relief
162 Commissioner. The nodal officer is responsible for
nd th
Landsli 180254 2 1.07 9 out preparing sectoral Action Plan/Emergency
de out of of 162 Support Function Plan for managing disasters.
162 C) National Crisis Management Committee
th th
Earthqu 334923 8 out 21 25 (NCMC): Cabinet Secretary, who is the highest
ake 7 of 153 out of executive officer, heads the NCMC. Secretaries of
153 all the concerned Ministries /Departments as well
th th
Tsunam 111438 4 out 0.64 16 as organizations are the members of the
i 8 of 76 out of Committee. The NCMC gives direction to the
76
Crisis Management Group as deemed necessary.
(Source: 2009 Global Assessment report) D) Crisis Management Group: The Central
Part II Disaster Management Relief Commissioner in the Ministry of Home
“A planned approach for the prevention of Affairs is the Chairman of the CMG, consisting of
Disaster, preparedness and response to Disasters, senior officers (called nodal officers) from various
and recovery following Disasters” concerned Ministries. The CMG's functions are to
Institutional and Policy Framework review every year contingency plans formulated
A) The institutional and policy mechanisms for by various Ministries/Departments/Organizations
carrying out response, relief and rehabilitation in their respective sectors, measures required for
Please Cite This Article As : Pramod Patil , Disaster Management in India : Indian Streams Research Journal
(Feb ; 2012)
Disaster Management in India
dealing with natural disasters coordinate the
activities of the Central Ministries and the State
Governments in relation to disaster preparedness
and relief and to obtain information from the nodal
officers on measures relating to above.
E) Control Room (Emergency Operation
Room): An Emergency Operations Center
(Control Room) exists in the nodal Ministry of
Home Affairs, which functions round the clock, to
assist the Central Relief Commissioner in the
discharge of his duties. The activities of the
Control Room include collection and transmission
of information concerning natural calamity and
relief, keeping close contact with governments
of the affected States, interaction with other
Central Ministries/Departments/Organizations in
connection with relief, maintaining records
containing all relevant information relating to
action points and contact points in Central
Ministries etc., keeping up-to-date details of all
concerned officers at the Central and State levels.
F) Contingency Action Plan: A National
Contingency Action Plan (CAP) for dealing with
contingencies arising in the wake of natural
disasters has been formulated by the Government
of India and it had been periodically updated. It
facilitates the launching of relief operations
without delay. The CAP identifies the initiatives
required to be taken by various Central
Ministries/Departments in the wake of natural
calamities, sets down the procedure and
determines the focal points in the administrative
machinery.
G) State Relief Manuals: Each State Government
has relief manuals/codes which identify that role
of each officer in the State for managing the natural
disasters. These are reviewed and updated
periodically based on the experience of managing
the disasters and the need of the State.
H) Funding mechanisms: The policy and the
funding mechanism for provision of relief
assistance to those affected by natural calamities
are clearly laid down. These are reviewed by the
Finance Commission appointed by the
Government of India every five years. The Finance
Commission makes recommendation regarding
the division of tax and non-tax revenues between
the Central and the State Governments and also
regarding policy for provision of relief assistance
and their share of expenditure thereon. A Calamity
Relief Fund (CRF) has been set up in the State as
per the recommendations of the Eleventh Finance
Commission (Centre contribute 75% where as
State 25 %). State can get assistance through
Please Cite This Article As : Pramod Patil , Disaster Management in India : Indian Streams Research Journal
(Feb ; 2012)
Indian Streams Reserach Journal
Vol.2,Issue.I/Feb; 2012
National Calamity Contingency Fund
(NCCF).Also Prime Minister Fund ( 500 crore) is
issued immediately after major disaster.
I) At the State level, response, relief and
rehabilitation are handled by Departments of
Relief & Rehabilitation. The State Crisis
Management Committee set up under the
Chairmanship of Chief Secretary who is the
highest executive functionary in the State. All the
concerned Departments and organizations of the
State and Central Government Departments
located in the State are represented in this
Committee. This Committee reviews the action
taken for response and relief and gives
guidelines/directions as necessary. A control room
is established under the Relief Commissioner. The
control room is in constant touch with the climate
monitoring/forecasting agencies and monitors the
action being taken by various agencies in
performing their responsibilities.
The district level is the key level for
disaster management and relief activities. The
Collector/Dy. Commissioner is the chief
administrator in the district. He is the focal point in
the preparation of district plans and in directing,
supervising and monitoring calamities for relief. A
District Level Coordination and
Relief Committee is constituted and is
headed by the Collector as Chairman with
participation of all other related government and
non governmental agencies and departments in
addition to the elected representatives. The
Collector is required to maintain close liaison with
the district and the State
Disaster Management Act
The Disaster Management Act was enacted
on 23rd December, 2005. The Act provides for
establishment of
· NDMA (National Disaster Management
Authority)
· SDMA (State Disaster Management
Authority)
· DDMA (District Disaster Management
Authority)
Act provides for constitution of Disaster Response
Fund and Disaster Mitigation Fund at National,
State and District level.
Establishment of NIDM and NDRF. Provides
penalties for obstruction, false claims,
misappropriation etc.
It states that there shall be no
discrimination on the ground of sex, caste,
community, descent or religion in providing
compensation and relief
Disaster Management in India
National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA)
It is headed by the Prime Minister with up
to a maximum of nine members nominated by
Prime Minister. The Authority may constitute an
Advisory Committee consisting of experts in the
field of disaster management. The Authority shall
be assisted by a National Executive Committee of
Secretaries to be constituted by Central
Government. It lay down the policies, plans and
guidelines for disaster management. NDMA shall
recommend guidelines for the minimum standards
of relief provided to persons affected by disaster.
The National Executive Committee s h a l l
prepare a National Disaster Management Plan in
consultation with the State Governments which
shall include measures for
· Prevention and mitigation of disasters,
· Integration of mitigation measures in the
plans,
· Preparedness and capacity building.
State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)
at state level coordinating all activities which
comprises of eight members to be nominated by
the Chief Minister and the Chairperson of the
State Executive Committee. One of the members
may be designated as the Vice-Chairperson of the
State Authority by the Chief Minister. SDMA may
constitute an Advisory Committee of experts, as
and when necessary.
The State Government shall establish a
District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)
in each district. The District Authority will be
headed by District Magistrate and shall consist of
members, not exceeding seven, as may be
prescribed by the State Government .The District
Authority shall act as the district planning,
coordinating and implementing body for disaster
management.
The Local Authority shall ensure training
of its officers and employees and maintenance of
resources so as to be readily available for use in the
event of a disaster. It ensures that all construction
projects under it conform to the standards and
specifications lay down. It carries out relief,
rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the
affected area within its jurisdiction.
National Institute of Disaster Management
(NIDM) shall plan and promote training and
research in disaster management &Start
documentation, development of national level
information base of disaster management policies,
prevention mechanisms, mitigation measures,
networking.
Please Cite This Article As : Pramod Patil , Disaster Management in India : Indian Streams Research Journal
(Feb ; 2012)
Indian Streams Reserach Journal
Vol.2,Issue.I/Feb; 2012
The following table shows
Ministries/Departments of Government of India
responsible for Disaster Management
Disaster Nodal Ministry
Natural Disaster except Drought Ministry of Home
Affairs
Drought Agriculture
Air Accidents Civil Aviation
Railway Acciden ts Railways
Ch emical Disasters Environment
Biological Disasters Health & family
Welfare
Nuclear Accident Atomic Energy
(Please refer figure given at the end for Disaster
Management Institutional framework of India.)
Part IV ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION
Risk is function of Hazard and
Vulnerability. India is one of the most hazard prone
countries in the world. Vulnerability is more in
India because of population growth, poverty, rapid
urbanization, environmental degradation and lack
of information about disaster. We can not prevent
hazard but we can reduce vulnerability by taking
mitigation and preparedness measures. In respect
to this few important points we need to discuss on
Disaster management in India
Effective Warning System: Dissemination of
information is as important as forecasting which is
still lacking behind. Absence of warning system is
experienced in Tsunami 2004.Effective warning
system is very important which gives more time
for preparedness.
Communication: In major disasters like
earthquake communication gets affected first, so
alternate modes like HAM radio and Satellite
phones have to be promoted. In Bhuj earthquake
the epicenter of earthquake was located 6 hours
after earthquake (Reference, Disaster
Management – GK Ghosh, Volume III).This time
lag was crucial for reducing death tolls.
Insurance: Still the gap between Economic loss
and insured property is more. Our system doesn't
have compulsion for it. (As it is in Turkey)
Focus on Mitigation: Present system works more
on Disaster response than preparedness and
mitigation
Implementation Absence of Strict laws and many
times poor implementation of laws is a major
drawback of system as we know if houses are made
as per norms then causalities and economic losses
will be minimum for disasters like earthquake.
Building codes and laws are made but there is no
compulsion to follow them.
 Disaster Management in India
Indian Streams Reserach Journal
Vol.2,Issue.I/Feb; 2012

Awareness: Very poor awareness level among reactive. Already measures are taken at all levels
community .Common belief among people that but still more work is to be done.
managing disaster or protecting their life is References
responsibility of Government only. Also disaster is · Disaster Administration and Management,
given priority only after occurrence, no efforts are Text & Case studies- SL Goel-Deep and Deep
done for reducing vulnerability or discussing, Publications
creating awareness as ongoing process. · Disaster Management- G.K Ghosh-A.P.H.
Recommendations for improvement: Publishing Corporation
Community is major stakeholder in · Disaster management – S.K.Singh, S.C.
Disaster Management .It plays important role at Kundu, Shobha Singh A – 119, William
each stage of Disaster Management Cycle .We can Publications, New Delhi.
reduce vulnerability by creating awareness, giving · Disaster Management – Vinod K Sharma-
them proper training which can help in disaster IIPA, New Delhi,1995
preparedness and response. We can provide · www.ndma.gov.in
trained manpower by giving training to informal · www.imd.gov.in
groups .There is need to bring change in perception ・ www.nidm.gov.in
of people from Disaster response to Disaster Risk ・ www.mdmu.maharashtra.gov.in
Management. ・ www.data.worldbank.org
India has also shown the path to the world by
starting disaster management education from Govt of India
Cabinet
middle and high school. This generation of middle Committ ee on
Cabinet
and high school students will make probably neat mgt of Natural High Level
Committee
on Security
revolution in and community based disaster Calamities Committee
management, which is the only proven method of National Crisis National Disaster
disaster management; and it is hoped that India Mgt Committee Management Authority NIDM

would be world leader in disaster management. National

Probably casting legal duty on citizens for Ministries
State Government
Disaster
&Dept
providing help during disasters (Disaster Mitigation
State Disaster Management Resource
response) would also make India leading the way. Armed Forces
The enactment of Disaster Management Act, 2005
and Disaster Management Training by the Scientific & District Corporate
Technical Bodies
National Institute of Disaster Management Institutions District Disaster Management
(NIDM) along with the Disaster Management Authority Personal
Academic Bodies
Cells of the State Administrative Training COMMUNITY
Institutes will help in India becoming disaster
resilient.
There is need for proper coordination between ( Source : http://ndma.gov.in )

different departments and stakeholders for

e ff e c t i v e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f D i s a s t e r
Management.
Strict implementation of building codes and laws
is important for reducing
vulnerability. We can reduce Economic
vulnerability by insuring public as well as private
properties.
We need to strengthen Warning system and
Communication system for effective
implementation of Disaster Management
Conclusion
Natural hazards are result of climatic
imbalance and can not be prevented but we can
develop effective warning system and minimize
loss by reducing vulnerability and increasing
capacity .We need to be more pro active than
Please Cite This Article As : Pramod Patil , Disaster Management in India : Indian Streams Research Journal
(Feb ; 2012)

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