Integrated Disaster Preparedness Drill

India faces multi-hazard vulnerability, with over 58% of landmass prone to earthquakes, 68% of cultivable land to drought, and increasing instances of flooding, cloud bursts, cyclones. NDMA’s DMExGuidelines mandate regular simulation-based exercises to test disaster plans, coordination, and readiness.

Legal & Policy Framework

• Disaster Management Act, 2005 – Creates legal and institutional structures for disaster prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response.
• Establishes NDMA, SDMAs, DDMAs, and specialized agencies like NDRF.
• Mandates disaster plans, funds, emergency powers, relief standards, and integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) into development.
• National Policy on Disaster Management, 2009 – Shifted focus from relief to preparedness and resilience.
• National Disaster Management Plan, 2019 – Actionable blueprint for DRR, aligned with Sendai Framework.

Vulnerability of India

• 58% landmass prone to earthquakes, 68% cultivable land to drought, 12% to floods, and 5,700 km coastline to cyclones/tsunamis.
• Large urban areas vulnerable to floods, fires, industrial and CBRN accidents.
• 27 out of 36 states/UTs are disaster-prone.

Key Institutions

• NDMA – Apex body under PM; policy, coordination, guidelines, capacity building.
• NDRF – Specialized force for search, rescue, relief; trained for natural disasters & CBRN emergencies; proactive deployment; capacity building; 16 battalions.
• Local bodies, NGOs, communities – Critical in awareness, drills, and on-ground coordination.

Disaster Management Exercises (DMEx)

• Structured simulation-based exercises to test disaster plans, coordination, and readiness.
• NDMA’s DMEx Guidelines:
• For authorities – Regular multi-level drills, align with DM plans, integrate findings.
• For first responders – Action-based exercises, coordination with EOCs, IRS structure.
• For ULBs & PRIs – Facilitate community participation, align local plans.
• For NGOs & volunteers – Mobilize people, assist in simulations, feedback.
• For community – Participate, learn response protocols, give suggestions.
• For media – Disseminate accurate info, promote preparedness.

International Framework:

• Sendai Framework (2015–2030) – UN agreement for disaster risk reduction; state-led with multi-stakeholder participation.

Key Recent Drills (2025)

• Uttar Pradesh Flood Mock Exercise (June 24 & 26, 2025) – All 118 tehsils of 44 flood-prone districts; tested flood response.
• Amarnath Yatra Mock Drill (June 28, 2025) – Southern route (Pahalgam Axis), tested stakeholder preparedness for safe pilgrimage.
• Exercise Suraksha Chakra (Aug 1, 2025) – First integrated multi-state earthquake drill in Delhi-NCR (55 locations, 18 districts); involved NDMA, Army, SDMAs; activities included sirens, evacuation, medical simulations, SOP testing.