8^th July, 2012

Himachal Pradesh is prone to natural disasters like Earthquake, Landslides, Avalanches, and Floods. Keeping in view, the vulnerability of the State to these hazards, the State Government has been effectively implementing the disaster management policies. Apart from coordination and monitoring of policies of National Disaster Management, State Disaster Management Authority and District Disaster Management Authority have been constituted in the State, which are playing crucial role in this direction.

State Disaster Management Authority has been constituted with Chief Minister as Chairperson, Revenue Minister as Member, Chief Secretary as Chief Executive Officer, Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Principal Secretary (Home), Principal Secretary (PWD/IPH), Principal Secretary (Health), Director General of Police as members and Secretary (Revenue) as Member Secretary.

The responsibility of formulation of policies and plans for disaster management at the State level lies with the State Disaster Management Authority. It coordinates and monitors the implementation of the National Policy, the National Plan and the State Plan. State Disaster Management Authority approves the disaster management plans prepared by the departments of the State Government. It formulates the guidelines to be followed by various departments the State for the purposes of integration of measures for prevention of disasters and mitigation in their development plans and projects and provide necessary technical assistance.

It disseminates information, promotes general education, awareness to public to deal with any threatening disaster situation or disaster and also ensures that disaster management drills are carried out periodically. The preparedness to respond to any threatening disaster situation or disaster at all Governmental and Non- Governmental levels is evaluated by the State Disaster Management Authority.

The Chairperson of the State Disaster Management Authority, in case of emergency, has the power to exercise all or any of the power of the State authority. State Disaster Management Authority also lays down detailed guidelines for providing standards of relief to persons affected by disaster in the State. 

      District Disaster Management Authority has been constituted in all twelve District of the State with Deputy Commissioner as Chairperson, Superintendent of Police, Chief Medical Officer, Superintending Engineer, IPH, Superintending Engineer, PWD, Superintending Engineer, Power, Additional District Magistrate, and Chairperson, Zila Parishad as members. Those districts where Zila Parishad is present, he acts as co- Chairperson of District Disaster Management Authority.

      District Disaster Management Authority advises, assists and co-ordinates the activities of the Government departments at the District level, statutory bodies and other Governmental and Non Governmental organization in the district engaged in the disaster management. The authority identifies building and places which could, in the event of any threatening disaster situation be used as relief centre or camps.  It organizes and coordinates specialized training programmes for different level of officers, employees and voluntary rescue workers in the district.

It also encourages the involvement of NGOs and voluntary social welfare institutions working at the grass root level in the District for disaster management.  The authority also establishes stockpiles of relief and rescue materials and ensures preparedness to make such materials available at a short notice.