Shri Nitish Kumar and the Journey of Disaster Management

Shri Nitish Kumar laid the foundation for India’s transition from relief-centric approaches to a comprehensive disaster management system while serving as Union Minister of State for Agriculture in 1999. He constituted a high-level expert committee under Shri J.C. Pant to institutionalize disaster management in the country. On 9 August 2000, during a Parliamentary discussion on flood control, he introduced the concept of disaster management at the national level, leading to the establishment of a National Disaster Management Centre under the Ministry of Agriculture.

On 30 November 2000, he emphasized in Parliament that disaster response must be organized in a manner that minimizes losses, clearly defining roles from national to district levels. Following the Bhuj earthquake of 26 January 2001, he played a key role in relief and rehabilitation efforts, which further strengthened the momentum for institutional disaster management reforms. These efforts culminated in the enactment of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

After assuming office as Chief Minister of Bihar in November 2005, disaster management was accorded high priority. A separate Disaster Management Department was created, and the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) was established in 2007, with Shri Nitish Kumar as its Chairperson. Standard Operating Procedures were formulated in 2010, covering preparedness, response, and post-disaster actions for floods and droughts. Systems were strengthened to ensure timely delivery of relief materials, including food, water, medicines, shelter items, and essential household supplies.

Since 2007, ex-gratia assistance has been provided to flood-affected families, which has gradually increased to ₹7,000, now transferred directly to beneficiaries through DBT. Relief camps with cooking facilities, medical camps, sanitation arrangements, Anganwadi services, and animal relief camps are regularly organized. Financial assistance is also provided for newborns delivered during flood evacuations and in relief camps.

Seasonal preparedness measures are undertaken every year, especially for rivers in north Bihar such as Kosi, Gandak, Bagmati, Budhi Gandak, and Mahananda, as well as for drought-prone districts in south-west Bihar. Scientific measures have also been adopted for fire and earthquake risk management. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was constituted in 2010 on the lines of the NDRF and plays a crucial role in search, rescue, and relief operations.

A comprehensive Drought Management Policy was formulated in 2011, followed by a focus on drought-resilient agriculture under the Second Agriculture Road Map in 2012. In 2019, the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan was launched to address water scarcity through rainwater harvesting, revival of water bodies, plantation, and groundwater recharge. Large-scale restoration of ponds, ahars, pines, wells, and soak pits has significantly improved groundwater levels.

For flood mitigation and irrigation development, sustained efforts have been made. By March 2025, about 370 km of new embankments were constructed, protecting nearly 14 lakh hectares, while 600 km of existing embankments were strengthened. Projects such as the Western Kosi Canal, Kamla Barrage, Tal Area Development, Durgawati Irrigation Project, and river desiltation initiatives have reduced flood risks and expanded irrigation facilities for farmers.