SHILLONG: In the age of nanotechnology when scientists round the globe are trying to develop new methods to predict earthquake, in Meghalaya there is an emphasis on the traditional ways of forecasting the disaster by observing natural omens.
A first of its kind mega event, the North East Regional Conference on Earthquake and Landslide mitigation-Building disaster resilience, was organised by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Monday where experts harped on the local communities’ traditional knowledge to forecast natural disasters.
BH Anil Kumar, the executive director of National Institute Disaster Management (NIDM), said the age-old ways of early warning information should be harnessed and followed through generations.
Citing an example, Kumar said in the Philippines, people are taught that “if the tides are low, run to the hills”. Such knowledge treasured by generations saved lives from natural disasters, he observed at the conference at the State Convention Centre.
Similarly, Chief Secretary Y Tsering spoke about behaviour of animals in relation to natural disaster. “Traditional knowledge is important for early warning system,” he said and called for documenting such knowledge for posterity.
The northeastern states are highly susceptible to earthquakes and prone to landslides which prompt the need to take preventive steps to mitigate damage and loss of lives.
Early warning system
Stressing on early warning system, Kumar said early warning system is there to ensure dissemination of correct information to forecast disaster as well as to increase infrastructure available in setting early warning.
“The gap between receiving information and disseminating it is crucial. Time gap available is very short. The early warning information to disseminate to other communities is important,” he added.
On the role of NGOs and community leaders, Kumar said government agencies are to work hand in hand to reach out to the last mile.
Education as awareness
Meanwhile, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, who was also present at the programme, said SDMA should involve school children for awareness.
He added that engineers at the block level are to be educated so that construction on slope areas should be able to withstand earthquakes or landslides.
Maintaining that building bylaws are enforced for the welfare of people, Rymbui said, “The Dorbar Shnong needs to be enlightened on the construction of houses.”
Building bylaws
Speaking on the need for SDMAs to be proactive at the state and district levels, Kumar said, “Go beyond academics, knowledge and research. There is a need to be involved with urban planners, architects, construction workers, industrialists, engineers, including road infrastructure.”
“Urbanisation should not lead to increase in disasters but reduced disasters due to rapid creation of infrastructure,” he said, adding that to strengthen the enforcement of building bylaws, architects need to enforce building bylaws during construction of buildings.