Note on Disaster Management In India

Disaster:
The Disaster Management Act, 2005 defines a disaster as a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or
grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man-made causes, or by accident or
negligence which results in substantial loss of human sufferings or damage to, and destruction of
property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment and is of such nature or magnitude as
to be beyond the coping capacity of the affected area.

A disaster is a result from the combination of hazard, vulnerability and insufficient capacity or
measures to reduce the potential chances of risk. A disaster happens when a hazard impacts on
the vulnerable population and causes damage, casualties and disruption.

Types of Disaster:
Disasters are divided into two categories. Natural Disaster and Man-Made Disasters.

1. Natural Disasters- Disasters which are caused because of natural phenomena with
meteorological, geological or even biological origin are called Natural Disaster. For
Example Cyclones, tsunamis, earthquake, landslides, floods, drought which are
exclusively of natural origin.

2. Man-Made Disasters- Disastrous events occasioned by man, or by man's impact upon the
environment, such as industrial accidents, factory fires, explosions and escape of toxic
gases or chemical substances or other structural collapses, air, sea, rail and road transport
accidents. Man-made disaster is caused due to human negligence.

Disaster Management Framework in India:

National Helpline Number in Case of a Disaster- Dial 011-1078

Old Approach- New Approach-

Proactive
Reactive

RESCUE PREPAREDNESS
Shift in thinking and focus from REACTIVE
disaster response and relief centric
PREVENTION AND
RELIEF AND approach
To A MITIGATION
REHABILITATION PROACTIVE RESPONSE
Based on a multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral,
Holistic and comprehensive approach
Efforts undertaken by Government for Disaster Management: -
The Government of India has enacted a comprehensive Disaster Management Act in
2005.National Policy on Disaster Management which provided detailed guidelines on disaster
management, was announced in 2009.
Both the above signaled a paradigm shift from relief-centric approach to a comprehensive,
proactive focused approach on disaster risk reduction encompassing all aspects of disaster
management spectrum. The Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry at the national level
for co-ordination of response & relief in the wake of disasters.
Important Provisions under Disaster Management Act-2005:-
Establishment of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),State Disaster
Management Authority (SDMA),District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).
Prepare Disaster Management Plans.
Every Ministry or Dept. of Govt of India prepare Disaster Management Plan in
accordance with the National Plan.
Every Ministry or Dept. of State Govt. prepare Disaster Management Plan in accordance
with State Plan.
Functions of Local Authority.
Setting up of National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM).
Constitution of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
Constitution of National Funds for response and mitigation and similar funds at State
and District levels.

Emergencies of an Industrial unit can be of two types: -

A) Onsite Emergency- An emergency whose effects is confined within the boundary of
industrial premises. General public remains unaffected of it & industry is capable to
control situation with its own resources or with little external support is termed as Onsite
Emergency. For Ex- Fire in electrical cable gallery of a plant.
Factory Manager Acts as the Main Command Controller In case of Onsite Emergency.

B) Offsite Emergency- When the Emergency situation is of greater magnitude & its effects
can be noticed outside the boundaries of industrial complex, industry is not capable of
controlling emergency with its own resources & needs the help of district
administration/other external agencies, such an emergency is termed as Offsite
Emergency. For Ex- Bhopal Gas Leakage.
District Collector Acts as the Main Command Controller in case of Offsite Emergencies.