Subject: Disaster Preparedness and Resilience

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.

Disaster Specific

As per UNDRR, disaster preparedness refers to the knowledge and capacities developed by governments, institutions, communities and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to and recover from disasters.

Importance of Disaster preparedness

Reduces Loss of Life and Property – Eg-Zero casualties during Cyclone Biparjoy (2023) due to preparedness.

Strengthens Community Capacity – Training local communities in early response, evacuation routes, and safe zones, reduces panic and damage. Eg-Aapda Mitra volunteers.

Enables Early Warning and Timely Decision-Making

Minimises Economic Disruptions – Preparedness plans protect critical infrastructure like roads, power lines and bridges. (Türkiye earthquake (2021) resulted in a loss of 4% of GDP.)

Ensures continuity of critical services such as healthcare, transportation, and communication during disasters

Role of hazard zonation mapping in landslide risk mitigation

Identifies Risk areas based on geology, slope angle, rainfall, land use and soil type.

Guides Land-Use Planning and Regulation- Eg-Building restrictions in Munnar and Wayanad based on hazard maps.

Helps Design Safer Infrastructure – Eg-Stabilisation measures on NH-44 (Uttarakhand-Himachal) based on zonation inputs.

Mitigation Measures – Eg- slope strengthening, terracing, afforestation, and drainage correction.

Integrates with Early Warning Systems (EWS) – Hazard zones combined with rainfall thresholds enable real-time warnings.

Build community resilience – Locals identify unsafe slopes, evacuation routes and shelter locations using simplified maps.

Resource allocationNational Landslide Risk Mitigation Programme targets mapped hotspots first.

Assists in Environmental Regulation – Eg- Quarrying, mining, ban in Western Ghats (Madhav gadgil committee recommendation)

Hazard zonation mapping in India

National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM) by GSI

National Landslide Inventory created with 80,000+ mapped landslides.

ISRO “Landslide Atlas of India” (2023).

State-level LHZ mapping by SDMAs (Kerala, Uttarakhand, Himachal, Sikkim, Meghalaya).

LiDAR, UAV & DEM-based mapping in critical areas (Joshimath, Munnar, Gangtok, Nilgiris).

Rainfall threshold modelling (IMD + IITs) integrated with zonation maps for landslide triggers.

Earthquake Zonation Map of India (Zone II to Zone V) by BIS/IMD.

Flood Hazard Atlas for 15+ states by CWC-NRSC (ISRO)

Drought Vulnerability Atlas of India (IMD + NRSC).

To prevent a catastrophe like the Wayanad Landslide of 2024, engineering as well as nature-based solutions along with early warning systems, and effective land use practices are essential.

Earlier Approach (Reactive Model)

Relief and Response-Focused – limited emphasis on preparedness or mitigation.

Fragmented Institutional Setup – No single coordinating agency.

Weak Early Warning Systems – limited forecasting for cyclones, floods, and lightning. Eg – 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone caused 10000 deaths

Delayed Emergency Response Mechanisms before NDRF creation (2006). Eg- delay in 2001 Bhuj Earthquake response

Ad hoc Funding – minimal pre-disaster investment.

Poor Infrastructure Resilience – Buildings, dams, roads lacked disaster-resilient design.

Low Use of Technology – Eg- lack of glacial lake monitoring, real-time rainfall data, or landslide susceptibility mapping in Himalayas

Limited Community Preparedness – Citizens were passive recipients of relief; evacuation plans rudimentary. Eg- high fatalities after Uttarakhand Floods

Recent Measures Highlighting the Shift from Reactive to Proactive Approach

Legal & Institutional Strengthening – DM Act 2005, NDMA, NDRF, SDMAs, and DDMAs ensure permanent, structured disaster governance.

Strengthened Early Warning through IMD + ISRO + IITs. Eg- Zero human casualties during Cyclone Biparjoy (2023)

Integrated Alert System (SACHET) is operationalised in all 36 States and UTs to send disaster alerts through SMS. Over 6,899 crore SMS alerts in more than 19 Indian languages were sent.

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.

City/state-specific Heat Action Plans (HAPs) for heatwave prediction + response + healthcare preparedness. Eg- Ahmedabad HAP cut mortality by 30-40% since 2013.

Cyclone Preparedness (Odisha Model) – Mass evacuations, cyclone shelters, and resilient infrastructure. Eg- Only 64 deaths in Cyclone Fani (2019).

GIS-Based Hazard Mapping– Eg- National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM 2023) covers all Himalayan states.

Global Efforts

Signatory to Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction

Launched coalition of disaster disaster resilient infrastructure

Way Forward

Strengthening disaster health management through coordination between NDMA and the Health Ministry

Transparency in Fund Allocation – formula-based, impact-driven NDRF allocation

Decentralized Disaster Governance

Autonomy in fund utilization for SDMA and DDMA.

Integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) into development plans

Climate-Resilient Infrastructure –

strict enforcement of the National Building Code (NBC), 2016

disaster-resilient retrofitting of old buildings, bridges, and dams in seismic zones.

Enhance coordination between IMD, ISRO, NDMA, and NDRF through a unified National Emergency Coordination Hub (NECH).

Strengthening Financial Resilience via parametric insurance models

Adopting global best practices

Singapore -Whole-of-Government (WOG) Approach

Netherlands -“Room for the River” Programme

United States -FEMA’s Incident Command System (ICS)

The Sendai Framework’s proactive approach, focused on risk mitigation, resilient recovery, and inclusive governance, is essential for making Bharat a ‘weather-ready and climate-smart’ nation.

As per Hyogo Framework of Action, Disaster resilience refers to the ability of individuals, communities, systems, and nations to anticipate, absorb, adapt to, and recover from the impacts of hazards while retaining essential functions.

Determination of disaster resilience

Exposure to Hazard – Settlements on riverbanks or seismic zones are more vulnerable. Eg- Joshimath (Uttarakhand)

Adaptive or Coping Capacity – Ability to anticipate, respond, absorb and recover from a disaster. Eg- Japan’s high adaptive capacity to earthquakes

Socio-economic Conditions – Poverty, marginalisation and inequity increase susceptibility to harm. Eg- Disaster induced migration

Governance and Institutional Readiness– Eg- Singapore’s Integrated crisis management agency (SCDF)

Environmental resilience increases or reduces hazard impact. Eg- ‘Day Zero’ in Chennai due to wetland encroachment.

Social Networks and Support Systems: – Communities with strong social cohesion, community organizations, and support networks are more resilient to respond to and recover from disasters.

Health status and access to healthcare services – Eg- Elderly and Children are less resilient to post disaster illness

Elements of a Disaster Resilience Framework

Risk Knowledge – Hazard mapping, vulnerability analysis, and risk assessments to understand who is at risk and why. Eg-GIS-based flood and landslide susceptibility maps.

Early Warning Systems– Eg-IMD’s cyclone early-warning system reduces mortality drastically.

Preventive Measures – Nature-based solutions, resilient infrastructure, land-use planning, seismic codes, floodplain zoning. Eg-Mangrove restoration under MISHTI.

Preparedness & Response Capacity – Training volunteers, conducting mock drills, strengthening NDRF/SDRF capacities. Eg-Aapda Mitra programme in 350+ districts.

Institutional ‘capacity building’ – Strong governance, coordination between NDMA, SDMA, district authorities, and urban bodies.

Recovery, Rehabilitation & “Build Back Better” – stronger housing, better planning, safer infrastructure. Eg- Japan’s Post-2011 Tōhoku Earthquake & Tsunami Reconstruction

Social & Community Resilience – Inclusive decision-making, empowering women, local groups, and indigenous knowledge systems.

Financial Resilience – Insurance, disaster funds (NDRF/SDRF), parametric insurance, contingency financing.

Global Targets of the Sendai Framework (2015-2030)

Reduce Global Disaster Mortality – Substantial reduction by 2030 compared to 2005-2015 baseline.

Reduce Number of Affected People – Significant decrease in people injured, displaced, or needing basic services during disasters.

Reduce Economic Losses – Lower global disaster-related economic losses relative to global GDP.

Reduce Damage to Critical Infrastructure – Protect health facilities, water systems, schools, and public infrastructure.

Increase Number of Countries with DRR Strategies – All nations to develop national and local disaster risk reduction strategies.

Enhance International Cooperation – Increase support from developed to developing countries for capacity-building, technology, and finance.

Ensure multi-hazard early warning systems and accessible risk information for everyone.

Priorities for Action

Understanding disaster risk in all its dimensions

Strengthening disaster risk governance

Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience

Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to Build Back Better

The Sendai Framework’s proactive approach is essential for making Bharat a ‘weather-ready and climate-smart’ nation.