Disaster damage: Karnataka 2nd state to implement scientific assessment

BENGALURU: The next time any natural calamity like flood or drought strikes Karnataka, there is less likelihood of a tussle between the Centre and state over the amount of compensation to be dispensed. On Monday, Karnataka kickstarted the process of implementing Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA), a method to scientifically assess the damage caused.
Officials from various departments will undergo the required training in the coming days.Karnataka is the second state after Bihar in the country to adopt this.
Speaking to TOI on the sidelines of a related workshop in the city, BH Anil Kumar, additional chief secretary, Government of Karnataka, said the existing post-disaster assessment practices are ad hoc and unscientific.
“While state governments are often blamed for making unscientific claims, the Centre is criticised for not understanding the ground situation in disaster-hit states. This is why we see instances of states seeking Rs 1,000 crore as compensation only to get Rs 250 crore from the Centre. Also, the existing methodology doesn’t take into account the indirect damage a disaster causes. Under PDNA, how a natural calamity/disaster has impacted the region socially, economically and environmentally is assessed apart from direct damages,” he explained.
Anil said PDNA is being implemented by the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) in collaboration with National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM).
Prof Santosh Kumar of NIDM said apart from assisting states and the Centre in deciding the compensation amount, PDNA also helps states to prioritise sectors requiring immediate attention. “The methodology also calls for special focus on assistance to vulnerable groups like senior citizens, physically challenged in post disaster assessment,” he added.
A senior official with the KSDMA said Kerala assessed the recent flood damage through PDNA and that’s the reason the amount totalled Rs 26,000 crore. “It may seem huge but considering the damage some regions in the state suffered socially, economically and environmentally, the assessment was right,” he added.
The official said a series of workshops will be held in the coming months to cover all government departments connected to disaster management so that officials are equipped to handle situations.
For recovery, reconstruction
Post Disaster Need Assessment is developed by NIDM in association with National Disaster Management Authority under National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project assisted by the World Bank. The objective is to establish a standardised mechanism based on scientific approach for conducting post disaster needs assessment for recovery and reconstruction. The tools, which consist of a handbook and manual and standard operating procedures, were developed after an analysis of the existing system in India and recommendations from the best international practices.