NDMA (What is it?)
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is India’s apex statutory body for disaster management.
- It was established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
- The Prime Minister of India is the Chairperson of NDMA.
- It focuses on prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and resilience, rather than only post-disaster relief.
Key Functions of NDMA (What does it do?)
1. Policy & Guidelines: NDMA lays down national policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management and provides direction to authorities at different levels.
Example: Guidelines for floods, earthquakes, cyclones, landslides and urban flooding.
2. Disaster Risk Reduction: It promotes measures to reduce disaster vulnerability and minimise losses through prevention and mitigation.
Example: Hazard mapping, resilient construction and strengthening critical infrastructure.
3. Preparedness & Capacity Building: NDMA strengthens the capacity of governments, institutions and communities through training, awareness programmes and mock drills.
Example: Community-based disaster preparedness and emergency response training.
4. Early Warning & Technology: It promotes early-warning systems and technological tools for timely detection, communication and response to disasters.
Example: Satellite-based monitoring and communication technologies.
5. Community Participation: NDMA promotes communities as first responders by strengthening local preparedness, awareness and response capacity.
Example: Training local volunteers in evacuation and emergency response.
India’s Disaster Management Structure
| Institution | Primary Function |
| NDMA | National policy, guidelines and coordination |
| NDRF | Specialised disaster response |
| NEC | Coordination and implementation support |
| SDMA | State-level disaster management |
| DDMA | District-level disaster management |
| Local Authorities | Local preparedness and response |
Conclusion
NDMA represents India’s shift from a relief-centric approach to a prevention- and resilience-oriented approach, seeking to reduce disaster risk through preparedness, mitigation, technology and community participation.
| This Concept has been Elaborately Discussed in the following Article: DANGER FROM ABOVE: RISING HIMALAYAN DISASTER RISK |