Salient Features of

India’s National Policy on

Disaster Management

Prof. M. Bhaskara RaoM.Tech; Ph.D; F.I.E

Visiting Professor, Dept. of Management Science, Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT), IIIT, RK Valley, Idupulapaya, Vempally (M) , Kadapa Dt, (A.P)

Training Objectives• To discuss the importance and need of Disaster

Management in India and the Govt’s paradigm shift,

• To explain the salient features of Govt. of India’s National Policy on Disaster Management

• To indicate the important provisions of DM Act, 2005

• To provide an overview on action to be taken by the various Govt. departments in the event of a Disaster

Background and Context

• Disaster Risk in India

• Govt’s Paradigm Shift

• Rationale for the Policy

• Relevance

• Requirement

• Need for a holistic Frame Work

DM in India-Paradigm Shift

• Shift in focus from Response & Relief to Preparedness, Prevention and Mitigation

• Building DM concerns into the developmental process and undertaking Mitigation measures including projects

• Creation of Policy, Legal and Institutional framework, backed by effective statutory and financial support

• Continuous & integrated process of Planning, Organizing, Coordinating & implementing measures in a holistic, manner.

Rationale for the Policy

• Government’s concern for DM

• Past Experiences

• Hazard, Risk Assessment & Vulnerability Reduction

• Need to revise/change certain traditional systems followed in DM

• Need for a holistic policy framework

Why National Policy on DM• To ensure that common goals are set & common

approaches are used

• Developing & monitoring activities on DM requires an active process of analysis, consultation & negotiation

• The Policy reflects the Govt’s concern & defines the limits of acceptable risk and its commitment to protecting vulnerable populations

• To indicate a clarity on roles and responsibilities of all the partners in Disaster Management

Vision• To build a safe & Disaster resilient India by

developing a holistic, proactive, integrated,Multi-disaster oriented & technology drivenstrategy through a culture of prevention,mitigation, preparedness and response.

Approach• A holistic and integrated approach towards

Disaster Management with emphasis on building strategic partnerships at various levels

• The themes underpinning the policy are: Community based Disaster Management, including last mile

integration of the Policy, Plans and Execution

Capacity development in all spheres

Consolidation of past initiatives and best practices

Cooperation with agencies at National and International levels

Multi Sectoral Synergy

Objectives of the Policy

• To minimize the losses to lives, livelihoodsand public as well as private property, causedby natural or manmade disasters

• To contribute positively to sustainable development by conserving development gains from the destructive nature of disasters, with special attention to the v’ble sections

Objectives of the Policy

• Mainstream disaster mitigation into developmentplanning at all levels such that risk reductionbecomes an inherent part of all projects

• Ensure adequate budget & resources for disastermitigation activities in all Ministries and Dept.s

• Ensure emergency funds for disaster response atall levels(Community, Panchayat, Divn & Dt levels)

Institutional Arrangements

• Prevention and Mitigation

• Preparedness and Response

• Institutional Arrangements at national, State & District levels

• Financial Arrangements

• Legal and Techno-legal Framework

Institutional & Legal Arrangements

•NDMA

•SDMA

•DDMA

•NEC

•NDRF

•SDRF

• Mainstreaming Disaster Prevention and Mitigation into developmental activity

• National Plan and State Plans

• Availability of Funds

• Land-use planning

• Safety of lifeline structures

Prevention and Mitigation

Preparedness and Response

• Inter-state Co-operation during Disasters

• Revision of existing Relief Codes

• Norms for Rehabilitation & Reconstruction

• DM Plans for Hospitals

• Standard Operating Proceedures

• Training & Capacity Building

Techno-Legal Regime

• Revision of Municipal Regulations

• Land Use Planning

• Safe Construction Practices

• Compliance Regime

• Enforcement

Risk Reduction Strategy

• Risk awareness and assessment including hazard and vulnerability/capacity analysis

• Knowledge development including education, training and research

• Public commitment and institutional frameworks, including organizational, policy, legislation and Community action

Risk Reduction Strategy

• Awareness Generation

• Capacity Building, HRD, Training and Education

• Regulation and Enforcement

• Strengthening of Life-line Structures & Buildings

• Research and Documentation

• DM Planning and Community Preparedness

• Learning from Previous Experiences

• International Co-operation

Conclusion• This national policy enabled the preparation of

Plans of action (at the level of Ministries, States & Districts)

• Direct and strategise a sound framework for Disaster Management in India

• Put in place a safe Disaster Management system to protect India from all Hazards

• A destination has been described & a direction shown

Discussions & Comments

Sendai Framework for DRR

• India - a signatory to the Sendai Framework for DRR

• Under this framework, India is committed to achieve 4 priorities & 7 targets

• India has taken a lead in this commitment under the Sendai Framework for DRR

• Ministerial conference under this framework to be organized by India in New Delhi in November, 2016

Sendai Framework for DRR

• District Administration plays a very important role in implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR

• The MHA have summarized the entire Sendai Framework in actionable points and circulated to all the states/districts

• The commitment is nothing but an attempt by our country to reduce loss of life & property in the event of any natural disaster and increase our Disaster Risk Reduction capabilities

• Lr.dt.23 June, 2015 from MHA to The Prl.Secys/RCs

Implementing the Sendai Framework-

Action to be taken by the District Administration

• The Sendai Framework for DRR has outlined 4 Priorities for action and 7 Targets to be achieved.

• The primary responsibility to implement the commitments made by the GoI rests with the DMs/DCs

• The MHA circulated the action points to all the DMs/DCs and

requested the States to monitor their implementation.

Sendai Framework-

Priorities for Action

1. Understanding Disaster Risk

2. Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance to manage Disaster Risk

3. Investing in Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience

4. Enhancing Disaster Preparedness for Effective Response

Important Provisions of The Disaster Management Act,2005

Prof. M. Bhaskara RaoM.Tech; Ph.D; F.I.E

Professor, Dept. of Management Science Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT),

IIIT, RK Valley, Idupulapaya, Vempally , Kadapa Dt, (A.P)

Why DM Act

• To provide for the effective management of Disasters & for matters connected therewith

• To facilitate effective steps for the mitigation of Disasters, prepare for and coordinate effective response to Disasters

• For drawing up & monitoring the implementation of DM plans, ensuring measures by various wings of the Govt. for mitigating effects & for undertaking a holistic, coordinated &prompt response to any Disaster situation

Disaster Management Act, 2005

• Preliminary

• The National Disaster Management Authority

• State Disaster Management Authority

• District Disaster Management Authority

• Measures by the Government for DM

• Local Authorities

Disaster Management Act, 2005

• National Institute of Disaster Management

• National Disaster Response Force

• Finance, Accounts and Audit

• Offences and Penalties

• Miscellaneous

National Disaster Management Authority

• Establishment of the NDMA

• Appointment of Officers and other employees of the NDMA

• Powers and functions of the NDMA

• Constitution of Advisory committee

• Constitution of National Executive Committee

• Powers and functions of NEC

State Disaster Management Authority

• Establishment of State DM Authority

• Meetings of the State Authority

• Appointment of Officers/other employees of State Authority

• Constitution of advisory committee by the State Authority

• Powers and functions of the State Authority

• Guidelines for minimum standard of relief by State Authority

• Constitution of State Executive Committee (SEC)

District Disaster Management Authority

• Constitution of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)

• Powers of Chairperson of DDMA

• Meetings

• Constitution of advisory committees and other committees

• Appointment of Officers & other employees of DDMA

District Disaster Management Authority

• Powers and functions of District Authority

• District DM Plan

• Plans by different authorities at district level and their implementation

• Requisition by the District Authority

• Powers and functions of District Authority in the event of any threatening disaster situation or disaster

Measures by the Government

• Central Government to take measures• Responsibilities of Ministries or Departments of

Government of India• Disaster management plans of Ministries or

Departments of Government of India• State Government to take measures• Responsibilities of departments of the State

Government• Disaster Management plan of departments of

State

Guidelines for Minimum Standards of Relief

• Min. requirements to be provided in the relief camps

• Special provisions to be made for widows & orphans

• Ex gratia assistance on a/c of loss of lives, damage to houses & for restoration of means of livelihood

• Such other relief as may be necessary

National Institute of Disaster Management

• Develop Training Modules

• Undertake Research

• Formulate and implement comprehensive HRD Plan covering all aspects of DM

• Provide assistance in national level policy formulation

• Provide assistance to state governments and State Training Institutions

National Disaster Response Force

• National Disaster Response Force

• General superintendence, Control, Direction, etc.

• Command and Supervision of the Force

Finance, Accounts and Audit

• National Disaster Response Fund (Sec.46)

• National Disaster Mitigation Fund (Sec.47)

• Establishment of funds by State Govt (Sec.48)

• Allocation of funds by Ministries & Dept.s (Sec.49)

• Emergency procurement & accounting (Sec.50)

Offences and Penalties

• Punishment for obstruction, etc.

• Punishment for false claim

• Punishment for misappropriation of money or material, etc

• Punishment of false warning

• Offences by Departments of the Government

Offences and Penalties

• Failure of officer in duty or his connivance at the contravention of the provisions of this act

• Penalty for contravention of any order regarding requisitioning

• Offence by companies

• Previous sanction for prosecution

REVENUE DEPARTMENT• To supply Food, Drinking Water to abandoned

passengers, milk to the infants, old people at railwaystation/bus stations

• To provide medical aid to abandoned passengers.

• To keep the list of swimmers, private mechanizedboats/ catamarans ready to requisition the services .

• To assess the requirement of life jackets and toidentify the place of availability.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

• To keep the Police Personnel at vulnerable points(cause ways/ level crossings / weak bridges/trafficjam-points) on N.H. roads/R&B roads to regulatevehicular traffic or to stop the traffic at convenientplace and not to venture when the causeways/bridges are over flowing.

• To coordinate with Revenue Personnel whileevacuating the people in vulnerable places and tokeep police personnel at relief centres & cycloneshelters for preventing thefts etc.

Engineering Depts

• Responsible for construction & maintenance of Roads, Buildings & Bridges.

• The Roads/Buildings should be made hazard proof.

• Ensure Buildings codes are strictly implemented.

• Check all the R.B.Bs & Carry out urgent repairs.

• Identified private buildings/cyclone shelters etc for use as relief camps should be checked & strengthened

Engineering Personnel

• Ensure stocking sufficient material at Vulnerable areas, required for closure of breaches/repairs.

• Ensure availability of sufficient vehicle at the disposal of field staff.

• Co-ordinate with police for diversion of traffic through safe routes.

• Be in constant touch with the Control Room & the situation.

• Arrange / maintain strict watch on vulnerable/weak Roads, Bridges, Buildings.

ROADS & BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT

• To identity roads which are vulnerable for floods/cyclones.

• To chalk out a plan of action, attend to restoration ofdamaged work and to facilitate communication, at shortnotice

• To organize teams, to report the District Administration aboutthe losses sustained to the public properties pertaining totheir departments, (within 6 hrs), to enable the DistrictAdministration, to report to the Government.

IRRIGATION DEPARTMENT

• To identity vulnerable Tanks/ Canals.

• Levels of rivers, rivulets etc.shall be carefully watched andrecorded and timely action taken for release of water(fullfledged data shall be kept at, Divn. and District level)

• The EOC/ Control Room maintained at the Collector’s Officeshall be informed of the developments( eg. raising waterlevels etc) from time to time.

• To keep the material required for attending for immediaterestoration works, like procuring gunny bags and organizinglabour well in advance

MEDICAL & HEALTH DEPARTMENT

• To keep ready the drugs & vaccines for moving them tothe affected places immediately, at short notice.

• To furnish the latest list of Government/PrivateDoctors available in the area, who can be called forany emergency.

• To keep ready number of ambulances &other vehicles.

• Programming the chlorination of wells.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

• To keep ready the drugs and vaccines formoving them to the affected placesimmediately at short notices.

• To keep ready veterinary teams to attend tovaccination and to supply drugs to affected.

FISHERIES DEPARTMENT

To furnish the latest list of the names andaddress of the Drivers and the Owners of theBoats, Catamarans for using their services asand when required and to keep ready Boatsand Catamarans in Dist/Divn headquarters

MUNICIPALITIES & PUBLIC HEALTH

• To fill all the OHSRs and keep hygienic drinking water ready for utilization, soon after receipt of cyclone warning

• To keep sufficient quantities of bleaching powder for use

• To keep generators ready for use in case of failure of power supply.

Panchayati Raj Department

• Convene meeting of ward members to make arrangements for

Shifting people/cattle to safe places.

School buildings ready for providing shelter.

Special efforts to evacuate people

PHC, availability of medicines, auxiliary staff

Panchayati Raj Department

Alert Engg. Staff at Village/Block/Mandal level.

Contacting local NGOs/ VO

Arrange for Mock Drills

Upkeep of Cyclone shelters

Resource Mapping at GP/Block/Mandal Level

Take stock of availability of special Machinery & equipment.

Panchayati Raj Department

• Identify shelters.

• Pooling of food grains, storage of Drinking Water

• Arrangements for providing cooked food on mass scale (before the Govt. aid reaches)

• Enlist the support of all extension Personnel, Engineering staff, school Teachers, elected PRI members, NGO’s, VO’s, Youth etc.

• Inspect the drainage systems

• Arrange for strengthening weak bunds of the tanks (through the AEs & other Engineering staff)

Panchayati Raj Department

• Control Room functions

• Provide immediate relief to the affected people.

• Arrange to disconnect power supply in flood areas.

• Establish Temp. Clinics/Medical facilities.

• Co-ordinate the working of Task forces

Panchayati Raj Department

• Remove obstructions for flood water

• Provide pump sets (available at the GP/Block/ Mandal) for use

• Arrange to stock & supply adequate quantities of essential commodities/ food grains.

• Make arrangements for removal and disposal of dead bodies/carcasses.

• Take preventive measures against spread of epidemics.