Textbook: Role of Armed Forces in Disaster Management | Defence Studies Class 10 (Maharashtra SSC Board) PDF Download

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Role of Armed Forces in Disaster Management
In the last chapter we studied various man-made and natural disasters. There are 
several agencies that work for disaster management. This chapter will focus mainly on the 
role played by the Armed Forces in this area.
    Effects of Natural Disasters on Security of the Country
Disasters cause loss of lives and property and create socio-economic problems. They 
also have an adverse impact on the security of the country. Some of the examples of the past 
are as under:
1. Earthquakes : Earthquakes in Gujarat in 2001 caused damage to Air Force stations 
and Army areas.  In Sikkim, earthquake caused landslides and disrupted road 
communications preventing logistic supplies and movement of troops to and from 
border areas. 
2. Cloud Bursts : Cloud burst in Ladakh region, particularly in Leh, disrupted road 
communications and disturbed logistic supply lines of the army.
3. Cyclones : Cyclone in Odisha affected the Naval bases.
4. Tsunami : Tsunami of December 2004 caused damage to Naval bases in 
Visakhapattanam, Andaman and Nicobar islands. It also damaged the Air Force 
runways and infrastructure of the air bases in Andaman and Nicobar islands disturbing 
their operations for a few days.
5. Floods : The floods in Kedarnath region broke the land communications with the 
border areas in the Central Sector of the Himalayan ranges against China. 
6. Fires : Fires have  affected reserve ammunition stores & dumps of the Armed Forces.  
7. Marine Disasters : The fire and explosion in a submarine resulted in loss of a 
submarine of the Indian Navy in 2013. 
    National Disaster Management Authority
The Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India is primarily responsible 
for coordination of relief, response and overall natural disaster management. The National 
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister, and State 
Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by respective Chief Ministers, are the 
organisations that look after disaster management issues in India. The National Disaster 
Response Force (NDRF) was created for the purpose of specialized response to natural and 
man-made disasters. 
The NDRF consists of battalions from the Border Security Force (BSF), Central 
Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan 
Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Each battalion has specialist teams 
Chapter 4
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24
Role of Armed Forces in Disaster Management
In the last chapter we studied various man-made and natural disasters. There are 
several agencies that work for disaster management. This chapter will focus mainly on the 
role played by the Armed Forces in this area.
    Effects of Natural Disasters on Security of the Country
Disasters cause loss of lives and property and create socio-economic problems. They 
also have an adverse impact on the security of the country. Some of the examples of the past 
are as under:
1. Earthquakes : Earthquakes in Gujarat in 2001 caused damage to Air Force stations 
and Army areas.  In Sikkim, earthquake caused landslides and disrupted road 
communications preventing logistic supplies and movement of troops to and from 
border areas. 
2. Cloud Bursts : Cloud burst in Ladakh region, particularly in Leh, disrupted road 
communications and disturbed logistic supply lines of the army.
3. Cyclones : Cyclone in Odisha affected the Naval bases.
4. Tsunami : Tsunami of December 2004 caused damage to Naval bases in 
Visakhapattanam, Andaman and Nicobar islands. It also damaged the Air Force 
runways and infrastructure of the air bases in Andaman and Nicobar islands disturbing 
their operations for a few days.
5. Floods : The floods in Kedarnath region broke the land communications with the 
border areas in the Central Sector of the Himalayan ranges against China. 
6. Fires : Fires have  affected reserve ammunition stores & dumps of the Armed Forces.  
7. Marine Disasters : The fire and explosion in a submarine resulted in loss of a 
submarine of the Indian Navy in 2013. 
    National Disaster Management Authority
The Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India is primarily responsible 
for coordination of relief, response and overall natural disaster management. The National 
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister, and State 
Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by respective Chief Ministers, are the 
organisations that look after disaster management issues in India. The National Disaster 
Response Force (NDRF) was created for the purpose of specialized response to natural and 
man-made disasters. 
The NDRF consists of battalions from the Border Security Force (BSF), Central 
Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan 
Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Each battalion has specialist teams 
Chapter 4
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including engineers, technicians, electricians, dog squads and medical/paramedics. All 
the battalions have been equipped and trained to respond to natural as well as man-made 
disasters. Battalions are also trained and equipped for response during chemical, biological, 
radiological and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies. These NDRF battalions are located at 12 
different locations in the country based on the vulnerability profile of the country and to cut 
down the response time for their deployment at the disaster site.
    Roles and Responsibilities of the Armed Forces in Disaster Management
 While the NDRF is mainly responsible for disaster management, the Armed Forces 
under the Ministry of Defence are also called upon to intervene in times of a crisis. This 
activity is conducted by the Armed Forces as ‘aid to civil authority’. Safeguarding the people 
of the Nation, the assets and interests against natural calamities or human induced crisis 
form part of these duties.
 To facilitate performances of such duties the entire country is divided into Operational 
Command structure for war time and peace time crisis. Availability of resources, high 
standard of discipline and training and responsive organizational structure make the Armed 
Forces highly effective during disasters. They are relied upon as the “last resort” by the 
government.
 The role of Armed Forces can be seen at three stages: (i) planning done during the 
pre-disaster stage; (ii) preparations done during the warning period and (iii) post disaster 
response. 
(Ref.: www.ndrf.gov.in/ndrf)