SHILLONG: A State-level Orientation and Co-ordination Confe-rence on Multi State Mock Exercise on Earthquake Disaster organised by the State Disaster Management Authority in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was held at Yojana Bhawan Auditorium, Main Secretariat in the city on Tuesday.
The conference was attended by Chief Secretary Y Tsering, Additional Chief Secretary in-charge, Revenue and Disaster Management, P.W Ingty, Member, NDMA, Lt. General N. C Marwa, Senior Consultant, NDMA, Major General Dr. V. K Naik and others.
Speaking at the conference, Chief Secretary said that Meghalaya is prone to natural disasters particularly earthquakes as it falls under Earthquake Seismic Zone V, and called for the co-operation of all stake holders to ensure the success of the Multi State Mock Exercise slated for October 31 in all the District Headquarters across the state. Tsering also informed that in the run up to the statewide mock exercise, mass awareness will be generated through different media platforms including the print and electronic media.
It may be mentioned that the aim and objective of the mock exercise is to review the disaster management plans of the state/districts, to highlight the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders as per Incidence Response System and enhance coordination among emergency support functions at District level, to generate public awareness through involvement of local bodies, NGOs, the youth etc and to identify gaps in resources, manpower and communications.
