Disaster Preparedness of Local Government Institutions: A Study from Alappuzha District of Kerala

Abstract

India witnessed many natural disasters during the last three decades. All these disasters demand a shift from post-disaster measures to disaster preparedness, from readiness to mitigation, from individual aid to restoration of community services, and, from relief to rehabilitation. For an intensive field study, four Grama Panchayats (GPs) from two Blocks of Alappuzha District in Kerala were selected, considering their vulnerable and disaster-prone status.  The study analyzed the roles, responsibilities, functions and potential activities of Local Government Institutions in disaster management at the local level with thrust on preparedness. The study brought out the absence of a holistic strategy, lack of pro-active mechanisms and less emphasis on capacity building programs for major stakeholders, etc.