LUCKNOW, 10 JUNE 2025
Central Command and Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (UP SDMA) in coordination with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), conducted a National Level Military- Civil Symposium on disaster management at HQ Central Command in Lucknow Cantonment on 10 Jun 2025.
This multi-stakeholder event brought together central disaster management agencies, early warning agencies, response forces and disaster management authorities from five states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
As part of preparedness for ensuing monsoon season, the Symposium is a timely initiative, considering India’s multi-faceted vulnerability to floods and flood related disasters, which is deeply rooted in a confluence of varied factors such as changing dynamics, magnitude, types and frequency exacerbated due to climate change. As key stakeholders in disaster management, the Indian Army, NDMA and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), recognize the importance of a Whole-of-Government approach to disaster management that requires continuous interaction, shared learning and exchange of best practices.
The participants at the Symposium also included early warning Agencies from central ministries responsible for various aspects of disaster management such as Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Central Water Commission (CWC) and National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC). The response Agencies were represented by the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, NDRF, SDRF, UP PAC (Flood) and UP Fire & Emergency Services. Participating Teams from the SDMAs of five northern states that are perennially impacted by floods, presented the best practices and innovations in respective states to combat floods.
The Symposium provided to platform to understand roles and responsibilities of key disaster management agencies while learning from domain experts about the latest trends in flood disaster management. The scope encompassed contemporary flood & flood related disaster issues in the five states that focused on lessons learnt from recent disasters leveraging technology, economic cost of natural disasters in India, disaster vulnerabilities and incident response systems.
The Symposium was a landmark event for knowledge exchange, capacity building and strategic planning in disaster management and provided a valuable platform for stakeholders to collaborate, share knowledge and enhance their preparedness for effective disaster management. By addressing the increasing vulnerabilities associated with climate change, the Symposium represents a significant step towards building a more resilient and responsive disaster management framework in India.
Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Jal Shakti and Flood Control, Uttar Pradesh Shri Swatantra Dev Singh was the Chief Guest at the Symposium. The Symposium was attended by senior military and disaster management leadership which included Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, GOC-in-C, Central Command, Indian Army, Shri Manoj Kumar Singh, Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh, Shri Rajendra Singh, (Member & Head of Department NDMA), Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) (Member NDMA) and Lt Gen Y Dimri (Retd), Vice Chairperson, UP SDMA.
SHANTANU/DWARIKA/86/2025
