Machchu River

In news: A newly renovated colonial-era suspension bridge collapsed in Morbi, Gujarat

• At least 90 were killed and more than 350 people fell into the Machchu river.
• This is the second major tragedy in Morbi, where over 3,000 people died when a dam broke in 1979.

• The bridge was originally built by the erstwhile princely state of Morbi and was considered a marvel of British engineering.

Machchu River:

• It is a river in Gujarat whose origin is Madla hills and disappears in the little Rann of Kachchh.
• This is one of the North flowing rivers of Saurashtra.
• Its basin has a maximum length of 130 km. The total catchment area of the basin is 2515 km2.
• Julto Pool hanging bridge is one of the tourist attractions of Morbi, a major industrial town with thousands of factories making ceramic tiles and bathroom products and wall clocks.
• In 1979, Machchu dam, situated on the Machchu river, failed sending a wall of water through the town of Morbi.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):

• NDMA was formally constituted on 27th September 2006, by the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• NDMA is India’s apex statutory body for disaster management.
• The Prime Minister is its chairperson and it has nine other members. One of the nine members is designated as Vice-Chairperson.
• Disaster Management Act also envisaged the creation of State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by respective Chief Ministers and the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMA) headed by the District Collectors/ District Magistrate and co-chaired by Chairpersons of the local bodies.
• The primary responsibility for the management of disaster rests with the State Government concerned. However, the National Policy on Disaster Management puts in place an enabling environment for all i.e., the Centre, state and district.
• Aim: to spearhead and implement a holistic and integrated approach to Disaster Management in India. To build a safer and disaster resilient India by a holistic, pro-active, technology driven and sustainable development strategy that involves all stakeholders and fosters a culture of prevention, preparedness and mitigation.
• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): The Disaster Management Act has statutory provisions for constitution of NDRF for the purpose of specialized response to natural and man-made disasters.
• In 2006 NDRF was constituted with 8 Battalions. At present, NDRF has a strength of 12 Battalions with each Battalion consisting of 1149 personnel.

Functions & Responsibilities:

• Lay down policies on and guidelines for the functioning of Disaster Management.
• Approve the National Plan.
• Approve plans prepared by the Ministries or Departments of the Government of India in accordance with the National Plan.
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by the State Authorities in drawing up the State Plan.
• Lay down guidelines to be followed by the different Ministries or Departments of the Government of India for the Purpose of integrating the measures for prevention of disaster or the mitigation of its effects in their development plans and projects.
• Coordinate the enforcement and implementation of the policy and plans for disaster management.
• Recommend provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation.
• Provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as may be determined by the Central Government.
• Take such other measures for the prevention of disaster, or the mitigation, or preparedness and capacity building for dealing with threatening disaster situations or disasters as it may consider necessary.

Source:  The Hindu

Previous Year Question

Q.1) Gandikota canyon of South India was created by which one of the following rivers? (2022)

1. Cauvery
2. Manjira
3. Pennar
4. Tungabhadra

Q2.) Consider the following rivers: (2021)

1. Brahamani
2. Nagalwali
3. Subarnarekha
4. Vamsadhara

Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 and 4
3. 3 and 4
4. 1 and 3