The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) is India’s strategy to boost resilience and minimize the impact of disasters on lives and assets. It aligns with the “Sendai Framework” focusing on four key themes: understanding disaster risk, enhancing disaster risk governance, investing in reduction measures (both structural and non-structural), and preparing for disasters with early warnings and effective recovery strategies. The goal is to create a disaster-ready nation that can bounce back stronger after facing challenges.

Must Read: India’s Disaster Management Initiatives

NDMP Vision

Build a strong and resilient India by reducing the impact of disasters, ensuring fewer lives and livelihoods are lost, and minimizing damage to assets—whether economic, physical, social, cultural, or environmental. Strengthen the ability of communities and administrations at all levels to cope effectively with disasters, promoting a safer and more secure future for everyone.

NDMP Objectives

The Disaster Management Act of 2005 and the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM) 2009 have set the stage for the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP). This plan aligns with our national promise to follow the Sendai Framework. So, what are we aiming for with the NDMP? Well, our main goals include:

1. Enhance public awareness and understanding of disaster risk, hazards, and vulnerabilities.
2. Improve disaster risk governance from local to central levels.
3. Invest in resilience by adopting a comprehensive approach, including structural, non-structural, and financial measures, along with capacity development.
4. Strengthen disaster preparedness to ensure an effective response when needed.
5. Advocate for the principle of “Build Back Better” during recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts.
6. Actively work towards preventing disasters and achieving significant reductions in risk and losses across various aspects of life and assets.
7. Increase resilience and proactively address both existing and potential new disaster risks.
8. Promote the implementation of integrated measures across economic, structural, legal, social, health, cultural, educational, environmental, technological, political, and institutional domains to minimize hazard exposure and vulnerabilities.
9. Empower local authorities and communities as collaborative partners in reducing and managing disaster risks.
10. Strengthen scientific and technical capabilities in all facets of disaster management.
11. Implement capacity development initiatives at all levels to effectively respond to multiple hazards and support community-based disaster management.
12. Provide clarity on the roles and responsibilities of different Ministries and Departments involved in various aspects of disaster management.
13. Foster a culture of disaster risk prevention and mitigation at all levels of society.
14. Facilitate the integration of disaster management concerns into developmental planning and processes.
15. Ensure continuous efforts to mainstream disaster management considerations in all aspects of society for a more resilient and prepared nation.

Must Read: PM Modi outlines 10-Point agenda for Disaster Risk Reduction

Salient Features of the Plan

The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), aligned with the mandates of the Disaster Management Act 2005, the National Policy on Disaster Management 2009, and the commitments outlined in the Sendai Framework, encompasses comprehensive objectives. These objectives guide disaster management efforts at various levels, promoting resilience and reducing risks:

Enhance Understanding of Disaster Risk:

• Improve comprehension of disaster risk, hazards, and vulnerabilities.

Strengthen Disaster Risk Governance:

• Fortify governance structures at all levels, fostering effective disaster risk management.

Invest in Disaster Risk Reduction:

• Allocate resources to resilience-building through structural, non-structural, and financial measures.
• Focus on comprehensive capacity development for sustainable risk reduction.

Enhance Disaster Preparedness:

• Boost preparedness for timely and effective responses to disasters.

Promote “Build Back Better” Approach:

• Emphasize recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts with a focus on improvement.

Prevent Disasters and Reduce Losses:

• Implement measures to prevent and substantially reduce disaster risks and associated losses.

Increase Resilience and Prevent New Risks:

• Strengthen existing resilience and prevent the emergence of new disaster risks.

Implement Integrated Measures:

• Integrate various measures across economic, structural, legal, social, health, cultural, environmental, technological, political, and institutional domains.

Empower Local Authorities and Communities:

• Foster partnerships between local authorities and communities for effective disaster risk reduction.

Strengthen Scientific and Technical Capabilities:

• Enhance capabilities in scientific and technical aspects of disaster management.

Capacity Development at All Levels:

• Facilitate capacity development at all levels for effective response to multiple hazards.

Clarify Roles and Responsibilities:

• Define clear roles and responsibilities for different Ministries and Departments involved in disaster management.

Promote Disaster Risk Prevention Culture:

• Encourage a culture of disaster risk prevention and mitigation at all levels.

Mainstream Disaster Management into Development Planning:

• Facilitate the integration of disaster management concerns into developmental planning and processes.

The salient features of the plan include coverage across all disaster management phases, a matrix of response activities, and a dedicated chapter on strengthening disaster risk governance. The plan ensures a regional approach, offering scalability and flexibility for effective implementation across various scenarios. Additionally, it highlights the importance of information, education, and communication activities to prepare communities for coping with disasters.

Must Read: Tropical Cyclones And Their Related Hazards