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| Bihar State Disaster Management Authority | |
|---|---|
| Name | Bihar State Disaster Management Authority |
| Abbreviation | BSDMA |
| Formation | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Patna, Bihar |
| Region served | Bihar |
| Leader title | Chairperson |
| Parent organization | National Disaster Management Authority (India) |
Bihar State Disaster Management Authority is the statutory agency responsible for disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response, and recovery in Bihar, with headquarters in Patna. It operates within the institutional architecture shaped by the Disaster Management Act, 2005, interacting with state-level institutions such as the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister of Bihar, Department of Revenue and Disaster Management (Bihar), and municipal bodies including the Patna Municipal Corporation. The Authority coordinates with national bodies like the National Disaster Response Force, Indian Meteorological Department, Central Water Commission, and with international agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme and World Bank on resilience projects.
BSDMA traces its origin to post-2004 reforms spurred by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, the subsequent enactment of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and state-level institutionalization during the tenure of successive Government of Bihar administrations including cabinets led by Nitish Kumar. Early milestones include the creation of the State Disaster Management Plan and the establishment of district-level District Disaster Management Authorities across Patna district, Purnia district, Muzaffarpur district, and flood-prone regions along the Ganges River and Kosi River. The Authority evolved through partnerships with the National Institute of Disaster Management, India Meteorological Department, and training collaborations with Indian Institute of Technology Patna and Jawaharlal Nehru University.
BSDMA's mandate is grounded in the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and guided by policy instruments from the National Disaster Management Authority (India), the Ministry of Home Affairs (India), and directives of the Bihar Cabinet. Its responsibilities derive from statutory duties outlined in the State Disaster Management Plan and align with frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and conditionalities in projects financed by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. The Authority coordinates legal compliance with the Right to Information Act, 2005 regarding public disaster data, and interfaces with statutory agencies including the National Highways Authority of India and Central Water Commission on infrastructure resilience.
The Authority is chaired by a state-appointed Chairperson and supported by a Vice-Chairperson, an Executive Committee, and a State Executive Committee that includes representatives from the Chief Secretary of Bihar, Director General of Police (Bihar), Principal Secretary (Health), and heads of departments such as the Bihar Health Department, Education Department (Bihar), and Irrigation Department (Bihar). Operational wings include divisions for early warning liaison with the India Meteorological Department, flood management coordination with the Central Water Commission, search and rescue cooperation with the National Disaster Response Force, and community outreach executed with National Rural Health Mission units and the National Institute of Disaster Management.
BSDMA is tasked with developing and updating the State Disaster Management Plan, conducting hazard, vulnerability and risk assessments linking to districts such as Saharsa district and East Champaran district, and overseeing capacity building for stakeholders including the State Police, Fire Services (India), and State Health Society. It administers grants and technical assistance for structural mitigation projects involving the Flood Control Department (Bihar), coordinates evacuation protocols with the Bihar State Transport Department, and supervises post-disaster damage and needs assessments in collaboration with agencies like the National Sample Survey Office and Ministry of Rural Development (India).
The Authority implements preparedness programs such as community-based disaster preparedness in riverine communities along the Gandak River and Kosi River, school safety initiatives with the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and hospital preparedness strengthening with the National Health Mission. It sponsors infrastructure resilience projects including embankment rehabilitation with the Central Water Commission, urban flood management with the State Urban Development Agency, and cyclone early warning dissemination using systems developed with the India Meteorological Department and supported by donors like the United Nations Development Programme. Training programs involve partners such as the National Disaster Response Force, Indian Red Cross Society, and technical institutes like IIT Patna.
In response operations, BSDMA activates the State Emergency Operations Centre in Patna and coordinates multi-agency responses with the National Disaster Response Force, State Police (Bihar), Fire Services (India), National Health Mission, and district administrations in affected districts including Vaishali district and Saran district. Relief logistics involve mobilizing resources through the Food Corporation of India for food grain distribution, coordinating shelter with the Bihar State Building Construction Department, and arranging medical camps in liaison with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna and State Health Society (Bihar). Post-disaster recovery planning engages the Ministry of Home Affairs (India), World Bank technical teams, and state finance departments for reconstruction funding.
BSDMA maintains formal coordination mechanisms with national institutions including the National Disaster Management Authority (India), National Disaster Response Force, India Meteorological Department, and Central Water Commission, as well as multilateral and non-governmental partners such as the United Nations Development Programme, Asian Development Bank, Indian Red Cross Society, and local NGOs active in Bihar like regional chapters of Practical Action and Oxfam India. It engages academic partners such as IIT Patna, Patna University, and National Institute of Disaster Management for research, and works with international donors, state ministries, and district administrations to mainstream disaster risk reduction into development programs executed by entities like the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority's district counterparts and municipal bodies including the Gaya Municipal Corporation and Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation.
Category:Disaster management in India Category:Organisations based in Patna