Home Ministry integrates State Centres, aims for Zero Casualty in disasters

The Integrated Control Room for Emergency Response (ICR‑ER) of the Ministry of Home Affairs organised the third seminar on integration with State Emergency Operation Centres (SEOCs) as part of the Government’s efforts to advance Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s 10‑point agenda for Disaster Risk Reduction . Guided by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah , the initiative supports the Government’s objective of achieving “Zero Casualty” during disasters through enhanced coordination and proactive preparedness.

ICR‑ER serves as India’s national emergency operations hub , operating round‑the‑clock to analyse disaster alerts from forecasting agencies and immediately communicate critical information to concerned states and agencies. Built to international standards, it is manned by trained officers alongside technical support from agencies such as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) , Central Water Commission (CWC) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) . The control room also coordinates with Central Armed Police Forces , the Indian Army , and State Disaster Response Forces during emergencies.

The seminar focused on creating synergy among SEOCs of all States and Union Territories and improving information flow and decision making across disaster management systems. Experts from national institutions elaborated on early warning systems, multi‑hazard risk assessment and response protocols. A hands-on session on the National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM 5.0) highlighted how technology can accelerate resource deployment, hazard anticipation, and communication between the Centre and States.

Participants also engaged with the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in disaster risk reduction, underlining its potential to transform real‑time data analysis and response strategies. Discussions included pre‑monsoon preparedness , fostering a shift from relief‑centric approaches to prevention and resilience‑oriented strategies .

The seminar provided a platform for disaster management professionals from across India to share best practices, embrace technological advancements and strengthen collaborative frameworks for reducing disaster risks and enhancing national resilience.