Introduction

"Disaster management" can be defined as the range of activities designed to maintain

control over disaster and emergency situations and to provide a framework for helping at-
risk persons to avoid or recover from the impact of the disaster. Disaster management deals
with situations that occur prior to, during, and after the disaster. Globally, there has been lots
of disaster on land, air and sea,
Though these disasters may be natural or man-made, it has however led to the destruction
of lives and properties worth billions of Tamil nadu .

Definition
• India has been traditionally vulnerable to natural disasters on account of its unique geo-
climatic conditions.
• Floods, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes and landslides have been a recurrent phenomena.
• The major tsunami in tamilnadu in Dec 26, 2004 & the thane storm in Puducherry &
cuddalore in Dec 29 , 2011 was done.
• Over the past couple of years, the Government of India have brought about a paradigm shift
in the approach to disaster management.
• Disaster management occupies an important place in this country’s policy framework as it
is the poor and the underprivileged
who are worst affected on account of calamities/disasters.
The Disaster Management Act, 2005
The Disaster Management Act, 2005 defines disaster as “A catastrophe, mishap, calamity
or grave occurrence in any area, a rising from natural or man made causes, or by accident
or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and
destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a
nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected
area”.
The United Nations defines disaster as “The occurrence of sudden or major misfortune
which disrupts the basic fabric and normal functioning of the society or community”.

In India the Disaster management system is been divided in many layers ,

NDMA

State DMA

District DMA

Local Authority
National Disaster Management Authority

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headed by the Prime Minister with up
to a maximum of nine members nominated by Prime Minister.
The Authority may constitute an Advisory Committee consisting of experts in the field of
disaster management.
The Authority shall be assisted by a National Executive Committee of Secretaries to be
constituted by Central Government.

Lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management.
The National Executive Committee shall prepare a National Disaster Management Plan in
consultation with the State Governments.
The National Plan shall include measures for
prevention and mitigation of disasters,
integration of mitigation measures in the plans,
preparedness and capacity building.
NDMA shall recommend guidelines for the minimum standards of relief provided to
persons affected by disaster
District Disaster Management Authority

The State Government shall establish a District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in
each district.
The District Authority will be headed by District Magistrate and shall consist of members,
not exceeding seven, as may be prescribed by the State Government.
The District Authority shall act as the district planning, coordinating and implementing body
for disaster management.

Local Authority
The Local Authority shall ensure training of its officers and employees and maintenance of
resources so as to be readily available for use in the event of a disaster.

Ensure that all construction projects under it conform to the standards and specifications
laid down.

Carry out relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the affected area within its
jurisdiction.
 Issues

• Logistics
• Resources

• Relief
• operations

• Facilities
• Awareness

Core problem :
The District Disaster Management Authority does not have a standard functional building for relief shelter
& the administration , operation , awareness training , local broadcast , disaster manageable structure
aerial evacuation helicopter pad ,
Operation centre :
The DMC will be the main focal point responsible for coordinating early warning, along with
the relevant technical agencies and Technical Committees, its dissemination and for ensuring
last mile dissemination of same. The Multi Hazard Early Warning Dissemination Division of the
DMC will be in constant coordination with all technical agencies responsible for natural and
man-made hazards, and in instances of any imminent disaster it will take action to inform the
responsible officers for onward communication to the sub-national levels and communities
 Key Responsibilities :
• Maintaining and operating Early Warning Towers and other early warning dissemination equipment's
• Dissemination of Early Warning Messages and ensure the receipt at remote vulnerable villagers.
• Co-ordination of donor assistance to strengthen capacity of technical agencies for early warning
• Working out strategy and policy in the given area of activity
• Initiating awareness on activities related to early warning among the various agencies and
public
• Guiding District Disaster Management Units in coordinating and implementing warning
dissemination related activities in the Province, district, Local Authority, Division, panchayat and
community levels

Other Responsibilities
Establish coordination with the local technical agencies responsible for forecasting different hazards,
Establish a reliable communication system (telephones, radio communication etc.) from technical
agencies to the Emergency operating centre (EOC) and to Provincial / District Control Rooms directly or
through (EOC)). Ensure redundancy by having alternative communication systems in place in case of
breakdowns in the main system.
Have the system established with media and ensure dissemination of information through same.
Create awareness among communities and all concerned including Police on the communication
system in use for early warning and what immediate actions to be taken, especially on rapid onset
disasters.