Shillong: The Commissioner & Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management, T Dkhar inaugurated a three-day training programme on Earthquake Risk Mitigation for Safer Built Environment in the city on Wednesday.
The programme is being organised by the National Institute of Disaster Management, MHA, in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and was attended by officials from various line departments.
In his address to the gathering, Dkhar said that the state of Meghalaya is more prone to experiencing floods, fires, landslides, cyclonic storms, lightning strikes and earthquakes as it lies in the seismically active Zone V.
Recalling the 8.7 magnitude Shillong Earthquake which occured on June 12, 1897, Dkhar said that although the death toll caused by the earthquake in those days was quite minimal, the rapidly growing human population in the region has increased the risk to several folds.
He said that with the growing population, urbanisation and the increased number of high rise buildings, this kind of programme is necessary to equip engineers, architects, planners, administrators and other stakeholders with the knowledge required for mitigation in order to prepare a safe environment for the citizens.
“To carry out the earthquake risk mitigation programme forwards, there is a need for trained manpower in order to take appropriate action before, during and after disasters which can reduce the loss of human lives and financial consequences,” he said.
He also expressed hope that the forum will benefit the participants and government officials by encouraging them to put into practice the knowledge they gain from the training.
Amir Ali Khan of NIDM who will be present as the main resource person in the training programme, will deliberate on several issues relating to earthquake risk mitigation management with special reference to Meghalaya.
Other resource persons included Surajit Bordoloi, A Lyngdoh and Arulia Sangma.
