Disaster Governance in Andhra Pradesh: A Proactive Approach

Andhra Pradesh showcased a sophisticated level of disaster governance during Cyclone Montha between October 27 and 30. The state transitioned from traditional reactive relief to proactive resilience by leveraging technology and coordinated efforts.

Proactive Measures

• Anticipated the disaster by pre-positioning resources and ensuring uninterrupted road access.
• Employed digital dashboards, predictive analytics, drone surveillance, and GIS tools for coordination and decision-making.

Technological Integration

• Andhra Pradesh Weather Forecasting and Early Warning Research Centre (AWARE 2.0) provided accurate forecasts.
• The Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS) created an interconnected decision system across departments.
• RTGS-led Data Lake project integrated departmental data for efficiency and analytics-based decision-making.

Response and Coordination

• AWARE 2.0 enabled 72-hour early alerts and facilitated the evacuation of around 10,000 people.
• Sent over 1.1 crore safety messages and resolved more than 12,000 grievances via the Manamitra platform.
• Pre-positioned generators, pumps, and heavy machinery for immediate response capability.
• National and State Disaster Response Forces were deployed with critical equipment in vulnerable areas.

Lessons for Future Resilience

While the response to Cyclone Montha was effective, the need for institutionalized resilience is paramount.

• Preparedness should be a daily practice, with schools and community buildings retrofitted as cyclone shelters.
• Coastal regions require reinforcement with mangroves and embankments.
• Investment in infrastructure, such as underground power cabling and real-time sea-level monitoring, is vital.
• The private sector should integrate disaster resilience into Environmental, Social, and Governance commitments.

Long-term Strategy and Challenges

• Empower panchayats, decentralize disaster budgets, and embed climate literacy across all levels.
• Fiscal planning must prioritize long-term infrastructure resilience.
• Address ecological vulnerabilities by tackling deforestation, mangrove loss, and unregulated coastal construction.

Odisha's community-based preparedness model post-1999 super-cyclone serves as a reference for Andhra Pradesh to enhance its disaster management strategies.