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India’s Disaster Management and Climate Resilience
Context:
The reflection on India’s climate-related disaster management in early 2025 highlights the increasing urgency to improve preparedness, response, and resilience to climate change-induced disasters. With multiple states experiencing severe climate events, such as floods, cyclones, and landslides, there is a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive policy and legislative reforms.
The Growing Impact of Climate Change on Disasters
- 2024 witnessed extreme weather events on 255 out of 274 days (93%), affecting over 2 million people across states like Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, and Odisha.
- 3,238 lives were lost, 2.35 lakh houses/buildings were destroyed, and 3.2 million hectares of land were impacted due to extreme weather events (Centre for Science and Environment report).
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (2023-24) recorded a 24% rise in disaster-related deaths (2,616 fatalities) over the previous year.
Legislative and Policy Changes in 2024
- Amendments to the Disaster Management Act, 2005 now include ‘disaster risk reduction’, emphasising systematic efforts to analyse and manage disaster risks, including climate change drivers.
- A separate Urban Disaster Management Authority for cities and state capitals has been established, reflecting the growing challenges in urban areas like Chennai and Bengaluru, where floods and rains have led to significant displacement and losses.
- Clause 11 of the amendment omits Section 19, which allows states to set minimum standards of relief. While this may standardise response, it raises concerns about budget flexibility for disaster-prone states.
Government Interventions
- National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): The NAPCC outlines a series of programs and policies focusing on climate mitigation and adaptation, addressing sectors like renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and water conservation.
- Forest and Biodiversity Conservation: The government has focused on increasing forest cover through initiatives like the Green India Mission (GIM). Programs are also in place to conserve biodiversity and protect India’s unique ecosystems, which play a critical role in climate resilience.
- Coastal Resilience Programs: Projects like “Enhancing Climate Resilience of India’s Coastal Communities” aim to improve the resilience of vulnerable communities, particularly along India’s extensive coastline, against the impacts of climate change.
Budgetary Gaps and Financial Constraints
- Relief and Resettlement: While standardising relief response is important, states need flexibility in budget allocations to be more responsive to localised needs.
- The National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) need more substantial compensation for land, shelter, and livelihoods losses, especially for vulnerable communities.
- Resettlement Policy: A policy for resettlement of people affected by coastal and river erosion was launched in 2024, with Rs 1,000 crore allocated nationally.
- However, the cap on state spending for resettlement is limited to Rs 500 crore, which is considered insufficient for large-scale resettlement efforts, as seen in places like Kendrapara, Odisha, where the cost already exceeded Rs 22 crore in the first phase.
Recommendations for Future Action
- Climate Justice Policy: A comprehensive climate justice policy is crucial, incorporating disaster risk reduction, resilience building, and rehabilitation. This policy should focus on:
- People’s Participation: In areas like Odisha, Panchayats are empowered to create disaster management plans, and such participatory planning should be scaled up.
- Youth and Women Leadership: Leadership roles for youth and women should be prioritised in planning and implementation of resilience-building efforts, especially in vulnerable areas.
- Resilience Measures: Initiatives like green cover restoration and mangrove revival should be scaled up, alongside new proposals like a coastal employment guarantee scheme.
- Loss and Damage Guidelines: Clearly defined loss and damage guidelines are needed for communities displaced by disasters, addressing both physical and socio-economic losses.
A well-funded and comprehensive climate justice policy is essential to safeguard India’s most vulnerable regions and communities, ensuring resilience in the face of escalating climate disasters.
