Only Karnataka has set up Urban Disaster Management Authority for Bengaluru

Who it concerns: Ministry of Home Affairs; State Governments; Urban Local Bodies; NDMA; Citizens in urban and flood-prone areas (Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Bengaluru).

What the committee found

• Revision of the National Policy on Disaster Management (2009) and National Disaster Management Plan (2016) to reflect new risks and 2025 Act amendments.
• Constitution of Urban Disaster Management Authorities (UDMA) in all eligible areas, noting that only Karnataka has done so for Bengaluru.
• Implementation of 16th Finance Commission recommendations, including adding heatwaves and lightning to notified disasters and capping fund releases based on unspent balances.
• Standardization of Post Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNAs) and sector-specific guidelines for rebuilding housing and infrastructure.
• Development of multi-hazard early-warning platforms using AI, radars, and satellite data, along with mandatory disaster risk impact assessments for major infrastructure projects.
• Investment in urban drainage, earthquake-resilient infrastructure, and restoration of wetlands and natural drainage channels.

Also in the document

• Only Karnataka has constituted an Urban Disaster Management Authority (UDMA) for Bengaluru, despite the 2025 amendments empowering states to do so for all eligible cities.
• The Centre’s fund release for state disaster mitigation funds remained around 80% of the allocation during the 15th Finance Commission period due to delays in state fund constitution and NDMA guidelines.
• Several states have maintained substantial unspent balances in state disaster response funds.
• Disaster-related spending is currently largely relief-centric, with a recommendation to shift towards mitigation-focused investments.