Disaster Management
Meaning of Disaster
Disaster means a sudden catastrophic event that causes physical damage and loss of life and property on a large scale. It is an adverse condition that affects the human, physical, environmental and social functioning in a big way. The Indian subcontinent is one of the disaster prone regions of the world. Of India's 29 states and 7 union territories, 22 are disaster prone. India is surrounded by various types of disasters.
These can be understood as follows :-
- Cyclone, hurricane, hailstorm, cloud burst, heat wave. cold wave,Avalanche, Drought etc.Land related calamities like landslides, earthquakes, dam break, mine collapse.
- Forest fires, oil spills, building collapses, accidents.
- Biological calamities like epidemics, insect attacks, food poisoning, alcohol etc.
- Chemical and industrial disasters - leakage of chemical gas,nuclear leakage etc.
- Civil conflict, communal and caste violence etc.
Traditionally, the work of disaster management in India is done by the state government, social organizations, voluntary organizations, international agencies in collaboration with the central government. Since independence, the Prime Minister's Relief Fund at the central level and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund at the state level were formed, although there is no description in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution for disaster management. In the year 2005, the Central Government established the National Disaster Management Authority. For this, the Disaster Management Act was also enacted. In addition, the Disaster Risk Management Program has been started with the financial and technical assistance of UNDP. India is one of the primary nations to accept the Sendai Framework.
Apart from this, educational certificates are also being provided for disaster management in many central and state universities. But due to government and administrative apathy, lack of accountability, lack of public awareness,lack of financial and technical efficiency, implementation of NDMA properly, etc.In conclusion, it can be said that disasters cannot be prevented,but the dangers arising from them can be minimized. For this reason, the Government of India has adopted a three-pronged approach to disaster management. It includes prevention measures, disaster preparedness and post-disaster relief and rescue and rehabilitation.
