Lok Sabha Question No. 2002 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-14
Subject: Strengthening Disaster Management
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: VIRENDRA  KUMAR, E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER, M. K. RAGHAVAN, MAHEISH GIRRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2002

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 14 TH  MARCH, 2017/ PHALGUNA 23, 1938 (SAKA)

## STRENGTHENING DISASTER MANAGEMENT

2002.

DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR:

SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN:

SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  implemented  the  National  Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) that was inaugurated by the Hon. Prime Minister, and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the National Disaster Management Authority plans to incorporate  help  and  aid  of  International  disaster  management  agencies such as Red Cross or the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR)  and  include  sufficient  and  appropriate  warning  protocols  for impending or upcoming disasters;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government is planning to carry out  periodic systematic disaster management drills and awareness programmes in different areas including  at  village  land  to  prepare  the  civilian  population  for  sudden disaster;
- (e) if so, the details thereof;
- (f)  the  details  of  the  Leverage  technology  suggested  to  enhance  the efficiency of the disaster risk management efforts by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA);
- (g) the activities undertaken and the provisions adopted to build on local capacity and initiative during national disaster by the NDMA; and

(h) whether there is any proposal to start more NDMA centres across the country including Kerala, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a): Yes Madam.  National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) defines the roles and  responsibilities of various  stake  holders  including  Central Ministries/  Departments,  State  Governments,  UT  Administrations,  District Authorities and local self Governments. NDMP enjoins all stakeholders to develop  detailed  plans  in  accordance  with  roles  and  responsibilities. Implementation of the plan is a continuous process.

(b) & (c): As a matter of policy, the Government of India does not issue any appeal for foreign assistance in the wake of a disaster. However, if the national government of another country voluntarily offers assistance as a goodwill  gesture  in  solidarity  with  the  disaster  victims,  the  Central Government may accept the offer.  In the case of an offer of assistance from UN Agencies, the India will accept the offer only if the government considers it necessary, based on various factors.

(d) & (e): Primary responsibility  of  disaster  management  rests  with the ...3/

States.  The  Central  Government  conducts  regular  mock  drill,  community training and awareness programme to prepare the civilian populations for disasters.  About  4.5  lakh  and  7.7  lakh  civilian  were  trained  by  National Disaster Response Force during 2015 and 2016 respectively.

(f): The  details  of  leveraging  various  technologies  to  enhance  the efficiency  of  the  disaster  risk  management  efforts  by  the  NDMA  are enclosed at Annex -I.

(g): NDMA  has  undertaken  550  Mock  Exercises  across  the  Country  to build the local capacity and sensitize people. Further, under the 'National School  Safety  Programme  (NSSP),  8600  schools  (with  200  schools  in  43 districts  in  22  States/UTs  falling  seismic  zones  IV  and  V)  have  been selected for providing training on school safety and disaster preparedness. The  Aapdamitra    scheme  of  NDMA  has  provision  for  training  6000 community volunteers in disaster response in 30 most flood prone districts (200  volunteers  per  district)  in  25  States.  The  project  on  sustainable reduction in disaster risk of NDMA will help to strengthen community and local self governments preparedness and response to disasters in  10 most multi-  hazard  vulnerable  districts  in  Assam,  Bihar,  Himachal  Pradesh  , Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand. (h): No.

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## L.S.US.Q.NO.2002 FOR 14.3.2017

The details  of  leveraging  various  technology  to  enhance  the  efficiency  of  the  disaster  risk management efforts by the NDMA are as under :

## (a): National Disaster Management Services (NDMS) :

National  Disaster  Management  Services  (NDMS)  was  conceived  by  NDMA  during  the Financial  Year  2015-16  for  setting  up  of  Very  Small  Aperture  Terminal  (VSAT)  Network connecting  MHA,  NDMA,  NDRF,  36  State/  UT  HQrs  and  81  vulnerable  districts  (total  120 locations).    The  estimated  cost  of  the  project  is  Rs.19.54  Crore.    The  project  is  under implementation  through  BSNL.    The  scope  of  the  Pilot  Project  is  to  provide  the  failsafe communication infrastructure and technical support for Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) operations across the country, as stated above.  The NDMS  Pilot Project envisages holding of workshops & imparting of training for the Capacity Building of disaster managers on usage of Communication equipments covered in the project.

## (b): Earthquake Disaster Risk Indexing (EDRI) :

(i)  NDMA  has  taken  an  initiative  on  Earthquake  Disaster  Risk  Indexing  (EDRI)  for  50 important  cities  and  1  District  in  Seismic  Zone  IV  &  V  areas.  As  part  of  this,  after  due consultation with various  experts  and  stakeholders,  the  work  has  been  awarded  to International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad, at a cost of Rs.45.87 lakh with completion  period  of  18  months.  This  kind of indexing will be  helpful for the administrative  bodies  in  comparing  the  overall  risk  across  large  number  of  cities  or  region and also in prioritization of cities to implement appropriate disaster mitigation measures

.

(ii)  NDMA  through  Building  Materials  &  Technology  Promotion  Council  (BMTPC)  has prepared Upgraded Earthquake Hazard Maps and Atlases for the country upto district level with  sub-district  boundary  showing  major  faults,  earthquake  zones,  epicenter  of    past earthquakes  of  magnitude  of  5  and  above  indicating  State  boundary,  district  boundary, district  names. The BMTPC has executed the project in close collaboration with the inputs from various institutions/organizations and NDMA.

## Uses of these Maps and Atlases :

1. Land Use Zoning and better habitat planning
2. Useful for leaders and policy makers, engineers, architects, disaster management professionals etc.
3. Formulation of Public & Financial Policies dealing with DM and Emergency

Planning

4. An aid for setting up techno-legal framework.
5. Useful for Insurance Agencies
6. At the Sub-district level shall be useful in preparing DPRs to be taken up under the Smart Cities Projects and various projects under the Housing for All (Urban) Mission of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana etc.
7. The concerned Authorities may identify the districts requiring priority action in future planning, formulating integrated mitigating policies covering awareness, education and training, preventive and preparedness measures, improvement in warning systems.

## (c): Geographical Information System (GIS) :

Leveraging the technology of GIS, NDMA have taken up a project for disaster risk management by establishing GIS Server and creation of database.  The Project has been sanctioned on 1.1.2016.  Duration of the Project is 24 months.  Objective of the project is to integrate data obtained from various stakeholders on GIS platform to increase disaster preparedness, mitigation, damage assessment, response and relief management efforts.  The Project envisages procurement of software and hardware, engagement of manpower, creation of data Inventory related to disaster management, integration of various other database system, development of Android Application for the responders, creation of applications and customization tools for better assessment of disaster scenario and creation of Decision Support System for the responders and decision makers etc.

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