After the announcement of relief package in Uttarakhand, now the Disaster Department will conduct PDNA, know why it is necessary?

Excessive rainfall during this year’s monsoon season led to disasters in several areas of Uttarakhand. This disaster has caused economic losses of approximately ₹5,700 crore (approximately $1.2 billion USD). Consequently, the Uttarakhand government sent a memorandum to the Government of India requesting an economic package. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the disaster-affected areas, announced immediate financial assistance of ₹1,200 crore (approximately $1.2 billion USD USD). Consequently, the Disaster Management Department is now conducting a Post-Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) in the disaster-affected areas, so that additional funding can be approved from the Government of India based on the report.

Massive Losses in Uttarakhand: Heavy rains in August in Uttarakhand have caused significant loss of life and property in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Rudraprayag, among other places. The Disaster Management Department prepared a memorandum assessing the losses, stating that the natural disaster has caused losses of ₹1,944.15 crore (approximately $1.944 billion USD USD).

Additionally, ₹3,758 crore is required to protect assets and infrastructure. The Uttarakhand government has submitted a proposal totaling ₹5,702.15 crore to the central government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a visit to Uttarakhand, has announced an immediate financial package of ₹1,200 crore for the state.

The Government of India has also asked the Uttarakhand government to conduct a post-disaster needs assessment in the disaster-affected areas. This involves categorizing works based on priority, preparing a report, and submitting it to the central government, based on which the government will approve the budget.

This is why the Uttarakhand government has accelerated its efforts to conduct a post-disaster needs assessment. It is expected that the order for conducting the PDNA will be issued within the next week. A team will also be sent to ground zero to conduct a study and prepare a report.

Meanwhile, Disaster Management Department Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman stated that a post-disaster needs assessment (PDA) is an assessment of the priority tasks to be undertaken after a disaster. The Government of India has stated that a post-disaster needs assessment is necessary for recovery and reconstruction work.

An order for PDNA will be issued next week in disaster-affected areas. The PDNA team will begin work within 10 days. The PDNA team has been selected. This team will visit ground zero to study each project and submit a report. Based on this report, the Government of India will approve funding.