The Critical Role of Armed Forces and Police in Disaster Management

When a disaster strikes – whether it’s a devastating flood, a powerful cyclone, or an earthquake – the response must be swift, coordinated, and effective. In India, a country highly vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters, the armed forces, police, and specialized agencies like the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) form the backbone of the disaster response system. These agencies bring discipline, rapid mobilization capabilities, and specialized training that make them indispensable during emergencies. Let’s break down the specific roles and responsibilities each of these agencies carries in disaster management.

Armed forces in disaster response 🔗

The Indian Armed Forces – comprising the Army, Navy, and Air Force – are often among the first responders during large-scale disasters, especially in remote or severely affected areas where civilian agencies face logistical challenges. Their organizational skills, ability to operate in hostile environments, and logistics expertise make them uniquely suited for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.

Rapid mobilization and deployment 🔗

One of the defining strengths of the Indian military in disaster situations is its ability to mobilize within hours. The Army maintains a widespread presence across the country, including far-flung border areas and remote regions where district administration may be weak or absent. This geographical spread means soldiers can often reach disaster-affected communities faster than any other agency.

The Indian Army has specialized units, including Engineer Regiments and task forces of the Border Roads Organization (BRO), equipped with heavy earth-moving machinery essential for clearing debris, building temporary bridges, and restoring damaged roads. The Army Medical Corps sets up field hospitals to deliver emergency medical care in disaster zones.

The Indian Navy and Air Force contributions 🔗

The Indian Navy plays a critical role in coastal disaster response and maritime evacuations. During Cyclone Ockhi in 2017, the Navy conducted one of its most extensive humanitarian operations since the 2004 tsunami, deploying 16 ships over nearly 20 days, rescuing 136 survivors and providing aid across Kerala and the Lakshadweep Islands. Similarly, during Cyclone Fani in 2019, the Navy pre-positioned ships with relief materials before the cyclone made landfall, enabling immediate assistance once the storm passed.

The Indian Air Force provides strategic and tactical airlift capability using transport aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster and C-130J Super Hercules. During the catastrophic Uttarakhand floods of 2013, the IAF conducted Operation Rahat, airlifting nearly 19,600 people and delivering over 382,000 kg of relief material to inaccessible areas.

Notable disaster relief operations 🔗

The Indian Armed Forces have a long track record of major disaster relief missions. Some notable examples include:

Operation Surya Hope (2013): Launched during the Uttarakhand floods, this was one of the largest humanitarian missions in Indian Army history, involving massive rescue and evacuation operations across mountainous terrain.

Kerala Floods (2018): When catastrophic flooding overwhelmed the state, the armed forces and NDRF were deployed promptly. Military personnel worked around the clock, operating beyond normal capacity to rescue stranded civilians.

Operation Brahma (2025): In response to the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar, the Indian Army established a 60-bed medical treatment centre, while the IAF delivered approximately 15 tonnes of relief material via military transport aircraft. An 80-member NDRF search and rescue team was also deployed to Mandalay to assist in rescue operations.

In 2025 alone, the Indian Army deployed 141 columns across more than 80 locations in ten states, rescuing over 28,000 civilians and providing medical aid to thousands more.

Role of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) 🔗

While the armed forces provide crucial support during disasters, India also has a dedicated specialized force focused entirely on disaster response – the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and constituted in 2006 under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the NDRF has emerged as one of the most trained and reliable disaster management forces in the world.

Structure and composition 🔗

The NDRF currently comprises 16 battalions drawn from India’s Central Armed Police Forces – including the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, and Assam Rifles. Each battalion has a strength of approximately 1,149 personnel and is capable of fielding 18 self-contained specialist search and rescue teams. These teams include engineers, technicians, electricians, canine units, and medical and paramedic personnel.

The force is headed by a Director General, an IPS officer. NDRF battalions are strategically positioned across India based on the country’s disaster vulnerability profile, ensuring minimal response time when deployed to disaster sites.

Handling CBRN emergencies 🔗

What sets the NDRF apart from regular disaster response agencies is its specialized capability to handle Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) emergencies. Four battalions of the NDRF have been specifically earmarked to respond to CBRN contingencies and are stationed at bases with airlift facilities for rapid deployment.

NDRF personnel undergo rigorous training in CBRN response at prestigious institutions including DRDO, BARC, and military training establishments. The force maintains 180 authorized CBRN teams, each with a strength of 47 personnel, positioned at various locations across the country. As of recent reports, over 9,134 NDRF officers and personnel have undergone CBRN training, including Radiological Safety Officers, Training of Trainers courses, and Mobile Radiation Detection System courses.

The NDRF also conducts regular mock drill exercises in coordination with expert agencies. Over 316 mock exercises in CBRN contingencies have been conducted, benefiting nearly 98,000 participants. The force possesses hazmat vehicles and specialized detection equipment to identify and respond to chemical or radiological incidents.

Track record in disaster response 🔗

The NDRF has built an impressive operational record since its formation. The force has saved over 133,000 lives and recovered more than 2,700 bodies across 73 response operations. Notable deployments include the Jammu and Kashmir floods of 2014, where NDRF teams worked despite non-functional communication and electricity, and the Nepal earthquake of 2015, where they were deployed for international rescue and medical assistance.

During the Bellary building collapse in 2010, three NDRF teams were airlifted to the site and carried out operations for nine days straight, rescuing 20 people from under the debris – the last survivor on the ninth day. Beyond national borders, the force has participated in international humanitarian missions, demonstrating India’s commitment to global disaster preparedness.

Community preparedness and capacity building 🔗

The NDRF’s role extends beyond emergency response. The force actively conducts community awareness programmes, training sessions for State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs), and disaster preparedness drills in schools and communities. The NDMA has also approved a centrally sponsored scheme to train community volunteers in disaster response across 30 of India’s most flood-prone districts, building grassroots resilience.

Police responsibilities in disaster situations 🔗

The police force is often the very first agency to reach a disaster site, given its extensive local presence across cities, towns, and rural areas. While the armed forces and NDRF bring specialized capabilities, the police play a foundational role in maintaining order, ensuring security, and facilitating the overall disaster response process.

Maintaining law and order 🔗

Disasters can quickly lead to chaos – looting, panic, and civil unrest are common in the aftermath. The police are responsible for maintaining law and order during these critical periods. This includes preventing theft and looting of abandoned properties, protecting relief materials from being stolen or hoarded, and managing disputes that can arise in overcrowded relief camps.

During the Kosi floods in Bihar, for example, over 400 relief camps housed people from multiple villages with different religious, political, and caste backgrounds. This created significant potential for friction, making police presence essential for maintaining peace and ensuring fair distribution of relief supplies.

Crowd management and traffic regulation 🔗

Large numbers of people gather at relief centres during disaster situations, and effective crowd management becomes critical. The police regulate the distribution process at relief sites, manage entry and exit points, and prevent stampedes or disorderly behaviour. Under Indian law, the police have the authority to use provisions like Section 144 of the CrPC to restrict assemblies and activities likely to disturb peace, which can be invoked during disaster situations to maintain public safety.

Traffic regulation is another critical police function during disasters. Roads must be kept clear for the movement of rescue teams, ambulances, relief convoys, and military equipment. The police establish checkpoints, manage diversions, and ensure safe passage for all emergency vehicles.

Search, rescue, and first response 🔗

As the agency with the most widespread local presence, the police often carry out initial search and rescue operations before specialized teams arrive. Police officers are trained in basic first aid and emergency response during their training at constable, sub-inspector, and deputy superintendent levels. They assist in evacuating affected populations, transporting injured individuals to hospitals, and coordinating with other agencies on the ground.

Security at disaster sites and relief camps 🔗

The police provide security to disaster sites, relief camps, medical centres, and key infrastructure. This includes protecting government and NGO employees, volunteers, and health workers engaged in relief operations. The police also manage VIP visits to disaster-affected areas and relief camps, which often attract protests or demonstrations from dissatisfied groups.

In long-term evacuation shelters, police play a role in ensuring the safety of vulnerable groups – including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. As shelter situations evolve, issues related to accommodation, resource allocation, and interpersonal conflicts require ongoing police attention to prevent them from escalating into law and order problems.

Role of paramilitary forces 🔗

India’s Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) – including the BSF, CRPF, and ITBP – complement the state police during large-scale disasters. The Rapid Action Force (RAF), a specialized wing of the CRPF, is designed for swift response in situations requiring specialized crowd management. The BSF, while primarily responsible for border security, is also trained in disaster response and frequently assists in post-crisis relief operations. These paramilitary forces bring additional manpower, discipline, and specialized equipment to disaster management efforts.

Coordination between agencies 🔗

Effective disaster management relies not just on individual agencies performing their roles well, but on seamless coordination between them. India’s disaster management framework, governed by the Disaster Management Act, 2005, establishes a three-tier institutional structure at the national, state, and district levels. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) oversees overall coordination during major disasters, while the Ministry of Home Affairs serves as the nodal ministry.

At the local level, the District Magistrate leads the response through District Disaster Management Authorities and Incident Command Teams. Representatives of the armed forces are included in state and district executive committees to ensure closer coordination between military and civilian agencies. The NDRF collaborates closely with the India Meteorological Department for early warnings, enabling pre-positioning of teams in disaster-prone areas before a calamity strikes.

Multi-agency exercises like Sanyukt Vimochan 2024, conducted by the Indian Army at Ahmedabad and Porbandar, demonstrate this coordinated approach. These exercises simulate disaster scenarios where all agencies – the armed forces, NDRF, SDRF, Coast Guard, and state agencies – practise coordinated logistics, rapid response, rescue operations, and rehabilitation together.

Challenges and the road ahead 🔗

Despite India’s robust disaster management framework, challenges remain. The armed forces, while effective responders, lack explicit legal provisions defining their role in the Disaster Management Act – the Act mentions deployment but offers no amplification of their specific responsibilities. Equipment gaps also exist, particularly in mountain rescue scenarios where NDRF’s specialized gear cannot always be transported by helicopter.

For the police, resource constraints, training deficiencies in advanced disaster response, and the pressure of managing routine law enforcement alongside disaster duties pose ongoing challenges. Climate change is making disasters more frequent and severe, demanding greater investment in preparedness, technology, and inter-agency training.

The integration of technology – drones for surveillance, AI-powered early warning systems, and robotic search-and-rescue systems – is gradually strengthening India’s disaster response capabilities. The deployment of AI-powered robotic systems during Operation Brahma in 2025 marked a significant step toward technology-driven disaster management.

What do you think? Given that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of disasters in India, should there be a dedicated legal framework that clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of the armed forces in disaster management? And how can police forces at the state level be better trained and equipped for disaster response alongside their regular duties?

References

1. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2228319&reg=3&lang=2
2. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2074664
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Brahma
4. https://www.clearias.com/national-disaster-response-force/
5. https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/national-disaster-response-force-ndrf/
6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3148632/
7. https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!bharat/ndrf-is-prepared-to-counter-any-chemical-biological-and-nuclear-threat-dg-enn25021905764
8. https://www.orfonline.org/research/dealing-with-violent-civil-protests-in-india
9. https://factly.in/explainer-how-is-the-police-supposed-to-control-crowds-deal-with-violent-protests/
10. https://sociology.institute/india-democracy-development/indian-police-public-order-response-strategy/