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absence of hazard safety units in the test-checked districts, the threats posed by structures which were hazardous to public or could aggravate potentially the effects of a disaster, had not been
demolished till date. On being pointed out, the DDMA assured that necessary action would be
taken. In the exit conference and subsequent replies, the Government stated that after the enactment of
the Act, the functions of the HSC are being taken care of by the SDMA and the DDMAs. The reply of the Government is not acceptable as the same could not be substantiated with the information
provided by the Department.
4.4 Standard Operating Procedures SOPs
The NPDM prescribes that all the State Governments, District Authorities and other stakeholders line departments shall prepare SOPs in consonance with the National and State Plans.
The SOPs for determining the levels of disasters and for issuing alerts about disasters through electronic messaging systems to various agencies have been formulated by the Ministry of Home
Affairs. The SOPs relate to activities such as i search and rescue; ii evacuation; iii medical assistance and casualty management; iv restoration of essential services; v communication at
disaster sites; and vi other important activities such as provisioning of food, drinking water, sanitation, clothing and management of relief camps.
Audit scrutiny showed that the line departments responsible for carrying out rescue and relief operations during June 2013 disaster in the ive test-checked districts lacked the above mentioned
SOPs for the conduct of smooth operations, in the absence of which, chaotic conditions were witnessed in the affected areas. Impact of absence of SOPs has been discussed at appropriate
places in the report.
In the exit conference and subsequent replies, the Government stated that directions were issued from time to time by the Department to all concerned for the preparation of SOPs. The reply of the
Government is not acceptable as the line departments have not developed their respective SOPs.
4.5 Provision of Intermediate Shelters
The NPDM stipulates that in the case of devastating disasters, where extreme weather conditions can be life-threatening or when the period of stay in temporary shelters is likely to be long and
uncertain, the construction of intermediate shelters with suitable sanitary facilities needs to be undertaken to ensure a reasonable quality of life for the affected people. The design of such
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shelters should be eco-friendly and in consonance with the local culture. It would be desirable for the SDMADDMAs to plan during the periods of normalcy, the layout of intermediate shelters
which is both cost effective and as per local needs with multi-use potential.
Audit scrutiny of data information provided by the Department showed that approved DDMPs of the test-checked districts did not provide for construction of intermediate shelters. This assumes
signiicance as the State of Uttarakhand is historically prone to earthquakes, lash loods and landslides. In June 2013 disaster, affected people had to be housed in inadequate facilities, or
hastily arranged premises due to lack of such shelters in pre-identiied safe locations. Instances are mentioned at appropriate places in the report.
4.6 Non-identiication of sites for safe relief camps
