BBMP to get dedicated disaster management body led by Chief Commissioner

State government to establish Urban Disaster Management Authority for BBMP, enhancing flood mitigation and disaster response in Bengaluru.

The Karnataka government will soon issue a notification on the formation of a dedicated Urban Disaster Management Authority (UDMA) for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits, according to a senior government official.

As per the proposal, BBMP Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao will be appointed the chairperson of the new body, and the Deputy Commissioner will continue to oversee disaster management activities in areas outside the BBMP limits, said the official.

Until now, disaster management responsibilities of the entire Bengaluru Urban district were under the purview of the DC, who also heads the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).

However, under the provisions of the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2024, the formation of a separate UDMA is now mandatory within municipal corporation jurisdictions.

The Chief Commissioner will lead this authority, while the Deputy Commissioner will continue to oversee disaster management activities in areas of the district which are outside BBMP limits.

Till today, the BBMP does not have a dedicated cell for disaster management, resulting in poor implementation of flood mitigation measures. The official emphasised the pressing need for an urban-centric disaster management mechanism, especially in light of recurring urban floods and climate-related challenges. While the BBMP has previously formed several teams and control rooms to address floods, the absence of a dedicated authority has hampered effective and sustained disaster response, the official opined.

The formation of the UDMA will allow the BBMP to devise an urban-specific disaster management plan, which will be submitted to the State government for approval.