GS3 PYQ 2020 (Mains Answer Writing): Disaster Management | UPSC Mains: Internal Security & Disaster Management PDF Download

Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of India departing from the earlier reactive approach. (UPSC GS3 2020)

Disaster Management can be defined as the organization and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.
Recent measures related to disaster management show that the government now deals with the disasters in a pre-emptive-cum-proactive way rather than a reactive way: 

• India presented a practical approach and roadmap with the launch of a global Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) to make the infrastructure resilient in the face of disasters. 
• Indian Coast Guard with the assistance of ICG Remote Operating Centres (ROC) and Stations (ROS), NAVTEX warning (Navigational Text Message) and ISN (International Safety Net) activated one week in advance by Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs) prevented the loss of fishermen lives and reduced impact from Cyclone Amphan and Nisarga. 
• IMD is to launch a dynamic, impact-based cyclone warning system aiming at minimising economic losses. NDMA took up a project named National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) in which a Web-based Dynamic Composite Risk Atlas (Web-DCRA) would be developed. 
• Building dedicated institutions like the National Fire Service College (NFSC) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Academy is about how to control a situation rather than just respond to it. 
• NDRF is said to have achieved all benchmarks under Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. 
• Capacity building of locals- Govt has focused on training locals as they are first to respond. 

Recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of India 

• Housing for all programme and smart cities: All development sectors must imbibe the principles of disaster risk management. This will ensure that all development projects airports, roads, canals, hospitals, schools; bridges are built to appropriate standards and contribute to the resilience of communities they seek to serve. 
• Jan DhanYojana and the Suraksha Bima Yojana: work towards risk coverage for all – starting from poor households to small and medium enterprises to multi-national corporations to nation states. 
• Involvement and leadership of women: encourage greater involvement and leadership of women in disaster risk management. Women are disproportionately affected by disasters. They also have unique strengths and insights. 
• Invest in risk mapping globally: For mapping risks related to hazards such as earthquakes we have widely accepted standards and parameters. Based on these, in India, we have mapped seismic zones, with five as highest seismic risk and two as low risk. 
• Leverage technology: to enhance the efficiency of our disaster risk management efforts. 
• Network of universities: develop a network of universities to work on disaster issues. After all, universities have social responsibilities too. Over the first five years of the Sendai Framework, we should develop a global network of universities working together on problems of disaster risk management. 
• Build on local capacity and initiative: The task of disaster risk management, particularly in rapidly growing economies, is so huge that formal institutions of the state can at best be instrumental in creating the enabling conditions. 

Drawbacks of previous measures 

• Fragile Institutions: The National Policy on Disaster Management, prepared by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), approved in 2009 was formulated with a vision to build a safe and disaster resilient India. Central, state and district level authorities are established. Also Disaster Response Fund and Disaster Mitigation Fund were set up. But all these are not active and well operated. We must explore ways to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of delivery of services, minimizing inordinate delays, red tape, pressure for excluding real victims and accommodating false claimants. 
• Weak compliance of policies: The follow up actions expected from nodal agencies in preparing plans and corrective actions to address the critical gaps in the existing policies are not initiated. Community based organizations and NGO’s can play an important role in creating a level playing field for victims affected by disasters. 
• Systemic inefficiencies influencing process: The random audits of proposals on affected areas and fixing the accountability for financial losses on erring officials is the reason. 
• Need to adopt innovative systems, techniques and technologies: Some of them are Geographical Information System (GPS), Global Positioning System (GPS), Global Pocket Radio Service (GPRS), Remote Sensing, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), Radio over Internet Protocol (ROIP), Scenario Analysis &Modelling, Digital Elevation Models and Bathymetry for tsunami, Early warning systems, Doppler radar etc. Information in the local dialects will be more helpful. A judicious mix of traditional knowledge with technology is required. 

Conclusion
The current “non-system” for providing information for disaster management is not effectively utilizing a wealth of information that resides with various organizations. Existing technologies could deliver to disaster managers important new information products that could save lives, reduce damage to property, and lessen the environmental impacts of natural disasters. Continued improvements in technology should help make information more widely, quickly, and reliably available and at less cost.