Introduction

India is one of the ten worst disaster-prone countries of the world. The country is prone to disasters due to
number of factors; both natural and human induced, including adverse geo climatic conditions, topographic
features, environmental degradation, population growth, urbanization, industrialization, non-scientific
development practices etc. India is highly vulnerable to floods, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes, landslides,
avalanches, and forest fires. 58.6% of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity;
12% of land are prone to floods and river erosion; of the 7,516 km long coastline, close to 5,700 km is prone to
cyclones and tsunamis; 68% of the cultivable area is vulnerable to drought and hilly areas are at risk from
landslides and avalanches. The extreme weather conditions, huge quantity of ice and snow stored in the glaciers
etc. are other natural factors which make the country prone to various forms of disasters.
Losses due to disasters show that economic loss is accounted for 2% of the GDP due to disasters in India (As per
the World Bank report)

Climate Profiles:
Flood - India is one of the most flood prone countries in the world. flood occurs due to natural ecological systems
like the monsoon, the highly silted river systems, and highly erodible mountains.
Heat Wave – In recent years heat wave induced casualties have been increased. Abnormally high temperatures
observed across the country due to urbanization is a factor leading to human mortality.
Tropical Cyclones - India has a coastline of about 7516 kms, it is exposed to nearly 10 percent of the world’s
tropical cyclones. About 71 percent of this area is in ten states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala,
Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and West Bengal).
Cold Wave and Fog – In current context dry cold winds/waves flows in the northern parts of India, especially in the
hilly regions and the adjoining plains, are influenced by transient disturbances in the mid latitude.
Thunderstorm, Hailstorm and Dust Storm – Increasing global warming affecting the temperature rises in the
southern parts of India, giving rise to thunderstorms and climate change which are hazardous in nature.
Droughts – Impact of drought has been increased in recent years which is affecting agricultural land, loss of life or
cattle because of non-availability of water.
Landslides – The report of Geological Survey of India says that 12% of India’s land is prone to landslides, which
constitute a major natural hazard in our country, which accounts for considerable loss of life and damage to land.
Epidemics in India - Infectious diseases are a major public health problem in India. Recently entire world including
India is affected by covid-19 and has infected more than 15 Lakh people and has caused 36000 casualties.

I have worked with Skymet, they are exclusively involved in the agriculture insurance, risk mitigation, which helped
me to know the community at the local level and challenges they were facing. It provides early warning on climate
to India and they are working on agriculture resilient in our country.

Changes in climate impacted our country in last few years:

As per the IPCC report:
 Global warming is likely to reach 1.5 degree Celsius in coming years if it continues to increase at the same
rate.
 Sea level will continue to rise well and the magnitude, rate of rise will depend on future emission.
 Climate change will impact on terrestrial, freshwater, and coastal ecosystems and it will increase ocean
temperature and ocean acidity.

Changes that are projected to happen over the coming few decades:
 Extreme Heat – Because of global warming India is already experiencing a warming climate.
 Changing Rainfall pattern - A decline in monsoon rainfall since the 1950s has already been observed. The
frequency of heavy rainfall events has also increased. This is observed to be change in coming few years.
 Drought – With the change in the climate pattern and receiving less rainfall, there is an increase in the
number of droughts and likely to be increased further.
 Ground water - Even without climate change, 15% of India’s groundwater resources are overexploited
and it is decreasing as the ground water level has gone down in many states.
 Glacier melt – Increase in the average temperature affecting the glaciers to melt at high speed.
 Sea level rise - Rapid and unplanned urbanization further increases the risks of sea water intrusion
 Agriculture and food security - Extremely high temperatures in northern India, above 34°C, have had a
substantial negative effect on wheat yields, and rising temperatures can only aggravate the situation.
 Water security - Urbanization, population growth, economic development, and increasing demand for
water from agriculture and industry are likely to aggravate the situation
 Energy security - Climate-related impacts on water resources is affecting and decrease in power
generation in India - hydropower and thermal power generation.
 Heat waves - Heat waves are likely to result in a very substantial rise in mortality and death, and injuries
from extreme weather events are likely to increase.

Changes in extreme weather events might cause:

 Changes in extreme weather impacts sea level rise, changes in the monsoon, increased severe storms and
flooding, more drought, and severe water stress.
 Climate change in the form of floods and cyclones has resulted in destruction of crops, property, and
having negative impacts on human health and well-being.
 Changes in climate change impacts water stress, heat waves and drought, severe storms, and flooding,
and associated negative consequences on health and livelihoods.
 Uncertainties in monsoon will affect farmers choices about which crops to plant and the timing of
planting, reducing productivities.
 Seasonal snowmelt and depleting glaciers will reduce river flow needed for irrigation.
 Where adaptive capacity is low, impact is greater in terms of deaths and damage from heat, floods, and
storms, and conflicts over natural resources and assets.
 Warming in sea surface temperatures is strongly evident at all latitudes.
Role of Climate information - Role of climate information is very important in current context. In India, the
Ministry of environment, Forest and Climate change is the nodal ministry at the government level at the climate
issues and information. The government comes out with the appropriate guidelines and required packages, which
have been cascaded down to the department, corporate, and to the local level.

Planning issues (contingency, planning, strategies, annual plans, budgets) in India are strategized at the apex level
in the ministries, departments, states, public and private sector organizations which are cascaded down to the
local level.

Physical investment such as infrastructure – In India National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (one such example
of physical investment on infrastructure) under NDMA is working on the planning issues and in the
implementation, they have made multipurpose cyclone shelters (MPCS), India's 7,500 kms coastline, almost 5,700
kms are highly vulnerable to the impacts of tropical cyclones and related hydro-meteorological hazards and
consequently to recurrent loss of life and properties. This project is for taking long and short-term mitigation
measures, the loss of life and properties can be minimized.

Community based risk reduction has been done exclusively with the help of United Nation Development Program
(UNDP) in India. It’s main motive is to combat the impact of climate change in the rainfed areas and focuses on the
rainwater harvesting, soil conservation, land shaping, pasture development, vegetative bunding and water
resources conservation for the future use.

Early warning system is being managed by nodal government agency India Meteorological Department (IMD)
which is providing National meteorological services to the country. After getting meteorological observations, they
provide current and forecast meteorological information and it gives warning against severe weather phenomena
like tropical cyclones, dust storms, heavy rains and snow, cold and heat waves, etc.

Awareness raising and advocacy: National government agencies are working on the disaster management or
climate change adaptation including National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM). It provides capacity
building support to various National and State level agencies in the field of Disaster Management & Disaster Risk
Reduction. It was formed to create a disaster resilient India by building the capacity at all levels for disaster
prevention and preparedness.

Role of Institutions:
In 2015, GOI adopted three international agreements on disaster management:
 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) in March 2015
 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (2015-30) in September 2015 and
 Paris Agreement on Climate Change at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP 21), under the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change in December 2015.

With the enactment of Disaster Management Act 2005 and adoption of National Policy on Disaster Management
2009, Government of India has established improved institutional arrangements and DRR mechanisms to deal with
any threatening disaster situation or disaster. Considering the significance of climate change impacts on frequency
and intensity of disasters, Climate Change Risk Management has been included as a new and sixth thematic area
for disaster risk management in the responsibility framework. Understanding Risk, Inter Agency Coordination,
Investing in DRR – Structural Measures, Investing in DRR – Non-structural Measures and Capacity Development.

National Level Decision-Making Bodies for Disaster Management:

1. Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) - Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, Minister of Finance, Minister of
Home Affairs, and Minister of External Affairs
2. National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) - Cabinet Secretary (Chairperson), Secretaries of Ministries/
Departments and agencies with specific DM responsibilities
3. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) - Prime Minister (Chairperson), Members (not exceeding
nine, nominated by the Chairperson)
4. National Executive Committee (NEC) - Union Home Secretary (Chairperson), Secretaries to the GOI in the
Ministries/Departments of Agriculture, Atomic Energy, Environment, Forests and Climate Change Finance
(Expenditure), Rural Development, Science and Technology, Urban Development, Water Resources, River
Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, ex officio as members, Secretaries in the Ministry of External Affairs, Earth
Sciences, Human Resource Development, Central Water Commission and Secretary, NDMA.
5. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) - Specially trained force headed by a Director General Structured like
paramilitary forces for rapid deployment.
6. National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) - Union Home Minister; Vice Chairman, NDMA, Members
including Secretaries of various nodal Ministries and Departments of Government of India and
State Governments and heads of National levels scientific, research and technical organizations.
7. National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) - On June 30, 2008, India’s first action plane on climate
change was released for outlining existing and future policies and programs for climate mitigation and adaptation.
8. State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) - A process involving tie-ups with multiple stakeholders,
formation of new committees, and workshops. It’s a sizable effort of mapping regional climate vulnerability,
examining future projections, arriving at sectoral implications, and framing actionable strategies.
9. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change - Global and regional climate modelling to
improve the quality and specificity of climate change projections and strengthening of observational networks and
data gathering, and assimilation for the availability of relevant data.
10. Ministry of Home Affairs (Disaster Management) - The Disaster Management division is responsible for
response, relief and preparedness for natural calamities and man-made disasters (except drought and epidemics).
It is also responsible for legislation, policy, capacity building, prevention, mitigation, and long-term rehabilitation.

Central agencies designated for natural hazard specific early warnings:

Hazard Ministry Agency
Avalanches Ministry of Defence Snow and Avalanche Study
Establishment (SASE)
Cold Wave Ministry of Earth Sciences Meteorological Department (IMD)
Cyclone Ministry of Earth Sciences India Meteorological Department
(IMD)
Meteorological Centre (RSMC)
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers
(TCWC)
Drought Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Central Drought Relief Commissioner
(CDRC) and Crop Weather Watch Group
(CWWG)
Earthquake Ministry of Earth Sciences India Meteorological Department
(IMD)
Industrial and Chemical Min. of Environment, Forests and Climate Hazardous Substances Management
disaster Change Division (HSMD)
Epidemics Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(MHFW)
Floods Ministry of Jal Shakti Central Water Commission (CWC)
Heat Wave Ministry of Earth Sciences India Meteorological Department IMD)
Landslides Ministry of Mines Geological Survey of India (GSI)
Tsunami Ministry of Earth Sciences National Centre for Oceanic
Information Services (INCOIS)

The State Disaster Response Fund shall be used for the expenditure for providing immediate relief to the victims of
cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, avalanche, cloud burst, frost, and cold
wave. State Disaster Response Funds is used in case of any disaster. The following funds have provisions for the:
• Gratuitous Relief
• Search and Rescue operations, as per actual cost incurred
• Relief measures
• Air dropping of essential supplies
• Emergency supply of drinking water
• Clearance of affected area, including management of debris
• Agriculture, Animal husbandry, fishery, Handicraft, artisans
• Repair/ Restoration (of immediate nature) of damaged Infrastructure
• Capacity development

The provisions relating to funding of prevention, mitigation, and preparedness, as per DM Act 2005
are listed below:
 Section 6 (g), NDMA may recommend provision of funds for the purpose of Mitigation.
 Section 18 (2) (f), SDMAs may recommend provision of funds for mitigation and
preparedness measures.
  Section 35 (2) (c), the Central government may ensure appropriate allocation of funds for prevention of
disaster, mitigation, capacity -building and preparedness by the Ministries or Departments of the
Government of India.
 Section 36 (e), the Ministries or Departments of Government of India shall allocate funds for measures for
prevention of disaster, mitigation, capacity -building and preparedness.
 Section 38 (2) (d), the State Government may allocate funds for measures for prevention of disaster,
mitigation, capacity -building and preparedness by the departments of the Government of the State in
accordance with the provisions of the State Plan and the District Plans.
 Section 39 (c), the departments of the state government shall allocate funds for prevention of disaster,
mitigation, capacity- building and preparedness.

Recommendations:
 Assessment of impact of the climate change at the district, block or panchayat level is missing which
needs to be addressed adequately.
 To frame a proper policy on climate change, we need to have an area specific data.
 We don’t have a detailed assessment on the impact of climate change on agriculture for rice, wheat,
maize, millet, pulses, etc.
 Effective institutionalization of State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) across the states.
 We need to do analysis for different crops with soil data, water data, climate data, and crop data of
particular district, in which we are lagging and needs to be addressed in adequate manner.
 We need micro level data at the panchayat or at the block level for actual planning, adaptation projects,
development or for helping communities to cope with climate change.
 For Forests we don’t have data and for Agriculture we have some data. What we need is district specific
data and to get resources according to that.
 Many coastal communities and farmers are already feeling the impact of climate change. We need to do
something for them with the help of government and the policy circles.
 If pressure comes from the people, the plan might come from the government on the climate change
impact mitigation.
 Our country has not had many studies focused on the local impact of climate change by Indian
researchers. For example - In Meghalaya, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in collaboration with the
state government found that the average temperature rose 0.031 degree Celsius annually for 32 years
until 2012.
 It is difficult to differentiate between human-made and natural causes and climate change is also caused
by human-made reasons.
 Western Ghats,  they are evergreen or deciduous throughout. The real impact on forest is based on
climate and other socio-economic pressures on the forest.
 We need to provide access to climate projections available at a micro level to all the researchers and even
farmers. It will help farmers in their planning for agricultural activities.
 Within the scientific community, there is a push for interdisciplinary research to study climate change and
public health links, for instance.
 The National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) is one of the good projects which needs
to be little intensified and should be adopted by many districts.

Flood specific recommendations for instance:

 Identification of vulnerable areas well in advanced.
 Local coordination with administration and communities.
 Evacuation of people to safe places.
 Stakeholders consultation.
 Guiding tips to the community with reference to flood, rescue, and other disaster.

References:
 National Intelligence council – India, impact of climate change 2030
 600 million people at risk climate change may soon turn critical in India by Disha Shetty
 NDMP 2019