By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Along with other states of the north east, the State has been directed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to conduct a mega earthquake exercise in February next year, considering that the region is located in seismic zone 5.
The exercise will be conducted in collaboration with the Centre, North Eastern Council (NEC) and all the state governments of the north eastern states.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, DG in-charge Civil Defence and Homeguard, Kulbir Krishan said, “An awareness exercise has already been initiated to prepare the region for any disaster.”
Krishan also informed that the exercise in February next year will involve both the State and Central Governments along with the paramilitary forces and the modalities for the same will be worked out after a meeting of all the north eastern states scheduled to be held in Guwahati on August 22.
“During the meeting, the types of rescue and search missions, medical aids, emergency supplies etc. will be decided,” he said.
Krishan informed that the process will involve the whole administration starting from the chief secretary to the deputy commissioner down to the fire services, police and the disaster management agency of the State Government.
The DG further stated that the funds for the exercise will be made available by the Centre to the State Disaster Relief Fund and a total of Rs 17 crore has already been sanctioned to the State.
Krishan also informed that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has recommended the State Government to put in place as many as 310 equipments needed to tackle any disaster-like situation.
At present, the State possesses about 150 such equipments while the rest will be procured from outside the state.
“The funds for procurement of these equiptments are made available by the 13th Finance Commission,” he added.
Some of these equipments include power tools, detection tools, radio and communication, hand tools, fire fighting equipments etc.
The DG also mentioned that emphasis is also laid on capacity building for which, a total amount of Rs 1 crore is sanctioned every year.
