After the 1999 super cyclone in Orissa, and the tsunami in 2004, the Indian government put together a comprehensive disaster management programme involving better weather satellites, forecasting, early warning systems, and disaster response plans including evacuation strategies with food and shelter for evacuees. The effort spans local, state, and central governments, as well as para-military forces that are deployed in an emergency. India also provides warnings to other nations, like Bangladesh, and the programme has been supported through major political changes.

The results are plain to see, and in my opinion at least, put much more expensive US responses to shame. So much for a democratic government being unable to plan.