⚠️ Disaster Management in India
🔹 What is a Disaster?
A disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts normal life and causes human, material, economic or environmental losses. It can be natural or man-made.
🔹 Types of Disasters in India
| Disaster Type | Examples | Region Affected |
|---|
| Natural | Earthquakes, Floods, Cyclones, Droughts | Himalayan belt, Eastern coast, North-East |
| Biological | COVID-19, Swine Flu | All India |
| Man-made | Industrial Accidents, Fire, Chemical Spills | Bhopal, Vizag, Urban zones |
🔹 India’s Vulnerability
- ~60% land prone to earthquakes
- ~12% land prone to floods
- ~8% of land prone to cyclones
- 70% of the cropped area prone to droughts
🔹 Major Disasters in India
- 2001 Gujarat Earthquake – 20,000+ deaths
- 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami – 10,000+ deaths
- 2013 Kedarnath Flash Floods – 5,000+ missing
- 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic – nationwide impact
🔹 Disaster Management Cycle
- Mitigation: Reducing risk (dams, retrofitting)
- Preparedness: Training, early warning, drills
- Response: Rescue, relief, medical aid
- Recovery: Rebuilding, long-term rehabilitation
🔹 Disaster Management Act, 2005
- Provides legal framework for disaster response in India
- Established National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
- Empowers Central, State, and District authorities
- Makes disaster plans mandatory
🔹 Key Institutions
| Institution | Role |
|---|
| NDMA | Policy, guidelines, coordination at national level |
| NDRF | Specialized force for rescue/relief |
| SDMA | State-level disaster management |
| IMD | Weather forecasting (cyclones, heatwaves) |
| ISRO | Remote sensing and early warning |
🔹 NDMA Guidelines – Key Features
- Building Code for Earthquake-prone zones
- Community preparedness programs
- Heatwave, flood, cyclone mitigation plans
🔹 Technologies in Disaster Management
- Early Warning Systems (Doppler Radars, Tsunami sensors)
- GIS Mapping for hazard zones
- Drone-based rescue and damage assessment
- Mobile apps (e.g., NDMA’s ‘Disaster Alert’ app)
🔹 Important Disaster-Prone Zones
| Zone | Disaster | States Affected |
|---|
| Himalayan Belt | Earthquakes, landslides | J&K, Uttarakhand, Himachal |
| Eastern Coast | Cyclones, floods | Odisha, AP, Tamil Nadu |
| North-West India | Droughts | Rajasthan, Gujarat |
🔹 Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction
- Training locals in rescue and first aid
- Mock drills in schools and offices
- Early warning via panchayats and mobile alerts
🔹 Role of Armed Forces
- Deploying rescue teams in floods and earthquakes
- Air-dropping relief materials
- Evacuations in cyclones and landslides
🔹 Climate Change and Disasters
- Increased frequency of extreme events
- Urban floods due to cloudbursts
- Rising heatwaves and wildfires
🔹 Key Government Schemes
- FANI Cyclone Response – Odisha praised for zero deaths
- PM CARES – COVID-19 aid
- School Safety Programme – NDMA initiative
🔹 One-Liners for Exams
- Nodal Ministry for Disaster Management: Ministry of Home Affairs
- NDMA Head: Prime Minister of India
- When was the DM Act passed? 2005
- Full form of NDRF: National Disaster Response Force
🔹 FAQs – People Also Ask
- Q: What is the full form of NDMA?
A: National Disaster Management Authority
- Q: Which agency predicts cyclones?
A: Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
- Q: How many battalions are in NDRF?
A: 16 specialized battalions
- Q: Which is the most disaster-prone state in India?
A: Odisha (due to cyclones)
🖚 Conclusion
India's diverse geography makes it vulnerable to multiple disasters. However, through effective disaster planning, NDMA guidelines, early warning systems, and community preparedness, we can reduce the loss of life and property. This topic is crucial for all competitive exams.
