**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2678, to be answered on December 16th, 2025. The questions pertain to the strengthening of disaster management in India. It details the Government's efforts to enhance disaster response capabilities, early warning systems, disaster preparedness training, and the integration of technology in disaster management.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Enhancement**
* NDRF is procuring and using equipment as per authorization and operational requirements.
* Equipment upgrades are based on operational debriefs and rescuer suggestions from national and international operations.
* NDRF established a Research and Development (R&D) Cell for equipment assessment and updates.
* Procurement of SDRF equipment is the responsibility of the concerned State/UT.
* **Disaster Management Training**
* The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) conducts regular training programs on CBRNE, Disaster Risk Reduction and Response (DRR&R), and Psychosocial Care for NDRF and SDRF.
* NIDM trained approximately 200 NDRF and SDRF officials from 2022-23 until 11.12.2025.
* **Early Warning Systems**
* The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has implemented a "Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)"-based Integrated Alert System on a Pan-India basis.
* Alerts are disseminated in geo-targeted manners and in regional vernacular.
* The project integrates five Forecast and Warning Agencies with State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs).
* Alerts are disseminated through SMS, Mobile App, Sachet Public Portal, GAGAN & NaVIC Satellite terminals, and RSS feed.
* The Central Water Commission (CWC) issues short-range flood forecasts with a lead time of up to 24 hours and inflow forecasts for reservoir regulation.
* CWC issues forecasts at 350 stations as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
* CWC provides Seven-day advisory flood forecasts on its web portal using pan-India rainfall-based mathematical modeling.
* **Disaster Preparedness Training**
* State and District administrations are regularly trained in Disaster preparedness through Mock exercises by NDRF.
* NDRF has conducted a total of 6505 Mock exercises from 2011 to 2025.
* NDMA facilitates State and Multi-State Level Mock Exercises based on vulnerability profiles.
* NDMA conducts Multi-State level Mock Exercises based on Geo-Climatic conditions.
* NDMA shares feedback after each Mock Exercise, highlighting best practices and gaps.
* NDMA improves preparedness and response via Pre-Monsoon/Pre-Season Meetings, Alert Dissemination, Regular Weather & Hazard Warnings, and Inter-Agency Coordination.
* NIDM has conducted 392 Face-to-Face training programs with 33 states and UTs in which 21376 participants were trained and 242994 participants through 1075 webinars from the year 2022-2023 till 11.12.2025.
* **Technology Integration**
* Central Water Commission (CWC) maintains 1543 flood monitoring stations and has installed sensor-based data acquisition & satellite-based transmission systems at 1121 locations.
* Stations use advanced technologies like INSAT satellite-based communication and GSM/GPRS systems.
* CWC is taking help of Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) to conduct a detailed study of the telemetry system.
* CWC plans to upgrade its network based on recommendations of C-DOT over the next five years.
* During flood season 2025, 11687 forecasts were issued, with an accuracy of 95.86%.
* **Disaster Resilience Improvement**
* The proactive measures taken by the community, public representatives, functionaries of the line departments, administration and the disaster management authorities in a coordinated manner as a team achieved "Zero Casualty Goal" during the cyclone Biparjoy.
**Impact Analysis**
**NDRF and SDRF Personnel**
* **Impact:** Benefit from enhanced equipment, updated training methodologies, and specialized knowledge to improve response effectiveness.
* **Action Required:** Participate in training programs and utilize new equipment effectively during disaster response operations.
**State and District Administrations**
* **Impact:** Gain enhanced disaster preparedness through training, mock exercises, and improved early warning systems.
* **Action Required:** Actively participate in training programs, conduct mock exercises, and implement disaster management plans effectively.
**General Public**
* **Impact:** Benefit from improved early warning systems, more coordinated disaster response efforts, and increased resilience to disasters.
* **Action Required:** Stay informed about disaster alerts, follow safety guidelines, and participate in community-level preparedness activities.
**Central Water Commission (CWC)**
* **Impact:** Central Water Commission will need to upgrade it's telemetry system and network.
* **Action Required:** Coordinate with C-DoT, and develop an action plan for telemetry and network upgrades.
Key Entities Referenced
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): The apex body for disaster management in India, responsible for policy-making, planning, and coordination.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): A specialized force responsible for disaster response, including rescue and relief operations.
State Disaster Response Force (SDRF): A specialized force at the state level responsible for disaster response, including rescue and relief operations.
Central Water Commission (CWC): Responsible for flood forecasting and water resource management. Providing flood forecasts to state governments
National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM): Conducts training programs on allied subjects such as Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear & Explosives (CBRNE) Disaster Risk Reduction and Response (DRR&R) and Psychosocial Care in Disaster Management for NDRF and SDRF.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2678
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16TH DECEMBER, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 25, 1947
(SAKA)
STRENGTHENING DISASTER MANAGEMENT
2678. SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:
SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE:
SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:
SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR:
SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE:
DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has strengthened the National Disaster
Response Force (NDRF) and SDRFs with advanced rescue equipment,
communication tools and specialised disaster response training, if so, the
details thereof;
(b) whether early warning systems, emergency communication networks and
community alert systems have been modernised to handle floods,
earthquakes and urban disasters, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether State and district administrations are being trained in disaster
preparedness, mock drills and hazard mapping, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has integrated drone surveillance, real-time flood
monitoring and GIS-based disaster modelling into NDMA operations, if so, the
details thereof; and
(e) whether these initiatives have improved India’s resilience and response
capacity during natural and man-made disasters, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2678 FOR 16.12.2025
(a): National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is procuring/using the
equipments in disaster situation as per authorization and holding of
equipment as well as operational requirement of Force. Further, based on the
operational scenario and in light of recent operations conducted at the
national and international level, the equipments are being upgraded in
accordance with the operational debriefs and the suggestions provided by
the rescuers involved in the operations. NDRF has also established an
Research and Development (R&D) Cell for the assessment of equipment and
for updating it from time to time as per operational requirements. New
equipment authorization is also received periodically based on operational
needs.
Procurement of equipments in the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) falls
in the domain of the concerned State/UTs.
National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) has been conducting
training programs on regular basis on allied subjects such as Chemical,
Biological, Radiological, Nuclear & Explosives (CBRNE) Disaster Risk
Reduction and Response (DRR&R) and Psychosocial Care in Disaster
Management for NDRF and SDRF. Five such specialized and thematic courses
have been conducted for the officials from NDRF and SDRF. Additionally the-3-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2678 FOR 16.12.2025
officials from NDRF and SDRF are also nominated to attend the training
programs and comprehensive courses conducted by NIDM. NIDM has trained
approximately 200 officials from NDRF and SDRF since 2022-23 till
11.12.2025.
(b): National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has implemented
“Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)” based Integrated Alert System on Pan
India basis for dissemination of alerts pertaining to various disasters. The
Alerts are being disseminated in geo-targeted manner and also, in regional
vernacular. The project integrates five Forecast and Warning Agencies
namely India Meteorological Department (IMD), Central Water Commission
(CWC), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS),
Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE) and Forest Survey
of India (FSI) with State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA’s) of all
States/UTs. The Alerts are currently being disseminated through SMS, Mobile
App, Sachet Public Portal, GAGAN & NaVIC Satellite terminals and RSS feed.
Further, As a non-structural measure of flood management, CWC issues short-
range flood forecasts with a lead time up to 24 hrs to concerned State
Governments at identified locations. CWC also issues inflow forecasts to
identified reservoirs for proper reservoir regulation. Presently, flood forecasts-4-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2678 FOR 16.12.2025
are issued by CWC at 350 stations (150 Inflow Forecast Stations + 200 Level
Forecast Stations) as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The network
has been established in consultation with State Govt/Project authorities. CWC
is providing Seven-day advisory flood forecast on its web portal
https://aff.india-water.gov.in/ through pan India rainfall-based mathematical
modelling for major river basins of the country.
(c): State and District administrations are regularly being trained in Disaster
preparedness through Mock exercises by NDRF. NDRF has conducted total
6505 Mock exercises from 2011 to 2025. Further, in addition to it various
initiatives undertaken in this regard by NDMA for disaster preparedness and
response mechanism during natural disaster are enumerated below:-
(i). NDMA has been actively facilitating the conduct of State and Multi
State Level Mock Exercises on various hazards as per their
vulnerability profile like Floods, Landslides, Earthquakes, Cyclones and
Chemical (Industrial) disasters etc. in close co-ordination with States
and Union Territories.-5-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2678 FOR 16.12.2025
(ii). NDMA is also conducting Multi State level Mock Exercises based
on Geo-Climatic conditions for ensuring greater coordination amongst
neighbouring States during disasters.
(iii). Integrated Mock Exercises provide an optimal, cost-effective
means for generating awareness about the Incident Response
System-Incident Response Team construct, and for building capacity
of States/UTs to respond effectively to any disaster situation.
(iv). NDMA shares feedback with concerned State / UT after
successful conduct of each Mock Exercise, highlighting best practices
and gaps identified to improve their preparedness and build their
capacities in order to achieve the goal of making India a disaster
resilient country. Apart from it NDMA takes following steps to improve
preparedness and response:
• Pre-Monsoon/Pre-Season Meetings
• Alert Dissemination.
• Regular Weather & Hazard Warnings.
• Inter-Agency Coordination.-6-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2678 FOR 16.12.2025
Further, NIDM has been conducting training programmes in
collaboration with stakeholders from states from Administrative
Training Institute (ATIs), State Institute of Rural Developments (SIRDs),
District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) and State Disaster
Management Authorities (SDMAs). NIDM follows a well-defined and
systematic procedure for inviting nominations in its training
programmes, ensuring inclusiveness and balanced participation from
states. As part of this process, NIDM formally calls for nominations of
senior and middle level officials from these states-level agencies. This
broad outreach enables the institute to engage a wide spectrum of
professionals from states in the field of disaster management. Since
the year 2022-2023 till 11.12.2025, NIDM has conducted 392 Face-to-
Face training programs with 33 states and UTs in which 21376
participants were trained and 242994 participants through 1075
webinars.
(d): Central Water Commission (CWC) maintains 1543 flood monitoring
stations and has installed sensor based data acquisition & satellite based
transmission system (Telemetry stations) at 1121 locations across major
river basins, including Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Godavari etc, for hourly-7-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2678 FOR 16.12.2025
monitoring of river water levels during flood monitoring period to support
flood forecasting and disaster mitigation. These stations utilize advanced
technologies, such as INSAT satellite-based communication and GSM/GPRS
systems, to ensure near-real-time data transmission under diverse weather
conditions, enabling timely and informed decision-making. To enhance
system reliability, CWC is taking help of Centre for Development of
Telematics (C-DoT) to conduct a detailed study of the telemetry system and
provide recommendations for a more resilient and efficient framework. Over
the next five years, CWC plans to upgrade its network based on
recommendations of C-DOT. During flood season 2025 (till 30th November
2025), a total of 11687 forecasts (6541 level forecasts and 5146 inflow
forecasts) were issued throughout the country out of which 11203 forecasts
were within limit with an accuracy of 95.86%.
(e) The proactive measures taken by the community, public representatives,
functionaries of the line departments, administration and the disaster
management authorities in a coordinated manner as a team achieved “Zero
Casualty Goal” during the cyclone Biparjoy.
*****