FAQ’s

The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is the apex statutory body constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to oversee all aspects of disaster management in the state. Chaired by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, SDMA is responsible for laying down policies, approving plans, and coordinating efforts for disaster risk reduction, preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery across the state.

Its functions include:

1. Formulating the State Disaster Management Plan (SDMP) and ensuring its implementation.
2. Coordinating with national bodies like the National Disaster Management
   Authority (NDMA), IMD, NDRF, and other state departments.
3. Establishing and maintaining emergency infrastructure like the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), District EOCs, and response mechanisms.
4. Conducting hazard risk assessments and promoting mitigation efforts.
5. Building community resilience through awareness, capacity building, and
   volunteer programs such as Aapda Mitra.

The SDMA plays a critical role in ensuring that Maharashtra is prepared to handle awide range of natural and human-induced hazards.

SDMA Maharashtra is responsible for managing but not limited to notified disasters.

These include:

1. Floods: Riverine floods, urban floods due to heavy rainfall or poor drainage systems.
2. Landslides: Especially in hilly districts like Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Satara, and Kolhapur.
3. Earthquakes: Maharashtra falls in seismic zones III and IV, with vulnerability in regions like Latur and Koyna.
4. Cyclones: Coastal districts such as Mumbai, Thane, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg face risks from Arabian Sea cyclones.
5. Heatwaves: Especially in districts like Nagpur, Chandrapur, Akola, and Amravati.
6. Lightning: Frequent in Vidarbha and Marathwada.
7. Droughts: Common in rain-shadow areas such as Beed, Jalna, and Ahmednagar.
8. Chemical spills, industrial fires, gas leaks (especially in MIDC areas).
9. Building collapses, road/rail accidents, and urban fires.
10. Biological hazards such as pandemics (e.g., COVID-19), zoonotic diseases, or food-borne outbreaks.

By coordinating preventive, preparatory, and responsive actions, SDMA ensures that the state is better equipped to deal with both predictable seasonal disasters and sudden-onset events.

In the event of a disaster or emergency, citizens of Maharashtra have several channels to seek immediate help and information:

1. Universal Emergency Helpline – 112

This is India’s integrated emergency number which connects you to police, fire, and medical services.

2. District Emergency Operation Centers (DEOCs) — 1070

Every district in Maharashtra has a dedicated DEOC, which acts as a local command and control hub during disasters. You can contact your District Collector’s Office or visit the DEOC directly.

3. State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC): 11077/ +91-9321587143

Located in Mumbai, the SEOC operates 24×7 and coordinates with all DEOCs. You can reach out through the SDMA website or by emailing the Revenue & Disaster Management Department.

4. Social Media Helpline:

During emergencies, verified updates and instructions are shared on SDMA’s official Twitter/x (@SDMAMaharashtra), Instagram , Facebook, and LinkedIn pages.
We urge citizens to keep emergency contact numbers handy and follow only official channels for verified information during disasters.

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is Maharashtra’s centralized command and control hub for disaster preparedness and response. Located in Mumbai, the SEOC operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for real-time disaster monitoring, coordination, and decision-making.

Key Features:

1. GIS-Based Risk Dashboard: Integrates hazard maps, real-time weather data, and population vulnerability indicators to visualize risk areas.
2. Live Feed Integration: Receives inputs from IMD, NDRF, Indian Railways, MMRDA, NIC, and other agencies for early warning and situational awareness.
3. Decision Support Systems (DSS): Enables data-driven decisions for evacuation, relief deployment, and resource allocation.
4. Video Conferencing & Communication Infrastructure: Connects SEOC with all 36 DEOCs, Collectorates, and key departments for rapid information sharing.
5. Incident Logging and Reporting: Tracks and documents all emergency events, response activities, and impact data for transparency and learning.

The SEOC serves as the operational nerve center for the Government of Maharashtra during crises, ensuring a synchronized and timely response to safeguard lives and livelihoods.

While the SEOC coordinates operations at the state level, every district in Maharashtra has a District Emergency Operations Center (DEOC), functioning as the first-line response hub during disasters. DEOCs are managed by the respective District Collectors and are supported by trained staff from various departments.

Role and Responsibilities:

1. Monitoring and Reporting: DEOCs track local hazards, collect early warnings, and escalate alerts to the SEOC.
2. Response Coordination: Coordinate search and rescue, relief distribution, and medical aid in affected areas.
3. Public Communication: Disseminate alerts and advisories to citizens through social media, local media, Panchayats, and SMS alerts.
4. Resource Management: Maintain an inventory of district-level resources, shelter availability, and response teams.
5. Disaster Preparedness: Conduct mock drills, trainings, and capacity-building for officials and community volunteers.

By bridging the gap between the state’s disaster response machinery and the grassroots, DEOCs ensure timely action tailored to local needs and risks.

The State Institute of Disaster Management (SIDM) Maharashtra is the training, research, and capacity-building wing of the Maharashtra SDMA. Its core mission is to strengthen institutional and community capacity for disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate resilience, and emergency response.

Key Functions of SIDM:

1. Training Programs: Organizes certified training programs for government officials, police personnel, health workers, municipal staff, and civil society actors on various disaster scenarios (floods, earthquakes, chemical hazards, etc.).
2. Community Engagement: Leads initiatives like Apda Mitra Yojana, school safety programs, and Panchayat-level DRR orientation.
3. Knowledge Resource Hub: Develops and disseminates handbooks, manuals, guidelines, and IEC materials in English and Marathi.
4. Research and Innovation: Encourages evidence-based policymaking by supporting research on risk mapping, behavioural response, and impact assessment.
5. Support to SEOC and DEOCs: Plays a key role in standardizing SOPs and capacity development across operational centers in the state.

SIDM ensures that disaster preparedness is not limited to response teams alone but percolates across departments, sectors, and communities.

If you are a citizen of Maharashtra who wants to serve your community during disasters and emergencies, you can register as an Aapda Mitra—a trained disaster management volunteer under the official program of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Maharashtra.

Who can register?

• Individuals aged 18 to 45 years
• Physically fit and mentally alert
• Permanent residents of the district or region
• Willing to undergo 10–12 days of structured training, often in a residential format

How to register:

1. Visit your District Collectorate or District Emergency Operations Center (DEOC) and inquire about Aapda Mitra registration.
2. Check the official SDMA website or your district’s official site (e.g., latur.gov.in) for open calls or online registration forms.
3. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the district administration and enrolled in certified training sessions conducted in collaboration with SIDM Maharashtra or local institutes.

What does the training include?

1. Basic first aid and CPR
2. Search and rescue in floods, landslides, and fires
3. Psychological first response
4. Emergency communication and coordination
5. Shelter management and crowd control

Benefits of Joining:

1. Certification by SDMA & NDMA (Government of India)
2. Free disaster response kits (e.g., safety jacket, flashlight, helmet, gloves)
3. Priority participation in mock drills, community exercises, and CSR-supported programs
4. Recognition as a trained first responder at the village, block, or ward level

Thousands of Aapda Mitras across Maharashtra have played critical roles in recent floods, landslides, cyclones, and lightning preparedness campaigns. By becoming one, you are not just volunteering—you are becoming a vital part of your community’s disaster response system.

🔗 For more details, visit the NDMA Aapda Mitra Portal or check active calls on your district website.

SDMA Maharashtra integrates a multi-layered early warning ecosystem that provides timely, location-specific, and actionable alerts to both the public and government departments. These systems are especially critical for hydro-meteorological hazards such as floods, cyclones, lightning, and heatwaves.

Core Early Warning Components:

1. CAP SACHET: Delivers region-specific alerts for rainfall, heatwaves, lightning, and cyclones, integrated into SEOC’s dashboards.
2. SMS Alerts: Targeted alerts are sent in Marathi and English to vulnerable communities, farmers, fishermen, and district officials.
3. GIS-Based Visual Dashboard: Shows live vulnerability maps, shelter locations, and hazard trends (e.g., rising river levels).
4. Radio, TV, and Loudspeaker Networks: Used to reach rural and tribal communities where digital connectivity may be weak.
5. Social Media Channels: SDMA and district officials use Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share rapid alerts with graphics and maps.

By combining technology, language localization, and community outreach, SDMA ensures early warnings reach the last mile.

If a disaster is forecasted or imminent (like a cyclone, cloudburst, or extreme heat), SDMA and your local authorities will ensure you receive multiple alerts through the following channels:

For Citizens:

1. SMS messages in Marathi and English, geo-targeted to your area.
2. Mobile pop-up alerts (enabled in collaboration with telecom providers) (coming soon).
3. Social media updates from SDMA’s verified accounts (@SDMAMaharashtra).
4. Public announcements via loudspeakers, sirens, and Panchayat vehicles.

For Government and First Responders:

1. Flash alerts on SEOC and DEOC dashboards.
2. Auto-generated triggers to fire stations, civil hospitals, police control rooms.
3. Pre-emptive alerts to schools, Aanganwadis, and shelter managers.

You are encouraged to follow SDMA and IMD on social media, save the emergency number (1077/ 1070/ 112), and ensure your mobile number is linked with your local telecom circle to receive location-based alerts.

Being prepared is the first step toward resilience. SDMA encourages all citizens to develop basic awareness and take proactive steps depending on the types of disasters prevalent in their region.

Flood Preparedness:

• Identify the nearest high ground and evacuation shelter.
• Store emergency supplies (dry food, clean water, torch, medicines, important documents).
• Avoid walking or driving through flooded streets; just 6 inches of moving water can knock you over.
• Keep drains clean to avoid urban flooding in monsoon.

Heatwave Preparedness:

• Stay hydrated; drink water even if you’re not thirsty.
• Avoid going out during peak sun hours (12 pm to 4 pm).
• Wear light, loose cotton clothes and a cap or umbrella.
• Watch out for signs of heat stroke: dizziness, nausea, confusion.

Earthquake Preparedness:

• Identify “safe spots” at home (under sturdy furniture, away from windows).
• Secure heavy objects and appliances.
• Practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold” drills regularly with family members.
• After a quake, check for gas leaks and structural damage before re-entering.

You can download hazard-specific checklists from Maha SDMA’s IEC Resource Center and follow us on social media for seasonal preparedness updates.

In the event of a disaster like a flood, cyclone, or landslide, the local administration, in coordination with SDMA, sets up emergency shelters and relief camps for affected individuals and families.

To locate shelter/assistance:

• Listen to official instructions on local radio, TV, or public loudspeakers.
• Follow updates from your District Collector, Municipal Corporation, or DEOC via social media or WhatsApp groups.
• Call 1070 or 112 for guidance.

What to expect at a relief camp:

• Safe shelter with basic amenities
• Clean drinking water and food
• Medical check-ups, especially for women, children, and the elderly
• Psychological first aid and counselling (in some cases)

Citizens are advised to carry essential documents, a small emergency kit, and remain calm while cooperating with officials for evacuation. During monsoon or cyclone season, pre-designated shelter maps are often displayed in community centers and Panchayat offices.

Lightning strikes are a leading cause of weather-related deaths in rural Maharashtra, especially in Vidarbha and Marathwada. SDMA has a dedicated Lightning Safety Campaign and shares warnings through IMD’s Nowcast alerts and mobile networks.

Precautionary Measures:

• As soon as you hear thunder, move indoors. “When thunder roars, go indoors.”
• Avoid open fields, hilltops, tall trees, water bodies, and metal structures.
• If no shelter is nearby, crouch low on your toes, keeping minimal contact with the ground.
• Do not use wired phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing systems inside homes during a lightning storm.

Special Note for Farmers and Outdoor Workers:

• Avoid working in fields during predicted thunderstorm hours.
• Keep your mobile phones charged and registered to receive lightning SMS alerts issued by IMD-SDMA.

Citizens are encouraged to follow SDMA’s visual IEC material on lightning safety, which is available in Marathi and English for download.

A Heatwave Action Plan is a coordinated strategy by the state government to reduce the adverse health impacts of extreme heat, especially among vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, daily wage workers, and outdoor labourers.

Components of the Heatwave Action Plan:

• Early warnings from IMD integrated into SDMA and local authority dashboards
• Public advisories via radio, WhatsApp, social media, and loudspeakers
• Setting up hydration points and shade shelters in busy markets, bus stops, and railway stations
• Ensuring uninterrupted water and power supply in urban slums
• Temporary rescheduling of school timings and public construction works

Heatwave-vulnerable districts in Maharashtra include:

• Nandurbar, Dhule, Jalgaon, Buldhana, Akola, Washim, Amravati, Wardha, Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, Nanded, Latur, Yavatmal

SDMA’s Heatwave Plan is developed in consultation with NDMA and follows WHO guidelines on thermal stress. Citizens can access district-wise advisories on the SDMA portal during the summer months.

Landslides are a recurring threat in the Konkan and Western Ghat regions of Maharashtra, including districts like Raigad, Ratnagiri, Satara, and Sindhudurg. SDMA follows a two-pronged approach to tackle this hazard:

1.Structural Measures:

• Retaining walls and slope stabilization using gabions, terracing, and vegetation
• Rainwater drainage systems on hill slopes to prevent soil erosion
• Installation of geo-sensors in high-risk areas for early detection of movement
• Construction of protective bunds and community evacuation paths

2. Non-Structural Measures:

• GIS-based Hazard Risk Vulnerability Assessments (HRVA) for micro-planning
• Public awareness campaigns in vulnerable villages during monsoon
• Regular mock drills and evacuation planning with local Gram Panchayats
• Temporary relocation of residents in chronic high-risk zones during peak rainfall season

The recent intervention in Sindhudurg and Kolhapur, where community input was combined with satellite mapping to design locally accepted warning and response systems, has saved lives and set a model for future work.

A Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) is a comprehensive, evidence-based process used to evaluate the economic, social, infrastructural, and environmental impact of a disaster. It helps governments prioritize recovery and reconstruction needs, align them with development goals, and mobilize funds from state, national, and international agencies.

In Maharashtra, the PDNA methodology is applied after significant events such as major floods, cyclones, or landslides. It is guided by frameworks developed by the Government of India, NDMA, UNDP, and the World Bank.

Key components of PDNA:

• Sectoral Damage Assessment: Housing, agriculture, health, education, water supply, roads, etc.
• Human Impact: Displacement, loss of livelihoods, gender-based vulnerabilities.
• Cost Estimation: Quantifies damages, losses, and needs (short-, medium-, and long-term).
• Resilient Recovery Planning: Focuses not just on rebuilding, but building back better — more climate-resilient homes, infrastructure, and services.

SDMA works with district administrations, line departments, academic institutions, and technical partners (e.g., Palladium India, UNICEF, NDMA) to ensure PDNA exercises are scientifically sound and people-centric. The findings feed into state and district disaster recovery frameworks, ensuring post-disaster interventions are not reactive but transformative.

The State Disaster Management Plan (SDMP) is the overarching policy and operational document that guides all disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response, and recovery actions in Maharashtra. It is a legally mandated document under Section 23 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

What does the SDMP include?

• Hazard-risk profiles for each district
• Climate change risk integration
• Early warning and communication protocols
• Roles and responsibilities of state departments (Health, Urban Development, Police, etc.)
• Coordination mechanisms between SEOC, DEOCs, and local bodies
• Guidelines for relief, compensation, and recovery
• Linkages with national frameworks (Sendai Framework, NDMA guidelines)

The SDMP is updated periodically to reflect evolving risks and new technologies (e.g., AI-based forecasting, drone mapping, etc.). It includes Annexures on emergency contact lists, shelter locations, and SOPs.

You can access the latest version of the SDMP on the SDMA Maharashtra website under the “Plans & Policies” section or request a hard copy via the Commissioner’s office. Local bodies are also encouraged to prepare District Disaster Management Plans (DDMPs) aligned with the SDMP.

SDMA Maharashtra has embraced technology and data-driven systems to ensure faster, smarter, and more inclusive disaster response and risk reduction. Key innovations include:

1. GIS-Based Risk Mapping:

• Real-time dashboards visualize flood zones, landslide-prone slopes, and shelter points
• Used to identify hotspots for focused mitigation (e.g., low-lying slums in Mumbai)

2. Integration with IMD, NIC, and NDMA Platforms:

• Automated alert systems (lightning, rainfall, heatwaves) feed into SEOC systems
• Nowcasting and SANCHET alerts are geo-tagged to warn district-level officials

3. Swaas Chatbot and AI Tools (Planned):

• Citizens can access advisories, FAQs, and emergency contacts through the website chatbot
• Use of AI is being piloted for predictive modelling and decision support during cyclones or floods

4. Drone Surveillance and Satellite Imagery:

• Used during rescue missions and post-disaster damage assessment
• Enhances ground truthing in remote or inaccessible areas

5. Mobile Dashboards for District Officials:

• DEOCs and Collectorates can input real-time data on casualties, damage, and relief via mobile-enabled MIS apps

Through these tools, SDMA aims to enhance situational awareness, inter-agency coordination, and accountability, ultimately leading to better outcomes on the ground.

Yes, the SDMA Maharashtra website is designed in compliance with GIGW 3.0 (Guidelines for Indian Government Websites) and follows the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to ensure inclusivity and ease of access for all users, including persons with disabilities (PwDs) and senior citizens.

Accessibility features include:

• Screen Reader Compatibility: Allows visually impaired users to navigate using assistive devices.
• Text Resizing Controls: Users can adjust font sizes for easier readability.
• Contrast Toggle: High-contrast mode improves visibility for users with visual impairments.
• Keyboard Navigation: Enables site navigation without a mouse.
• Chatbot Accessibility: The Swaas chatbot supports voice-to-text for users with mobility or dexterity limitations.

Moreover, all critical advisories, disaster alerts, and safety materials are also made available in Marathi and English and can be downloaded in PDF for offline access.

SDMA is committed to expanding these features continuously based on user feedback and emerging national digital inclusion standards.

When a disaster such as a flood, landslide, industrial fire, or severe storm impacts any part of Maharashtra, the response is swift, structured, and coordinated across multiple agencies under SDMA’s framework.

Immediate Actions Triggered Include:

• Activation of SEOC and DEOC Protocols: The SEOC in Mumbai and the respective District Emergency Operations Center (DEOC) initiate real-time coordination and monitoring using GIS and alert systems.
• Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA): Local officials, civil defence, police, and trained Apda Mitra volunteers conduct preliminary assessments on casualties, infrastructure damage, and service disruptions.
• Evacuation and Relief Deployment: If required, evacuation operations begin using pre-identified shelters and transport. Relief kits including food, water, blankets, and essential medicines are dispatched.
• Health and Rescue Services: Emergency medical teams, ambulances, and fire brigades are mobilized. Hospitals are alerted to be on standby for casualties.
• Public Communication: The Collector, SDMA, and local bodies begin disseminating verified information, safety guidance, and helpline numbers via SMS, local radio, and social media.

Every district also has a District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) headed by the Collector, which ensures that district-level response aligns with the State Disaster Management Plan (SDMP). These efforts continue into recovery and rehabilitation phases, coordinated by SDMA.

Yes, SDMA actively encourages and facilitates partnerships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), academic institutions, and independent researchers working in the field of disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate adaptation, emergency response, and public health.

Forms of Collaboration Include:

• IEC Development & Community Awareness: NGOs assist in developing locally relevant awareness campaigns for floods, lightning, heatwaves, and more.
• Research Support: Universities and think tanks contribute to HRVA studies, behavioural analysis, climate risk assessments, and PDNA methodologies.
• Training & Capacity Building: Organizations co-facilitate disaster drills, school safety programs, and special training modules for Panchayats, ASHAs, and youth volunteers.
• Last-Mile Relief & Rehabilitation: NGOs often play a crucial role in remote areas or tribal districts where government access may be delayed due to terrain or weather.
• Joint Pilot Projects: SDMA collaborates with institutions like IIT Bombay, TISS, and YASHADA, and with international agencies (e.g., UNDP, UNICEF) to pilot innovations like digital hazard alerts, drone-assisted mapping, and inclusive shelter designs.

Partnership proposals can be submitted via official channels or brought to the attention of the Commissioner, Disaster Management, Revenue Department, Government of Maharashtra.

SDMA Maharashtra has curated a rich set of IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials in both English and Marathi, aimed at enhancing public awareness and preparedness for various hazards.

All these resources are free to download and accessible via the “Resources” or “IEC Materials” section on the SDMA website. Citizens, schools, housing societies, RWAs, and NGOs are encouraged to use these for internal drills, community meetings, and outreach activities.

SDMA Maharashtra values citizen feedback and encourages proactive reporting of grievances or service gaps related to disaster preparedness, response, or relief distribution.

Ways to Report or Share Feedback:

1. Online Grievance Form: Available in the “Feedback & Grievance” section of the SDMA website. You can submit your name, contact info, issue type, and a short description. Supporting documents or photos can also be uploaded.
2. Email Communication: For more formal submissions or stakeholder queries, write to dmu2disaster-mah@gov.in.
3. District Control Room Contact: For immediate local concerns—especially during ongoing events—you can call 1070 or visit your District Collector’s office or DEOC.
4. Social Media Tagging: You may tag @SDMAMaharashtra on X (Twitter), Instagram, or Facebook with real-time inputs (ensure GPS/location tags are turned on for verification).

All grievances received are logged, time-stamped, and routed to the concerned district or departmental node, with efforts made for resolution within a specified period. Citizens may also receive follow-up calls for verification or satisfaction checks.

To ensure transparency, timely communication, and citizen engagement, SDMA Maharashtra is active on multiple social media and digital platforms. These platforms are used for real-time disaster alerts, awareness campaigns, behind-the-scenes updates, and community stories.

Official Digital Platforms:

• X (formerly Twitter): @SDMAMaharashtra — Live alerts, advisories, and infographics
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdmamaharashtra — Visual campaigns, reels, preparedness tips
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDMAMaharashtra — Longer updates, community engagement stories, event coverage
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mahasdma — Strategic updates, partnerships, and institutional insights

We encourage you to follow, like, and share our content to become part of the movement for a disaster-resilient Maharashtra. If you are an influencer, educator, or community leader, consider amplifying our IEC content in your circles.