Press Information Bureau

“When it comes to disaster management, a proactive approach is always better than a reactive one.”

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Key Takeaways

• The Disaster Management Act, 2005 provides the legal and institutional framework for disaster prevention, preparedness, and response at all levels.
• India faces multi-hazard vulnerability, with over 58% of landmass prone to earthquakes,  68% of cultivable land to drought, and increasing instances of flooding, cloud bursts, cyclones
• NDMA’s DMEx Guidelines mandate regular simulation-based exercises to test disaster plans, coordination, and readiness.
• The National Policy on Disaster Management, 2009 shifted focus from relief to preparedness, promoting a culture of risk reduction and resilience.
• Exercise Suraksha Chakra was the first integrated multi-state mock drill in Delhi-NCR, simulating a large-scale earthquake across 55 locations.

Understanding Disasters and Disaster Management

What is a Disaster?

According to the Disaster Management Act, 2005, a “disaster” means a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man-made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area.

What is Disaster Management?

According to the Disaster Management Act, 2005, “disaster management” refers to a continuous and integrated process involving the planning, organising, coordinating, and implementing of measures essential or expedient for effectively handling disasters. This includes the prevention of danger or threat of any disaster, mitigation or reduction of the associated risks and consequences, and the building of necessary capacities. It also encompasses preparedness to deal with disasters, prompt response to any threatening situation, and assessment of the severity or magnitude of disaster effects. Furthermore, disaster management involves evacuation, rescue, and relief operations, as well as long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

Why do we need Disaster Management in India?

India, due to its unique geo-climatic and socio-economic conditions, is vulnerable, in varying degrees, to floods, droughts, cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes, urban flooding, landslides, avalanches and forest fire. Out of 36 States and Union Territories (UTs) in the country, 27 are disaster prone. 58.6% landmass is prone to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity; 12% land is prone to flood and river erosion; out of 7,516 km coastline, 5,700 km is prone to cyclones and tsunamis; 68% of the cultivable land is vulnerable to drought, hilly areas are at risk from landslides and avalanches, and 15% of landmass is prone to landslides.

Further, a total of 5,161 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are prone to urban flooding. Fire incidents, industrial accidents and other manmade disasters involving chemical, biological and radioactive materials are additional hazards, which have underscored the need for strengthening mitigation, preparedness and response measures.

Key Objectives of the Act:

• To ensure a proactive and coordinated disaster management framework across the country.
• To establish institutional mechanisms for disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.
• To integrate disaster risk reduction into development planning and ensure community participation.
• To provide for the constitution of disaster-specific response and mitigation funds.
• To facilitate capacity-building, awareness, training, and information dissemination.

Key Provisions of the Act:

• Establishes NDMA, SDMAs, and DDMAs for disaster governance.
• Mandatespreparation of disaster management plans at all levels.
• Provides for National, State, and District Disaster Response and Mitigation Funds.
• Empowers authorities to requisition resources and issue emergency directions.
• Prescribes minimum standards for relief, shelter, food, and health in disaster situations.
• Creates the National Institute of Disaster Management and NDRF for training and response.
• Assigns roles to central, state, district, and local bodies for coordinated action.
• Imposes penalties for obstruction, false claims, and misuse of relief materials.
• Ensures integration of disaster mitigation into development planning.
• Promotes awareness, capacity-building, and training across government levels.

NDMA has the following responsibilities:

• Lay down policies on disaster management.
• Approve the National Plan.
• Approve plans prepared by theMinistries or Departments of the Government of India in accordance with the National Plan.
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities in drawing up the State Plan.
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by the different Ministries or Departments of the Government of India for the Purpose of integrating the measures for prevention of disaster or the mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects.
• Coordinate the enforcement and implementation of the policy and plans for disaster management.
• Recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation.
• Provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as may be determined by the Central Government.
• Take such other measures for the prevention of disaster, or the mitigation, or preparedness and capacity building for dealing with threatening disaster situations or disasters as it may consider necessary.
• Lay down broad policies and guidelines for the functioning of the National Institute of Disaster Management.

Key responsibilities of NDRF are:

• Specialized Disaster Response: Conducts search, rescue, evacuation, and relief operations during natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, cyclones, and landslides.
• CBRN Emergency Handling: Trained to respond to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear incidents.
• Proactive Deployment: Ensures pre-positioning of teams ahead of forecasted disasters for immediate response.
• Capacity Building: Trains community volunteers, local police, and state disaster response forces to enhance disaster preparedness.
• Urban Search & Rescue (USAR): Handles complex emergencies in urban environments such as building collapses and industrial accidents.
• Collaboration & Coordination: Works in synergy with local authorities, armed forces, and international agencies during major crises.

Vision

To build a safe and disaster-resilient India through a culture of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response.

Key Objectives

• Promote disaster awareness and resilience at all levels.
• Integrate disaster management into development planning.
• Establish institutional and techno-legal frameworks.
• Strengthen early warning systems and communication networks.
• Ensure inclusive response addressing vulnerable groups.

Sendai Framework

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework) is a global agreement adopted by the UN to reduce disaster risk and losses. Itwas the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda and provides Member States with concrete actions to protect development gains from the risk of disaster. It recognizes that the State has the primary role to reduce disaster risk and that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders including local government, the private sector and other stakeholders.

Guidelines for Disaster Management Authorities (NDMA, SDMAs, DDMAs)

• Ensure DMEx areconducted regularly at national, state, district, and local levels.
• Coordinate exercises withline departments, response forces, and community groups.
• Align DMEx with existing Disaster Management Plans (DMPs).
• Mobilise resources and assignnodal officers for planning and execution.
• Review and integrate findings from DMEx into plan revisions and capacity building.
• Ensure activation and testing of Incident Response System (IRS) and Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs).

Guidelines for First Responders (e.g., NDRF, SDRF, Fire Services, Police, Civil Defence)

• Engage in action-based exercises, such as mock drills and field exercises.
• Ensure operational readiness and training as per the DMEx scenario.
• Coordinate with Emergency Operations Centres and follow the IRS structure during exercises.
• Contribute to scenario planning with ground-level expertise.

Guidelines for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), PRIs & Local Authorities

• Actively participate in DMEx within their jurisdictions.
• Facilitate community participation and provide infrastructure/logistics support.
• Ensure alignment of local emergency plans with broader DM plans tested in DMEx.

Guidelines for NGOs, Civil Society & Volunteers

• Engage as community facilitators, educators, and evaluators during DMEx.
• Help in mobilising public participation and disseminating awareness.
• Provide support in logistics, victim simulation, and mock scenarios.
• Act as a link between administration and community for effective two-way communication.

Guidelines for Community Members

• Participate in community-level mock drills and awareness activities.
• Learn basic emergency response protocols demonstrated during exercises.
• Give feedback and suggestions post-exercise for ground-level improvements.

Guidelines for Media

• Disseminate accurate and timely information before, during, and after the DMEx.
• Support awareness building through public communication campaigns.
• Avoid sensationalism and promote the preparedness narrative.

Exercise Suraksha Chakra

A multi-state integrated mock drill was conducted from August 1, 2025, across 55 locations in Delhi-NCR, covering 18 districts (11 in Delhi, 5 in Haryana, and 2 in Uttar Pradesh). Organised by NDMA in collaboration with the Indian Army, DDMA, and SDMAs of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, this was the first of its kind integrated mock drill in the region. The drill simulated a large-scale earthquake to evaluate emergency preparedness, inter-agency coordination, and citizen participation. Activities included real-time sirens, evacuation drills, medical simulations, and SOP testing across schools, hospitals, metros, and residential complexes.