The annual cycle of monsoons across the subcontinent brings with it an inexorable flood of destruction, reducing years of developmental gains to rubble and displacing millions. In this recurring catastrophe, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) stands as the apex body with a clear mandate: to create a “safer and disaster resilient” nation through holistic, proactive, and technology-driven strategies. Yet, the persistent scale of loss suggests a critical disconnect between this ambitious vision and ground reality. The conversation must move beyond mere crisis response to embedding principles of good management across the entire disaster lifecycle.

Good management in flood-hit areas is defined not by the speed of the rescue operation, but by the systemic resilience built before the waters rise and the equitable recovery ensured long after they recede. Proactiveness is key. While the NDMA has championed necessary technological tools—such as the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and AI/ML-enabled flood forecasting systems—their effectiveness is often diluted by weaknesses in last-mile connectivity and insufficient policy enforcement. For instance, the consistent failure to enforce crucial measures like flood plain zoning and adherence to sound land-use practices transforms naturally flood-prone areas into human-made disaster zones. NDMA must leverage its authority to compel states and local bodies to treat flood mitigation as an integral part of urban and rural development planning, not an afterthought.

The most critical gaps in “good management” manifest in governance and accountability. Reports frequently highlight challenges ranging from slow decision-making........

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