SHILLONG: The areas under the Shillong Municipality have been divided into seven zones based on their vulnerability as per the Multi Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (HRVA) Report and Risk Atlas prepared by RMSI Pvt. Ltd.
Taking into account the report, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), East Khasi Hills, has designated seven Incident Response Teams (IRTs) for each of the seven vulnerable zones in the city which can work out specific modalities for quick and effective response in case of any natural disaster as per the Incident Response System (IRS).
The HRVA report, prepared as per the guidelines of the US AID- Govt. of India- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programme, was released by East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Matsiewdor War Nongbri on Monday.
For effective implementation of the IRS guidelines, the IRTs are being given a three-day training which commenced here on Monday.
Speaking at the inauguration of the training programme, Nongbri said the HRVA will also be extended beyond the Shillong city.
She expressed hope that the participants at the programme will put their training to proper and actual use.
The HRVA and is aimed at strengthening the institutional structure to undertake disaster risk reduction activities at various levels, and develop preparedness for recovery.
The report assesses hazard risks with a focus on climate-related hazards and how they are likely impacted by climate change.
The three- day training for the IRTs, namely Planning, Operation and Logistic sections of the seven zones of Shillong city can draw from the HRVA Report as the latter identifies the particular Risks and Vulnerabilities of the different areas of the city.
The Incident Response System is a standardised disaster response mechanism for effective,
efficient and comprehensive management of disasters in India.
The vision is to minimise loss of life and property by strengthening and standardising disaster response mechanism in the country.
IRS provides a systematic, proactive approach guiding the concerned departments and agencies at all levels of government, the private sectors and non-governmental organisations to work flawlessly in disaster situation.
Around 340 personnel from the Planning, Operation and Logistic sections of the Incident Response Teams are attending the training.
Surajit Bordoloi, Disaster Management expert will be the resource person for the training programme which will be attended by around 340 personnel from the IRTs.
I Majaw, ADC and CEO, DDMA, East Khasi Hills, P Lyngba, DDMO and Maitreyee Mukherjee, City Project Coordinator, UNDP, Shillong also spoke on the occasion.
