What emergency supplies does India tell households to keep?

Short answer. India's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) tells households: "Have a disaster emergency kit ready" ¹. Its list has 12 essentials, from a battery torch and radio to dry food, sealed water, chlorine tablets and medicines ¹. NDMA sets no quantities and no national stockpile duration; for cyclones, it advises packing essentials "to last a few days" when evacuation is instructed ³.

What does NDMA ask households to keep?

NDMA's earthquake guidance includes a disaster emergency kit with 12 items ¹:

• Battery operated torch with extra batteries
• Battery operated radio
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food (dry items) and water (packed and sealed)
• Candles and matches in a waterproof container
• Knife
• Chlorine tablets or powdered water purifiers
• Can opener
• Essential medicines
• Cash and credit cards
• Thick ropes and cords
• Sturdy shoes

A former NDMA page on the basic disaster supplies kit, last updated in December 2013, also lists important papers: ration card, voter ID card, Aadhaar card and similar documents ². The printable version is on the kit checklist.

How many days of supplies does India recommend?

India publishes no national duration and no quantities per person ¹³. The only time reference in NDMA's household advice is in its cyclone guidance: when evacuation is instructed, pack essentials for the family, including medicines and special food for babies, children or elders, "to last a few days" ³.

If you want a number to plan around, our guides on the 72-hour kit and two weeks of supplies compare what other agencies recommend. These are not Indian requirements.

What extra supplies does India advise before a cyclone?

When a cyclone warning is issued, NDMA adds ³:

• Extra drinking water stored in suitably covered vessels
• Food that can be eaten without cooking
• Essentials for the family, including medicines and special food for babies, children or elders, enough to last a few days, when evacuation is instructed

See also our guide to hurricane and cyclone preparedness.

How should I store water if no quantity is given?

NDMA asks for water "packed and sealed" in the kit, and for extra drinking water in suitably covered vessels before a cyclone ¹³. It also lists chlorine tablets or powdered water purifiers ¹. For general reference on volumes and storage, see how much water to store per person, water storage containers and water purification.

Frequently asked questions

Does India have an official emergency kit list?

Yes. NDMA lists 12 essentials for a disaster emergency kit, from a battery torch and radio to essential medicines and sturdy shoes ¹.

How much water should I store in India?

NDMA gives no quantity. It asks for packed and sealed water in the kit and extra drinking water in covered vessels when a cyclone warning is issued ¹³.

Should I include identity documents?

A former NDMA kit page lists important papers such as the ration card, voter ID card and Aadhaar card ². See our guide on important documents.

Does India give a stockpile duration such as 72 hours?

No national duration is published. NDMA's cyclone advice is to pack essentials "to last a few days" when evacuation is instructed ³.

Sources

1. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India — Earthquakes: Do's & Dont's — https://ndma.gov.in/Natural-Hazards/Earthquakes/Dos-Donts (accessed 2026-10-20; checked on archived copy https://web.archive.org/web/20250430010840/http://www.ndma.gov.in/Natural-Hazards/Earthquakes/Dos-Donts)
2. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) — Basic Disaster Supplies Kit (last updated 9 December 2013) — http://www.ndma.gov.in/en/build-a-saftey-kit/basic-disaster-supplies-kit.html (accessed 2026-10-20; checked on archived copy https://web.archive.org/web/20151109005914/http://www.ndma.gov.in/en/build-a-saftey-kit/basic-disaster-supplies-kit.html)
3. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) — Cyclone: Do's & Dont's — https://ndma.gov.in/Natural-Hazards/Cyclone/Dos-Donts (accessed 2026-10-20; checked on archived copy https://web.archive.org/web/20250517144146/http://www.ndma.gov.in/Natural-Hazards/Cyclone/Dos-Donts)