Disaster Management: Resilience & Risk Reduction

📊 High-Yield Data & Statistical Fact Sheet

India's Multi-Hazard Vulnerability Profile:
- Earthquake Prone: 61% of India's landmass is vulnerable to moderate-to-severe earthquakes.
- Flood Prone: 12% of the landmass is susceptible to riverine floods.
- Cyclone Prone: 76% of the peninsular coastline is vulnerable to cyclonic storms and storm surges.
- Administrative Shift: Indian policy has transitioned from Reactive Relief (post-disaster response) to Proactive Mitigation (risk reduction, capacity building) under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

PYQ Mind Map: Disaster Management

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1. INDIA'S MULTI-HAZARD RISK PROFILE

Seismic Hazard: Major tectonic active zones in the Himalayas, Northeast India, and the Rann of Kutch (Zone V) put 61% of India's landmass at earthquake risk.
Hydrological Risk: Intense seasonal monsoon precipitation across river systems maps 12% of India's land under active floodplains (Ganga, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi basins).
Cyclone Vulnerability: High sea-surface temperatures in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea expose 76% of coastal areas to cyclones and storm surges.
Emerging Hazards: Climate change has amplified the frequency of Urban Flooding (due to wetland encroachment) and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in high Himalayan areas.

The Disaster Management Act, 2005 establishes a decentralized administrative hierarchy:

National Level (NDMA):
- Nodal Chairperson: Prime Minister.
- Mandate: Lays down policies, national plans, and guidelines for disaster management to ensure a timely and effective response.
State Level (SDMA):
- Nodal Chairperson: Chief Minister.
- Mandate: Coordinates state-level mitigation measures and prepares the State Disaster Management Plan.
District Level (DDMA):
- Nodal Chairperson: Co-chaired by the District Magistrate (Collector) and the elected representative of the local authority.
- Mandate: The primary execution unit for rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations.

Sendai Framework (2015-2030): Voluntary global agreement targeting seven targets to lower average mortality rates, reduce economic loss, and prevent damage to critical infrastructure. Advocates for "Build Back Better" during recovery.
Resilience-Based Urban Planning: Integrating storm-water drainage networks, sponge-city concepts, and green corridors to mitigate urban flood vulnerability.
Nature-Based Solutions (NbS): Implementing mangrove restoration belts to absorb cyclonic winds and ocean surges, and reviving local lakes as natural water basins.

Core Nodal Legislation: Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Three-Tier Hierarchy: NDMA (PM-led) ➔ SDMA (CM-led) ➔ DDMA (Collector & Local Chairperson).
Global Nodal Policy Accord: Sendai Framework (2015-2030).
Sendai Recovery Motto: Build Back Better.
Earthquake-Prone Share: 61% of national landmass.
Flood-Prone Share: 12% of national landmass.
Cyclone-Prone Coastline Share: 76% of coastline.

Notes updated up to March 2026. Sources: NDMA Vulnerability Atlas, UNDRR Reports.