Q8 · UPPSC PCS Mains 2021 · GS III · 8 marks · ~125 words in the hall · 1 min read

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Explain different types and functions of disaster management.

Topic: Disaster management. Syllabus: Disaster management. Same official PYQ from year-wise 2021 and Disaster management.

Revision summary

Disaster types are natural or man-made, slow-onset or sudden. Functions are prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. DM Act 2005 creates NDMA, SDMA, DDMA, NDRF, and disaster funds. IMD, CWC, and INCOIS are the warning rails; Sendai and the PM’s Ten-Point Agenda set the cycle. Local volunteers make the last mile of every function.

Model answer

Introduction

Disaster management is the organised cycle that reduces risk, responds to a shock, and rebuilds. Types classify the hazard; functions classify what the State must do. India’s frame is the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Body

Types

  • Natural hazards include earthquake, flood, drought, cyclone, landslide, and epidemic; man-made hazards include industrial, chemical, nuclear, fire, and stampedes.
  • Slow-onset events such as drought need food, water, and livelihood tools; sudden-onset floods and earthquakes need search, rescue, and hospitals.
  • Biological events sit in the same national classification after the pandemic experience.

Functions

  • Prevention and mitigation cut exposure: building codes, embankments, heat-action plans, and the Sendai Framework’s ‘understand risk’ pillar.
  • Preparedness is warning, drills, and stocks: IMD, CWC, INCOIS, and State control rooms.
  • Response and recovery are NDRF/SDRF rescue, relief, and ‘build back better’ reconstruction under NDMA, SDMA, and DDMA.

PM’s Ten-Point Agenda on disaster risk reduction and State disaster response funds complete the finance-and-priority functions.

Flow diagram

flowchart TD
  T[Types natural man-made] --> A[DM Act 2005]
  A --> N[NDMA SDMA DDMA]
  A --> R[NDRF SDRF]
  A --> W[IMD CWC warning]
  N --> F[Mitigate respond rebuild]
  R --> F
  W --> F

Conclusion

Types split natural and man-made, slow and sudden. Functions are mitigation, preparedness, response, and reconstruction on the DM Act, 2005, with NDMANDRF and Sendai as the named rails.

Quick related

Students also ask

  • What is meant by insurgency? Explain.

    Next question in the 2021 paper (Q9). View answer →

  • Is drought a disaster in this typology?

    Yes. It is a slow-onset natural disaster and needs different tools from a cyclone.

  • Does NDMA replace the State?

    No. SDMA and DDMA own State and district response; NDMA sets national guidelines.

PYQ trend

When UPSC asked this

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  5. 2022 · Q20 · UPGS3 · 12 marks

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