Institutional Framework for Disaster Management in Karnataka

Abstract

Disaster management has emerged as a critical dimension of public governance because climate change, environmental degradation, rapid urbanization and socio-economic vulnerability are increasing the frequency and consequences of disasters. Karnataka presents a particularly important case because of its multi-hazard profile, which includes recurrent droughts, floods, landslides, heat waves, cyclonic disturbances, urban flooding and other human-induced emergencies. This study examines the institutional framework for disaster management in Karnataka with particular reference to the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), State Executive Committee (SEC), District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), line departments and local governance institutions. The study adopts a qualitative documentary research design based on government policy documents, State and District Disaster Management Plans, KSDMA and KSNDMC documents, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports, and contemporary academic literature published between 2021 and 2026. Particular attention is given to the 2018–2020 Kodagu landslides and the recurrent 2019–2022 floods in Belagavi and North Karnataka as case studies of institutional performance. The findings indicate that Karnataka has developed a comprehensive formal institutional architecture, but substantial implementation gaps remain in human resources, financial management, mitigation planning, early-warning infrastructure, inter-agency coordination, rehabilitation and local-level participation. The CAG’s 2025 performance audit provides evidence of significant vacancies in disaster response forces, delayed planning, under-utilisation of mitigation resources, deficiencies in hazard mapping and weaknesses in flood and landslide preparedness. The study argues that Karnataka’s principal challenge is not institutional absence but an implementation and integration deficit. It recommends a dedicated professional disaster-management cadre, empowered Gram Panchayat Disaster Management Committees, GIS-based hazard mapping, district mitigation project pipelines, geo-tagged damage assessment and mandatory disaster-risk screening of development projects. Keywords: Disaster Management, KSDMA, DDMA, Disaster Risk Reduction, Karnataka, Climate Adaptation, Local Governance, Floods, Landslides, Drought, Institutional Capacity.