Report on Disaster Management

Context

The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs presented its 261st Report on ‘Disaster Management’. The report reviews India’s disaster management framework and identifies key legal, institutional, technological and operational gaps while suggesting measures to modernize the national response architecture after recent statutory changes.

Core Highlights & Findings of the Report

1. Policy & Institutional Upgradation

• National Policy Review: The National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM), 2009 predates major developments. The Committee recommends updating it to incorporate climate change adaptation, urbanization risks, AI-based forecasting and satellite-based geospatial mapping.
• National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP): The 2019 NDMP predates the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 and operationalization of the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF). An updated plan should reflect the current legal, financial and technological framework.

2. Urban & Fire Safety Governance

• Urban Disaster Management Authorities (UDMA): Despite provisions under the DM Amendment Act 2025, only Karnataka has constituted a specialized UDMA. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) should direct States to establish UDMAs for State capitals and major municipal corporations.
• Fire Services Model Bill: Since its circulation in 2019, only 10 States have adopted the revised Model Bill on Maintenance of Fire and Emergency Services. Remaining States should align their fire legislation within a fixed timeframe.

3. Hazard Mapping & Town Planning

• Multi-Hazard Risk Mapping: Seismic microzonation, flood demarcation and landslide vulnerability mapping remain incomplete and lack statutory enforceability.
• Disaster Risk Impact Assessment (DRIA): The Committee recommends making DRIA mandatory and integrating vulnerability mapping into municipal town planning and infrastructure approvals.

4. Response Force Capacity & Resource Grid

• SDRF Operationalization: Several States lack fully operational State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs), placing additional pressure on the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) during simultaneous disasters.
• India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN): Equipment inventories are outdated. The Committee recommends quarterly inventory updates and integration with police, fire, hospitals and emergency ambulance systems.

5. Disaster Financing & Risk Transfer

• Shift to Proactive Mitigation: Disaster expenditure remains focused on relief and reconstruction. Greater funding should be directed toward mitigation projects through NDMF/SDMF.
• Risk Transfer Mechanisms: Insurance coverage should be expanded among households, MSMEs and agriculture to reduce economic losses from severe climate events.

Committee Focus & Recommendations

Key Takeaways

• Legislative Harmonization: Effective implementation of the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 requires States to establish UDMAs and update local fire legislation.
• Technological Integration: AI-based forecasting, satellite hazard mapping and dynamic IDRN resource tracking can shift India from reactive disaster response toward predictive risk management.
• Financial Realignment: Greater emphasis on mitigation funding and parametric insurance can protect infrastructure, reduce economic losses and improve resilience against extreme climate events.