PM Modi Names New Members to Strengthen India’s Disaster Management

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as chairperson of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has appointed two new members and renominated three existing members to strengthen India’s apex body for disaster management, according to a Union Home Ministry notification issued on Friday.

The new appointees, scientist Dinesh Kumar Aswal and disaster recovery specialist Rita Missal, join the NDMA alongside renominated members Rajendra Singh, Krishna Swaroop Vatsa, and Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.). Their terms, effective from the date they assume office, will span three years or until further orders, as per the notification issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

The NDMA, established as India’s premier authority for disaster management, is tasked with formulating policies, plans, and guidelines to enhance the nation’s resilience against natural and man-made calamities. The Act mandates the creation of institutional mechanisms at state and district levels to support a cohesive disaster management framework. According to the NDMA’s website, India aims to foster an ethos of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response to disasters.

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The inclusion of Aswal, known for his scientific expertise, and Missal, a specialist in disaster recovery, signals a strategic push to blend cutting-edge research with practical recovery strategies. The renomination of Singh, Vatsa, and Hasnain ensures continuity of experience within the authority.

This move underscores the government’s commitment to bolstering India’s disaster preparedness amid increasing climate-related challenges and underscores the NDMA’s pivotal role in safeguarding lives and livelihoods across the country.

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