The Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) have taken measures to ensure there is a rapid build-up of relief material and rescue equipment in the affected areas to tackle the impact of Cyclone Yaas, which made landfall in Odisha.
Context
The Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) have taken measures to ensure there is a rapid build-up of relief material and rescue equipment in the affected areas to tackle the impact of Cyclone Yaas, which made landfall in Odisha.
About the Role of Armed Forces in Disaster management
- The Disaster Management Act 2005 mentions the “deployment of naval, military and air forces, other armed forces of the Union or any other civilian personnel as may be required for the purposes of this Act” under the heading “Measures by the Government for Disaster Management”.
- There is no amplification or mention of the role of the armed forces with a view to offer legal support and backup.
- The Act does not include the aspects of assigning well-defined role and responsibilities to the armed forces.
- Indian armed forces are expected to be called upon to intervene and take on specific tasks, only when the situation is beyond the coping capability of the civil administration.
- At the national level, the Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff to the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) has already been included in the National Executive Committee (NEC).
- The National Executive Committee (NEC) comprising 13 Secretaries of the Government of India assists NDMA in implementing various projects and issues.
Cyclone Yaas
- According to the IMD, the cyclone made the landfall with a wind speed of 130-155 kmph.
- It made the landfall on Odisha coast.
- It was under the category of ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’.
- It originated from the Arabian Sea.
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About the preparations by the IAF and Army for Yaas
- The IAF airlifted Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) equipment and personnel of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF).
- The IAF has kept one C-17, one IL-76, three C-130s, four An-32s and two Dornier transport aircraft on readiness for HADR task. Additionally, 11 Mi-17V5 helicopters, two Chetak helicopters, three Cheetahs, 2 ALH Dhruvs and seven Mi17 helicopters are also on alert for any eventuality.
- The Indian Army’s Eastern Command is spearheading the Army’s response for rescue and relief operations in West Bengal.
- A total of 17 integrated Cyclone Relief Columns, comprising specialised personnel with associated equipment and inflatable boats, have been deployed.
NDMA Act 2005
- The NDMA Act lays down institutional, legal, financial and coordination mechanisms at the Central, state, district and local levels.
- The National Disaster Management Authority is headed by the Prime Minister of India as the chairperson.
- It will have no more than nine members including a Vice-Chairperson.
- All the members will have a tenure of five years.
- The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is mandated as the apex body to coordinate the Central Government efforts in prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction for adoption of a holistic and proactive approach to the disaster management.
- The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is responsible for drawing the disaster plan for its respective state.
- It consists of the Chief Minister who is the chairperson and 8 members appointed by the Chief Minister.
- District Disaster Management Authority: The Chairperson of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will be the Collector or District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner of the district.
- The Disaster Management Act of 2005 (DMA 2005) is an act passed by the government of India for the ‘efficient management of disasters and other matters connected to it. The lockdown for Covid-19 was imposed under the Disaster Management Act 2005.
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