About the Issue
istory shows that India is exposed to national disasters. Cyclones, floods,
earthquakes, droughts and floods are major threats. About 60 percent of the
landmass is prone to earthquakes of various intensities, over 40 million
hectares is prone to floods and 68 percent of the area is susceptible to drought. This
not only results in loss to thousands of lives, but also in terms of loss in private,
community and public assets.
H
While substantial scientific and material progress has been made, the loss of lives
and property due to disasters has not decreased. Government of India has now brought
about a paradigm shift in its approach to disaster management, from being relief centric
to one with greater emphasis on preparedness, prevention and mitigation. This approach proceeds from the
conviction that development cannot be sustained unless disaster mitigation