Five months post disaster, Uttarakhand still lacks disaster plan

"Our approach to disaster management should not be limited to rescue and relief operations but preparedness to handle it. What disaster preparedness can do was proven during the Phailin cyclone as it helped in saving lives of thousands," said Reddy.

The NDMA, an apex body whose mandate is to prepare for natural and man-made disasters and which is headed by the prime minister, was praised for averting any major loss to life during the cyclone.

In fact, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while praising the role of NDMA in tackling Cyclone Phalin, said there were "important lessons to be learnt" from the Uttarakhand-rain-flood tragedy which "severely tested the efficacy of our disaster response mechanisms".

But the state government, despite several reminders from the NDMA, is yet to chalk out its disaster management plan.