A flood prediction report by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) shows that in the next 10 years, floods across the country will kill over 16,000 people. Also, property worth Rs. 47,000 crore will likely be damaged in these disasters.
The Home Ministry recently carried out a risk assessment of 640 districts in India. A National Resilience Index was created based on the performance of states and union territories on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) measures adopted such as risk assessment, risk prevention and mitigation, disaster relief and rehabilitation.
The report showed a low level of resilience to a disaster that requires "considerable improvement".
"Most states have not conducted a comprehensive state-specific assessment of hazards, vulnerabilities and exposures of the changing dynamics and complexities of disasters," TOI quoted the study report.
The NDMA issues guidelines, organises seminars and holds meetings at the time of emergency situation. The recent devastating rains and floods in Kerala have claimed more than 350 lives and property worth thousands of crores of rupees. When asked about the initiatives taken by NDMA in the state, the spokesperson refused to comment on it.
According to the report, except for Himachal Pradesh, no other states has carried out a comprehensive risk assessment or engaged any professional agency to map hazards, vulnerabilities and exposures.
"Gujarat had got a comprehensive risk assessment done a decade back but has neither updated the assessment nor made it available in public domain for the use of stakeholders," the report was quoted by TOI.
India has one of the most advanced satellites and early warning systems and can predict the risk of natural disasters. Despite access to this technology, state governments seem to be doing little to to take preventive actions.
