Introduction Disasters, whether natural or human-induced, have become a recurring feature of modern societies. In a country like India—characterized by diverse geography, high population density, and increasing climate variability—the impact of disasters can be devastating. However, the extent of destruction is not solely determined by the magnitude of the hazard, but largely by the level…
Introduction In the 21st century, disasters are no longer viewed merely as sudden natural events but as outcomes of underlying vulnerabilities, poor planning, and unsustainable development practices. Recognizing this shift, the global community adopted the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) to move beyond relief-centric approaches toward risk-informed development and resilience building. The framework…
Introduction India is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world due to its diverse geography, high population density, and increasing environmental stress. From cyclones along the coasts to earthquakes in the Himalayas and floods in river basins, disasters pose a constant challenge to governance and development. Recognizing this, India has developed a structured…
Introduction In the contemporary era, disasters are becoming increasingly frequent, intense, and complex due to climate change, environmental degradation, and rapid urbanization. Traditional methods of disaster management—largely reactive and manual—are no longer sufficient to handle such challenges. The integration of modern technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has…
Introduction India’s geographical diversity—ranging from the Himalayan mountains to long coastlines and vast river systems—makes it highly prone to multiple types of disasters. Over time, it became clear that ad hoc relief-based approaches were insufficient to deal with the growing scale and complexity of disasters. This led to the creation of a dedicated institutional mechanism,…
Introduction In recent years, India’s major cities have repeatedly witnessed devastating floods—Mumbai (2005, 2017, 2021), Chennai (2015, 2023), Bengaluru (2022), Hyderabad (2020), Gurugram (2016), and Delhi (2023) are prominent examples. These events have disrupted daily life, damaged infrastructure, and caused significant economic losses. Urban flooding, once considered an occasional phenomenon, has become frequent and intense….