Are the states vigilant and capable enough for disaster management exercises?

The devastation wrought by flooding in Uttarakhand is probably the worst the northern Himalayan state has ever faced in recent history. Entire swathes of territory have been laid waste and much of the infrastructure in the affected areas- roads, bridges and civic facilities has been destroyed.

More than 33,100 people have been so far rescued, as the military takes advantage of clearer weather, but another 50,400 are still stranded, the home ministry claims. Houses, buildings and vehicles have collapsed or been swept away by overflowing rivers and landslides, while bridges and narrow roads leading to pilgrimage towns have also been destroyed.

Two things stand out: the lack of early warning systems and the inability of the state government to manage the disaster. Any state in the geologically vulnerable region has to plan for such contingencies. This one clearly did not. It is not even clear if it had any such plans. And now it has to depend on the military and heavy task forces for the rescue operations to evacuate thousands of people stranded in remote valleys.

These days it is fashionable to talk about the empowerment of the states. But that is meaningless if the more elementary task of building their capabilities is not addressed.