India: Managing a disaster - Lessons from below

The Disaster Management Act, enacted by the Indian government according to the guidelines provided by the Hyogo Framework for Action in 2005 "might have laid down provisions for mitigation, prevention and preparedness in the event of a catastrophe, but the status of disaster management at the grassroots in India leaves a lot to be desired," writes Shobha SV for Prayas.

The article examines the improvements and challenges in connections with the implementation of the Act, touching on topics such as accountability, development and disasters (e.g. flood), grassroot institutions, vulnerabilities, early warning systems and the functions of the local authority.