Ministry of Home Affairs Approves ₹3027.86 Crore for Disaster Mitigation Across Multiple States

Funding Allocated for Drought, Lightning, and Forest Fire Risk Management

New Delhi, India – A High-Level Committee (HLC) chaired by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, has approved ₹3027.86 crore for disaster mitigation projects across various states. The committee, which includes the Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister, and Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, assessed proposals for lightning risk mitigation, drought relief, and forest fire prevention, with funding drawn from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).

Key Disaster Mitigation Initiatives Approved

1. Catalytic Assistance for Drought-Prone States – ₹2022.16 Crore

The HLC has sanctioned ₹2022.16 crore for catalytic assistance to 12 drought-prone states. The Central Government will contribute ₹1200 crore, with the remaining funds sourced from respective state governments.

The 12 states benefiting from this project include:

• Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.

This initiative aims to strengthen drought preparedness, enhance water conservation efforts, and implement sustainable agricultural practices in highly vulnerable districts.

2. Lightning Safety Mitigation Project – ₹186.78 Crore

To address the increasing threat of lightning-related fatalities and damage, the HLC has approved a Lightning Safety Mitigation Project covering 50 high-risk districts in 10 states, with a total outlay of ₹186.78 crore.

The 10 states covered under this project are:

• Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

The project will focus on early warning systems, community awareness programs, and improved response mechanisms to reduce casualties and infrastructure damage from lightning strikes.

3. Forest Fire Risk Management Scheme – ₹818.92 Crore

A Forest Fire Risk Management Scheme has been approved for 144 high-priority districts across 19 states, with a total budget of ₹818.92 crore. The Central Government will provide ₹690.63 crore from the NDMF and NDRF.

The 19 states covered include:

• Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttarakhand.

This initiative aims to strengthen forest fire prevention efforts, enhance response capabilities, and improve post-fire recovery measures. States will submit their proposals outlining mitigation strategies, preparedness activities, and post-fire assessment plans.

Government’s Commitment to Disaster Resilience

The Ministry of Home Affairs, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a disaster-resilient India, has been actively strengthening disaster risk reduction frameworks. The government has taken several proactive measures to minimize loss of life and property during disasters.

Prior to this announcement, the HLC had already approved:

• Urban Flood Risk Mitigation Projects in seven major cities – ₹3075.65 crore.
• Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Risk Management in four states – ₹150 crore.
• Landslide Risk Mitigation Projects in 15 states – ₹1000 crore.

Financial Assistance Released to States in FY 2024-25

In addition to the newly approved funds, the Central Government has already disbursed over ₹24,981 crore to states for disaster response and mitigation during the current financial year:

• ₹17,479.60 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to 27 states.
• ₹4808.30 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to 18 states.
• ₹1973.55 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 13 states.
• ₹719.72 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to 8 states.

With these investments, the government aims to strengthen disaster preparedness, enhance resilience, and reduce risks across India, ensuring better disaster management and recovery efforts nationwide.