Strengthening disaster risk management in India: A review of five state disaster management plans

This research analyses the state disaster management plans (SDMPs) from five very different states (in terms of climate, geography, size and location): Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Odisha and Uttarakhand. All states in the country are required to produce SDMPs documents, which outline the preparations, risk-reduction actions and responses needed to reduce and cope with the threats specific to their region. But how effective are these plans in ensuring states are better able to prepare for, and respond to, disasters?

Research findings show that while the SDMPs provide a good basis for coordinating disaster risk reduction and management at the state level, they would be strengthened if they:

• clarify the division of responsibility among the nodal institutions charged with managing disaster risk;
• consider all stages of the disaster management cycle equally, as opposed to their current emphasis on response and relief after a disaster;
• consider new and innovative models for financing risk management;
• mainstream disaster risk reduction across all the relevant sectors and departments at the state level;
• adequately incorporate the socioeconomic vulnerability of different groups, such as women and the very poorest people, into vulnerability assessments;
• consider the additional risks that climate change will bring to vulnerable populations;
• produce baseline assessments and data to track future progress in disaster risk reduction align more closely with the Sendai Framework.