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Post-Disaster Reconstruction and Institutional Mechanisms for Risk Reduction: A Comparative Study of Three Disasters in India

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Disaster Recovery

Part of the book series: Disaster Risk Reduction ((DRR))

Abstract

This study examines the institutional mechanisms employed in post-disaster reconstruction programs in India after three major disasters occurring between 1993 and 2004 in three provinces—Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Extra-Ordinary Mechanisms (EOM) are usually set up in the aftermath of disasters to coordinate and speed up reconstruction process. There are many examples of EOMs that played a key role in successful reconstruction. But, only a few of them have survived as successful institutions for long-term disaster risk reduction. Several factors such as political will, availability of resources, requirements of international financial institutions, nature of bureaucratic and political leadership determine the nature and mandate of the EOMs. Based on the Indian experience, this study analyzes the challenges of sustaining the institutional arrangements for disaster management and makes an attempt to postulate the key elements needed for their effectiveness.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Mumbai was formerly known as Bombay. The official name Mumbai is used in contemporary contexts and the old name Bombay is retained in historical allusions.

  2. 2.

    The number of Talukas (or blocks) is 226 after reorganization.

  3. 3.

    Towns are: Anjar, Bhuj, Bhachau, and Rapar.

  4. 4.

    The accurate figures of the total number of houses damaged are not available. The reported details differ in various documents published by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The data is taken from Government of Tamil Nadu publication that gives the number of houses damaged along with breakup of fully collapsed and partially damaged (GoTN 2008).

  5. 5.

    Gujarat earthquake occurred on 26th January 2001 and GSDMA was formed on 8th February 2001.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management, Gandhinagar, India

    V. Thiruppugazh

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  1. V. Thiruppugazh
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Correspondence to V. Thiruppugazh .

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  1. International Environment and Disaster Management, Kyoto University, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto, Japan

    Rajib Shaw

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Thiruppugazh, V. (2014). Post-Disaster Reconstruction and Institutional Mechanisms for Risk Reduction: A Comparative Study of Three Disasters in India. In: Shaw, R. (eds) Disaster Recovery. Disaster Risk Reduction. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54255-1_2

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