Disaster Management

📖 The Disaster Management Act, 2005

Enacted following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, this Act established a formal, multi-tiered institutional structure for disaster management across the country, shifting the approach from purely reactive relief to proactive preparedness and mitigation.

🏛️ Institutional structure

• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) — chaired by the Prime Minister, sets national policy and guidelines.
• State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) — chaired by respective Chief Ministers, implement policy at the state level.
• District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) — coordinate response at the district level.
• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) — specialised force for on-ground disaster response operations.

🔄 The disaster management cycle

Modern disaster management follows a cycle of mitigation (reducing risk before a disaster), preparedness (planning and readiness), response (immediate action during/after a disaster), and recovery (long-term rebuilding) — with growing emphasis on the first two phases rather than just emergency response.