Multi-Dimensional Disaster Management Plan: Objectives, Need, and Significance

Context: 

This article is based on the news “Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah says in order to build a disaster resilient India, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has introduced a multi-dimensional Disaster Management Plan” which was published in the PIB Recently, the Prime Minister has introduced a multi-dimensional Disaster Management Plan.

Multi-Dimensional Disaster Management Plan: Key Highlights

• Effective Early Warning System: It was recognized that prompt response forces and vigilant early warning systems lead to saving millions of lives.
• Zero Casualty Approach: The “Zero Casualty Approach” adopted by India has made the disaster response teams operate as fully professional forces driven by the goal of securing every life.
• Youth Training in Disaster Management: The Government has trained millions of youth in disaster management, which has boosted the morale of the forces and made the communities capable of fighting disasters.

India’s Disaster Vulnerability 

• Disaster Prone: 

  • India is the 10th most disaster-prone country in the world.

• Geographical Vulnerabilities:

  • 60% of the landmass is prone to earthquakes.
  • 40 million hectares are prone to floods, and 
  • 68% of the area is susceptible to drought. 

• Coastal Vulnerabilities: 

  • Close to 5,700 km, out of the 7,516 km long coastline is prone to cyclones and tsunamis.

• Man-Made Disaster: 

  • India is also vulnerable to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies and other man-made disasters such as Rail and Road disasters (Orissa train collision), stampedes (at temples and festivals) etc.

• Economic Impact: 

• • According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Natural disasters, such as cyclones, floods and droughts, have cost India around $87 billion in 2020.

Existing Disaster Response Framework in India

• Disaster Management Act 2005: 

  • The National Disaster Management Act was enacted in 2005, which brought a paradigm shift in India’s approach to disaster management. 
  • The approach shifted to preparedness, prevention and planning from earlier response and relief centric approach.

  • The Act provides for establishment of:

    • National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
    • State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)
    • District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)

  • The Act also provides for:

    • Constitution of Disaster Response Fund and Disaster Mitigation Fund at National, State and District levels 
    • Establishment of National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

• National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM) 2009:

  • Holistic Approach: The NPDM fosters a holistic, proactive strategy for disaster resilience, integrating prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response, and spans across all aspects of disaster management including institutional, legal, and financial frameworks.
  • Inclusivity and Equity: It ensures the inclusion of all societal segments, particularly focusing on differently-abled persons, women, children, and disadvantaged groups, emphasising equity in relief and rehabilitation efforts.
  • Transparency and Community Involvement: Aims for transparency and accountability in disaster management processes by actively involving communities, local bodies, civil society, and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

• National Disaster Management Plan 2016:

• • It is the first ever national plan prepared in the country for disaster management and has been aligned broadly with the goals of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
  • The NDMP provides a framework and direction to the government agencies for all phases of the disaster management cycle.
  • Key Activities: The plan identifies major activities such as early warning, information dissemination, medical care, fuel, transportation, search and rescue, evacuation, etc. to serve as a checklist for agencies responding to a disaster. 
  • Integration: NDMP also provides for horizontal and vertical integration among all the agencies and departments of the Government.

Multi-Dimensional Disaster Management Plan

• It is a holistic and Integrated approach to disaster management that has been brought in India. It is based on a relief-focused and reactionary outlook. 
• Various components of a multidimensional disaster management plan are: 
  • Early Warning System: Mechanism to forecast and communicate potential disaster risks
  • Mitigation: Strategies to reduce the severity and impact of a disaster occurring.
  • Active Prevention: Proactive measures taken to avert the occurrence of a disaster or to minimise its impact on society.
  • Preparedness: The state of readiness of individuals, and communities to respond effectively to disasters.
  • Disaster Risk Reduction: An approach to identify, assess, and reduce the risks of disaster and lessen the vulnerability of people and assets to ensure sustainable development.

Need For Multi-Dimensional Disaster Management Plan

• Persistent Challenges: The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic is combined with issues like war between Ukraine and Russia causing global food insecurity. 
  • Increasing encroachment by humans is giving rise to more zoonotic diseases, posing a risk of perpetual fight against diseases. 
• Climate Change: The impact of climate change is leading to frequent and intense extreme weather events. This requires a multi-dimensional and holistic approach to deal with dynamic disaster situations. 
  • Urban floods in Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore; Glacial lake outbursts in Uttarakhand and draughts in the flood plains of Bihar are the result of climate change.
• Gaps in Preparedness for Catastrophic Disasters: India faces significant preparedness gaps, especially for catastrophic events like major earthquakes and floods. 
  • Recent events such as the mudslides in Leh, the Sikkim earthquake, and the Uttarakhand floods have exposed inadequacies in preparedness, leading to high mortality and displacement rates.
• Need for Enhanced Early Warning Systems: Effective disaster management hinges on the accuracy and timeliness of early warning systems. Erraticity of tropical cyclones and difficulty in tracking their movement.
  • Cyclone Taukte claimed over 100 lives, most of them in Gujarat, and caused destruction in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra as it brushed India’s west coast. Similarly Cyclone Amphan caused destruction in West Bengal and Bangladesh.
• Execution of Disaster Management cycle in Silos: Various phases of disaster management cycle such as forecasting disasters and planning for mitigation etc. are done in silos.
  • Assessment of levels and duration of flooding,soil types and then identifying crops that would thrive in post-flood conditions needs to be done for integrated disaster management.
• Lack of Integration of Technological Advances: Use of modern technology, such as artificial intelligence and big data, to manage routine procedures and enhance disaster preparedness is still missing.
  • The Emergency Alert System, which is being implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority, has still not been functional.
• Poor Community Involvement: Community involvement and engagement in disaster management requires proper training and frequent drills for better response. However, there is a major lack of training of citizens to deal with disasters at the local level. 

Multi-Dimensional Approach To Disaster Management in India

• Enhanced Early Warning and Response Systems

  • Successes in Disaster Mitigation: Implementation of early warning systems has significantly reduced the loss of lives and property due to cyclones by approximately 98%, along with a considerable decrease in heatwave-related mortality.
  • Protection of critical Asset: Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the disaster management system effectively protected critical assets like oxygen-generating units in cyclone-affected zones.

• Strengthening Disaster Response Capabilities

  • National Disaster Response Reserve (NDRR): Establishment of a ₹250 crore revolving fund to maintain ready-to-deploy inventory for immediate relief.
  • Expansion of NDRF: Introduction of additional corps and operational vessels by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to ensure pre-deployment in states and regional response centers across 28 cities.
  • State Disaster Response Force (SDRF): Formation in all states, except Telangana, taking over specific disaster response tasks.

• Financial and Technological Support for Disaster Management in India

  • Scientific Fund Allocation: Formation of the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) in 2021 with allocations totalling ₹45,724 crore under NDMF and State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF).
  • Innovation and Training: Launch of the NDRF Academy, Disaster Mitra Scheme to train over 1 lakh volunteers.
  • Schemes for Disaster Management: Three key schemes worth over ₹8000 crore aim to modernise fire services, mitigate urban flooding in major metros, and launch a National Landslide Risk Mitigation Project for widespread impact.

• Communication and Information Systems

  • Common Alerting Protocol (CAP): A ₹154 crore project to deliver geographically targeted emergency alerts through mobile phones, integrating various governmental and meteorological centres.
  • National Disaster Management Information System (NIDMS) Portal: An online platform for collecting disaster loss data and monitoring Sendai Framework indicators.
  • Mobile Application: Development of mobile applications like ‘Weather’ for daily weather information, ‘Meghdoot‘ for agricultural management by farmers, and ‘Damini’ for lightning warnings.

• Emergency Response Systems

• • ‘DIAL 112’ Emergency Response Support System (ERSS): A ₹41 crore initiative for disaster emergencies, complemented by the institution of the Subhash Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award to recognize contributions in the field.

Concerns Are Related To Disaster Management in India

• Lack of Financial Risk Management: Inadequacy in managing financial risks and insurance mechanisms exacerbates disaster-related losses, demanding improved financial strategies.
• Urban Planning and Land Use: Inadequate planning and lack of comprehensive land use policies contribute to vulnerability to landslides. Furthermore,  paucity of basic data (e.grainfall) in mountainous areas, especially the North Eastern region exacerbates the challenge.
• Construction Laws and Tourism: Lax enforcement of construction laws and excessive tourism exacerbate risks in hill regions. Deforestation, road cutting and terracing leads to imbalance in the structural integrity of the region.
• Investment in Resilience: There are gaps in investments towards development-oriented approach for disaster resilience, urging for a transparent, national action framework.

Way Forward To Disaster Management In India

• Leveraging Remote Sensing & GIS in Disaster Management In India: Remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) facilitates rapid response and effective relief through mapping affected areas. 
  • GIS data post-Hurricane Katrina in 2005 played a vital role in identifying inundated regions and directing aid effectively
• Utilising Big Data & AI’s Potential in Disaster Response: AI and Machine learning assist in predicting extreme events, creating hazard maps, real-time event detection, offering situational awareness, and aiding decision-making.
• Drones and Robotics: They help swiftly survey vast areas and reach challenging terrains and hazardous environments.
• Integrated Approach to Climate Change: Recognize the linkage between disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
• Community-based Disaster Management: Empower local communities with the knowledge and tools to manage disasters effectively. This includes training in basic response measures, establishment of local response teams, and regular disaster preparedness drills.

Conclusion

The changing environmental landscape coupled with anthropogenic impacts will make the disasters more dynamic in nature. This will require a multi-dimensional approach integrated with technological advancements to predict, mitigate and rehabilitate the vulnerable communities. 

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