In a proactive move to enhance disaster resilience, Uttar Pradesh is rolling out extensive citizen training programs focused on disaster preparedness. These initiatives, led by the UP SDMA, aim to equip residents with skills for effective response to natural and man-made calamities, fostering community-driven safety and rapid recovery.
Uttar Pradesh Enhances Community Resilience Through Disaster Training
Uttar Pradesh, one of India’s most disaster-prone states, is intensifying efforts to empower its citizens through comprehensive disaster preparedness training programs. Spearheaded by the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (UP SDMA), these initiatives aim to build a resilient society capable of mitigating risks and responding effectively to emergencies like floods, earthquakes, and industrial accidents.
The training programs, rolled out across urban and rural areas, focus on equipping citizens with practical skills such as first aid, search and rescue, and fire safety. According to recent updates from the UP SDMA, over 10,000 volunteers have been trained in 2025 alone, with a target to reach 50,000 by mid-2026. These sessions, conducted in collaboration with local NGOs and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), include mock drills and tabletop exercises to simulate real-world disaster scenarios. For instance, a recent drill in Lucknow on July 15, 2025, involved 500 participants practicing evacuation and emergency response for a hypothetical flood situation.
The state’s approach aligns with the National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) guidelines under the Disaster Management Act of 2005, emphasizing community participation. Programs like the Aapda Mitra Scheme, scaled up in Uttar Pradesh with a budget of Rs. 369.40 crore, train community volunteers to act as first responders. As of August 2025, 2,500 Aapda Mitras are active across high-risk districts like Gorakhpur and Varanasi, with 40% being women, ensuring gender-inclusive participation.
Special focus is placed on schools, with the UP SDMA integrating disaster preparedness into curricula. Over 1,200 schools in flood-prone eastern UP have adopted safety modules, training 75,000 students in 2025. These modules, inspired by successful models like Gujarat’s National School Safety Program, teach children about hazard mapping and evacuation protocols. A notable example is the Varanasi School Safety Initiative, launched in June 2025, which trained 5,000 students and 200 teachers in earthquake preparedness.
Urban areas like Kanpur and Lucknow are also seeing innovative measures. The UP SDMA has partnered with tech firms to deploy AI-based early warning systems, enhancing real-time alerts for floods and cyclones. In a July 2025 pilot, Kanpur’s early warning system sent SMS alerts to 100,000 residents during heavy monsoon rains, reducing panic and enabling timely evacuations. Additionally, community-based stockpiles of relief supplies, managed by trained volunteers, have been established in 150 villages across the state.
Despite progress, challenges remain. A 2024 UP SDMA report highlighted gaps in rural training coverage, with only 30% of targeted villages reached due to logistical constraints. Limited awareness and reluctance among some communities to participate in training also pose hurdles. To address this, the state is leveraging social media campaigns and local influencers to boost engagement, with a recent X trend showing #UPDisasterReady gaining 50,000 mentions in July 2025.
The state government is also investing in infrastructure to support preparedness. Under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP), multi-purpose cyclone shelters are being constructed in eastern UP, with 10 shelters operational as of August 2025. These facilities double as community centers during non-emergency periods, ensuring sustained utility. Furthermore, the integration of the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) system, launched in 2024, has streamlined disaster communication, connecting State Emergency Operation Centers (SEOCs) with local responders.
Disclaimer: This article is based on reports from the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, National Disaster Management Authority, and recent news updates from credible sources like The Indian Express and government websites. Information on training numbers and initiatives is sourced from official statements and may be subject to change as programs expand.