• what is the role village panchayat during disaster?

The village panchayat is mandated to have its own Disaster Management Committee. It chairman is responsible for preparation of action plans in the event of occurrence of disasters. The committee members help in preparing and updating the plan. The committee submits the updated plan to district authorities each year and committee members are responsible for organizing awareness programmes and mock drills in the village. In the event of disasters, it is responsible for search and rescue, establishing contact with other teams, helping people reach their homes, establishing road communication to facilitate supply of medicines and relief and shift victims to nearest hospital.