BASIC CONCEPTS

OF DISASTER
MANAGEMENT
PLA-433; Disaster Risk Mitigation and Management
DISASTER DEFINITION,
TYPES AND WORLD &
INDIAN SCENARIO
Disaster: Definition:
General Definition:
◦ Disaster is an event or
series of events, which
gives rise to casualties
and damage or loss of
properties,
infrastructures,
environment, essential
services or means of
livelihood on such a scale
which is beyond the
normal capacity of the
affected community to
cope with.
Disaster: Definition:
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC):
◦ A disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts the
functioning of a community or society and causes human, material, and
economic or environmental losses that exceed the community’s or society’s
ability to cope using its own resources. Though often caused by nature,
disasters can have human origins.
(Vulnerability + Hazard) / Capacity = DISASTER
As per United Nations:
◦ The occurrence of sudden or major misfortune which disrupts the basic
fabric and normal functioning of the society or community.
Major Disasters Known in
the History of World
Major Disasters Known in
the History of India
Types of disaster
1. Water and climate:
◦ Floods
◦ Cyclones
◦ Tornadoes and hurricanes
◦ Hailstorms
◦ Cloudburst
◦ Heat wave and cold wave
◦ Snow avalanches
◦ Droughts
◦ Sea erosion
◦ Thunder lightning
Types of disaster
2. Geological
◦ Landslides and mudflows
◦ Earthquakes
◦ large fire Dam failures and dam bursts
◦ Mine fires
3. Biological
◦ Epidemics
◦ Pest attacks
◦ Cattle epidemics
◦ Food poisoning
Types of disaster
4. Chemical, industrial and nuclear
◦ Chemical and Industrial Nuclear
5. Accidental
◦ Forest fires o Serial bomb blasts
◦ Urban fires o Festival related disasters
◦ Mine flooding o Electrical disasters and fires
o Air, road, and rail accidents
◦ Oil spill o Bomb capsizing
◦ Major building collapse o Village fire
RECENT INITIATIVES
AT NATIONAL AND
STATE LEVEL
 Nodal Agencies for Disaster
Management
◦ Floods : Ministry of Water Resources, CWC
◦ Cyclones : Indian Meteorological Department
◦ Earthquakes : Indian Meteorological Department
◦ Epidemics : Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
◦ Avian Flu: Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture
and Animal Husbandry
◦ Chemical Disasters : Ministry of Environment and Forests
◦ Industrial Disasters : Ministry of Labour
◦ Rail Accidents : Ministry of Railways
◦ Air Accidents : Ministry of Civil Aviation
◦ Fire : Ministry of Home Affairs
◦ Nuclear Incidents : Department of Atomic Energy
◦ Mine Disasters : Department of Mines
 Capacity Building Project (in
Partnership with IGNOU) and
Ministry of Rural Development
◦ States. : 11
◦ Districts. : 55
◦ Training of PRI/ ULB Representatives. : 12,375 (225 Per District).
◦ Training of Government Functionaries. : 4,125 (75 Per District).
Panchayati Raj Institutions in the
field of Disaster Management.

◦ Training in State Institutes of Rural Development and National Institute of

Rural Development for PRIs is under active planning – with Ministry of
Panchayati Raj.
◦ Awareness Generation and Preparedness through PRI Training Institutes
◦ Disaster Resilience ensured in their Projects.
 Partnership with Corporate Sector through
Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Private
Partnership.
◦ All major Business Houses consulted
◦ Positive response
◦ Modalities being finalized with help of IIM Ahmedabad
◦ FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, PHD Chamber of Commerce and NASSCOM etc. Being
consulted
◦ Through interaction with States
◦ Corporate Disaster Resource Network – Established (with AidMatrix)
Strengthening of Fire Services
◦ GoI approved Rs 200 Cr.4.
◦ Present shortage : 91%.
◦ Weakest link presently in DM apparatus of the Country – Matter of Grave Concern
◦ Equipment needs immediate upgradation to meet operational challenges
◦ Fire Services need to be upgraded into Fire and Emergency Services
◦ Discussion carried out with Finance Commission for necessary allocation of funds.
Presently the Fire Services though most valuable are the weakest link.
13th FINANCE COMMISSION AWARDFIRE
SERVICES AND CAPACITY BUILDING
◦ Finance Commission has recognized the need for modernization of the Fire
Services
◦ Finances allotted to ULBs for revamping and upgradation of Fire Services in Cities
over one Million population.
◦ Compliance to be confirmed through Gazette Notification.
◦ In addition to the above, Finance Commission has allotted specific funds for
revamping Fire Services to Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Orissa, West Bengal and
Uttar Pradesh.
◦ For Capacity Building and upgradation of SDRF Rs. 525 Cr allotted.
◦ For National Disaster Response Reserves Rs. 250 Cr allotted.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT IN EMERGENCY
MEDICALPREPAREDNESS AND PUBLIC HEALTH
◦ Basic Life Support (BLS) Course
◦ Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Course (National Nodal Centre =JPN Apex AIIMS)
◦ Disaster Management in Medical curriculum
◦ Medical Preparedness for Mass Casualty Management to get a main stay in the education
curricular
◦ Skill and competence based training to all health care providers
◦ Development of disaster resilient communication network with single national toll free
number and mobile tele-health facilities
◦ Provisions to provide special care to the vulnerable groups and the psychosocial support to all
the victims and their families
◦ Public health in emergencies
◦ MISP in reproductive health in crisis situations
◦ Nutrition in emergencies
◦ WASH in Emergencies
COMMUNITY BASED
DISASTERMANGEMENT
◦ Community being the First Responder for any disaster or emergency
◦ Mechanism to incorporate community best practices to develop a resilient
community
◦ Capacity Development of ASHA/VLH&S Committees/RKS/AWW
◦ Capacity Development of Railway functionaries at Railway Stations, Security
Guards in RWA
◦ Capacity Development of Civil Defense volunteers, NCC/NSS/NYKS
◦ Development of Certified Medical First Responders
 AUTHORITY NDMA’S INITIATIVE
ON EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS
1. NDMA issued Guidelines for Management of Earthquakes – 16 May 2007
2. Mainstreaming DRR in various Central Schemes
3. Reserve Bank of India Guidelines for Bank Financing –
a) For Building Sector – Issued in 2011.
b) For Infrastructure Sector – Under Formulation.
4. Retrofitting Policy & Guidelines – Under Formulation.
5. Building Typology.
6. Earthquake Risk Mitigation in Open Ground Storey RC Buildings – Under
Formulation.
NATIONAL CYCLONE RISK
MITIGATION PROJECT
◦ Objective:
◦ To strengthen structural & non-structural cyclonemitigation efforts
◦ To build capacities for cyclone risk mitigation.
◦ NATIONAL SCHOOL SAFETY PROGRAMME
◦ For creating Safe School Environment.
◦ Area Covered– Two districts each of 22 States/ UTs in Zone IV & V.
◦ Project Objectives –
◦ Formulation of National School Safety Policy.
◦ Capacity Building of Staff and Students.
◦ Information, Education and Communication Initiatives.
◦ Demonstrative Retrofitting – one school each in 22 States/ UTs..
 NATIONAL CYCLONE RISK
MITIGATION PROJECT
◦ OTHER PROJECTS/STUDIES
◦ Development of Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Map of India (PSHA)
◦ Geo-Technical Investigation for Seismic Micro zonation
◦ Brahmaputra River Erosion Study
◦ Setting up of Mobile Radiation Detection Systems (MRDS)
◦ Technical template to classify various typologies of building
◦ Preparation of Upgraded Earthquake Hazards Maps
◦ Soil Piping Project
◦ Early Warning System for flash flood in the Meenachal and Manimala Rivers in Kerala
PROPOSED PROJECTS
◦ National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Project.
◦ National Disaster Communication Network.
◦ National Disaster Management Information System.
◦ Flood Risk Mitigation Programme.
◦ Landslide Risk Mitigation Programme.
◦ LARGE SCALE SIMULATION EXERCISESCEMEX 2011DELHI MEGA
SIMULATION 2012GEMEX 2012DEMEX 2012MULTI-STATE EARTHQUAKE
EXERCISE 2013
KYOTO FRAMEWORK OF
DISASTER MITIGATION
AND MANAGEMENT
 Hyogo framework of disaster mitigation and
management
◦ Overall Goal:
◦ Building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters
◦ Three Strategic Goals:
◦ The integration of disaster risk reduction into sustainable development policies and planning
◦ Development and strengthening of institutions, mechanism and capacities to build resilience to hazards
◦ The systematic incorporation of risk reduction approaches into the implementation of emergency preparedness,
response and recovery
◦Priorities for Action:
◦ HFA1 - Make Disaster Risk Reduction a Priority
◦ HFA2 - Know the Risks and Take Action
◦ HFA3 - Build Understanding and Awareness
◦ HFA4 - Reduce Risk
◦ HFA5 - Be Prepared and Ready to Act
Differences with/ without DRR investment with
GDP
Differences with/ without DRR investment with
Lorenz curve
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
POLICY AT NATIONAL AND
STATE LEVEL
INTRODUCTION
◦ The National Authority, under the Disaster Management Act, has been
mandated with the responsibility for laying down the policies, plans and
guidelines for disaster management to ensure timely and effective
response to disasters.
◦ It is further required to approve the plans prepared by the ministries or
departments of the Government of India in accordance with the national
plans.
◦ The National Executive Committee, under the Act has to prepare the
National Plan, coordinate and monitor the implementation of the National
Policy.
Click icon to add picture

Disaster
Managemen
t Structure
in India
Disaster Management Act,
2005
This Act provides for the effective management of disaster and for matters
connected therewith or incidental thereto. It provides institutional
mechanisms for drawing up and monitoring the implementation of the
disaster management.
◦ The Act also ensures measures by the various wings of the Government for
prevention and mitigation of disasters 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,
District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) under the Chairmanship of
Collectors/District Magistrates/Deputy Commissioners.
National Level Institutions
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was initially constituted on
May 30, 2005 under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister vide an executive order

◦ Mandate of NDMA:
◦ The NDMA has been mandated with laying down policies on disaster management and
guidelines which would be followed by different Ministries, Departments of the Government
of India and State Government in taking measures for disaster risk reduction.
Responsibilities of NDMA
◦ Lay down policies on disaster
management;
◦ Approve the National Plan;
◦ Approve plans prepared by the Ministries
or Departments of the Government of
India in accordance with 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
Legal Institutional Framework ◦ Provide such support to other countries
affected by major disasters as may be
determined by the Central Government;
Focus and Objectives of
Guidelines
◦ Management of Landslide and Snow Avalanches: The objectives of these guidelines are
to institutionalize the landslide hazard mitigation efforts, to make the society aware of the
various aspects of landslide hazard in the country and to prepare the society to take suitable
action to reduce both risks and costs associated with this hazard. The guidelines include
regulatory and non-regulatory frameworks with defined time schedules for all activities.
◦ Management of Cyclones: The guidelines aim to deal with the tropical cyclones by way of
appropriate coping strategies and risk reduction plans along with greater public awareness.
The guidelines call for proactive, participatory, fail safe, multi-disciplinary and multi-sector
approach at various levels.
◦ Management of Earthquake: The guidelines emphasise that all new structures are built
in compliance with earthquake resistant building codes. Town planning, bye-laws, structural
safety audits of existing lifeline structures and other critical structures in earthquake prone
areas, carrying out selective seismic strengthening and retrofitting ought to be addressed.
Focus and Objectives of
Guidelines
◦ Chemical Disasters (Industrial): These guidelines call for a protective,
participatory, well-structured, fail-safe, multi-disciplinary and multi-structural
approach at various levels. On the basis of vulnerabilities and consequences of
chemical accidents, the guidelines review the existing regulatory framework and
practices and thus propose for a regulatory framework, code of practices, capacity
development, institutional framework, etc.
◦ Management of Chemical (Terrorism) Disasters: The guidelines focus on
outlining the preparedness and efforts made for mitigating the chemical terrorism,
the act of violence perpetrated to achieve professed aims, using chemical agents.
◦ Psycho-Social Support and Mental Health Services in Disasters: Disasters
leave a trail of agony and affect the survivors’ mental health. The guidelines on
this subject outlay the entire gamut of psycho-social support and mental health
services with a view to build the nation resilient to respond effectively in all types
of disasters.
National Policy on Disaster
Management (NPDM)
◦ The National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM) has been approved by the
central government on October 22, 2009 and circulated to all concerned.
◦ The policy envisages a safe and disaster resilient India by developing a holistic,
proactive, multi-disaster oriented and technology driven strategy through a
culture of prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response.
◦ The policy covers all aspects of disaster management including institutional and
legal arrangements, financial arrangements, disaster prevention, mitigation and
preparedness, techno-legal regime, response, relief and rehabilitation,
reconstruction and recovery, capacity development, knowledge management,
research and development.
◦ It focuses on the areas where action is needed and the institutional mechanism
through which such action can be channelized
National Plan on Disaster
Management
◦ An institutional mechanism for preparation of the National Plan has been put in
place, which is under preparation in three parts namely:
◦ National Response Plan,
◦ National Mitigation Plan and
◦ National Capacity Building Plan
◦ A Facilitation Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Border
Management) in the Ministry of Home Affairs and three sub-committees namely:
(i) National Response Plan Committee (ii) National Mitigation Plan Committee and
(iii) National Capacity Building Plan Committee have been constituted for
preparation of the National Plan on Disaster Management.
Click icon to add picture
Nodal
Ministry/Depa
rtment for
Management/
Mitigation of
Different
Disasters
 Management of Droughts
◦ The new manual for drought management is jointly prepared by MOA & NIDM and
issued in November 2009.
◦ It suggests a system for drought management policy and programmes to be
followed by the Government of India and state governments.
◦ It focuses on the general and common elements of drought management at the
national level, while allowing the states to include their specific schemes and
interventions. The manual incorporates drought forecasting, monitoring, response
and mitigation as a continuum of activities.
National Action Plan on Climate
Change
◦ 1 On June 30, 2008, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh released India’s first National
Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), outlining existing and future policies and programs
addressing climate mitigation and adaptation. 
◦ The plan identifies eight core “national missions” running through 2017 and directs
ministries to submit detailed implementation plans to the Prime Minister’s Council on
Climate Change by December 2008
◦ Emphasizing the overriding priority of maintaining high economic growth rates to raise
living standards, the plan “identifies measures that promote our development objectives
while also yielding co-benefits for addressing climate change effectively.” 
◦ It stipulates that these national measures would be more successful with assistance from
developed countries, and pledges that India’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions “will at
no point exceed that of developed countries even as we pursue our development objectives.”
The plan can be visited on the website of Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF)
National Action Plan on Climate
Change
◦ National Action Plan on Climate Change identified Eight missions.
◦ National Solar Mission
◦ National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
◦ National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
◦ National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
◦ National Water Mission
◦ National Mission for Green India
◦ National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
◦ National Mission for Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change
 STATE LEVEL
POLICIES AND ACTION
Plan Schemes:
◦ Strengthening of Fire and Emergency Services
◦ The scheme is being implemented in 28 States by their Governments
◦ A Scheme for Strengthening of Fire and Emergency Service in the country was launched
in 2009 with an outlay of 200 crore.
◦ The scheme is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with the Central and
State contribution for procurement of equipment in the ratio 75:25 and for north-eastern
states in the ratio 90:10 within the Eleventh Five Year Plan period. 
◦ Revamping of Civil Defense Setup
◦  To strengthen and revitalize the Civil Defense setup in the country to play a significant
role in disaster management and assist the police in internal security and law and order
situations while retaining their primary role.
 GoI-
UNDP Disaster Risk Reduction Pro
gramme

GoI-
USAID Disaster Management Supp
 Externally Aided Schemes

ort Project

National Cyclone Risk Mitigation P
roject: 
 Non- Plan
Schemes
Financial Assistance to Administrati
ve Training Institutes (ATIs) 
and other Training Institutes in Stat
es/UTs
The scheme for financial assistance
to the ATIs and other training
institutes in the States/UTs for
operation of Disaster Management
centres was approved in 2007
 Schemes in Pipel
ine  
• National Emergency Commu
nication Plan (Phase II)
• School Safety Programme
• National  Earthquake  Risk 
Mitigation  Project
• National  Landslide  Risk 
Mitigation  Project
National Flood Risk Mitigatio
n Project
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
ACT AT NATIONAL AND
STATE LEVEL