How the Disaster Management Act Empowers Sikkim Landslide Rescue

Introduction

The strong monsoon rains that occurred on June 1 and 2, 2025, caused many landslides in North Sikkim. These landslides shut off isolated settlements like Chaten and Lachen, leaving hundreds of visitors and villagers stranded.

The magnitude of the calamity and the speed with which it occurred required a coordinated response that was beyond the capabilities of the state on its own. In 2005, India passed a law called the Disaster Management Act, which established the legal framework that enabled both government and state authorities to carry out quick rescue and reconstruction activities.

The Act meant that Sikkim was able to access national experience and equipment in situations where local capacities were insufficient. This was accomplished by creating defined institutional responsibilities, pre-positioning resources, and enabling rapid funding methods.

The Disaster Management Act, 2005: A Legal Backbone

The Disaster Management Act (DMA), which was first passed into law in December 2005, established a comprehensive statutory framework for the management of all aspects of disasters, including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. India’s strategy was mostly reactive and ad hoc prior to the implementation of the DMA.

In addition to mandating the creation of disaster plans and defining the duties and responsibilities of various government ministries and agencies, the Act also resulted in the establishment of permanent entities at the national, state, and district levels.

It is of utmost importance for Sikkim that the provisions of the Disaster Management Act (DMA) enabled the state to legally request central aid in the event that it was confronted with a catastrophe that was beyond its capacity to cope, hence enabling the state to access specialized resources through a pre-existing legal process .

For More Updates & Regular notes, Join Our WhatsApp group (https://chat.whatsapp.com/DkucckgAEJbCtXwXr2yIt0) and Telegram Group ( https://t.me/legalmaestroeducators )

Constitutional Bodies under the Act

The Disaster Management Authority (DMA) was founded, and the Prime Minister is the chairperson of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The NDMA is responsible for establishing policy guidelines and approving the National Plan. Moreover, it established the National Executive Committee (NEC), which is responsible for coordinating response activities and is under the purview of the Union Home Secretary.

Additionally, it established the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), which is comprised of 13,000 men who have been trained in rescue operations. Following the declaration of disaster circumstances in Sikkim, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) rules prompted the deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and advice from the National Emergency Committee (NEC). This ensured the establishment of a unified command structure that could collaborate with state authorities and the military forces .

State and District Authorities in Sikkim

With the Chief Minister serving as its chairperson, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) is in charge of overseeing both preparedness and response efforts at the state level. Each district, such as the Mangan district in North Sikkim, is equipped with its very own District Disaster Management Authority, which is responsible for managing local activities.

According to the Chief Secretary of Sikkim called an urgent meeting of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on June 2, 2025.

The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate the road blockages, communication failures, and evacuation needs in the Mangan district. This meeting highlighted the district authority’s frontline role in situation appraisal and initial response coordination.

Declaration of Disaster and Triggering Mechanisms

Under the Disaster Management Act, Section 22(2)(b), a state government has the authority to declare an incident a “disaster” if it surpasses the ability of the district to respond to the catastrophe.

In the Mangan area, Sikkim made use of this clause in order to formally inform the National Environment Commission and the National Disaster Management Authority. Because of this designation, access to the National Disaster Response Fund was granted, and the deployment of the NDRF was permitted without any additional delays caused by bureaucratic procedures.

The DMA eliminates any uncertainty regarding the timing of when to contact for assistance by codifying the trigger in legislation. This ensures that rule-based action is taken in a timely manner, rather than individual requests.

Role of the NDRF and Central Forces

Following the declaration of a disaster in Sikkim, the National Emergency Committee (NEC) issued orders for numerous battalions of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to airlift into high-altitude zones that were considered to be dangerous.

In order to successfully navigate flooded gorges and dangerous slopes, these specialist crews took cutting-edge technology with them. Some examples of this equipment include inflatable boats, life jackets, and portable communication devices.

The Indian Army and Indian Air Force simultaneously deployed Mi-17 helicopters in order to rescue 113 tourists who were trapped near Lachen and to evacuate critically injured landslide victims from Chaten. They did this by utilizing the Act’s provision for armed forces support under NDMA and NEC directives .

Coordination with the Armed Forces and BRO

Through the use of the NEC architecture, the DMA was able to support the seamless integration of civilian and military capabilities. During the time when the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was working around the clock to restore crucial connectivity on the North Sikkim highway, Army engineers strengthened sections that had been cleared of landslides.

BRO was given instructions by the NEC to prioritize the reopening of important passes in accordance with the infrastructure restoration parameters outlined in the catastrophe plan. Despite the fact that it continued to rain, rescue workers were able to reach isolated regions because to the collaboration between the civic and military sectors, which was supported by the DMA .

Funding and Resource Allocation

The DMA, specifically Section 46, grants the federal government the authority to distribute cash from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for the purpose of carrying out life-saving activities.

As soon as Sikkim declared a catastrophe, the National catastrophe Relief Fund (NDRF) allowed the state to receive immediate assistance for search-and-rescue operations, medical treatment, and temporary shelters.

Concurrently, the state used funds from the State Disaster Response Fund to cover expenses incurred by local governments. These financial measures, which were incorporated in the Act, reduced the need for lengthy budget approvals, which made it possible for first responders to acquire gasoline, medication, and relief goods within a matter of hours.

Challenges and the Way Forward

High-altitude activities in Sikkim presented difficulties, despite the fact that the DMA had some capabilities. As a result of persistent heavy rains, some helicopters were forced to land, while ground crews were delayed by slopes that fractured.

Enhanced readiness might be achieved by the implementation of real-time radar and localized weather stations, which are mandated by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA).

It would be possible to lessen reliance on the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the armed forces if district-level response capabilities were strengthened by establishing pre-positioned stockpiles of emergency equipment and local training programs for road cleaning and first aid. It is possible to further enhance resource pre-positioning in sensitive zones by revising state disaster plans to reflect estimates of climate change.

Conclusion

Sikkim’s landslide rescue operations were made possible by the Disaster Management Act of 2005, which provided the essential legal and institutional framework. Through the establishment of permanent authorities, the definition of unambiguous triggers for disaster declarations, and the unlocking of national resources through the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF), the Act successfully converted what may have been a delayed and fragmented response into a coordinated and multi-agency operation.

Continual refining of disaster plans, investments in local skills, and increased early-warning technologies will guarantee that Sikkim and other hill states are able to deploy swift, life-saving action under the sturdy framework of the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) as landslides become more frequent as a result of monsoon unpredictability.