NEW DELHI – In a move to strengthen India’s disaster management capabilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appointed two new members and re-nominated three existing ones to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The appointments, announced on Saturday, are aimed at enhancing the nation’s strategies for disaster prevention, mitigation, and response.
The new members are Dinesh Kumar Aswal, a notable scientist, and Rita Missal, a specialist in disaster recovery. Their addition is expected to bring fresh expertise to the authority’s work. Meanwhile, existing members Rajendra Singh, Krishna Swaroop Vatsa, and Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) will continue their tenure for another three years.
The appointments were made under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and were confirmed in a notification from the Union Home Ministry. The NDMA, which is chaired by the Prime Minister, is the country’s apex body for disaster management. It is responsible for formulating policies, plans, and guidelines to ensure a swift and effective response to all types of crises.
This strategic restructuring of the NDMA’s leadership highlights the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening India’s resilience against future natural and man-made disasters.