Vidarbha Schools: NDMA Guidelines for Flood and Seismic Safety Measures

thenewsdirt
Jun 9
5 min read

India’s schools face growing threats from natural disasters, with floods and earthquakes posing significant risks to students and staff.

In Vidarbha, regions like Chandrapur and Yavatmal are particularly vulnerable due to their exposure to flooding and seismic activity.

New guidelines from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) provide a clear framework to make school infrastructure safer, ensuring protection and continuity of education in these high-risk areas.

NDMA Guidelines for Disaster-Resilient Schools

The NDMA, guided by the Disaster Management Act 2005 and reinforced by a 2009 Supreme Court ruling, has outlined comprehensive measures to safeguard school infrastructure against natural disasters.

These guidelines, rooted in the Right to Education Act 2009 and the National Building Code (NBC) 2005, adopt an all-hazard approach to address risks such as floods, earthquakes, and extreme heat.

Schools are assigned an Importance Factor of 1.5 under the NBC, highlighting their critical role in society and necessitating stringent safety standards.

Structural safety is a cornerstone of the guidelines. In seismic zones, including parts of Vidarbha like Yavatmal, which falls under zones III and IV, schools must incorporate flexible designs, steel reinforcements, and high-quality materials to withstand earthquakes. For flood-prone areas like Chandrapur, buildings require elevated foundations and robust drainage systems to prevent water ingress.

New constructions must be built on higher plinths, while existing structures may need retrofitting or, in extreme cases, relocation to safer sites.

Non-structural safety is equally critical. Furniture, laboratory chemicals, electrical fittings, and ceiling fans must be securely anchored to prevent hazards during disasters. Schools are required to conduct Hazard Hunt Exercises, involving students, teachers, and community members, to identify vulnerabilities such as blocked evacuation routes or weak infrastructure. Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) by civil engineers further assesses structural integrity to pinpoint areas needing retrofitting.

Each school must develop a tailored Disaster Management (DM) Plan, incorporating hazard risk and vulnerability assessments to address local threats.

These plans outline preparedness measures, such as forming Disaster Management Committees, maintaining resource inventories with items like stretchers and fire extinguishers, and mapping evacuation routes. Response strategies include hazard-specific plans, crowd management, and provisions for differently-abled students.

Regular drills, conducted every six months, ensure preparedness, with evacuation targets of less than one minute from classrooms and four minutes from the school premises.

The guidelines also emphasise community involvement. Schools must collaborate with Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), parents, and local communities to foster collective responsibility. Students are trained as safety ambassadors, spreading awareness through campaigns and drills.

Funding for these initiatives can be sourced from schemes like the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) or Member of Legislative Assembly Local Area Development (MLALAD) funds, ensuring resources for retrofitting, new constructions, and disaster management kits equipped with flood- or earthquake-specific tools.

Retrofitting Schools in Vidarbha’s High-Risk Zones

In Vidarbha, the unique challenges of Chandrapur and Yavatmal demand tailored retrofitting strategies. Chandrapur, located near the Wardha and Wainganga rivers, faces frequent flooding during monsoons. Schools in this region require elevated foundations, ideally at least one metre above flood levels, to prevent water damage.

Retrofitting efforts include installing flood barriers and reinforcing drainage systems to divert water away from buildings. New constructions must be built on elevated plinths with well-designed drainage to avoid waterlogging.

Schools near riverbanks may need relocation to safer sites, though this involves logistical challenges.

Yavatmal, while primarily heat-prone, also lies in seismic zones III and IV, necessitating earthquake-resistant designs. Retrofitting involves strengthening existing buildings with steel reinforcements and flexible structures that comply with NBC 2005 standards.

To address heat stress, schools must incorporate improved ventilation, reflective roofing, and shading structures to reduce indoor temperatures.

Both regions require non-structural measures, such as securing furniture, laboratory chemicals, and electrical panels, to ensure safety during disasters.

Disaster Management Plans are central to the retrofitting process. In Chandrapur, schools must develop flood-specific plans, focusing on evacuation routes and crowd management during heavy rainfall.

Yavatmal must address seismic risks, with drills simulating earthquake scenarios, and include heat stress management through hydration stations and shaded areas. Hazard Hunt Exercises and RVS assessments will identify vulnerabilities, such as dilapidated buildings in Yavatmal or open drains in Chandrapur, guiding retrofitting priorities.

Community engagement plays a vital role in Vidarbha. PRIs and local communities collaborate to secure funding and support safety initiatives. Students trained as safety ambassadors will promote preparedness through awareness campaigns, while teachers and staff will be trained to assist differently-abled students during evacuations.

Disaster management kits, tailored to local risks, include sandbags for Chandrapur’s floods and rescue equipment for Yavatmal’s earthquakes. Regular drills ensure rapid response, with schools aiming to meet NDMA evacuation timelines.

Implementing the NDMA guidelines in Vidarbha’s schools offers significant advantages. Strengthened infrastructure reduces the risk of injury or death during floods, earthquakes, or heat waves, protecting students, staff, and nearby communities.

Schools can resume operations quickly after disasters, minimising disruptions to education. In Chandrapur, elevated buildings and drainage systems will prevent flood-related closures, while in Yavatmal, seismic retrofitting will ensure structural stability during earthquakes.

Beyond immediate safety, schools serve as community shelters during disasters, providing refuge and resources.

The involvement of students and locals in safety initiatives fosters a culture of preparedness, empowering communities to respond effectively to crises. Training programs and drills build confidence, particularly among young students, who carry safety knowledge into their homes and villages.

Challenges in Implementing Safety Measures

Despite the clear benefits, retrofitting Vidarbha’s schools faces several hurdles. Funding remains a significant barrier, as retrofitting and new constructions require substantial investment.

Rural areas like Chandrapur and Yavatmal often lack adequate financial resources, relying heavily on external schemes like MPLAD or MLALAD funds.

Securing consistent funding for ongoing maintenance, such as clearing drainage systems or inspecting retrofitted structures, adds further complexity.

A shortage of skilled engineers and architects familiar with seismic and flood-resistant designs poses another challenge.

Training programs are needed to build local expertise, but these require time and resources. Awareness among stakeholders, including school administrators and parents, may be limited, necessitating extensive outreach to ensure buy-in for safety initiatives.

Maintenance of retrofitted infrastructure and disaster management kits is critical but often neglected.

Drainage systems in Chandrapur must be regularly cleared to remain effective, while Yavatmal’s seismic reinforcements require periodic inspections. Relocating schools in high-risk areas, such as Chandrapur’s floodplains, faces logistical and social resistance, as communities may oppose moving established institutions.

Coordinating these efforts across government agencies, schools, and communities demands strong leadership and sustained commitment.

As Vidarbha’s schools adopt these safety measures, the region stands to gain a robust network of secure educational institutions. The focus on retrofitting and preparedness not only protects lives but also strengthens community bonds through shared responsibility. With continued investment and collaboration, these efforts will pave the way for a safer, more resilient future for students and residents alike.