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KEY TRENDS
• During the last two decades of the 20th century (1982-2001), natural disasters in India had claimed a total death toll of around 1,07,813 people (on an average more than 5,390 death toll every year)@
• India has faced more than 260 events of disasters and over 3.5 million people were affected between 1975 and 2001@
• About 60% of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of various intensities; over 40 million hectares is prone to floods; about 8% of the total area is prone to cyclones and 68% of the area is susceptible to drought*
• In the decade 1990-2000, an average of about 4,344 people lost their lives and about 30 million people were affected by disasters every year*
• The super cyclone in Orissa in October, 1999 and the Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat in January, 2001 underscored the need to adopt a multi dimensional endeavour involving diverse scientific, engineering, financial and social processes; the need to adopt multi disciplinary and multi sectoral approach and incorporation of risk reduction in the developmental plans and strategies*
• The monsoons play a critical role in determining whether the harvest will be bountiful, average or poor in any given year**
• A Disaster Risk Management Programme has been taken up with the assistance from UNDP, USAID and European Union in 169 most hazard prone districts in 17 States including all the 8 North Eastern State*
@ Disaster Management in India (2011), Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI
* Disaster Management in India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India
** Natural Disasters and Crop Insurance, Government of India
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Table a and table b show the major disasters faced by India.
Table c shows how disasters affected India economically between 1980 and 2009.
Table d shows the damage caused due to floods, cyclonic storms, landslides etc. during last ten years in India.
• During the second half of the 20th century, more than 200 worst natural disasters occurred in the different parts of the world and claimed lives of around 1.4 million people. Losses due to natural disasters are 20 times greater (as % of GDP) in the developing countries than in industrialized one. Asia tops the list of casualties due to natural disasters.
• India has faced more than 260 events of disasters and over 3.5 million people were affected between 1975 and 2001.
• The number of disasters events globally which was 73 in 1900-09 increased to 4495 during 2000-2009. The rise in disaster events between the decade of 1900-99 and 2000-09 has been 6057.5%. The number of hydro meteorological disasters events increased from 28 in 1900-09 to 3529 in 2000-09. The number of geological disasters events increased from 40 in 1900-09 to 354 in 2000-09. The number of biological disasters events increased from 5 in 1900-09 to 612 in 2000-09.
• Globally, 78.4% of the disaster events during 1900-2009 comprised hydro meteorological events. Nearly 653128 persons died due to hydro meteorological events during 1900-2009.
• According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), data of major natural disasters/ extremes that occurred around the world during the period 1963-2002, indicates that floods and droughts cause the maximum damage.
• During the last thirty years’ time span India has been hit by 431 major disasters resulting into enormous loss to life and property. According to the Prevention Web statistics, 143039 people were killed and about 150 crore were affected by various disasters in the country during these three decades. The disasters caused huge loss to property and other infrastructures costing more than US $ 4800 crore.
• In India, the cyclone which occurred on 25th November, 1839 had a death toll of three lakh people. The Bhuj earthquake of 2001 in Gujarat and the Super Cyclone of Orissa on 29th October, 1999 are still fresh in the memory of most Indians. The most recent natural disaster of a cloud burst resulting in flash floods and mudflow in Leh and surrounding areas in the early hours of 6th August, 2010, caused severe damage in terms of human lives as well as property. There was a reported death toll of 196 persons, 65 missing persons, 3,661 damaged houses and 27,350 hectares of affected crop area.
• Out of 35 states and union territories in the country, 27 of them are disaster prone. Almost 58.6 per cent of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity; over 40 million hectares (12 per cent of land) are prone to floods and river erosion; of the 7,516 km long coastline, close to 5,700 km is prone to cyclones and tsunamis; 68 per cent of the cultivable area is vulnerable to drought and hilly areas are at risk from landslides and avalanches.
• India is one of the ten worst disaster prone countries of the world. The country is prone to disasters due to number of factors; both natural and human induced, including adverse geo climatic conditions, topographic features, environmental degradation, population growth, urbanisation, industrialization, non scientific development practices.
• During the last two decades of the 20th century (1982-2001), natural disasters in India had claimed a total death toll of around 1,07,813 people (on an average more than 5,390 death toll every year).
• India with its extended coast line is exposed to five to six tropical cyclones on an average, both from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal annually.
• During the complete 124 year period there were three occasions i.e. 1877, 1899 and 1918 when percentage of the country affected by drought was more than 60 percent). In the span of 124 years, the probability of occurrence of drought was found maximum in Rajasthan (25 %), Saurastra & Kutch (23%), followed by Jammu & Kashmir (21%) and Gujarat (21%) region. The drought of 1987 in various parts of the country was of “unprecedented intensity” resulting in serious crop damages and an alarming scarcity of drinking water.
• The average annual rainfall is less than 13 cm over the western Rajasthan, while Mausiram in the Meghalaya has as much as 1141 cm. During the period from 1871 to 2009, there were 27 major drought years in India. One of the major reasons for these droughts has been a strong link with the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) patterns and its linkages with Indian food grain production.
• Around 68 percent of the country is prone to drought in varying degrees. Of the entire area 35 percent receives rain falls between 750 mm and 1125 mm which is considers drought prone while 33 percent which receives rainfalls between less than 750 mm is considered to be chronically drought prone.
• Thirty one disaster management centres have been set up throughout the country, one in each state and two each in Assam and UP.
• The 13th Finance Commission has recommended an initial grant of Rs. 250.00 crores in the form of a revolving fund to be provided to the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to keep an inventory of equipment and material for immediate relief during the outbreak of disasters.
• A Scheme for Strengthening of Fire and Emergency Service in the country was launched in 2009 with an outlay of Rs. 200 crores (2009-2012).
• The Government of India has launched a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in April 2009 with an outlay of Rs. 100 crore during the 11th Five Year Plan for revamping of Civil Defence setup in the country (2009-2012).
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According to Disaster Management in India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, http://www.unisdr.org/eng/mdgs-drr/national-reports/India-report.pdf:
• Disaster management occupies an important place in this country’s policy framework as it is the poor and the under-privileged who is worst affected on account of calamities/disasters.
• India has been traditionally vulnerable to natural disasters on account of its unique geo-climatic conditions. Floods, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes and landslides have been recurrent phenomena. About 60% of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of various intensities; over 40 million hectares is prone to floods; about 8% of the total area is prone to cyclones and 68% of the area is susceptible to drought
• In the decade 1990-2000, an average of about 4,344 people lost their lives and about 30 million people were affected by disasters every year. The loss in terms of private, community and public assets has been astronomical.
• The United Nations General Assembly, in 1989, declared the decade 1990-2000 as the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction with the objective to reduce loss of lives and property and restrict socio-economic damage through concerted international action, especially in developing countries.
• The super cyclone in Orissa in October, 1999 and the Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat in January, 2001 underscored the need to adopt a multi dimensional endeavour involving diverse scientific, engineering, financial and social processes; the need to adopt multi disciplinary and multi sectoral approach and incorporation of risk reduction in the developmental plans and strategies.
• In the federal set up of India, the basic responsibility for undertaking rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures in the event of a disaster is that of the State Governemnt concerned. At the State level, response, relief and rehabilitation are handled by Departments of Relief & Rehabilitation.
• Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is mandated to monitor and give warnings regarding Tropical Cyclone (TC). A National Core Group on Cyclone Monitoring & Mitigation has been constituted. Experts from Indian Meteorological Department, National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, Central Water Commission, National Remote Sensing Agency and Indian Space Research Organisation have been made the Members of the Core Group, besides administrators from the relevant Ministries/Departments and State Governments vulnerable to cyclones.
• Flooding is caused by the inadequate capacity within the banks of the rivers to contain the high flow brought down from the upper catchments due to heavy rainfall. It is also caused by accumulation of water resulting from heavy spells of rainfall over areas, which have got poor drainage characteristics. Flooding is accentuated by erosion and silting leading to meandering of the rivers in plains and reduction in carrying capacity of the river channel. It is also aggravated by earthquakes and landslides, leading to changes in river course and obstructions to flow. .
• At present, there are 166 flood forecasting stations on various rivers in the country which includes 134 level forecasting and 32 inflow forecasting stations
• From the experience of managing the past droughts particularly the severe drought of 1987, a number of programmes have been launched by the Government to mitigate the impact of drought in the long run. These programmes include Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP), Desert Development Programme (DDP), National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA), Watershed Development Programme for Shifting Cultivation (WDPSC), Integrated Water Development Project (IWDP), Integrated Afforestation and Eco-development Project Scheme (IAEPS)
• A Disaster Risk Management Programme has been taken up with the assistance from UNDP, USAID and European Union in 169 most hazard prone districts in 17 States including all the 8 North Eastern State. The implementation of the project commenced from October 2002 and was expected to be concluded by December 2007.Under this programme Disaster Management Plans have been prepared for about 3500 villages, 250 Gram Panchayat, 60 blocks and 15 districts. Elected representatives of over 8000 Panchayati Raj Institutions have already been trained, besides imparting training to Members of voluntary organisations. Over 20000 Government functionaries have been trained in disaster mitigation and preparedness at different levels. About 600 engineers and 220 architects have been trained under this programme in vulnerability assessment of lifeline buildings. Training is being imparted to master trainers under the programme. More than 600 master trainers and 1000 teachers have already been trained in different districts in disaster mitigation. Disaster Management Committees consisting of elected representatives, civil society members, Civil Defence volunteers and Government functionaries have been constituted at all levels including village/urban local body/ward levels. Disaster Management Teams have been constituted in villages and are being imparted training in basic functions of first aid, rescue, evacuation and related issues.
• The National Centre for Disaster Management at the national level has been upgraded and designated as the National Institute of Disaster Management. It is being developed as a Regional Centre of Excellence in Asia. The National Institute of Disaster Management will develop training modules at different levels, undertake training of trainers and organize training programmes for planners, administrators and command functionaries.
• The Geographical Information System (GIS) database is an effective tool for emergency responders to access information in terms of crucial parameters for the disaster-affected areas. The crucial parameters include location of the public facilities, communication links and transportation network at national, state and district levels.
According to Disaster Management in India—A Status Report (2004), Ministry of Home Affairs,
http://www.ndmindia.nic.in/EQProjects/Disaster%20Management%20in%20
India%20-%20A%20Status%20Report%20-%20August%202004.pdf:
• About 60% of the landmass is prone to earthquakes of various intensities; over 40 million hectares is prone to floods; about 8% of the total area is prone to cyclones and 68% of the area is susceptible to drought. In the decade 1990-2000, an average of about 4344 people lost their lives and about 30 million people were affected by disasters every year.
• The super cyclone in Orissa in October, 1999 and the Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat in January, 2001 underscored the need to adopt a multi dimensional endeavour involving diverse scientific, engineering, financial and social processes; the need to adopt multi disciplinary and multi sectoral approach and incorporation of risk reduction in the developmental plans and strategies.
According to Contingency Plan-Drought 2000,
http://www.ndmindia.nic.in/documents/document.html:
• As reported by the State Government of Gujarat, 9449 villages in 155 taluks of 17 out of 25 districts with a population of 250 lakhs were affected. The failure of fodder crop affected livestock population of 71.33 lakhs. Banaskantha, Jamnagar, Kutch and Patan districts were severely affected. Foodgrain production is estimated to be lower by 29.45% compared to that of last year. Oilseeds production is estimated to be lower by 49.23% as compared to that of 1999. The crop area under foodgrains, oilseeds and cotton has gone down by 4.27 lakh ha during the last kharif and Rabi seasons.
• 23,406 villages in 26 out of 32 districts with a population of 262 lakhs were reported to have been affected in Rajasthan. Cattle population of 345.60 lakhs faced shortage of fodder. Ground water level went down and there was shortage of drinking water. Foodgrain production was estimated to be less by 22.88% as compared to that of last year and oilseeds production was estimated to be less by 17.20%. The crop area under foodgrains, oilseeds and cotton was estimated to have gone down by 25.97 lakh ha during the last kharif and rabi seasons.
According to Natural Disasters and Crop Insurance,
http://india.gov.in/citizen/agriculture/natural_schemes.php:
• The monsoons play a critical role in determining whether the harvest will be bountiful, average or poor in any given year. Excess rainfall leads to the overflowing of rivers, streams and lakes. This extra water fills low-lying fields and creates a flood situation. Floods destroy not only lives and property but also the entire crop production work carried out in the summer. Certain crops cannot bear excess water and they die leaving the farmer with a burden of debt. The National Commission on Floods has assessed the flood prone area in India to be around 12 per cent of the total area.
• An All-Risk Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme (CCIS) for major crops was introduced in 1985, coinciding with the introduction of the Seventh-Five-Year Plan. The National Agricultural Insurance Scheme or NAIS subsequently replaced it in 1999-2000. The NAIS was originally managed by the General Insurance Company. Later on, a new body called the Agriculture Insurance Company of India was formed to implement this scheme.