Disaster Management Amendments Target Flooding and Overheating in Indian Cities

Gist Recent extreme weather events, from intense heat to severe flooding in major Indian cities, highlight how natural hazards are transformed into systemic urban disasters through unplanned construction and infrastructure deficits. To address this, recent amendments to the Disaster Management Act, 2005 have enabled the creation of city-specific disaster management authorities, while heatwaves and lightning have been newly classified as notified natural calamities. Aspirants must understand this shift from reactionary relief to structural urban mitigation, as localized climate resilience is now a critical component of urban governance. Background Urban disaster management in India is primarily governed by the Disaster Management Act, 2005 . Historically, disaster response has been administered at the district level through District Disaster Management Authorities , leaving large, complex municipal corporations without dedicated, localized disaster planning bodies. The vulnerability of cities is exacerbated by the Urban Heat Island UHI effect, a phenomenon where dense concrete construction, asphalt, and a lack of vegetation cause urban centers to absorb and trap heat, making them significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas. Similarly, unchecked construction over natural drainage systems, lakes, and…