India: Standard operating procedure for responding to natural disasters
This document considers integrated institutional arrangements, state of the art forecasting and early warning systems, failsafe communication system, rapid evacuation of threatened communities, quick deployment of specialized response forces and coordination and synergy among various agencies at various levels in dealing with any disaster as important ingredients of an effective response system. It lays down, in a comprehensive manner, the specific actions required to be taken by various Ministries and Departments of Government of India and Organisations under the control of Government of India for responding to natural disasters of any magnitude and dimension.
Through this document, the Ministry of Home Affairs addresses all natural disasters except drought, pest attacks and hailstorm. It is aimed at: (i) providing a list of major executive actions involved in responding to natural disasters and necessary measures for preparedness, response and relief required to be taken; (ii) ensuring that all concerned Ministries, Departments and Organisations of the Government of India know the precise measures required of them at each stage of the process and also to ensure that all actions are closely and continuously coordinated; and (iii) indicating various actions which would be required by the State Governments/UT Administrations within their sphere of responsibilities so that they may prepare and review the Contingency Action Plans accordingly.