Kerala decentralises disaster management

Kerala is embarking on a project to strengthen the network of emergency operations centres at the State and district-level and bolster its community-based disaster risk reduction initiatives through local bodies.

The State Disaster Management Plan 2016 approved by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)

Aim:

To establish a decentralized disaster mitigation and emergency response mechanism. The plan proposes a network of early warning and monitoring systems.

Details:

• Of the 39 hazards that the State is prone to, 17 are natural and 22 induced by human activities. Floods are the most common of the natural hazards in Kerala.
• According to the plan, an area of 679.5 sq km in 75 taluks is susceptible to floods, with the vulnerable population estimated to be 77.95 lakh.
• The State has taken up a project to strengthen the SDMA and District Disaster Management Authorities and efforts are on to strengthen the District Emergency Operations Centres.

The SDMA is implementing a proposal to establish a VHF radio network, VSAT connectivity, satellite phones, and HF radio sets to link disaster management agencies.