This study was conducted in Aila affected areas of North and South 24 pargana district of West Bengal. The results of the empirical study indicated that the main role of Gram panchayat in Disaster management according to the performance are Arrangement of disaster shelters, Arranging awareness camp, forecasting early warning system, repair of river embankment, protection of vulnerable groups of the people and providing relief materials. Apart from the implementation of developmental programs, the Panchayat system also has a role with regard to disaster management. The data were collected in the month of October 2013 to March, 2014. Total 150 gram panchayat members were selected purposively as the respondents. The data obtained were analyzed by frequency, percentage and paired comparison. The comparative study found that hierarchy of role of gram panchayats in disaster management were repair of river embankment, arrangement of disaster shelters, forecasting early warning system, arranging awareness camp, protection of vulnerable groups of the people and providing relief materials.

Keyword: Role of Gram Panchatyats; Disaster Management; Aila; Early warning; Relief;