Central Institution for Disaster Management

To provide relief to the disaster-prone regions, there are national and state authorities on every level. These authorities provide disaster-related aid to the affected people. These authorities were created following the Disaster Management Act 2005. All the authorities work following the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) which is the apex body for Disaster Management in India.

National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM) 

1. The central government approved the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM) on October 22, 2009. 
2. The policy aims at developing a multi-disaster-oriented strategy through preparedness and response. 
3. The policy on Disaster management offers all sorts of arrangements, including financial and legal.  
4. This policy aims at reducing the causes of death and livelihood. 

Disaster Management Act 2005

• The National Disaster Management Authority(NDMA) and State disaster management authority (SDMA) was formed on December 23, 2005, whose Chairperson was the Prime Minister and Chief Minister, respectively. The rules were created to develop a holistic approach towards Disaster management in India.  
• The National Institute of Disaster Management and the National Disaster Response Force have been set up under the act. 
• It is mandatory to draw the plans by the departments in alignment with the national scheme. Under the act, the funds shall be created as federal disaster mitigation funds for district and state. 

Legal Institutional Framework of Disaster Management Act 2005

The following are the Legal Institutional frameworks of Disaster management following the amendment of the Disaster Management Act 2005. 

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

1. The authority is responsible for drawing plans for effective responses against disasters. 

NDMA has the following responsibilities:

• Prepare policies on disaster management.
• Approve the National Plan.
• Approve the plans prepared by the Ministries or Departments of the Central Government.
• Prepare guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities while making the State Plan.
• Prepare guidelines to be followed by the different Ministries or Departments for integrating the various measures for disaster prevention or the mitigation of its consequences in the development projects and plans.
• Coordinate the implementation and enforcement of the policy and plans for disaster management. 
• Recommend providing funds for the mitigation purpose.
• Provide support to other countries affected by devastating disasters as determined by the Government of India.
• Prepare rules and regulations to manage the efficient work progress of the National Institute of Disaster Management.

1. It also covers emergencies that require significant attention from security forces and intelligence agencies, such as terrorism, law and order situations, bomb blasts, hijacking, air accidents, rail accidents.
2. The National Crisis Management committee monitors the disasters such as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN). 
3. NDMA may generate guidelines and preparedness in case of CBRN(Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear) disasters. 

National Executive Committee (NEC)

• A National Executive Committee is established under Section 8 of DM Act, 2005 to assist the National Disaster Management Authority in performing its duties. NEC is handled by the Home secretary as a chairperson.
• The NEC prepares the national plan and also implements the national policy. The NEC also monitors and coordinates disaster management as per the section of the DM act.

National Disaster Response Force

NDRF or National Disaster Response Force is a specialized force that assists relevant state governments during a disaster situation. It consists of Paramilitary and Armed forces. It plans its deployment based on the SDMA and NDMA discussions as well as provide food, immediate health care and other requirements based on the situation.

 The NDRF has demonstrated its importance in achieving this vision through highly skilled rescue and relief operations, regular and intensive training and re-training, familiarization exercises within the respective NDRF Battalions’ areas of responsibility, mock drills, and joint exercises with various stakeholders.

State Disaster Management Authority

SDMA or State Disaster Management Authority is the state-controlled Disaster Management authority that works in hand with the NDMA to provide relief and assistance to the victims of any disaster in a particular state. Every state has its SDMA which is handled by the Chief Minister of the state. It also forms the SEC or the State Executive Committee which assists the SDMA in various disaster-related actions and tasks. 

The SDMA also coordinates with the NDRF to plan rescue missions and relocate people from the affected area. The SDMA prepares arrangements for supplies, equipment and funding for use during unwanted situations. They are also responsible for spreading awareness on disaster management in disaster-prone regions of the state and providing guidelines to the people on how to prepare themselves during a disaster.

District Disaster Management Authority

DDMA or District Management Authority provides district planning, coordination and implementation of district management policies in a district. It works following the guidelines provided by the NDMA. The DDMA is carrying out various activities such as awareness generation, training, mock drills, and so on for all stakeholders – the government, non-governmental organizations, and the community as a whole – as authorized by the State Disaster Response Fund’s Annual Allocation for Capacity Building. 

Local Authorities

Local Authorities such as Panchayati Raj, Municipalities, Legal Arrangement Boards and Town Planning authorities control the locals in the region. It works under the DDMA and assists in providing possible aid during disaster events.

Conclusion 

Every authority formed at the district, state and national level have a particular role in disaster management. These authorities are responsible for spreading awareness related to disaster protocol as well providing relief to disaster-prone areas. It forms a reliable force to build a disaster-resilient nation.