Karnataka’s new disaster risk road map focuses on financial protection for the vulnerable

The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) launched the road map on 13 October, with technical support from UNICEF.

Nolan Patrick Pinto

Published Oct 17, 2025 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 17, 2025 | 8:00 AM

Drought-Representational image (iStock)

Synopsis: In the short term priorities, the plan is to develop parametric insurance— a set amount based on the magnitude of a specific event —for weather and climate related disasters. In the medium term priorities, it will be the development of disaster insurance mechanisms for house-owners in disaster prone areas and in long term priorities, it is to develop insurance products to cover major infrastructure projects.

Under the Karnataka State Disaster Risk Reduction Road Map 2025-2030, the state has decided to prioritize providing risk coverage for all, particularly the poorest.

In the short term priorities, the plan is to develop parametric insurance— a set amount based on the magnitude of a specific event —for weather and climate related disasters. In the medium term priorities, it will be the development of disaster insurance mechanisms for house-owners in disaster prone areas and in long term priorities, it is to develop insurance products to cover major infrastructure projects.

The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) launched the road map on 13 October, with technical support from UNICEF.

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61 million people at risk

The report states that Karnataka experiences disasters of various scales putting 61.10 million people at risk.

It reads: “Karnataka’s geographic and topographical contexts make its extremely vulnerable to droughts, cyclones/hailstorms, floods, fire, lightning and heat wave. Human induced disaster is increasing in Industries, at construction sites, road accidents etc. Severe water and air pollution are also one of the concerned sectors emerging due to climate change which is directly affecting the community especially children.”

According to the report, the state has suffered an estimated loss of ₹86,327 crores (includes agriculture and horticulture crop loss, animal husbandry, water and sanitation, drinking water, roads and bridges, government buildings etc.) due to disasters between the period 2015 and 2021.

The road map

The rationale of the DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction) Road Map of Karnataka is as follows:

The KSDRR Road Map is an instrument that integrates priorities of SFDRR (Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction), SDG’s (Sustainable Development Goals), Prime Minister’s 10 Point agenda on DRR and Nationally Determined Contributors (NDCs).
The DRR Road Map ultimately targets poverty reduction and provides policy support to the state as well as national development agenda.
The roadmap lays the foundation for proactive disaster risk management through robust and regular hands-on capacity building at aThese approaches vary across policies, strategies, institutional frameworks, guidelines, investments, preparedness levels, collaborative mechanisms, and partnership models.ll levels. The road map strives to adequately empower the local communities, government agencies, and key stakeholders such as technical and academic institutions, UN Agencies, CSOs (Civil Society Organisations) and CSRs (Corporate Social Responsibilities) from private sectors etc.
The road map also addresses the overwhelming issues like climate change, preservation of lives and livelihoods in a most dignified manner and fostering sustainable development across the state.
The road map is further a valuable source to plan and initiate risk avoidance, risk transfer, risk sharing and residual risk management.

The Sendai Framework recognizes the role of sub national governments for disaster risk reduction in guiding and supporting local actions.

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A state-level initiative

The Karnataka DRR Roadmap is a state level initiative as the state has different risk profile and varies in its approaches to disaster and climate-driven risk reduction. These approaches vary across policies, strategies, institutional frameworks, guidelines, investments, preparedness levels, collaborative mechanisms, and partnership models.

The DRR Road Map is the document to facilitate departments to integrate Disaster Risk Reduction, through departmental disaster management plans and district disaster management plans, that is, preparedness, mitigation and resilience.

The aim of the DRR Road Map of Karnataka is to minimize the damage and loss of the various sectors, that occur due to natural and human induced disasters by 2030.

(Edited by Sumavarsha)