India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is preparing for the natural disaster. The government has announced a 100% evacuation plan for people in high-risk areas. Around 800 cyclone shelters and 500 temporary shelters have been prepared to house evacuees. Emergency teams from the Ministry of Power and the Department of Telecommunication have been deployed for immediate restoration efforts. The Indian Coast Guard has also mobilised its vessels and aircraft to respond swiftly to any contingency. Regular alerts and advisories are being sent to ports and coastal areas. Fishermen have been advised not to venture out into the sea, and tourists in Puri have been urged to evacuate. The NDMA and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) are coordinating with local authorities to ensure a smooth and effective response.

India's approach to disaster management is recognized globally. The effective evacuation and relief efforts during cyclones, the establishment of dedicated authorities like the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and the proactive involvement of local communities are all testaments to this. India's focus on preparedness and mitigation has turned many potential disasters into manageable events.

The impact of climate change, with rising global temperature, is resulting in extreme weather conditions. Increasing incidents of cyclones in the coastal areas and devastating floods in different parts of the country stand as reminders that climate change is not a distant problem but an immediate concern. At the same time, unplanned urban growth, rapid industrialisation, environmental degradation and inadequate drainage system etc adds to the risk factor.

The Disaster Management Act, 2005 provides for an institutional, financial and legal framework. The institutional framework provides for three tier institutional mechanisms at national, state and district levels comprising NDMA, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) respectively. The NDMA is the apex authority with the Prime Minister as its Chairman. The Act provides for the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) for capacity building of all stakeholders in the country in the field of disaster management. It also provides for the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as a specialist force to respond to any natural or man made disaster.

In line with its mandate, the NDMA drafted the National Policy and National Plan for disaster management in the country besides preparing Guidelines for all natural and man-made disasters. As per the vision enshrined in the Act, the National Policy on Disaster Management envisages “to build a safe and disaster resilient India by developing a holistic, proactive, multi-disciplined technology-driven strategy through a culture of prevention, mitigation, preparedness and efficient response.”

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is a multi-skilled and multi-disciplinary force trained and equipped as per international standards to respond to any disaster. It has been instrumental in responding to various disasters both within India and internationally. Over the years the NDRF has earned a niche for itself for its professionalism in dealing with disasters not only in the country but also abroad.

In 2014, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over the mantle of power, he infused new energy into the disaster management system. A 10-point agenda for Global Disaster Management provides direction for pre-empting disaster and ways to minimise losses with mitigation and preparedness acquiring the centre stage.

Another significant initiative was the launching of the ‘Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure’ (CDRI) in 2019 with 25 countries and 7 international organisations as members. It was set up with the objective of promoting resilience of new and existing infrastructure structure systems to climate and disaster risks to support sustainable development.

The NDRF was part of the international response to the Great East Japan Earthquake (2011) and Tsunami, providing assistance in search and rescue operations. Following the devastating earthquake in Nepal, India launched Operation Maitri, deploying the Indian Army, Air Force, and NDRF teams for rescue and relief operations. India's swift response was widely praised, and it was acknowledged as a "first responder" by the UN.

The NDRF played a crucial role in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey in February 2023. Under Operation Dost, India deployed three NDRF teams consisting of 151 personnel and specially trained dog squads. These teams were involved in search, rescue, and relief operations in the affected areas of Nurdagi and Antakya. NDRF teams worked tirelessly to detect life under debris, provide medical assistance, and distribute relief materials. Their efforts were part of India's broader humanitarian assistance, which included sending tons of relief materials, a mobile hospital, and specialised search and rescue equipment.

Significantly, India has made a mark in two areas namely, cyclone risk mitigation and response mechanism. Very few casualties in cyclone ‘Phailin’ (2013) and cyclone ‘Fani’ (2019) in Odisha vindicated the ‘zero casualty’ policy of the Govt of Odisha. Cyclone Fani saw the evacuation of about 1.2 million people.

Cyclone Biparjoy in Kutch region of Gujarat in the first week of June 2023 with no casualty was a shining example of India’s preparedness in disaster management.These efforts have significantly reduced human casualties.

During the recent 21st ASEAN-India Summit held on 10 October 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a USD 5 million allocation from the ASEAN-India Fund for disaster resilience. This initiative aims to enhance regional capabilities through collaboration between India's NDMA and the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Centre.

India's proactive approach, from investing in infrastructure and technology to engaging local communities, has been impressive. Initiatives, like the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and various international collaborations, have positioned India as a global leader in disaster management.

In addition to its achievements, the NDMA is cautiously experimenting with a novel tool to help those worst affected by climate disaster - parametric insurance. Unlike regular insurance schemes which are based on indemnity, or an evaluation of losses post a disaster event, parametric insurance relies on a predetermined set of parameters which, when met, triggers a payout immediately. Parametric insurance is seen as a form of climate change adaptation because it helps governments assess, in advance, the possible damages following a catastrophic event. Nagaland is the first in India to insure its entire geography against heavy precipitation through parametric insurance

All this is a testament to how far India has come and the importance the country places on resilience and preparedness. With NDRF’s professionalism and readiness to respond to disaster emergencies in countries like Japan, Nepal and Turkey, India has gained diplomatic leverage.