Topic: Disaster and disaster management
Q6. “Slow-onset disasters like underground coalfield fires expose the limitations of India’s disaster governance framework”. Evaluate strategies for managing such chronic risks. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: DTE
Why the question
The Jharia coalfield fires and similar slow-onset disasters highlight governance gaps in India’s disaster management system, making it a contemporary and recurring issue.Key Demand of the question
You need to critically analyse the limitations of India’s disaster governance framework in handling slow-onset disasters and then evaluate strategies to manage such chronic risks effectively.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Briefly define slow-onset disasters and their hidden but severe impact on people, ecology, and economy.
Body
- Limitations of disaster governance framework – reactive approach, weak institutional coordination, policy vacuum, inadequate resources, community exclusion.
- Strategies for managing chronic risks – legal reforms, technology-driven monitoring, robust rehabilitation policy, participatory governance, multi-sectoral coordination.
Conclusion
Emphasise need for anticipatory and rights-based disaster governance to transform chronic risks into opportunities for resilient development.
