MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) to (e): Yes Madam.
The Government of India has released an amount of Rs. 145 crore to State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) of the State on 20.06.13. In addition, the Government of India has released an amount of Rs. 329.50 crore (Rs. 250 crore on 19.7.2013 + Rs. 17.66 crore on 28.2.14 + Rs. 61.84 crore on 31.3.14) from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to the State Government for management of relief necessitated by notified natural calamities in the affected areas during 2013. This Ministry has not received any report of misappropriation of the said fund by the State Government. As on 16th February 2014, the Government of Uttarakhand has paid an amount of Rs. 219.59 crore, as gratuitous relief to the affected people.
As per information received from the State Government of Uttarakhand, 3184 persons belonging to other States are reported missing. The prescribed process of enquiry in this regard requires work to be done by the officials of Uttarakhand as well as the States in which the persons were ordinary residents.
There have been significant improvements in the overall system and procedures in Uttarakhand. The State Government of Uttarakhand has taken the following measures by augmenting their preparedness:-
# Strengthening of state and district disaster management systems
# Preparation of State and district disaster management plans
# Activation of state and district level Emergency Operation Centre on 24X7 basis
# Coordination with IMD, CWC, and ISRO for providing specific information
# Strengthening of communication and warning dissemination network
# Setting up of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)
# Pre-positioning of National Disaster Response Force and SDRF at vulnerable locations
# Registration of pilgrims is being resorted to. Photographs and other details of the pilgrims are being recorded
# Setting up of 52 helipads in vulnerable areas for effective rescue and evacuation
# Development of alternate routes for road communication
# Pre-positioning of necessary equipment at vulnerable locations for timely clearance of debris and
# Stocking of essential supplies medicines and others
As per the National Disaster Management Policy, the primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the States. Improvement of disaster preparedness system is a continuous and evolving process of governance. Disaster Management Act, 2005 provides for institutional mechanisms for drawing up and monitoring the implementation of the disaster management plans, which includes coordinated and prompt response to any disaster situation in the country and requires holistic measures by various wings of Government for prevention, mitigation and for minimising the effects of disasters. As a part of this process, the IMD is setting up Doppler weather radars to strengthen their advance warning capabilities in the country including Uttarakhand.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has informed that in order to improve the weather forecast accuracy further and to develop a speedier dissemination mechanism, fifteen (15) weather sensitive locations were identified by the State Government. IMD has made arrangements to provide specific forecasts along with suggestive actions to these locations to the focal nodes identified by the State Government of Uttarakhand. Seven-day forecasts and warnings for Chardham and Hemkund yatra are also provided to the State Government authorities and posted on IMD website. Wind and temperature information is also provided on a six-hourly basis, to enable the State Government to regulate the helicopters.
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