The second Indian Disaster Management Congress begins in New Delhi on Wednesday. The three-day Congress, the second such conference will deliberate on a number of themes and disciplines related to disasters and their management. More than 1500 scientists, scholars working on different aspects of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management across the world will take part in the meet. <br/>Twenty eight thematic sessions will be held, covering disasters like earth-quake, landslide, floods, cyclone, drought as well as indusrial, and chemical disasters and nuclear emergencies. The South Asian Disaster Knowledge Network, an online information system for disaster management in the region will also be launched on the opening day of the congress. <br/>The portal will act as the central point and common platform for knowledge sharing among SAARC countries on major natural calamities and It will provide inputs to decision makers for assessing risks. User friendly information will also be given about emergency management, updates about disasters and other services like weather forecast and geographic and thematic maps. <br/>