Centre approves over Rs 1554 crore to deal with “natural calamities” in five states

New Delhi: The center on Wednesday approved Rs.1554.99 crore to five states to deal with the challenges of “natural calamities” as

The decision was taken by the High-Level Committee (HLC), under the Chairmanship of the Union Home Minister under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to five States, affected by flood, flash flood, landslides, cyclonic storm during year 2024.

“This shows the resolve of the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help the people of five States who faced these natural disasters” said the Home Ministry in a statement.

The HLC approved central assistance of Rs.1554.99 crore to five States from NDRF, subject to an adjustment of 50% of the opening balance for the year available in the SDRF.

Out of the total amount of Rs.1554.99 crore, Rs 608.08 crore has been approved for Andhra Pradesh, Rs 170.99 crore for Nagaland, Rs 255.24 crore for Odisha, Rs. 231.75 crore for Telangana and Rs. 288.93 crore for Tripura.

This additional assistance is over and above the funds released by the Centre to the States in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), already placed at the disposal of the States.

During the financial year 2024-25, the Central Government has released Rs. 18,322.80 crore to 27 States in SDRF and Rs. 4,808.30 crore from NDRF to 18 States, Rs. 2208.55 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 14 States and Rs. 719.72 crore from National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to 08 States.

The Central Government had deputed Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) to these States, immediately after the calamities, without waiting for the receipt of a formal Memorandum.

Studies suggest India could lose a substantial portion of its GDP by 2070 due to climate change, potentially reaching 24.7% according to an ADB report.

India is already experiencing a significant economic impact from climate change, with estimates placing the 2022 GDP loss at around 8%.

India has suffered economic losses of $79.5 billion due to natural disasters during the last two decades, according to the United Nations (UN).

According to the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction report thew last 20 years have seen a dramatic rise of 151 per cent in direct economic losses from climate-related disasters, the report said. During that period 77 per cent of the economic losses $2,908 billion were due to climate-related disasters, it said.