By Krishna S. Vatsa, Member, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India, India

It is a remarkable achievement to start a periodical and sustain it with dedication for more than 20 years. Southasiadisasters.net stands as a testament to this enduring commitment. Mihir R. Bhatt and the All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI) deserve deep appreciation for their perseverance and vision in creating and maintaining such an important platform from India for knowledge dissemination in the field of disaster management in South Asia.

Over the past quarter-century, the periodical has mirrored almost all the key developments in disaster risk reduction across South Asia. It has chronicled the evolving ideas, policies, voices, policies, opinions, pilots, and practices that have shaped the sector, serving as an authentic record of how disaster management has matured in the region. Through its pages, one can trace the transformation of disaster management—from a relief-centric approach to a more holistic practice encompassing preparedness, mitigation, and resilience-building in India and South Asia.

Beyond documentation, Southasiadisasters.net has broadened the discipline itself. By covering a wide range of topics and showcasing diverse experiences – anthropology to analytics, aid to AI – it has demonstrated that disaster management in South Asia is not monolithic but deeply rooted in varied contexts and community practices. The periodical has given practitioners a space to share their insights and experiences without the constraints of academic formalism, thereby enriching the field with inspiring community-based perspectives.

What makes the publication special is its simplicity and authenticity. It connects countries and, more importantly, affected communities across South Asia through shared challenges of exposure and vulnerability, sustaining a regional conversation on disaster resilience with unfailing regularity. Its journey reflects dedication, inclusivity, and purpose, qualities that must continue to guide its path so that the practice of disaster management in South Asia becomes even richer, more diverse, and more professional in reducing disaster risks in the decades ahead.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this piece are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of AIDMI.