Lok Sabha Question No. 220 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-11
Subject: Report of UNISDR
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI, VASANTHI M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 220

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2018/ AGRAHAYANA 20, 1940 (SAKA)

REPORT OF UNISDR

220.     SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI: SHRIMATI VASANTHI M.:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  as  per  the  report  of  UN  System  for  Disaster  Risk  Reduction (UNISDR),  India  suffered  economic  loss  of  $80  billion  during  20  years between 1998-2017;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  climate  change  is  making  development  risky  particularly  in lower middle income countries like India;

- (d) if so, whether the Government has assessed such economic and other losses due to natural disasters during the last three years; and

(e)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  remedial  measures  taken  or  being taken by the Government to reduce economic and other losses during the natural disasters?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): The  Report  on  Economic  Losses,  Poverty  &  Disasters  1998-

2017, published by UNISDR, available online in Public Domain has reported direct economic losses of USD 79.5 billion incurred during 1998-2017.

However, no further details like break up of USD 79.5 billion is available in the report.

(c), (d) & (e): The Ministry of Environment and Forest has reported that the Government has commissioned a scientific study to assess the impact of  climate  change  and  published  its  report  titled  'Climate  Change  and India: 4 x 4 Assessment- A sectoral and Regional Analysis for 2030s'. The report has assessed impact of climate change on four key sectors of Indian economy,  namely  Agriculture,  Water,  Natural  Ecosystems  &  Biodiversity and Health in four climate sensitive regions of India, namely the Himalayan region, the Western Ghats, the Coastal Area and the North East region. The study projects a mixed picture for climate parameters and related impact on the relevant sectors.

In  order  to  strengthen  the  existing  disaster  management  system,  the Disaster Management Act, 2005 was enacted and notified on December 26, 2005.  The  Act  provides  for  institutional  mechanisms  for  drawing  up  and monitoring the implementation of the disaster management plans, ensuring measures by various wings of Government for prevention, mitigating and minimize effects of calamities and for undertaking a holistic, coordinated, and prompt response to any calamity situation in the country.  As per the Act, the Central Government  has  constituted the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with the responsibility for laying down the policies,  plans,  and  guidelines  for  disaster  managements.  Similarly  State Disaster    Management    Authorities    (SDMAs)    and    District    Disaster

Management Authorities (DDMAs) have been constituted at the State and District  Level.  Besides  making  institutional  arrangements,  the  Govt.  of India keeps aircraft, boats, specialist teams of Armed Forces, Central Para Military  Forces  and  personnel  of  National  Disaster  Response  Force  and essential  commodities  including  medical  stores,  restoration  of  critical infrastructure  facilities  in  readiness  for  deployment  in  disaster  situation where  ever  required.  Twelve  battalions  of  National  Disaster  Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed throughout the country specifically for rescue, relief and response during disaster. Based on vulnerability profile of  different  regions  of  the  country,  these  specialist  battalions  have  been presently stationed at the various strategic locations all over the country. The States have also been encouraged to develop State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Regular mock drills are being organized by the NDRF. NDRF teams are constantly engaged in familiarization exercises (FAMAX) as also in  community  awareness/  preparedness  programmes  in  far  flung  and inaccessible areas.

The early warning is provided by the forecasting agencies of Government of India on real time basis for the impending disasters to all the concerned stakeholders for taking appropriate precautionary measures.

For financial arrangements the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National  Disaster  Response  Fund  (NDRF)  at the State and National level

respectively  have  been  constituted  for  immediate  relief  purpose  during severe natural Calamity.

The  Government  of  India  laid  down  the  National  Policy  on  Disaster Management  in  2009  to  build  a  safe  and  disaster  resilient  India  by developing  a  holistic,  proactive,  multi-disaster  oriented  and  technology driven strategy through a culture of prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response.

NDMA  released  National  Disaster  Management  Plan  in  June,  2016  to provide  a  framework  and  direction  to  the  government  agencies  for  all phases of disaster management cycle.

NDMA has already released 26 guidelines on management of natural and man-made  disasters.  National  Policy  on  Disaster  Management  (NPDM) which covers all aspects of disaster management has also been released.

The  National  Cyclone  Risk  Mitigation  Project  (NCRMP),  Phase-I  (Rs. 2541.60 crore) and Phase-II (Rs. 2361.35 crore), is being implemented in 08 Cyclone Prone Coastal States to upgrade cyclone forecasting, tracking and warning systems and capacity building in multi-hazard risk management; and  to  construct  major  infrastructure  including  multipurpose  cyclone shelters and embankments.

Flood  Management  Programme  has  been  launched  by  Ministry  of  Water Resources,  River  Development  and Ganga  Rejuvenation,  Government  of

## L.S.US.Q.NO.220 FOR 11.12.2018

India  for  flood  management  and  river  management.  NDMA  has  also prepared roadmap for mitigation of urban floods.

National Emergency Communication Plan (Phase-II) has been sanctioned at a  cost  of  Rs.  93.2262  crore  to  provide  V-SATS  for  voice,  data  and  video communication between National Operation Centre, NDRF and NDMA.

The  National  School  Safety  Programme  (NSSP)  has  been  successfully implemented by NDMA in partnership with the States/UT Governments in 8600 schools in 43 Districts spread over 22 States/UTs of the Country

NDMA started a project at an outlay of Rs. 607.40 lakh in June 2016 with the aim to strengthen community and local self government's preparedness and response in 10 most multi hazard vulnerable districts

NDMA has started a scheme 'Aapda Mitra' in May 2016 which is focused on training of 6000 community volunteers in disaster response in 30 most flood  prone  districts  of  25  States  of  India  with  total  project  cost  of  Rs. 1547.04 lakh.

The  measures  as  taken  by  the  Government  of  India  and  the  State Governments are expected to improve the existing disaster management practices including the preparedness  and  minimizing the effects of disasters in the country. Further, the strengthening  of the disaster management is a continuing process of the governance.

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