JAMMU: On Tuesday, the Central Government issued a notification under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, assigning specific Ministries and Departments the responsibility of monitoring, early warning, prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and capacity building for various disasters.
According to the Government of India, the designated Ministries and Departments will oversee specific disasters to ensure timely and effective response mechanisms.
Ministry of Defence: Avalanches and oil spills
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: Biological disasters
Ministry of Earth Sciences: Cold waves, cyclones, tornadoes, earthquakes, heat waves, lightning, tsunamis, hailstorms, and heavy rainfall, with a focus on early warnings for cold waves
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: Frost, cold waves, droughts, hailstorms, and pest attacks
Ministry of Jal Shakti: Floods and glacial lake outburst floods
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: Urban floods (excluding early warnings)
Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change: Forest fires
Ministry of Mines: Industrial and chemical disasters, landslides
Department of Atomic Energy: Nuclear and radiological emergencies
The notification stresses that all designated Ministries and Departments must collaborate with relevant agencies and stakeholders to strengthen disaster preparedness and response nationwide.
