As per UNDRR, Disaster risk reduction is aimed at preventing new and reducing existing disaster risk and managing residual risk, all of which contribute to strengthening resilience and therefore to the achievement of sustainable development.
Measures Taken in India Before Sendai Framework (Pre-2015)
Disaster Management Act, 2005 established NDMA, SDMA, DDMAs – India’s first legal-institutional framework for DRR.
Formation of NDRF (2006) – a specialised, trained, and equipped response force for multi-hazard operations. Played a major role in Uttarakhand floods (2013).
National Policy on Disaster Management (2009) – Shifted policy from relief to prevention, preparedness, and mitigation.
National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (2011) – World Bank assisted programme for mitigating risks of cyclones in 8 cyclone prone coastal States
Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS)
Cyclone Risk Mitigation Infrastructure (CRMI)
Technical Assistance for Capacity Building on Disaster Risk Management
Project Management and Monitoring
Measures Taken After Adoption of Sendai Framework (Post-2015)
(Aligned with Sendai’s four priorities: risk knowledge, governance, investment, preparedness & BBB.)
National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), 2016 – India’s first national plan fully aligned with Sendai Framework, covering:
Multi-hazard risk assessment,
Prevention-mitigation strategies,
Sector-wise responsibilities (health, housing, power, transport, education),
Monitoring indicators aligned with Sendai’s seven global targets.
Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) – integrates satellite, radar, and IoT data via the IMD’s Decision Support System (DSS). Improves accuracy by 20-40%. Apps used are
MAUSAM: General weather forecasts.
DAMINI: Lightning alerts.
MEGHDOOT: Agromet advisories for farmers.
Nature-Based Solutions – Mangrove restoration (MISHTI), wetland protection (Amrit Dharohar) to reduce cyclone/flood vulnerability.
Shift in disaster-financing architecture – from earlier response-only funds to separate mitigation funds at national and state level as per recommendations of 15th FC
Community-Based Disaster Management under Aapda Mitra/Aapda Sakhi.
GIS-Based Hazard Mapping– Eg- National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM 2023) covers all Himalayan states.
Global Efforts – Launched coalition of disaster disaster resilient infrastructure
National Landslide Risk Mitigation Programme (NLRMP) –
Cyclone Preparedness (Odisha Model) – Mass evacuations, cyclone shelters, and resilient infrastructure. Eg- Only 64 deaths in Cyclone Fani (2019).
City/state-specific Heat Action Plans (HAPs) for heatwave prediction + response + healthcare preparedness. Eg- Ahmedabad HAP cut mortality by 30-40% since 2013.
Difference between Hyogo and Sendai Frameworks
The Sendai Framework’s proactive approach is essential for making Bharat a ‘weather-ready and climate-smart’ nation.