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8.1 Due to its geo-climatic conditions, India has
been vulnerable to various natural disasters. About
60% of its landmass is prone to earthquakes; over
40 million hectares is prone to floods; of 7,500
kilometer (km.) of coast line close to 5,700 km. is
prone to cyclones and 68% of the area is susceptible
to drought. The Tsunami disaster, which struck five
coastal States/ UTs in India in December 2004, has
further highlighted the vulnerability of coastal areas.
Fire incidents, industrial accidents and other
manmade disasters involving chemical, biological
and radioactive materials are additional hazards
which have underscored the need for strengthening
mitigation, preparedness and response measures.
Role of Central and State Governments
8.2 The basic responsibility for undertaking
rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures in the
event of a disaster rests with the concerned State
Government. The Central Government supplements
the efforts of the State Governments by providing
logistic and financial support in case of severe
natural calamities. The logistic support includes
deployment of aircrafts and boats, specialist teams
of Armed Forces, Central Para Military Forces and
personnel of National Disaster Response Force
(NDRF), arrangements for relief materials &
essential commodities including medical stores,
restoration of critical infrastructure facilities including
communication network and such other assistance
as may be required by the affected States to meet
the situation effectively.
Change of approach
8.3 The Government have brought about a
change in the approach to disaster management.
The change is from a relief-centric approach to a
holistic approach covering the entire cycle of disaster
management encompassing prevention, mitigation,
preparedness, response, relief and rehabilitation.
The approach proceeds from the conviction that
development cannot be sustainable unless disaster
mitigation is built in the development process.
Disaster Management Act
8.4 The Government have enacted and notified
the Disaster Management Act, 2005 on December
26, 2005 to provide for institutional mechanisms for
drawing up and monitoring the implementation of
the disaster management plans, ensuring measures
by various wings of Government for prevention and
mitigating effects of disasters and for undertaking a
holistic, coordinated and prompt response to any
disaster situation. The Act provides for setting up
of a National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA) under the chairmanship of the Prime
Minister, State Disaster Management Authorities
(SDMAs) under the chairmanship of the Chief
Ministers and District Disaster Management
Authorities (DDMAs) under the chairmanship of
District Magistrates. The Act further provides for
constitution of National Executive Committee (NEC),
National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)
and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). It
also provides for the concerned Ministries and
Departments to draw up departmentwise plans in
accordance with the National Disaster Management
Plan. In addition, the Act contains provisions for
constitution of National Disaster Response Fund and
National Disaster Mitigation Fund and similar Funds
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER
VIII
