Question

For coordination purposes, where is the majority of disaster information typically processed, and what determines the scope and depth of this coordination?

• A. At the national level; the population density of the affected area.
• B. At the state level; the intensity and scale of the disaster event.
• C. At the local level; the immediate financial aid available.
• D. At the international level; the political relations between countries.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. At the state level; the intensity and scale of the disaster event.

Understanding Disaster Information Processing and Coordination

• State Level as the Hub: In India, and generally in most federal structures, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and State Executive Committee (SEC) play a crucial role in coordinating disaster response within their jurisdiction. They collect, evaluate, and disseminate information from district levels and further coordinate with national agencies if the situation escalates. This is where a holistic picture of the disaster's impact across the state is formed.

• Intensity and Scale Drive Coordination:

  • Local/District Level: For smaller, localized incidents (L1 disasters in India's classification), the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) might be able to manage with its own resources and information.

  • State Level: As the disaster's intensity and scale increase (L2 disasters), requiring more resources and a wider response, the state level becomes the primary coordination point. They process information from affected districts, assess overall needs, and deploy state-level resources.

  • National Level: In the event of a severe, widespread, or complex disaster that overwhelms state capacities (L3 disasters), the national level (National Disaster Management Authority - NDMA, and National Executive Committee - NEC) steps in to provide support, resources (like NDRF), and strategic guidance, leading to a much broader and deeper scope of coordination.

Therefore, the initial processing and decision-making often begin at the affected local level, but for comprehensive coordination and resource mobilization, the state level becomes the central hub, with the scale of the disaster dictating how far up the chain of command (to the national level) the coordination extends.