Guwahati: A week-long preparedness exercise on emergency management was inaugurated here on Monday which is designed to harness the strengths and capabilities of the state emergency responders and other institutions to meet urban catastrophy.
Speaking during the inauguration of the event here, Assam Revenue and Disaster Management minister said that the state was velnerable to multiple hazards like earthquakes, floods, storms and landslides. “Rapid urbanisation and unplanned construction has turned the fate of the people of Guwahati very vulnerable. In this regard, the programme will teach us how much prepared or less prepared we are for facing any eventuality,” he said.
The Guwahati Emergency Management Exercise (GEMEx 2012) is being conducted by Assam State Disaster Management Authority in collaboration with National Disaster Management Authority and District Disaster Management Authority of Kamrup (Metro) district. It will culminate on November 4.
It is designed to harness the strengths and capabilities of the state emergency responders, educational institutions, hospitals, humanitarian agencies to prepare for unforeseen situations. Speaking on the occasion, NMDA member Muzaffar Ahmad said that Assam was the first state to launch 108 as the one common integrated emergency helpline number in the country. (PTI)
