Disaster Risk Management in India, Hazard Profile, Relief, Disaster Management Act, GIS, IT and Damage Assessment
Unit 4 explains Disaster Risk Management in India. It covers hazard profile of India, vulnerability profile, disaster relief components, institutional arrangements, Disaster Management Act, Disaster Management Policy, role of GIS and Information Technology and disaster damage assessment.
Disaster Risk Management in India includes policies, institutions, plans and technologies used to reduce disaster risk and manage disaster response, relief, recovery and rehabilitation.
India is highly vulnerable to different types of disasters because of its diverse geography, climate, coastline, mountains, rivers and population density.
| Hazard | Vulnerable Areas |
|---|---|
| Earthquake | Himalayan region, North-East India, Gujarat, Andaman and Nicobar. |
| Flood | Ganga-Brahmaputra plains, Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal. |
| Cyclone | Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Gujarat coast. |
| Drought | Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, parts of Madhya Pradesh. |
| Landslide | Himalayan states, Western Ghats, North-East India. |
| Industrial Disaster | Industrial cities and chemical zones. |
India’s vulnerability is high due to population pressure, poverty, rapid urbanization, unsafe construction, environmental degradation and climate change.
Disaster relief includes immediate support provided to affected people after a disaster.
Safe drinking water supply to prevent dehydration and diseases.
Distribution of cooked food, dry ration and nutrition support.
Clean toilets, waste disposal and hygiene facilities.
Temporary shelters, tents and safe accommodation.
Medical aid, first aid, disease prevention and emergency care.
Proper disposal of solid waste and medical waste after disaster.
India has a structured disaster management system from national level to local level.
| Institution | Role |
|---|---|
| NDMA | National Disaster Management Authority prepares national policies and guidelines. |
| SDMA | State Disaster Management Authority prepares state plans and policies. |
| DDMA | District Disaster Management Authority manages disaster activities at district level. |
| NDRF | National Disaster Response Force handles specialized rescue and response operations. |
| Local Bodies | Support community preparedness, response and relief. |
The Disaster Management Act provides the legal framework for disaster management in India. It establishes authorities and responsibilities at national, state and district levels.
Disaster Management Policy provides guidelines for disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response, recovery and capacity building.
Disaster management plans define actions to be taken before, during and after disasters.
GIS stands for Geographic Information System. It is used to collect, store, analyze and display geographical data for disaster management.
Information Technology improves disaster preparedness, response, communication and recovery.
| Phase | Use of GIS and IT |
|---|---|
| Preparedness | Hazard maps, risk maps, awareness systems and resource mapping. |
| Risk Assessment | Identifying vulnerable areas, population exposure and infrastructure risk. |
| Response | Real-time communication, rescue coordination and emergency alerts. |
| Recovery | Damage mapping, rehabilitation planning and reconstruction monitoring. |
Disaster damage assessment is the process of evaluating losses caused by a disaster. It helps in relief planning, compensation, recovery and reconstruction.
| Authority | Level | Main Role |
|---|---|---|
| NDMA | National | National policy, guidelines and coordination. |
| SDMA | State | State disaster planning and implementation. |
| DDMA | District | District-level preparedness, response and relief. |
| Topic | Exam Importance |
|---|---|
| Hazard Profile of India | Very High |
| Vulnerability Profile of India | High |
| Disaster Relief Components | High |
| Institutional Arrangements | Very High |
| Disaster Management Act | Very High |
| GIS and IT Role | Very High |
| Damage Assessment | High |
India is disaster-prone due to its mountains, long coastline, river systems, climate conditions, high population and rapid urbanization.
GIS helps in hazard mapping, vulnerability mapping, risk assessment, evacuation planning and damage assessment.
It is the process of evaluating human, property, infrastructure, environmental and economic losses after a disaster.