From a meteorological standpoint, India is especially vulnerable to natural disasters due to its unique location below the Himalayas (facing the open Indian Ocean) as well as its geo-climatic conditions and varied landscapes; monsoons, subsequent landslides and floods, droughts, famine, wildfires, cyclones, and earthquakes are all experienced to varying degrees on the Subcontinent, in addition to areas of dense overpopulation being at greater risk for disease outbreak and sanitation concerns, in the event of a natural disaster.
The more remote, mountainous regions of the North, especially the Himalayan states, can experience devastating avalanches in winter, spring flooding and major landslides during wet periods.
This is in addition to earthquakes which, in the mountains, bring the potential for increased devastation due to falling rocks, mudslides, and flash floods.
The expected inputs, areas of intervention and agencies to be involved at the National, State and district levels have been identified and listed in the roadmap.
The Act calls for the establishment of a National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), with the Prime Minister of India as chairperson.
The NDMA which was initially established on 30 May 2005 by an executive order, was constituted under Section-3(1) of the Disaster Management Act, on 27 September 2005.