The Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025, introduces significant changes, including provisions for urban disaster management authorities, a disaster database, and enhanced coordination between national and state disaster response forces.

 The Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025, introduces significant changes, including provisions for urban disaster management authorities, a disaster database, and enhanced coordination between national and state disaster response forces. The Act also clarifies the definition of "disaster," expanding it to include "disaster risk reduction" and defining terms like "disaster risk," "hazard," "evacuation," and "exposure". Furthermore, it emphasizes the role of municipal corporations in urban disaster management and aims to strengthen chemical disaster management by incorporating safety measures and guidelines. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. Urban Disaster Management:

The Act empowers state governments to establish Urban Disaster Management Authorities (UDMA) for state capitals and cities with municipal corporations. 

These UDMA will be headed by the Municipal Commissioner, with the District Collector as vice-chairperson. 

The Act also includes provisions for creating a disaster database at national and state levels, which will contain information on disaster risks, fund allocation, expenditure, preparedness, and mitigation plans. 

2. Strengthened Disaster Response:

The amendment aims to enhance coordination between the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF).

It emphasizes the primary responsibility of State Governments in undertaking rescue, relief, and rehabilitation measures during natural disasters.

The Act also includes provisions for sharing best practices and improving response capabilities through mutual cooperation and coordination. 

3. Chemical Disaster Management:

The Act reinforces existing legal frameworks for chemical disaster management, including the Explosives Act, Petroleum Act, Factories Act, Insecticides Act, Environment Protection Act, and Motor Vehicles Act. 

It acknowledges the need for a proactive, participatory, and multi-sectoral approach involving all stakeholders. 

The National Disaster Management Guidelines on Chemical (Terrorism) Disasters highlight the importance of refining and strengthening national mechanisms to handle chemical terrorism events. 

There is a focus on building on existing structures and mechanisms to ensure preparedness and response to chemical disasters. 

4. Other Key Amendments:

The amendment clarifies that "man-made causes" of disasters do not include law and order situations, preventing misuse of the Act in routine law enforcement matters.

It expands the definition of "disaster management" to include "disaster risk reduction," encompassing efforts to reduce hazard exposure, vulnerability, and enhance preparedness and resilience.

The Act also includes new definitions for "disaster risk," "hazard," "evacuation," and "exposure" to provide a more comprehensive understanding of potential threats and their impacts.