By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: With Meghalaya falling under Seismic Zone V, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will be organising a one-day workshop on disaster management for the legislators from various constituencies in East Khasi Hills on December 1.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has agreed to be part of the one-day workshop.A senior government official said that this one day workshop is related to the Urban Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction (UEVR) Project, adding that this project is part and parcel of the District Risk Management (DRM) programme of the Ministry of Home Affairs, supported by the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP).
“Shillong is among the 38 cities selected for the UEVR project. This project would spread over half a million population in Seismic Zones III, IV and V across the nation,” a senior government official told reporters here on Tuesday.The project specifically looks at the role of the legislators during the incidence of natural disasters, he said.“The resource person during the workshop would dwell on the responsibilities of the legislators during natural disasters,” a senior government official said.
Meanwhile, he said that the project also aims at sustainable reduction of earthquake risks in selected cities of the country.
The official however informed that the basic objective of this project is to develop preparedness and response plans at the community and administrative levels.
He also said that this project aims to facilitate amendments of building byelaws and other regulations to ensure structural safety in natural hazard prone areas.
This project also stresses on capacity building of stakeholders like engineers, architects, masons and builders on hazard resistant construction practices on one hand and to educate the community on life saving skills, the official informed.