Lessons learnt and best practices

Irshalwadi Landslide Case Study

On 19 July 2023, several residents of the Irshalwadi village in Raigad district lost their lives due to a massive landslide. The response and relief measures that followed the event were documented. This incident highlights the opportunity to learn valuable lessons to prevent future disasters. The document emphasizes the need for early preparatory measures, improved infrastructure, strict settlement regulations, regular hazard mapping, monitoring of landslide indicators, and training NGOs and volunteers to enhance disaster preparedness and response in Maharashtra.

Irshalwadi Landslide Case study [PDF- 2MB]

Kharghar Heatstroke Case Study

The Maharashtra Bhushan Award conferring program was held at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai on 16 April 2023. During this event, multiple people suffered from prolonged exposure to heatwave leading to heat exhaustion and sunstroke. This incident highlights the opportunity to learn valuable lessons to prevent future disasters. The document highlights the need for strict adherence to heatwave warnings, careful planning of public events, protection of vulnerable groups, improved infrastructure, and the use of technology to enhance safety and discourage outside travel during heatwaves in Maharashtra.

Kharghar Heatstroke Case study [PDF- 1MB]

Jalna District Online Portal

An online portal https://ddmajalna.com has been created for Jalna district to make the village/taluka disaster management plan available to all administrative bodies/officials, such as Talathi, Mandal Officer, Tehsildar, district level, at the same time, with a single click. On this portal, logins have been created for Talathis to fill in information about the Village Disaster Management Plan. After logging in, Talathis will be able to fill in the information of the villages under their jurisdiction online. Tehsildars have also been given login and will get updates on whether the village-wise plan of their tehsil has been filled on the portal or not through the tehsil office. Also, provision has been made for filling the taluka-wise plan online through the tehsil. A mobile app for the portal has also been developed. Since an SOS system will be provided on the portal, it will be easy for a citizen to provide information/photos to the administration if they want to report an emergency incident. Similarly, information such as daily weather updates, rainfall, water levels of projects in the district, leaflets on what to do and what not to do in various disasters, etc. will be made available. This will help in making necessary information available immediately in PDF format in case of emergency.

Development of Boat Safety SOP for Ujani Dam Backwater, Solapur

The waterway in the Ujani reservoir, stretching from Washimbe to Gangavalan in Indapur taluka, serves as an essential and convenient transportation route for agricultural goods and local residents. After the drowning incident in may 2024, considering the importance or route in terms of cost-effectiveness and time-saving aspect, the District Disaster Management Authority of Solapur District on September 30, 2024, the Honorable District Collector, who is also the Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority, instructed all concerned officials to submit a Boat Safety Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) under Section 30 of the Disaster Management Act of 2005. Following this directive, an SOP focused on boat safety in the Ujani reservoir was developed after referencing various national and state-level legislations and engaging in discussions with relevant officials and experts.

Case study of Crowd Management at Siddheshwar Yatra

The Siddheshwar Temple Yatra at Solapur, held annually during Makar Sankranti, is a significant cultural event in Maharashtra. It celebrates the story of Saint Shri Siddharameshwar through various rituals, including the Nandi Dhwajas procession, Akshata Sohala, and Homa ceremony, followed by a fair with food stalls and entertainment. In 2024, the event attracted close to two lakh devotees from neighbouring states and across Maharashtra. The Yatra is sacred to the Lingayat and Veershaiva communities, with widespread participation from people of all castes and religions in Solapur. The document highlights the importance of effective crowd management and the need to recognize stampedes as a state-level disaster to ensure safety during mass gatherings.

Case study of Crowd Management at Siddheshwar Yatra [PDF – 3 MB]

Case study of Crowd Management at Chaitya Bhoomi during Mahaparinirvan Diwas

The Mahaparinirvan Diwas, observed on 6 December annually, marks the death anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of India’s constitution. Each year, lakhs of people visit the Chaitya Bhoomi in Dadar, Mumbai, for this event. Visitors come from across India, especially from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat, as well as from neighbouring countries like Tibet and Bhutan. In 2024, despite the massive crowd, the event was well-managed without incidents of stampedes, heat strokes, or fires. The document highlights the crowd management practices at this event to replicate them elsewhere in Maharashtra and supports efforts to recognize stampedes as a state-level hazard.

Case study of Crowd Management at Chaitya Bhoomi during Mahaparinirvan Diwas [PDF – 2 MB]

Innovative practice of Disaster management by Gadchiroli

As an innovative practice of Disaster Education, Child Centric-Disaster Risk Reduction (CCDRR) and School Safety, the District Disaster Management Authority, Gadchiroli district conducted a general knowledge exam on disaster management in the various schools of district on 5th February 2025. The students and school administration from the district actively participated in the activity that was intended to raise awareness among students about disaster management.

Development and implementation of the Pandharpur Yatra Incident Response System (IRS) for Pandharpur Yatra, Solapur

Pandharpur is a significant pilgrimage destination where devotees pay their respects at the Shri Vitthal Rukmini temple. Known as the Southern Kashi of India and the Kuldaivat of Maharashtra, it attracts a large number of devotees from across Maharashtra and neighbouring states. Each year, these pilgrims gather primarily to celebrate the Ashadhi, Kartiki, Maagh, and Chaitra Ekadashis, in addition to the daily influx of visitors. During these festivals, the chariots (Palkhis) of various saints from different locations also converge in Pandharpur. Many pilgrims walk barefoot to the temple from various parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and beyond. Specifically, during the Ashadhi Wari, more than 2 million pilgrims participated in the festivities. Typically, visitors first take darshan (spiritual viewing) of Pundalik before bathing in the river Bhima, locally known as Chandrabhaga. After their bath, they proceed to the temple for darshan of Vitthal Rukmini. To effectively manage this large crowd, the District Administration of Solapur has developed and implemented the Incident Response System (IRS), which clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder. Since its inception in 2015, the system has been regularly updated to improve its efficiency. Thanks to the successful implementation of these measures, there have been no reported stampedes during Yatra.

Development of Disaster Management Plan for Pandharpur Yatra

At the pilgrimage site of Shri Vitthal Rukmini temple in the Pandharpur, Solapur district, more than 2 million pilgrims gather to celebrate the Ashadhi, Kartiki, Maagh, and Chaitra Ekadashis. The rituals involve the chariots (Palkhis) of saints arriving from different locations, darshan of Saint Pundalik, bathing in Chandrabhaga River and darshan of Vitthal Rukmini. In 2023, during a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in Solapur, it was decided that a comprehensive plan was necessary for the smooth conduct of the Yatra Waris at Pandharpur Teerthkshetra. With the support of a renowned crowd management expert, the DDMA Solapur prepared an “Incident Response System Based Disaster Management Plan for Pandharpur Religious Events.” This plan aims to provide overall management strategies for religious events in Pandharpur, with a particular focus on the management of Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi within the city area.