“Prevention is better than cure — and far more cost-effective when it comes to disasters.” — Principle of Disaster Risk Reduction
The Indian government has approved Rs 3,027.86 crore for disaster mitigation projects across the country, marking a significant step toward building a disaster-resilient India. The High-Level Committee (HLC) headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah sanctioned these funds under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).
This allocation targets three critical areas: drought-prone regions (12 states), lightning hazards (10 states), and forest fire risks (144 districts across 18 states). The initiative reflects a strategic shift from reactive disaster relief to proactive risk reduction, aligning with PM Modi’s vision of a disaster-ready India and the global Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030).
⚖️ High-Level Committee & National Disaster Mitigation Fund
The High-Level Committee (HLC) is the apex body responsible for approving disaster mitigation funding. It is chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and includes Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and the NITI Aayog Vice Chairman.
The National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) is a dedicated corpus for proactive disaster risk reduction — distinct from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) which handles post-disaster relief. NDMF focuses on infrastructure development, early warning systems, and preventive measures to minimize disaster impact.
Think of it like insurance vs. emergency funds. NDMF (mitigation) is like paying for fire-resistant construction — preventing damage before it happens. NDRF (response) is like the emergency fund you use after a fire occurs. The government is now prioritizing “prevention over cure” by allocating more to NDMF.
| Disaster Type | Total Cost | Central Share | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drought Mitigation | ₹2,022.16 Crore | ₹1,200 Crore | 12 States |
| Lightning Safety | ₹186.78 Crore | — | 10 States |
| Forest Fire Management | ₹818.92 Crore | ₹690.63 Crore | 144 Districts (18 States) |
| Total | ₹3,027.86 Crore | — | Multiple States |
🌾 Drought Mitigation: ₹2,022.16 Crore for 12 States
The largest component of the allocation — ₹2,022.16 crore (with ₹1,200 crore as Central share) — targets drought-prone regions across 12 states. The objective is to enhance water conservation, improve irrigation efficiency, and build long-term drought resilience.
Targeted States: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Memory Aid for 12 States: “AB-GJ-KM-MO-RT-TU” — Andhra, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh. Note: These are India’s major agricultural and rain-dependent states.
⚡ Lightning Safety: ₹186.78 Crore for 10 States
Lightning strikes claim over 2,000 lives annually in India, making it one of the deadliest natural hazards. The government has allocated ₹186.78 crore for early warning systems, public awareness programs, and infrastructure upgrades in 10 lightning-prone states.
Targeted States: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Lightning deaths disproportionately affect rural agricultural workers and outdoor laborers who lack access to safe shelters. Early warning systems via mobile alerts and community awareness can save thousands of lives at relatively low cost compared to other disaster mitigation measures.
🔥 Forest Fire Management: ₹818.92 Crore for 144 Districts
With climate change increasing forest fire frequency, the government has allocated ₹818.92 crore (Central share: ₹690.63 crore) for fire prevention and rapid response across 144 districts in 18 states.
The focus areas include modern firefighting equipment, creation of firebreaks (cleared strips to stop fire spread), early detection technology using satellites and drones, and rapid response team training.
Don’t confuse the numbers: 12 states (drought) vs. 10 states (lightning) vs. 18 states/144 districts (forest fire). The forest fire allocation covers the most administrative units (144 districts) but drought gets the highest funding (₹2,022 crore).
🌊 Additional Disaster Risk Management Initiatives
Beyond this allocation, the government has previously sanctioned significant funds for other disaster-related initiatives:
- Urban Flood Risk Mitigation: ₹3,075.65 crore for 7 major cities
- Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Mitigation: ₹150 crore for 4 states
- Landslide Risk Mitigation: ₹1,000 crore for 15 states
| Fund Type | Allocation | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) | ₹17,479.60 Crore | 27 States |
| National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) | ₹4,808.30 Crore | 18 States |
| State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) | ₹1,973.55 Crore | 13 States |
| National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) | ₹719.72 Crore | 8 States |
🌍 Why Disaster Mitigation is Critical for India
India ranks among the world’s most disaster-prone nations, facing floods, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes, and forest fires annually. The economic impact is substantial — disaster damage reduces GDP growth and disrupts agriculture, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
This initiative aligns with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), a global agreement emphasizing proactive mitigation over reactive relief. Key benefits include reduced loss of life, lower post-disaster recovery costs, enhanced agricultural resilience through better water management, and protection of forests, wildlife, and tribal communities.
The shift from “disaster relief” to “disaster mitigation” represents a fundamental policy transformation. Studies show that every rupee spent on disaster prevention saves up to seven rupees in post-disaster recovery. Consider: How can technology (AI, satellites, IoT sensors) accelerate India’s disaster preparedness capabilities?
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The total disaster mitigation allocation approved is ₹3,027.86 crore under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs the High-Level Committee (HLC) for disaster mitigation funding.
₹2,022.16 crore is allocated for drought mitigation across 12 states, making it the largest component of the total fund.
Forest fire management covers 144 districts across 18 states with ₹818.92 crore allocation.
Lightning safety initiatives receive ₹186.78 crore for 10 states — the smallest allocation among the three focus areas.
