Disaster Management Act, 1997 (Act No. 2 of 1997).

"Disaster" means a progressive or sudden, widespread or localised, natural or man-made event including not only prevalent drought but also heavy snowfalls, severe frosts, hailstorms, tornadoes, landslides, mudslides, floods, serious widespread fires and major air or road traffic accidents. Sections of Part II provide for the declaration of the state of disaster by the Minister and emergency powers. The Disaster Management Authority, established under Part V, shall prepare a National Disaster Management Plan which the Minister shall submit to the Cabinet for approval. The plan shall cover requirements for disaster management including mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery measures (sect. 5). The Chief Executive of the Authority shall prepare a National Disaster Management Plan and implement such plan upon approval of the Cabinet (sect. 5). Upon the declaration of a state of disaster and for its duration, the Prime Minister shall establish a National Disaster Relief Task Force which shall consist of Ministers directly involved with that disaster (sect. 8). Functions of the Task Force are outlined in section 9, functions of the Authority are outlined in section 13.