Section 19: Powers and Functions of the District Magistrate

(1) During the period an area is an affected area, the District Magistrate may issue directions to the officers of the departments of the Government and local authorities in the affected area, to provide emergency relief in accordance with the disaster management plans under the supervision of the Commissioner for Disaster Management. (2) The District Magistrate may-- (a) make arrangement for release and use of available resources; (b) control and restrict traffic to, from and within the area effected by a disaster; (c) control and restrict the entry of any person into, movement within and departure from any disaster area or part thereof; (d) remove devris; (e) conduct search and rescue operations; (f) make arrangements for the disposal of the unclaimed dead bodies, by appropriate means; (g) provide alternative shelter; (h) provide food, medicines and other essentials; (i) require experts and consultants in the matters relevant to the disaster to provide relief under his direction and supervision; (j) take possession and make use of any property, vehicles, equipment, buildings and means of communication on such terms and conditions, as may be prescribed; (k) procure exclusive or preferential use of amenities, as and when required; (l) construct temporary bridges or other structures; (m) demolish unsafe structures which may endanger the public; (n) coordinate with non-governmental organizations and ensure that such entities carry out their activities within disaster effected area in equitable manner; (o) disseminate information to the public to deal with the disaster; (p) direct and compel evacuation, of all or part of the population from any disaster affected area for the purpose of preservation of life and for such evacuation, use such force as may be necessary; (q) authorize any person, to make entry into any place, to open or cause to be opened, any door, gate or other barrier, if he considers such an action is necessary for preservation of life and property, if the owner or occupier is absent, or being present, refuse to open such door, gate or barrier. (3) The District Magistrate may exercise the powers contained in sub-section (2) to the extent only that this is necessary for the purpose of-- (a) assisting and protecting the community; (b) providing relief to the community; (c) preventing or combating disruption; or (d) dealing with the destructive and other effects of the disaster. (4) The District Magistrate may issue such directions to any person or Government agency and take such other steps, as may be necessary to curtain the escalation of the disaster or to alleviate, contain or minimize the effects of disaster.