NOTIFIED DISASTER
1. Context
The ongoing spell of extreme heat in many parts of the country has once again reopened discussions on the inclusion of heatwaves as one of the notified disasters under the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005
2. What is a Notified Disaster?
- A "Notified Disaster" refers to an event that has been officially recognized and declared by the government as a disaster under relevant legal and administrative frameworks. This formal notification typically allows for the activation of specific disaster response mechanisms and the allocation of resources to manage the situation
- The DM Act was established following the 1999 Odisha super-cyclone and the 2004 tsunami. It characterizes a disaster as a “catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence” resulting from “natural or man-made causes,” leading to significant loss of life, property damage, or environmental harm. Additionally, it must be of such a scale that it exceeds the community's ability to cope.
- When such an event occurs, the DM Act’s provisions can be activated. These provisions allow states to access funds from two sources created by the Act — the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) at the national level and the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) at the state level.
- Initially, states use the SDRF funds, and only when the disaster's severity surpasses the SDRF's capacity, do they seek resources from the NDRF
- The NDRF is fully funded by the central government, while states are required to contribute 25% to the SDRF (10% for special category states), with the central government providing the remaining funds. These funds are exclusively designated for disaster response and management.
- Presently, there are 12 disaster categories recognized under this Act: cyclones, drought, earthquakes, fires, floods, tsunamis, hailstorms, landslides, avalanches, cloudbursts, pest attacks, and frost and cold waves
In the FY 2023-24, only two states drew money from the NDRF
3. Why heatwaves were not included as notified disasters?
- Although heatwaves have long been a common occurrence in India, particularly affecting large parts of northern, eastern, and central regions, they were not classified as a disaster when the DM Act was enacted in 2005.
- This was because heatwaves were seen as typical summer events rather than unusual weather phenomena.
- However, over the past 15 years, the intensity and frequency of heatwaves have risen significantly. Increased economic activities have resulted in more people working outdoors, making them more susceptible to heat-strokes. Currently, 23 states are vulnerable to heatwaves.
- These states, along with several vulnerable cities, have developed heat action plans (HAPs) to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. HAPs include measures such as creating shaded areas, ensuring the availability of cool water in public places, distributing simple oral rehydration solutions, and adjusting the schedules of schools, colleges, and offices.
- These initiatives require funding, but state governments have not been able to use the SDRF for these purposes. Consequently, there is a push to have heatwaves recognized as a notified disaster under the DM Act
4. Centre Stand on Heatwaves
There are two primary reasons for this:
Finance Commission Reluctance:
- States have requested the inclusion of heatwaves as a notified disaster from the last three Finance Commissions, the constitutional bodies responsible for allocating financial resources between the central and state governments.
- However, the Finance Commissions have not been fully convinced. The 15th Finance Commission, whose recommendations are currently in effect, stated that the existing list of notified disasters largely meets the states' needs and did not find sufficient reason to add heatwaves.
- Nonetheless, it supported an enabling provision from the previous commission allowing states to use up to 10% of the SDRF funds for "local disasters," such as lightning or heatwaves, which states could designate independently.
- Using this provision, at least four states — Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Kerala — have classified heatwaves as local disasters. The central government has resisted classifying heatwaves as a national disaster, citing the Finance Commission's stance as a reason.
Practical Difficulties:
- Although not explicitly stated, the primary reason for the hesitation to classify heatwaves as a notified disaster is the significant financial burden it would entail.
- The government is required to provide compensation — Rs 4 lakh — for each death caused by a disaster on the notified list, as well as compensate for grievous injuries
5. What are heat waves and their effects?
- A heatwave is defined as a prolonged period of excessively high temperatures, often accompanied by high humidity, that significantly exceeds the typical climatic conditions for a particular region and time of year. This extreme heat can last for several days to weeks and can have severe impacts on health, infrastructure, and the environment
- Heatwaves cause a significant number of fatalities annually, although the recorded death toll has not been notably high in recent years. However, this trend is evolving. This year, over 500 deaths linked to heat have already been documented. If the government becomes obligated to compensate for these deaths, a higher number of fatalities could be disclosed.
- Another issue lies in attributing deaths directly to heatwaves. In many instances, heat itself does not directly cause fatalities; instead, individuals succumb to exacerbated pre-existing health conditions aggravated by extreme heat.
- Determining whether heat played a decisive role can be challenging. This contrasts starkly with other disasters where identifying victims is typically more straightforward
6. Way Forward
Between 2021 and 2026, the 15th Finance Commission proposed allocating Rs 1,60,153 crore to various State Disaster Response Funds (SDRFs), a substantial amount of funding. For instance, Uttar Pradesh has been assigned approximately Rs 11,400 crore for its SDRF during this five-year period, while Maharashtra has been allotted the highest amount, around Rs 19,000 crore. This funding is intended to address all types of disasters over the specified period. Concerns arise that even this allocation might prove inadequate if heatwaves and lightning — which also cause significant loss of life annually — are included in the list of officially recognized disasters
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For Prelims: Heatwaves, a Notified Disaster, El Nino and La Nina
For Mains: GS III- Disaster Management Management Act 2005
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Previous Year Questions
1. Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2022]
2.Describe the various causes and the effects of landslides. Mention components of the important components of National Landslide Risk Management strategy
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Source: Indianexpress
