TURA: A one day workshop concerning the topics of ‘mainstreaming disaster management in departmental plan risk mitigation’, ‘earthquake risk mitigation’ and ‘landslide mitigation for DDMA’ was held at the Circuit House in Tura on Thursday. The programme was organised by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) of Tura.
While addressing the gathering Additional Deputy Commissioner in charge and West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner AM Sangma said that ‘natural calamities occur from time to time but our response to face such challenges determines the level of preparedness to handle the situation’.
Adding that disaster management is the responsibility of all organisations – both government and non-government, he urged all the departments in the district to be proactive through appropriate measures in prevention, mitigation and preparedness strategies.
In her keynote address, Additional Deputy Commissioner and DDMA CEO Mary T Sangma said that the objective is to provide guidelines on various aspects of Disaster Management and to make the people resilient to disaster. She added that the focus is on reducing disaster risks and vulnerability through strengthening of government and non-government organisations, physical infrastructures and the capacities of the communities in meeting the challenges posed by disasters in the state in general and district in particular.
Surajit Bordoloi, Consultant, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Shillong who is the resource person for the workshop explained in brief on various topics related to disaster management plans and risk mitigation.
In his deliberations Bordoloi informed the gathering that the Planning Commission has initiated steps to mainstream DRR in all major schemes, especially flagship schemes of the government by incorporating the same in the Five Year Plan of the central ministries and annual plan of state governments.
