Disaster Management Plan Preparation by Panchayats
EPW - Vol 50 - Dec 14, 2024
Panchayati raj is defined as a "Politico-bureaucratic arrangement for rural development"
Bharat - signatory to the 2015 UN Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR)
Union government has a separate ministry for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (MoRD&P)
MoRD&P released the disaster management plant (DMP)
most states and districts have a DMP, as mandated by the Disaster Management Act, 2005
Panchayati Raj functionaries can assist in all phases of the disaster management like:
- preparedness
- prevention
- rescue
- relief
- rehabilitation
- recovery
- damage assessment
- post disaster needs assessment
PRIs can act as catalyst to the social mobilisation process and tap the traditional wisdom of local communities to complement modern practices in disaster mitigation efforts.
Preparing local management plans
State Disaster Management Authorities are statutory bodies under Disaster Management Act, 2005
National Disaster Management Plan, released by PM Modi on 18th april, 2016
Under the Disaster Management Act, local authorities must prepare disaster management plans under supervision of the district authority.
Case study - Kerala Floods, 2018
8, 9, 16th august, 2018
relentless floods due to unsual high rainfall during the monsoon season
the worst in nearly a century as 483 people lost their lives and 15 went missing in the aftermath of the disaster.
Study by Kerala government in 2018 71% of the state's total area experienced erosion during the disaster
The floods highlighted the vulnerabilites of the tribal communities to such disaster due to their remote locations and limited access to resources and support systems
Factors stood out during 2018 floods
- Poor dam management emergency release of water from dams no controlled release was carried out in advance the officials in charge were reluctant to risk their careers and order the guarded release of water in advance
- Clogged channels
- People caught unaware
Steps taken by Kerala Government
Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has appointed loca self government coordinators in all districts
Their role is to review the prepared plans, provide guidance on project formulation and offer suggestion for periodically enhancing and upskilling the plans
