Centre reviews plan to tackle natural disasters

NEW DELHI: With Chennai witnessing a record rain, the Centre on Wednesday reviewed preparedness for various natural disasters with state governments and deliberated on ways to tackle them. Union home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi speaking at the start of the annual conference said the disasters or adversities are increasing in number, ranging from earthquakes, droughts, floods, forest fires, among others. There is a need for better preparedness and putting comprehensive, improved risk reduction and mitigation measures in place, he said.

The home secretary took stock of the status of preparedness for southwest monsoon with the participating central agencies, states and UTs. Mehrishi informed the participants that in the last financial year, 21states and one Union Territory reported damage caused by floods, landslides, cloudbursts and other disasters. In these disasters, 1543 human lives were lost,about 16.54 lakh houses and huts damaged and crops over an area of 33.57 lakh hectares affected.

Mehrishi said the ministry of home affairs and agencies such as National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) are sharing long-term measures and training with the states for necessary preparedness. He said the participants should share their experiences in the conference and ensure that an early warning system is put in place.

Agencies like India Meteorological Department, Indian Space Research Organisation, Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment, Central Water Commission, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Defence and National Disaster Response Force are making presentations at the conference to share their efforts towards preparedness in the dealing.