DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN INDIA; GOVERNMENT

POLICIES AND LEGAL INSTITUTIONAL FRAMWORK

Aryamol s

Abstract

Disaster is sudden actions that can happen any time which is unpredictable .Disaster create
negative impact on the life of the people as well as environment. To avoid the impact of the
disaster is very important task and the government should play an important role in disaster
management. The disaster management act 2005is an important milestone in the step towards
reducing worst effect of disasters .The institutional framework of disaster management based on
this act. The duties and responsibilities of disaster management were divided from national to
local bodies. The disaster management policy can be defined as a rigid .It is flexible according to
the nature of disasters .This paper includes main disaster management policy taken by
government to reduce for the risk that can happen during the disaster.

Keywords: Disaster Management, Disaster Management Act, Disaster Management Authority

INTRODUCTION

The term’ Disaster Management’ is more relevant in recent times. Today, we faced a number of
disasters ranging from floods, earthquakes, tsunami, drought, etc. Disasters can be manmade or
natural. Earthquakes, cyclone, hailstorm, cloud burst, soil erosion, floods etc are the examples of
natural disasters. Fire, epidemics, road accident, nuclear installations etc are the examples of
human made disasters.

The word Disaster derives from middle French ‘Desasture’ and that from Old Italian ‘disastro’
which in turn comes from the Greek pejoratives prefix ‘dus’ which means’ bad’ and ‘aster’
means ‘star’. The word disaster means ‘bad star’.
The Disaster management Act 2005 define disaster as” a catastrophe ,mishap, calamity or grave
occurrence in any area, arising from natural or manmade causes, or by accident or negligence
which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to ,and destruction of
,property ,or damage ,or degradation of , environment ,and is of such a nature or magnitude as to
be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area” .

The United Nations defines disaster as the” occurrence of sudden or major misfortune which
disrupts the basic fabric and normal functioning of the society or community.”

Disaster is common phenomenon in the society .The latest various disaster related reports shows
that disaster has increased in frequency and intensity. A few recent disasters faced by India
include Chennai flood Kerala flood 2018&2019, Assam flood 2019, Uttarakhand forest fire
2016, Nippa in Kerala and Indian dust storm 2018 etc.

India and Kerala are highly disaster prone area due to its geographical peculiarities .India which
has only 2% total geographical area has support 16% of total world population .Hence, there is a
tremendous pressure on nature which results directly or indirectly occurrence of disaster that
causes loss of life.

Disaster event in Kerala with special reference to flood in 2018

2018, Kerala witnessed the worst flood in its history. According to government of Kerala 1259
out of 1664 villages spread across its 14 districts were affected. The seven worst hit districts
were Allapuzha, Ernakulum, Idukki, Kottayam, pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Wayanad where the
whole district was notified as floods affected. The devastating floods and landslides affected 5-4
million people displaced 1.4 million people and took 433 lives.

To overcome these disasters we need to management measures and policies. Disaster

management is continuous phenomenon by which human being make effort to reduce the
harmful effect caused by disasters. It is a phenomenon of mitigating the impact of the disasters.

Disaster management act 2005 defined disaster management as” a continuous and integrated
process of planning , organising ,coordinating and implementing measures which are necessary
or expedient for the following:1)prevention of danger or threat of any disaster,2)mitigation or
reduction of risk of any disaster or its severity or consequences,3) capacity building
4)preparedness to deal with any disaster,5)prompt response to any threatening disasters situation
or disaster 6)assessing the severity or magnitude of effects of any disaster 7)evacuation , rescue
and relief ,and 8)rehabilitation and reconstruction.”

Disaster management has greater importance in recent times. To handle this situation efficiently
we need to be well equipped technology, exporters, and policies. For the success collective and
coordinated efforts of all are essential.

Government policies and institutional frame work for the disaster management

In order to reduce the harmful impact of disasters, government has taken certain policies and
measures. Following are the important measures and policies.

Disaster Management Act 2005

This act provides for the effective management of disasters. It provides institutional mechanisms
for drawing up and monitoring the implementation of the disaster management.

⮚ The act provides for setting up of national disaster management authority(NDMA) ,state
disaster management authority(SDMA) district disaster management authority(DDMA)
⮚ The act further provides for the constitution of different Executive Committee at national
and state level.
⮚ The National Institute of Disaster management (NIDMA) for capacity building and
National Response Force (NDRF) for response have been set up.
⮚ The act contains the provision for financial mechanisms such as creation of funds for
response, National Disaster Mitigation Fund and similar funds at the state and district
level for the purpose of disaster management.
⮚ The act also provides specific roles to local bodies in disaster management .

Measures by the Government for Disaster Management

Central Government to take measures.-

1. Subject to the provisions of this Act the Central Government shall take all such
measures as it deems necessary or expedient for the purpose of disaster management
 2. In a particular and without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section
(1),the measures which the Central Government may take under that sub-section include
measures with respect to all or any of the following matters ,namely.-
a. Coordination of actions of the Ministries or Departments of the Government of
India ,State Governments National Authority ,State Authorities ,governmental
and non-governmental organisations in relation to disaster management,
b. Ensure the integration of measures for prevention of disasters and mitigation by
Ministries or Department of the Government of India into their developments
plans and projects;
c. Ensure appropriate allocation of funds for prevention of disaster, mitigation
,capacity building and preparedness by the Ministries Department of
Government of India;
d. Ensure that the Ministries or Departments of the Government of India take
necessary measure for preparedness to promptly and effectively respond to any
threatening disaster situation or disaster;
e. Cooperation and assistance to state governments as requested by them or
otherwise deemed appropriate by it,
f. Development of naval ,military and air force ,other armed forces of the union or
any other civilian personnel as may be required for the purpose of this act,
g. Coordination with the united nations agencies ,international organisations and
government of foreign countries for the purposes of this Act,
h. Establish institutions for research ,training ,and developmental programmes in
the field of disaster management,
i. Such other matters as it deems necessary or expedient for the purpose o securing
effective implementation of the provisions of this Act,
3. The Central Government may extend such support to other countries affected by major
disaster as it may deem appropriate.

Institutional Framework

National Level Institutions

⮚ National Disaster Management Authority( NDMA)

 ⮚ Cabinet committee on security (CCS)
⮚ National crisis management committee.
⮚ National executive committee
⮚ National disaster response force
⮚ National institute of management
Prime institutions are explained below.
1. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

The NDMA was initially constituted on May 30, 2005 under the chairmanship of prime
minister .following enactment of the disaster management act 2005, the NDMA was formally
constituted in accordance with section 3(1) of act on 27 the September 2006 with prime minister
as its chairperson.

Responsibility of NDMA
⮚ Lay down policies on disaster management
⮚ Approve the national plan
⮚ Lay down guidelines to be followed by the state authorities in drawing up the
state plan
⮚ Coordinate the enforcement and implementation of the policy and plan for
disaster management
⮚ Recommend provision of fund
2. National executive committee (NEC)

A NEC is constituted under section 8 of dm act 2005 to assist the national authority in the
performance of its functions. NEC consists of Home Secretary as its Chairperson.

NEC has been given the responsibility to act the coordinating and monitoring body for disaster
management

State Level Institution

⮚ State disaster management authority

⮚ State executive committee
⮚ District disaster management authority
 Kerala State Disaster Management Authority

State Disaster Management Authorities are statutory bodies constituted under the Disaster
Management Act, 2005 (Central Act 53 of 2005) .Kerala State Disaster Management Authority
is a statutory non-autonomous body under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister of Kerala. The
Chief secretary (inter alia Chairperson of the State Executive Committee) is the Chief Executive
Officer of KSDMA vide Section 14 (4) of the DM Act, 2005

The KSDMA has three technically competent non-ex-officio members nominated by the
chairman of the authority vide section 3(f) and (g) of KSDMA ,[Link] Chief Secretary,
Revenue and Disaster Management is the Head of the Department of KSDMA vide GO(R t)
No.2181/2016/DMD dated 23-03-2016. The other ex-officio members are Honourable Minister
for Agriculture ,Additional Chief Secretary ,Home and Head of State Emergency Operations
Centre .Head of State Emergency Operations Centre is vide Section 3(4) of
KSDMA,2007(amendment 2016) the Member Secretary of the Authority .

Disaster Management Policies

Major disaster management policies are explained below:

⮚ National policy on disaster management

The NDPM has been approved by central government on October 22, 2009. The policy covers
all aspects of disaster management including institutional and legal arrangement, financial
arrangement, mitigation, and preparedness, response, relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and
recovery, research and development.

⮚ National plan on disaster management

For the preparation of national plan include three parts.

● National response plan

● National mitigation plan
● National capacity building plan

Latest Kerala policy for disaster management

After the devastating 2018 floods the Kerala state disaster management authority has issue new
disaster preparedness guidelines for the rainy seasons.

The monsoon preparedness and emergency response plan handling emergencies during the two
monsoons.

Guidelines on dams

● Initial warning at least 36 hours before releasing water from dams

● 24 hours gap between the sounding of first and third alert
● No discharge of water from dams between 6 pm and 6 am
● To be implemented by the irrigation department, Kerala state electricity board and Kerala
water authority.

Conclusion

The direct or indirect impact of disaster are damage ,destruction and death .People become more
and more vulnerable to disasters of all types .Hence state and central governments are
responsible to provide every kind of support and assistants to victim. Central government play a
facilitating role. With proper coordination of various ministries and we required support and
helps from states for reducing the risks of various disasters. Policies are change according to the
nature of disasters. When disasters happens government measures are inadequate to tackle this
problem. In this context we need to be well equipped with efficient technology and measures for
mitigating the impact of any type of disasters.

REFERENCE

1. Gupta, h. k.(2003)Disaster management, Hyderabad: universities press

2. Government of India(2005):disaster management act 2005
3. Government of Kerala(2009):Kerala state disaster management policy, Kerala state
disaster management authority
4. Government of india2011:disaster management in India ,new Delhi, ministry of home
affairs
 5. National Disaster Management Authority (2016): national disaster management
plan,[Link],

6. Government of Kerala (2018): Kerala post disaster needs assessment floods and
landslides august 2018

Websites

[Link]

[Link]

[Link]