Delhi’s Disaster Readiness Under Scrutiny 🚨 | With no State Disaster Response Force and a lack of a Command & Control Centre, officials warn that Delhi is ill-equipped for major disasters. Urgent measures are now being planned.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, March 12, 2025: Lt. Governor V.K. Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta chaired a high-level meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Tuesday to review the capital’s disaster preparedness, particularly for earthquakes, urban flooding, and extreme heat events.
During the meeting, officials highlighted Delhi’s critical lack of disaster response infrastructure, including the absence of a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and a Command and Control Centre (CCC)—a gap that hinders a coordinated disaster response. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has agreed to provide technological assistance for restructuring the DDMA and setting up the CCC.
Delhi’s High Earthquake Risk and Structural Concerns
With Delhi located in Seismic Zone-IV, the meeting underscored the city’s high vulnerability to earthquakes, especially in the wake of the February 18 tremors. Densely populated areas along the Yamuna, North, North-West, and South-West Delhi were identified as being at the highest risk. Unauthorized colonies with weak structural integrity in these zones were flagged as a major concern, prompting discussions on large-scale retrofitting efforts involving public participation.
Officials also deliberated on strengthening hospitals, schools, fire stations, and key infrastructure such as gas, water, and power supply lines to withstand potential earthquakes.
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Extreme Heat & Flooding: Preventive Measures on Priority
Recognizing the escalating heat waves and urban flooding issues, the DDMA discussed the State Heat Action Plan 2025 and flood mitigation strategies. With summer approaching, the meeting focused on:
- Ensuring adequate water supply and distribution.
- Desilting drains and improving drainage systems ahead of monsoons.
- Deploying equipment for flood prevention and relief efforts.
The LG and CM directed officials to submit a comprehensive action plan within a month to ensure timely implementation before summer and monsoon seasons.
The meeting stressed the need for civil defence, home guards, and disaster relief volunteers to be mobilized for emergency response. The Delhi government has been tasked with identifying land and logistics for setting up the SDRF and CCC, with NDMA’s support for modernization efforts.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Delhi Police, Fire & Civil Defence, NDRF, DDA, MCD, NDMC, PWD, Health, Education, and Delhi Jal Board.
With Delhi’s disaster vulnerability growing, authorities are now racing against time to bridge critical gaps in preparedness and response mechanisms.
