The unplanned development and overpopulation that occurs in urban areas makes them more vulnerable to disasters. Provide ideas on how to strengthen the disaster-resilience of urban communities and infrastructure.
Disaster management in India has evolved from an activity-based reactive setup to a proactive institutionalized structure and from a relief-based approach to a 'multi-dimensional pro- active holistic approach for reducing risk'. The current institutional framework is characterized by following mechaRead more
Disaster management in India has evolved from an activity-based reactive setup to a proactive institutionalized structure and from a relief-based approach to a ‘multi-dimensional pro- active holistic approach for reducing risk’.
The current institutional framework is characterized by following mechanisms:
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): The National Disaster Management Act, 2005 Act provides for the setting up of NDMA at national level, and, the SDMA at the state level and the DDMAs at the district level.
- NDMA is the apex body for disaster management, which has the responsibility for laying down the policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management. The guidelines of NDMA assist the Central Ministries, Departments, and States to formulate their respective Disaster Management (DM) plans.
- National Executive Committee (NEC): It acts as the coordinating and monitoring body for disaster management. The NEC may give directions to the relevant Ministries/Departments of the Centre, the State Governments, and the State Authorities regarding measures to be taken by them in response to any specific threatening disaster situation or disaster as per needs of the State.
- National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR): A multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) was constituted to include stakeholders including people representing different interests in the field of disaster management apart from centre and state governments.
- National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM): It is the nodal agency responsible for human resource development, capacity building, training, research, documentation and policy advocacy in the field of disaster management. .
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): The NDRF is a specialist response force that can be deployed in a threatening disaster situation or disaster.
- The National Disaster Management Plan, 2016: It provides a framework and direction to the government agencies for all phases of the disaster management cycle. It provides for a comprehensive plan for different hazards with role and function clarity of all authorities involved.
Similar structures exist at the State and District level for tackling disaster managements. These include State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), State Executive Committee and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). Need of the hour is to ensure effective functioning of these mechanisms by overcoming their various shortcomings like hierarchical, bureaucratic, command and control, ‘top down’, approach that gives the central, state, and district authorities sweeping powers. Going forward, India can also work on institutionalizing mechanisms for community-based disaster management, disaster resilient infrastructure etc. Further, issues like having no concrete plan or policy for anticipating requirements and mobilisation of funds, lack of trained manpower need to be resolved for the purpose of effective disaster management.
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To build robust cities for resilient urban agendas, through: 1. Intelligent Urban Planning: Accommodation of building in disaster prone locations, construction of green area for managing storm water and control of density. 2. Resilient Building Codes: Sound seismic and flood resistant codes; enhanciRead more
To build robust cities for resilient urban agendas, through:
1. Intelligent Urban Planning: Accommodation of building in disaster prone locations, construction of green area for managing storm water and control of density.
2. Resilient Building Codes: Sound seismic and flood resistant codes; enhancing the seismically vulnerable building stock; encouraging affordable resilient houses.
3. Resilient Infrastructure: Reliable utility smart redundant-and sustainable drainage systems for flood-free risks.
4. Community Readiness: Initial action by authorities, parent and school staff training, much instruction and preparation of school and community personnel.
5. Early Warning Systems: Real-time control, Alarm resolution, Using data when making decisions.
6. Coordinated Emergency Response: The plans include the agency and resource response plans and mutual aid with other agencies, and mutual aid with neighboring cities.
7. Climate Adaptation: The increase in number of climate-proof cities, heat island effect and the promotion of low carbon projects.
8. Financial Support: Disaster insurance, premiums paid and rebates on disaster reduction measures as well as local government disaster risk funds.
All these efforts offer safety as well as improve community of other kinds of risks connected with other disasters.
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