National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP)

The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) was first released in 2016. The primary aim of the plan is to make India disaster resilient and drastically lessen the damage caused during and in the aftermath of disasters, natural and man-made. The plan was updated in 2018.

Latest Context related to National Disaster Management Plan – 

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has released fresh guidelines for restarting manufacturing and chemical industries after the lockdown period ends.

• It has issued guidelines on Chemical Disasters, 2007, Management of Chemical (Terrorism) Disasters, 2009 and the Strengthening of Safety and Security For Transportation of POL Tankers, 2010.
• Due to several weeks of lockdown and the closure of industrial units, it is possible that some of the operators might not have followed the established SOP. As a result, some of the manufacturing facilities, pipelines, valves, etc. may have residual chemicals, which may pose risk. The same is true for storage facilities with hazardous chemicals and flammable materials.

Aspirants would find this article very helpful while preparing for the Disaster Management Segment of the IAS Exam.

NDMP Vision

“Make India disaster resilient, achieve substantial disaster risk reduction, and significantly decrease the losses of life, livelihoods, and assets – economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental – by maximizing the ability to cope with disasters at all levels of administration as well as among communities.”

The NDMP serves as a document or guideline for the government agencies to act in all phases of disasters. It is based on the Sendai Framework, which is a United Nations framework, for substantially reducing disaster risk, and losses to lives and livelihoods. The NDMP is also as per the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the National Policy on Disaster Management, 2009.

Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance

As per the NDMP, there are six thematic areas for action in which the central and the state governments should function. They are listed below:

1. Mainstream and integrate DRR and Institutional Strengthening
2. Capacity Development
3. Promote Participatory Approaches
4. Work with Elected Representatives
5. Grievance Redress Mechanism
6. Promote Quality Standards, Certifications, and Awards for Disaster Risk Management

Salient Features of NDMP

NDMP covers all the following phases of disaster management:

• Prevention
• Mitigation
• Response
• Recovery

As per the Sendai Framework, the Six thematic areas of action are as follows:

1. Understanding Risk
2. Inter-Agency Coordination
3. Investing in DRR – Structural Measures
4. Investing in DRR – Non-Structural Measures
5. Capacity Development
6. Climate Change Risk Management

NDMP Objectives

The objectives of the NDMP are listed below:

1. To improve understanding of disaster risk, vulnerabilities and hazards.
2. To strengthen the governance of disaster risk at every level, i.e., from national to local.
3. To invest in the reduction of disaster risk for resilience by means of structural, non-structural and financial measures, and also by a comprehensive capacity development.
4. To improve disaster preparedness for effective response.
5. To encourage ‘Build Back Better in recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation.
6. To prevent disasters and ensure a significant decrease in the disaster risk and loss of life, livelihood, health and assets including physical, economic, cultural, social and environmental assets.
7. Enhance resilience and check new disasters from emerging and reduce existing ones.
8. To promote the execution of inclusive and integrated structural, economic, social, legal, health, cultural, environmental, educational, political, technological and institutional measures to reduce and prevent hazard exposure and vulnerabilities to disasters.
9. To empower communities as well as local authorities to manage and decrease disaster risks.
10. To bolster technical and scientific capabilities in all areas of disaster management.
11. To develop capacity at every level to effectively respond to multiple hazards and for community-based management of disaster.
12. To offer clarity on the responsibilities and roles of the various departments and ministries involved.
13. To foster a culture of disaster risk mitigation and prevention at all levels.
14. To enable the mainstreaming of disaster management concerns into planning.

Aspirants can check out the following links to prepare comprehensively for the upcoming Civil Services exam –

Response Plan

The Plan has listed 18 broad activities to serve as a ready reckoner guide. They are:

1. Search and Rescue of People and Animals
2. Evacuation of People and Animals
3. Medical Care
4. Housing and Temporary Shelters
5. Power
6. Food & Essential Supplies
7. Communication
8. Transportation
9. Rehabilitation and Ensuring Safety of Livestock and other Animals, Veterinary Care
10. Early Warning, Maps, Satellite inputs, Information Dissemination
11. Fuel
12. Data Collection and Management
13. Disposal of Animal Carcasses
14. Drinking-Water/ Dewatering Pumps/ Sanitation Facilities/ Public Health
15. Relief Logistics and Supply Chain Management
16. Fodder for livestock in scarcity-hit areas
17. Media Relations
18. Relief Employment

Check out the List of Reports Published by International Organisations on the given link. 

How to Prepare for Internal Security and Disaster Management for IAS Mains

Civil Service Exam aspirants can refer to the list of UPSC Books given in the link, to augment their preparation.

Aspirants can find complete information about upcoming Government Exams through the linked article. UPSC exam-related preparation materials will be found through the links given below.