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- The Supreme Court has recently instructed a supervisory committee, led by the head of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), to address the concerns raised by Tamil Nadu regarding Kerala's handling of the maintenance of the 125-year-old Mullaperiyar dam.
- About the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA):
- The NDSA is a statutory body established by the Central Government under Section 8(1) of the National Dam Safety Act, 2021.
- Functions:
- The NDSA is responsible for regulating, overseeing, and inspecting dams across India.
- It plays a pivotal role in developing policies and guidelines for the construction, upkeep, and operation of dams throughout the country.
- A significant responsibility of the NDSA is to resolve disputes between State Dam Safety Organizations or between a State organization and a dam owner within the state.
- The NDSA also runs national awareness campaigns to educate the public on dam safety.
- In the event of natural disasters or emergencies, the authority ensures that emergency response plans are in place.
- The NDSA is headed by a chairman and supported by five members who lead its various wings: policy and research, technical, regulation, disaster resilience, and administration and finance.
- Its headquarters is located in New Delhi.
- Why in News?
- At ICDRI 2025, India spotlighted five global priorities: embedding disaster resilience in education, launching a global digital disaster data platform, enabling innovative finance for developing countries, recognizing SIDS as Large Ocean Nations, and boosting early warning capabilities.
- Key Provisions:-
- A major highlight was the “Call to Action for Coastal Resilience in SIDS,” proposing ten strategic initiatives such as SIDS Global Data Hub 2.0, universal multi-hazard early warning by 2030, and establishing finance ministry-based resilience units.
- The conference—held for the first time in Europe, in Nice—emphasized unified investment strategies and policy coherence to ensure scalable climate-resilient infrastructure.
- Hosted under CDRI, a global coalition initiated by India, the forum is a key platform to drive climate adaptation and resilience in infrastructure.
- With an ambitious goal to catalyze US$10 trillion in resilient infrastructure investments by 2050, CDRI plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable coastal communities worldwide.
- Why in News?
- The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will lead a comprehensive investigation into the recent Air India aircraft crash at Ahmedabad airport. The incident has triggered a formal probe to determine its cause and ensure accountability.
- Key Provisions:-
- Established in 2012, the AAIB functions as an attached office under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Its formation aligns with India’s commitment to Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944), which outlines international standards for aircraft accident investigations.
- The bureau's primary role is to oversee investigations and support legal processes under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017. It specifically investigates all accidents and serious incidents involving aircraft with an All-up Weight (AUW) over 2,250 kg or turbojet aircraft.
- By ensuring independent and objective inquiries, the AAIB plays a key role in improving aviation safety standards and preventing the recurrence of similar incidents.
- Why in News?
- The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will lead a comprehensive investigation into the recent Air India aircraft crash at Ahmedabad airport. The incident has triggered a formal probe to determine its cause and ensure accountability.
- Key Provisions:-
- Established in 2012, the AAIB functions as an attached office under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Its formation aligns with India’s commitment to Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944), which outlines international standards for aircraft accident investigations.
- The bureau's primary role is to oversee investigations and support legal processes under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017. It specifically investigates all accidents and serious incidents involving aircraft with an All-up Weight (AUW) over 2,250 kg or turbojet aircraft.
- By ensuring independent and objective inquiries, the AAIB plays a key role in improving aviation safety standards and preventing the recurrence of similar incidents.
- Why in News?
- The Union Minister of Jal Shakti has inaugurated C-FLOOD, a new integrated flood forecasting platform designed to support disaster management efforts.
- Key Provisions:-
- This web-based system delivers village-level flood inundation forecasts two days in advance, using advanced 2-D hydrodynamic modelling. C-FLOOD brings together flood data from various national and regional agencies, offering unified predictions and real-time hazard mapping.
- Approximately 40 million hectares—12% of India's land area—are flood-prone. C-FLOOD addresses this challenge by offering timely flood maps and water level forecasts to aid authorities in preparedness and response.
- C-FLOOD was jointly developed by C-DAC Pune, the Central Water Commission, the Department of Water Resources, and the National Remote Sensing Centre. It is executed under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), a joint initiative by MeitY and DST launched in 2015.
- Currently covering the Mahanadi, Godavari, and Tapi river basins, the system will soon expand nationwide and integrate with the National Disaster Management Emergency Response Portal (NDEM).
- Why in News?
- A powerful earthquake struck Afghanistan on September 1, 2025, killing over 1,400 and injuring at least 3,100. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the primary 6.3 magnitude quake near Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, at a depth of eight kilometres, followed by a 4.7 magnitude aftershock. Rescue efforts in Kunar and Nangarhar are hindered by limited resources and sanctions on the Taliban regime. The UN and aid agencies have pledged support.
- Key Provisions:-
- Afghanistan, lying at the meeting point of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, remains highly quake-prone. Since 1900, the northeast has seen 12 quakes above magnitude 7. Comparisons with Chile, which suffers similar magnitudes but minimal casualties due to strict building codes, underline Afghanistan’s vulnerability. The October 2023 Herat quake, also 6.3 magnitude, killed over 1,500 and damaged 63,000 homes. Earthquakes need not be fatal; Afghanistan must urgently adopt and enforce robust building standards alongside public awareness measures.
- Why in News?
- At a meeting with the 16th Finance Commission, the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister emphasized the need to revise the Disaster Risk Index (DRI) to better reflect the state’s unique vulnerabilities. The demand highlights the importance of accurate assessment tools for equitable resource allocation in disaster-prone regions.
- About Disaster Risk Index (DRI)
- The DRI was developed by the 15th Finance Commission to introduce objectivity into fiscal transfers by accounting for disaster risks faced by different states. It evaluates 14 hazards, 14 vulnerabilities, and 2 exposure parameters. Hazards include earthquakes, cyclones, floods, and droughts, while vulnerabilities consider factors such as the rural and urban poor, women, and children. Exposure is measured using population and GDP indicators.
- By integrating these dimensions, the index helps guide resource distribution, strengthen preparedness, and ensure that states with higher risks receive adequate financial support.