Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (UP SDMA) headed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister has been constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 as the apex body for disaster management in the State. It has the responsibility of laying down policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management and coordinating their enforcement and implementation for ensuring timely and effective response to disasters in the state. It approves the State Disaster Management Plans and DM plans of all State Departments. It takes such other measures, as it may consider necessary, for the prevention of disasters, or mitigation, or preparedness and capacity building, for dealing with a threatening disaster situation or disaster. All State Departments, District Authorities, Urban Authorities and Local Bodies will extend necessary cooperation and assistance to UPSDMA for carrying out its mandate. It is to oversee the provision and application of funds for mitigation and preparedness measures. UP SDMA is empowered to authorise any Departments or authorities concerned, to make emergency procurement of provisions or materials for rescue and relief in a threatening disaster situation or disaster.

The UP SDMA is mandated to deal with all types of disasters; natural or man-made. Whereas, such other emergencies including those requiring close involvement of the security forces and/or intelligence agencies such as terrorism (counter-insurgency), serial bomb blasts, hijacking, air accidents, CBRN weapon systems, mine disasters, port and harbour emergencies, forest fires, oilfield fires and oil spills will continue to be handled by the extant mechanism i.e., NCMC and SCMC. UP SDMA may, however, formulate guidelines and facilitate training and preparedness activities in respect of CBRN emergencies. Cross-cutting themes like medical preparedness, psycho-social care and trauma, community-based disaster preparedness, information and communication technology, training, preparedness, awareness generation etc, for natural and man-made disasters will also engage the attention of UP SDMA in partnership with the stakeholders concerned as per extant NDMA Policy.

UP SDMA will, inter alia approve the State Plan in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the NDMA, coordinate the implementation of the State Plan, recommend provision of funds for mitigation and preparedness measures and review the developmental plans of the different Departments of the State to ensure the integration of prevention, preparedness and mitigation measures.

UP SDMA under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister (functional through Vice Chairperson) has the responsibility of policies, plans and guidelines for DM and coordinating their implementation for ensuring timely, effective and coordinated response to disasters. The Chief Secretary is the Chief Executive Officer of UP SDMA. Besides these, UP SDMA has seven other members. The role of UP SDMA is to:-

• Lay down policies and plans for disaster management in the State.
• Coordinate the preparation and approve the State Plan.
• Approve the Departmental, District and Urban Disaster Management Plans.
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by the departments for integration of measures for prevention of disasters and mitigation in their development plans and projects.
• Coordinate implementation of the State Plan.
• Recommend provision of funds for mitigation and preparedness measures.
• Review the development plans of the different departments of the State.
• Review the measures being taken for mitigation, capacity building and preparedness by the departments.
• Take stock of the entire range of disaster risks in the State.
• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of National Policy, National Plan and State Plan.
• Lay down guidelines for preparation of disaster management plan by the Departments, District Authorities and Urban Authorities.
• Promote general education, awareness and community training in regard to the forms of disasters.
• Provide technical assistance or advice to District, local and Urban Authorities.
• Provide information to the National Authority relating to different aspects of disaster management.
• Lay down guidelines for standards of relief to persons affected by disasters in the State.
• Maintain the State disaster database and provide inputs to National disaster database.