Question : Disaster preparedness for Himalayan Region

(a) whether as per the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Study, the entire Himalayan region from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh falls under very High Seismic Zone and is also vulnerable to various forms of natural disastars;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the risk assessment made along with the institutional framework and community preparedness Chalked out for disaster risk mitigation;

(c) whether the Government has any proposal to set up a specialised NDMA force to deal with such situations in the Himalayan States and if so, the details thereof including the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in consultations with all the Himalayan States; and

(d) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

******





-2-

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*120 FOR 28.07.2015
(a) to (d): The Government is aware about seismic hazard of the whole country. Earthquake prone/ seismic zones have been identified and mapped under the auspices of Bureau of Indian Standard [IS 1983 (Part I):2002]. The country is grouped into four seismic zones viz. Zone-II, -III, -IV and –V. Of these, Zone V is seismically the most quake prone region, while Zone II is the least.

The entire area of Himalayan region from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh lies either in seismic Zone IV or V. This region is prone to earthquakes and related natural calamities. The hilly regions are mainly vulnerable to the heavy rainfall leading to flash floods/ floods and landslides.

Till date, there is no proven scientific technique available, anywhere in the world, to forecast/ predict the occurrence of earthquakes with reasonable degree of accuracy with regard to space, time and magnitude and also there is no scientific technique yet available to prevent the occurrence of earthquake.

As per the Disaster Management Act 2005, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has been created in all the States. SDMA plays important role in laying down guidelines for prevention and mitigation of disaster and also reviews the measures being taken for mitigation, capacity building and preparedness by the local administration. District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has also been created in most of the States. The DDMA facilitates community training and awareness programmes for prevention of disaster or mitigation with the support of local authorities, governmental and non governmental organizations.
….3/

-3-

L.S.S.Q.NO.*120 FOR 28.07.2015


There is no proposal to set up a specialized NDMA Force to specifically deal with the situation of natural disasters in the Himalayan States. The Government of India has already set up National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) by up gradation/ conversion of standard battalions of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), as a specialist Force to deal with disaster or threatening disaster situations. Each of the NDRF battalions is equipped with specialized equipments and trained for rendering effective response to disaster.

*******