Disaster Management in India

Disaster Management in India is overseen by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which operates as the apex body for disaster management in the country. Mandated by the Disaster Management Act of 2005, the NDMA is headed by the Prime Minister and plays a pivotal role in fostering a supportive environment for disaster management at various levels of governance. India, situated in South Asia, is historically prone to a variety of hazards, including landslides, hurricanes, cyclones, floods, and droughts. These frequent disasters result in significant financial, infrastructural, agricultural, and productivity losses, posing a grave threat to millions of lives and hindering the nation’s overall development trajectory. The NDMA, as the primary disaster management agency, shoulders the responsibility of coordinating preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts across the country. By implementing strategic policies, guidelines, and action plans, the NDMA strives to enhance resilience, reduce vulnerabilities, and minimize the impact of disasters on communities, infrastructure, and the economy. Through collaboration with state and district-level authorities, as well as various stakeholders and partners, the NDMA endeavours to build a robust disaster management framework that prioritizes risk reduction, early warning systems, capacity-building initiatives, and community participation. By leveraging technology, innovation, and international best practices, the NDMA aims to strengthen India’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities, ultimately safeguarding lives and promoting sustainable development.

Disasters are events of unexpected and catastrophic nature that result in significant harm, loss, destruction, and devastation to both individuals and property. They have far-reaching impacts on the socioeconomic, political, cultural, and mental aspects of the affected area. Disasters can be broadly categorized into two types: natural disasters and man-made disasters.

Types of Disasters Natural Disasters Natural disasters encompass all severe weather phenomena capable of inflicting significant harm to property, critical infrastructure, and overall homeland security. These events, whether seasonal or sporadic, lead to periods of instability, disruption, and economic loss. Natural disasters include

• Volcanic Eruptions: Sudden releases of molten rock, ash, and gases from volcanoes, which can cause widespread destruction to surrounding areas.
• Floods: Overflowing of water onto normally dry land, often resulting from heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or storm surges, leading to inundation and damage to homes, infrastructure, and crops.
• Hurricanes: Violent tropical storms with strong winds and heavy rainfall, capable of causing extensive damage to coastal regions through flooding, storm surges, and windborne debris.
• Earthquakes: Sudden shaking or trembling of the Earth’s surface caused by the movement of tectonic plates, resulting in structural collapse, landslides, and tsunamis.
• Landslides: Rapid downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris, often triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or volcanic activity, posing threats to communities and infrastructure.
• Tsunamis: Large ocean waves generated by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides, capable of causing widespread coastal devastation.
• Cyclones: Intense tropical storms characterized by strong winds and heavy rain, known as hurricanes or typhoons in different regions, causing extensive damage to coastal areas and beyond.
• Tornadoes: Violently rotating columns of air extending from thunderstorms to the ground, capable of causing severe damage to buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure.
• Blizzards: Severe snowstorms with strong winds, low temperatures, and reduced visibility, leading to transportation disruptions, power outages, and hazardous conditions.
• Wildfires: Uncontrolled fires that spread rapidly through vegetation, forests, or grasslands, destroying ecosystems, property, and wildlife habitats.
• Pandemics: Global outbreaks of infectious diseases, affecting large populations and posing significant public health challenges.

Man-made disasters result from human intention, negligence, or error, often involving failures of human-made systems. Examples of man-made disasters include

• Fires: Uncontrolled burning of structures, forests, or industrial facilities, leading to property damage, injuries, and loss of life.
• Cybercrimes: Criminal activities conducted through digital means, including hacking, data breaches, identity theft, and ransomware attacks, causing financial losses and security breaches.
• Civil Unrest: Social or political disturbances characterized by protests, riots, strikes, and conflicts between individuals or groups, resulting in violence, property damage, and societal disruption.
• Terrorism: Acts of violence or intimidation carried out by individuals or groups for political, religious, or ideological purposes, targeting civilians and causing fear, injury, and loss of life.
• War: Armed conflicts between nations, factions, or groups, resulting in widespread destruction, displacement of populations, and loss of infrastructure.
• Biological/Chemical Hazards: Release or spread of harmful biological agents or toxic chemicals, whether intentionally or accidentally, causing illness, death, and environmental contamination.
• Cyberattacks: Deliberate attempts to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or information, leading to data breaches, system outages, and financial losses.

Disasters, whether natural or man-made, have profound socio-economic, political, cultural, and psychological impacts on affected areas, highlighting the importance of preparedness, mitigation, and response efforts to minimize their consequences and protect lives and livelihoods.

India has experienced several devastating disasters throughout its history, ranging from natural calamities to human-made tragedies.

• Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984): One of the world’s worst industrial disasters, the Bhopal Gas Tragedy occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, when a pesticide plant owned by Union Carbide Corporation leaked methyl isocyanate gas. The toxic gas spread over the city of Bhopal, leading to thousands of immediate deaths and causing long-term health effects for many survivors.
• Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004): On December 26, 2004, a massive undersea earthquake near Sumatra, Indonesia, triggered a tsunami that affected several countries bordering the Indian Ocean, including India. Coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were severely impacted, with thousands of lives lost and widespread destruction of property and infrastructure.
• Cyclone Bhola (1970): Cyclone Bhola struck East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and the West Bengal region of India in November 1970. It remains one of the deadliest tropical cyclones on record, causing massive storm surges that led to the deaths of over 300,000 people, mainly in Bangladesh.
• Uttarakhand Floods (2013): In June 2013, flash floods and landslides devastated the Uttarakhand region of India, particularly in the Kedarnath Valley. Heavy rainfall and cloudbursts caused rivers to overflow, leading to the widespread destruction of homes, and infrastructure, and the loss of thousands of lives, including pilgrims visiting the area.
• Cyclone Amphan (2020): Cyclone Amphan, one of the strongest cyclones to hit the Bay of Bengal in recent times, struck West Bengal and parts of Odisha in May 2020. It caused significant damage with strong winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, and flooding, affecting millions of people and causing extensive destruction to property and crops.
• Uttar Pradesh Train Derailment (2016): In November 2016, the derailment of the Indore-Patna Express near Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, resulted in one of the deadliest train accidents in India’s history. Over 140 people lost their lives, and many others were injured when several coaches of the train derailed and overturned.
• Gujarat Earthquake (2001): The Gujarat earthquake, also known as the Bhuj earthquake, struck the Kutch district of Gujarat on January 26, 2001. With a magnitude of 7.7, the earthquake caused widespread devastation, collapsing buildings, infrastructure damage, and claiming the lives of around 20,000 people, while leaving many more injured and displaced.
• Bihar Floods (2008): Severe flooding in the state of Bihar affected millions of people, causing widespread destruction of homes, crops, and infrastructure. The floods were exacerbated by breaches in embankments along the Kosi River, leading to extensive displacement and loss of life.
• Super Cyclone Odisha (1999): Cyclone 05B, also known as the Odisha Cyclone, made landfall near Paradip in Odisha (then Orissa), causing widespread devastation. The powerful cyclone resulted in extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and agricultural land, with thousands of deaths reported.
• Great Famine of 1876-78: One of the deadliest famines in Indian history, the Great Famine was caused by widespread crop failure due to drought conditions. It affected large parts of British India, leading to millions of deaths from starvation and related diseases.
• Mumbai Terror Attacks (2008): Coordinated terrorist attacks by Pakistani militants targeted multiple locations in Mumbai, including hotels, a railway station, and a Jewish community centre. The attacks resulted in numerous casualties and drew widespread international condemnation.
• The Great Bengal Famine (1770-1773) devastating famine, caused by a combination of drought and British policies, resulted in the deaths of an estimated 10 million people in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
• Kashmir Floods (2014) Unprecedented rainfall caused the Jhelum River to overflow, leading to widespread flooding in Kashmir. Over 550 people lost their lives, and thousands were displaced.
• Kerala Floods (2018) was the worst flood situation in Kerala to date which impacted the whole state.
• COVID-19 Pandemic While not unique to India, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the country, exposing vulnerabilities in healthcare infrastructure and causing widespread economic hardship.

These disasters highlight the vulnerability of India to various natural and man-made threats and underscore the importance of disaster preparedness, response, and mitigation measures in safeguarding lives and livelihoods.   3. Causes of Natural Disasters Natural disasters are often triggered by various natural phenomena and environmental factors. The primary causes of natural disasters

• Tectonic Movements of the Earth’s crust, including plate tectonics, can lead to catastrophic events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. When continental plates shift or collide, it can result in seismic activity and volcanic activity, causing widespread damage and loss of life.
• Seismic Waves are generated by various natural events, including volcanic eruptions, explosions, landslides, avalanches, and rapid movements of water bodies such as rivers. These waves can trigger secondary disasters such as tsunamis, which can cause devastation along coastlines.
• Natural Phenomena such as hurricanes, cyclones, tornadoes, floods, and droughts are caused by atmospheric and oceanic conditions. These events result from factors such as temperature differentials, air pressure gradients, and ocean currents, leading to severe weather patterns and climatic extremes.
• Moon Activities Some research suggests that the gravitational pull of the moon can influence Earth’s tides and may contribute to the occurrence of significant earthquakes. While the exact relationship between lunar activity and seismic events is still debated, the moon’s influence on tidal forces is considered a contributing factor to some natural disasters.
• Soil Erosion often exacerbated by human activities such as deforestation and unsustainable land use practices, can lead to environmental degradation and natural disasters such as landslides and mudslides. Loss of vegetation cover destabilizes soil, increasing the risk of erosion during heavy rainfall or seismic activity.
• Deforestation is a man-made disaster that can have far-reaching consequences, including habitat loss, biodiversity decline, climate change, desertification, and displacement of populations. The removal of trees and vegetation alters ecosystems, disrupts natural water cycles, and reduces the Earth’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, exacerbating environmental vulnerabilities.

Understanding the causes of natural disasters is crucial for implementing effective mitigation strategies, promoting sustainable land management practices, and enhancing disaster preparedness and resilience in vulnerable communities.   4. The impacts of a disaster  The impacts of a disaster can be far-reaching and have profound consequences on various aspects of human life, infrastructure, economy, and the environment. These impacts can vary depending on the type, scale, and severity of the disaster. Human Losses

• Disasters can result in the tragic loss of human lives, including direct fatalities caused by the disaster event itself (e.g., collapse of buildings during an earthquake, drowning in floods) and indirect deaths due to post-disaster factors like lack of access to medical care, waterborne diseases, or malnutrition.
• Survivors of disasters may suffer from injuries ranging from minor to severe, including fractures, burns, trauma, and respiratory ailments. These injuries can lead to long-term disabilities and psychological trauma, affecting individuals’ quality of life and livelihoods.
• Disasters can have significant psychological effects, causing stress, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health disorders among survivors, rescue workers, and affected communities.

Infrastructure Damage

• Disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods can cause extensive damage to buildings, homes, bridges, roads, and other infrastructure. Structural collapses, flooding, landslides, and fire damage can render infrastructure unusable and disrupt essential services like transportation, communication, and utilities.
• Critical Facilities: Disasters may impact critical facilities such as hospitals, schools, power plants, water treatment plants, and emergency response centres. Damage to these facilities can hamper emergency response efforts and prolong recovery times.

Economic Losses

• Disasters can disrupt businesses, agriculture, industries, and supply chains, leading to financial losses, unemployment, and reduced economic productivity. Small businesses and livelihoods dependent on agriculture or tourism are particularly vulnerable.
• Rebuilding damaged infrastructure, homes, and public facilities requires substantial financial resources. Governments, businesses, and international aid agencies may bear the costs of reconstruction and recovery efforts.

Environmental Impact

• Disasters can disrupt ecosystems, damage biodiversity, and lead to habitat loss for wildlife. Pollution from hazardous materials, debris, and waste can contaminate water bodies, soil, and air, affecting natural resources and ecosystems.
• Overexploitation of natural resources during disaster response and recovery phases can strain ecosystems, deplete water resources, and contribute to environmental degradation.

Social and Community Impacts

• Disasters often result in population displacement, temporary sheltering in evacuation centres, or forced migration. Displaced persons face challenges related to housing, sanitation, access to basic services, and protection of vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
• Communities may experience social disruption, breakdown of social networks, and strains on social cohesion. However, disasters can also foster resilience, community solidarity, volunteerism, and collective efforts for recovery and rebuilding.

Long-Term Effects

• The long-term recovery process after a disaster can be complex and protracted, requiring sustainable development strategies, risk reduction measures, and capacity building. Communities may face challenges in returning to pre-disaster conditions, especially in vulnerable or marginalized areas.
• Disasters often highlight weaknesses in disaster preparedness, response, and mitigation. They provide opportunities to learn lessons, improve resilience, and implement proactive measures for future disasters.

The impacts of a disaster underscore the importance of comprehensive disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, effective response mechanisms, sustainable recovery strategies, and community resilience building to minimize human suffering and promote sustainable development.   5. Disaster Management in India India’s susceptibility to natural disasters underscores the critical importance of effective disaster management. Over the years, the Indian government has undergone a paradigm shift in its approach towards disaster management, emphasizing its integration into the broader development process to ensure sustainable progress. Elements of Disaster Management in India Disaster management in India comprises four key elements: Risk Reduction, Mitigation, Quick Response, and Recovery. Each element plays a crucial role in minimizing the impact of disasters and facilitating swift recovery.

• Risk reduction involves systematic efforts to identify and diminish the risks associated with potential disasters. It entails anticipating the losses that could result from hazardous occurrences within a specified location and timeframe. The practice of disaster risk reduction focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disasters to lower their impact.
• Disaster mitigation strategies aim to alleviate or prevent the adverse consequences and risks posed by hazards through proactive measures implemented before emergencies occur. These strategies can be either structural or non-structural. Structural measures may include the construction of flood dikes, while non-structural measures encompass practices such as hazard mapping, land use zoning enforcement, and adherence to building codes.
• Quick response forms a crucial aspect of disaster management in India, involving the activation of emergency response systems to mitigate damages and save lives. Rapid response efforts are geared towards swiftly addressing immediate threats and preventing further harm. This phase encompasses the deployment of short-term actions aimed at restoring essential services, information, and operations.
• The recovery phase focuses on restoring normalcy and rebuilding affected communities in the aftermath of a disaster. It involves assessing the extent of damage, implementing stabilization measures, and initiating recovery efforts. Restoration of critical infrastructure, recovery of records and information, and resumption of essential services are central to the recovery process.

Disaster management in India operates through a comprehensive framework comprising risk reduction, mitigation, quick response, and recovery. By integrating these elements into policy and practice, India endeavours to enhance its resilience to disasters and ensure a prompt and effective response to mitigate their impact on society and the economy.   6.  Stages in Disaster Management Disaster management in India is organized into three critical stages, each with its specific objectives and actions aimed at minimizing the impact of disasters and facilitating recovery. Pre-Disaster Phase The pre-disaster phase focuses on proactive measures to reduce the likelihood of hazards causing significant losses to people, property, and the environment. The primary objectives of this phase include

• Identifying potential hazards such as natural disasters (e.g., floods, earthquakes, cyclones) or man-made disasters (e.g., industrial accidents, chemical spills) and assessing their potential impact.
• Implementing strategies and measures to reduce the vulnerability of communities and infrastructure to disasters. This may include land-use planning, building codes, infrastructure development, early warning systems, and public awareness campaigns.
• Developing and implementing disaster management plans at various levels (national, state, district) to ensure coordinated and effective response actions. Conducting training, drills, and capacity-building activities for emergency responders and the public.

During a Disaster The focus shifts to immediate response and relief efforts during the disaster. Key objectives during this phase include

• Activating response mechanisms, including search and rescue operations, medical assistance, evacuation procedures, and coordination among various agencies and stakeholders.
• Ensuring access to basic necessities such as food, water, shelter, healthcare, and communication for affected populations.
• Maintaining effective communication channels between response teams, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the public to facilitate timely and coordinated actions.

Post-Disaster Phase After the disaster subsides, the post-disaster phase focuses on recovery and long-term resilience building. Key objectives of this phase include

• Evaluating the extent of damage to infrastructure, livelihoods, and the environment to prioritize recovery efforts.
• Assisting in rebuilding infrastructure, restoring essential services, livelihood support, and psychosocial support for affected communities.
• Implementing measures to reduce future disaster risks through improved infrastructure, land-use planning, early warning systems, community resilience building, and capacity development.
• Analyzing the response and recovery process to identify strengths, weaknesses, and lessons learned for future improvements in disaster management strategies and policies.

By following the structured stages of disaster management, India aims to enhance its resilience, reduce vulnerabilities, and ensure a more effective response and recovery from disasters, thus safeguarding lives, property, and the environment.   7. Frameworks in Disaster Management in India The government of India has established various institutional, legal, and financial frameworks for disaster management in the country. Each framework serves specific objectives and plays a crucial role in ensuring effective disaster response, relief, and recovery. These institutional frameworks collectively form a comprehensive disaster management system in India. They facilitate coordination, decision-making, resource allocation, and timely response efforts during emergencies, thereby enhancing the country’s resilience to natural disasters and minimizing the impact on affected communities.   Legal Frameworks for Disaster Management in India The legal framework for disaster management in India encompasses various fundamental aspects and plays a crucial role in organizing and operationalizing disaster-related activities. It consists of legal arrangements that provide the foundational principles for both governmental and non-governmental operations associated with disaster mitigation and management.

• The Disaster Management Act, enacted by the Indian Parliament in 2005, serves as the cornerstone of this legal framework. It aims to establish a comprehensive structure for organizing, coordinating, and implementing disaster management efforts across the nation. The Act outlines the roles, responsibilities, and powers of various entities involved in disaster management, including national, state, and district-level authorities.
• Key components of the legal framework include laws, executive orders, and other legal instruments that govern disaster management activities. These instruments define the fundamental principles guiding disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. They also ensure compliance with established standards, protocols, and guidelines, and provide mechanisms for enforcement and accountability.

The legal framework for disaster management in India is designed to facilitate a structured and coordinated approach to mitigate risks, enhance preparedness, and effectively respond to and recover from disasters. Its ultimate objective is to build a disaster-resilient nation capable of minimizing the impact of disasters on lives, property, and the environment.   Financial Framework for Disaster Management in India The financial framework for disaster mitigation plays a critical role in the overall disaster management strategy in India. It encompasses various mechanisms and funding sources aimed at addressing the financial needs associated with disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and reconstruction.

• The current financial framework for disaster management has been subject to review by the 15th Finance Commission. The Commission’s assessment revealed that existing funding mechanisms primarily focus on response and relief efforts, rather than adopting a more holistic approach that includes adaptation, mitigation, preparedness, recovery, and reconstruction measures.
• One of the key components of the financial framework is the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), established under Section 48(1)(a) of the Disaster Management Act of 2005. The NDRF, managed by the Union Government, is designed to provide financial assistance to meet the expenses incurred during emergency relief operations. Additionally, it serves to support the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), managed by State Governments, in the event of a major disaster and when there is a lack of adequate funding.

The financial framework for disaster management in India aims to ensure adequate financial resources are available to effectively respond to disasters, mitigate risks, enhance preparedness, facilitate recovery efforts, and promote long-term resilience. Through strategic allocation and utilization of funds, the framework aims to minimize the socio-economic impact of disasters and build a more disaster-resilient nation.   8. Role of Technology in Disaster Management Technology plays a crucial role in disaster management in India, aiding in early detection, response coordination, and mitigation efforts.

• Big Data technology serves as a valuable tool in disaster relief, prevention, and planning. Big Data helps emergency response organizations track and monitor vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or areas with high concentrations of children and infants.
• Blockchain technology provides essential capabilities for rapid response to natural disasters and public health emergencies. Blockchain enables secure and transparent sharing of information across systems and geographical boundaries, facilitating efficient collaboration among stakeholders. Blockchain ensures the integrity and immutability of disaster-related data, including transaction records and identity verification, enhancing trust and accountability.
• Robotics Technology: Robotic technologies, including rescue robots, play a critical role in search and rescue operations post-disaster. Rescue robots are designed to navigate hazardous environments and locate survivors, enhancing the efficiency and safety of rescue missions.
• Drones Technology: Drones offer unparalleled capabilities for aerial reconnaissance and emergency response. Drones can be swiftly deployed without extensive planning, providing real-time aerial coverage of affected areas and Drones aid rescue workers in locating disaster victims, offering aerial views and accessing hard-to-reach areas.

These technological advancements enhance the effectiveness of disaster management efforts by enabling proactive risk assessment, swift response coordination, and efficient resource allocation, ultimately contributing to saving lives and reducing the impact of disasters on communities.   9. Effectiveness of Disaster Management in India The performance of India’s disaster management mechanisms has been evaluated in a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), highlighting areas of concern and improvement needed. Functional Flaws in NDMA

• The CAG report identified functional flaws within NDMA, noting that major projects remained incomplete even years after initiation.
• Initiatives were either abandoned midway or required rework due to initial inadequacies in planning and execution.

Non-compliance with the Disaster Management Act (DMA)

• NDMA was found to be non-compliant with several mandates outlined in the Disaster Management Act.
• The Act requires NDMA to recommend measures such as loan repayment relaxation, new loan approvals, and fund releases for mitigation purposes, which were not effectively carried out.

Operational Challenges

• Despite significant vacant positions within NDMA, day-to-day operations were managed by consultants, indicating operational challenges and resource constraints.
• The report highlighted the need for a more robust organizational structure and capacity building within NDMA to fulfil its mandated functions effectively.

The assessment underscores the importance of addressing systemic challenges, enhancing coordination between NDMA and state-level disaster management bodies, and strengthening governance frameworks to improve the effectiveness of disaster management efforts in India.   10. Challenges in Disaster Management in India India faces several challenges in managing disasters effectively, including

• Urbanization and Unsafe Buildings: Rapid urbanization has led to the construction of unsafe buildings, especially in densely populated areas. This poses a significant risk during disasters such as earthquakes, where poorly constructed buildings can lead to higher casualties and property damage.
• Climate Change Impact: Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, and droughts. These events strain existing disaster management resources and require proactive measures to mitigate risks and manage their aftermath effectively.
• Limited Awareness and Preparedness: There is a need to enhance public awareness and preparedness for disasters at the community level. Many people lack knowledge about evacuation procedures, safety measures, and response protocols during emergencies.
• Infrastructure and Resource Constraints: Insufficient infrastructure and resources in disaster-prone areas pose challenges to timely response and recovery efforts. This includes inadequate shelters, medical facilities, transportation, and communication networks during emergencies.
• Coordination and Governance: Effective coordination among various government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and stakeholders is crucial for disaster management. Improved governance structures and clear protocols are needed to ensure seamless coordination and response during disasters.
• Data and Technology Integration: There is a need for better integration of data and technology in disaster management processes. This includes real-time monitoring, early warning systems, GIS mapping, and leveraging modern technologies like drones and satellite imagery for assessment and response.
• Capacity Building and Training: Continuous capacity building, training programs, and drills are essential for emergency responders, community leaders, and the public. This helps in enhancing skills, preparedness, and response capabilities at all levels of disaster management.

Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach, involving investment in resilient infrastructure, public education campaigns, policy reforms, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders to build a more resilient disaster management framework in India.   11. The Way Forward India has indeed made significant strides in post-disaster response and reconstruction. However, challenges persist, especially concerning the potential for future disasters. Mitigation strategies in Disaster Management must prioritize the protection of the most vulnerable segments of society, including the poor, marginalized communities, women, children, disabled individuals, and the elderly. Here are key strategies to address these challenges Knowledge Sharing Mechanisms, Regional Collaboration and Regional Response Structures. By focusing on these strategies, India can enhance its disaster resilience and strengthen regional cooperation to effectively address the challenges posed by natural disasters and protect vulnerable communities.