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The Indian sub-continent is vulnerable to a number of natural disasters. High population density in most disaster-prone areas of the country makes these calamities all the more destructive making the task of disaster management very challenging indeed. Looking at the danger profile of the country, we find that about 60 per cent of India’s land mass is prone to earthquakes. Forty million hectares of our landmass is prone to floods while 8000 km - long coastline is often hit by cyclones. To this we may now add the danger posed by the Tsunami waves to the eastern coast. The drought -affected areas with low and medium rainfall constitute about 68 per cent of our landmass. The hilly regions are vulnerable to avalanches, landslides, hailstorms and cloudbursts.
The Government has made a conscious effort to shift the focus of disaster management. In place of a mere post-disaster response and relief, a holistic system of management of disasters is being developed. The Government seeks to systemize the entire range of steps involved in disaster management prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, relief and rehabilitation. The approach is multi-dimensional and involves scientific, engineering, social and financial processes.
Global experience shows while it is impossible to prevent disasters, mitigation and preparedness can prevent some hazards from turning into catestrophes. A national framework has been drawn and shared with the State governments.
Tsunami Experience
A massive earthquake of 8.6 magnitude occurred off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia on December 26, 2004, triggering unprecedented tidal waves. These waves travelled at speeds of 7 to 8 hundred kmph, hitting the Indian coastlines with 3 to 10 metre high walls of water. Extensive destruction was caused all along the eastern coast in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Pondicherry and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The total number of casualties in the disaster is now estimated to be 10,797 with 5,623 people recorded as missing. They must have perished. The disaster affected 1,089 villages, a population of 27.5 lakh and destroyed 1.72 lakh dwelling units.
The Government’s response was quick and decisive. Immediately after receiving the first information about the Tsunami waves, the concerned agencies swung into action. The entire machinery of the Centre and the concerned State Governments/UT Administrations was activated for immediate relief. Relief operations were soon initiated by the Armed Forces in the affected States and UTs. The immediate task at hand was to rescue the marooned and stranded people, setting-up of relief camps, supply of relief materials, disposal of dead bodies and alternative arrangements for restoration of drinking water supply, power and communication.
A Group of Ministers was set up under the Prime Minister’s Chairmanship to monitor and review relief and rehabilitation efforts. The national response to the calamity was overwhelming and beyond expectations. The States not affected by the disaster came forward to extend a helping hand; industry associations, NGOs and voluntary organizations and individuals made massive contributions to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Management Framework
Since the Tsunami tragedy, new institutional and policy mechanisms have been put in place by the Government to handle disaster management. A new law on disaster management has being drafted and approved by the Cabinet to be put up in Parliament. The law will provide for a policy and institutional mechanism for managing calamities. A National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is also being set up under the Prime Minister’s Chairmanship.
Meanwhile a National Policy on Disaster Management is being formulated. A model disaster management code has also been circulated to the States. A National Institute of Disaster Management is now operational. This will be developed as a regional centre of excellence in Asia.
The States have been advised to put in place a systematic process to take care of such situations. They have been asked to convert Departments of Relief and Rehabilitation into Departments of Disaster Management so as to focus on mitigation. Disaster Management Authorities are being set up at State and district levels. People will also be trained to face disasters.There has been widespread appreciation of the Government’s relief and rehabilitation efforts in the wake of the Tsunami disaster. Its efforts to establish a clear and holistic system of management of disasters will serve the nation in the future. A system that is able to offer some prevention from disasters, one that can provide early warnings and prepare the people to tackle them, and one that provides immediate and effective relief, will be a boon to all those who lose everything in numerous natural calamities in our country every year.
*Information Officer, PIB, Delhi
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