Fani Cyclone: Preparedness validates effectiveness of Sendai Framework
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction is a 15-year, voluntary, non-binding agreement which recognises that the state has the primary role to reduce disaster risk in partnership with other stakeholders such the local government and the private sector.
By Manoj Soni
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In a recent cyclone named Fani, India presented a good example of disaster preparedness. Zero casualty policy and the pinpoint accuracy of the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) early warning system helped to reduce the possibility of deaths. Over one million people were evacuated from the path of Fani, nearly 100,000 of the evacuees from Puri alone in the country's largest evacuation operation. In this disaster preparedness exercise, the effectiveness of the provisions of the Sendai Framework was again got validated.
The preparedness to face Fani was a collective work of several agencies and authorities. For example, upon issuance of the warning and advisory for preparation, utilities such as railways, aviation, electricity, etc. took preventive measures to minimise the losses. These collective efforts became complementary to the evacuation exercise and contributed to minimizing the losses to the people and the economy. Not only India but Bangladesh also showed good preparedness to face Fani. Post the cyclone, the men and machinery of NDRF, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and fire services have launched a massive restoration work.
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