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31st December 2024 (10 Topics)

'Severe Nature' Disaster Status for Wayanad

Context

The Central government officially recognised the catastrophic landslides in Wayanad as a disaster of "severe nature," five months after the devastation hit the Kerala district. This declaration acknowledges the immense scale and impact of the disaster that struck the region, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread destruction.

What Does 'Severe Nature' Disaster Status Mean for Wayanad?

  • The designation of "severe nature" carries significant implications for Wayanad’s recovery.
  • The official recognition of the disaster’s severity paves the way for more substantial financial support from both the State and National Disaster Response Funds.
    • The SDRF will provide initial relief, and the NDRF will follow, depending on assessments by the IMCT, ensuring that the region receives the financial resources required for reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.
  • This classification will also expedite the release of funds for relief work and help in the restoration of essential services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
  • Additionally, it signals a commitment to address the long-term rehabilitation needs of the displaced population, ensuring that the affected communities can rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

Fact Box:

What is Disaster?

  • The DM Act defines "disaster" to mean ‘a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man-made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area.'
  • NDRF is meant to “meet the expenses for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation” for any threatening disaster situation.
  • Although Section 46 includes a clause regarding grants made by any person or institution, provisions for such donations had not been made.

National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)

  • The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), constituted under Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
  • It acts as a fund managed by the Central Government for meeting the expenses for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation due to any threatening disaster situation or disaster.
  • NDRF is located in the "Public Accounts" of Government of India under "Reserve Funds not bearing interest".
  • Comptroller and Auditor General of India(CAG) audits the accounts of NDRF.
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