Adequate preparedness can only save the lives
December 1, 2023
  • Circulation
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Organiser
  • ‌
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
    • South America
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • International
  • More
    • G20
    • Sports
    • Defence
    • RSS in News
    • Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
    • Politics
    • Vocal4Local
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Special Report
    • Culture
    • Sci & Tech
    • Entertainment
    • Education
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Law
    • Health
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
MAGAZINE
No Result
View All Result
  • ‌
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
    • South America
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • International
  • More
    • G20
    • Sports
    • Defence
    • RSS in News
    • Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
    • Politics
    • Vocal4Local
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Special Report
    • Culture
    • Sci & Tech
    • Entertainment
    • Education
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Law
    • Health
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
No Result
View All Result
Organiser
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Bharat
  • World
  • G20
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Culture
  • Defence
  • International Edition
  • RSS in News
  • Magazine
Home General

Adequate preparedness can only save the lives

by WEB DESK
Jun 14, 2014, 12:00 am IST
in General
FacebookTwitterWhatsAppTelegramEmail

Cover Story: Adequate preparedness can only save the lives

As Kedarnath tragedy completes one year, the state Government of Uttarakhand seems to have taken no lesson with regard to saving the lives if similar tragedy reoccurs. The disaster management experts, both governmental and non-governmental, are unsatisfied with the way the things are being handled in the natural disaster prone state.
The only difference visible after the tragedy in the state is that roadside boards have come up all along the routes of rivers like Ganga, Mandakini, Bhagirathi and Alaknanda warning tourists and pilgrims to stay away from the water bodies. Another step taken by the state authorities, which some peopleridicule, is restraining tourists or pilgrims visiting the geologically sensitive and dangerous places like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, Gangotri and Gaumukh. Some efforts to strengthen the warning system through SMSes on mobile phones have also been taken by roping in mobile service providing companies. But how much it works is yet to be seen as the system is yet to start.
“A close watch is being kept on the pilgrims visiting Kedarnath. No pilgrimage will be allowed during heavy rains or landslide. The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam has pitched 100 tents to accommodate 500 pilgrims. However, these tents never get filled to their full capacity. Only 150-200 pilgrims stay there daily,” said Bhaskaranand, Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Uttrakhand. Vice Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority Shri M Shashidhar Reddy had pointed out one month after the Uttarakhand tragedy that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), which works under the NDMA, lacks a proper dedicated disaster communication Network, such as satellite phones. He also feels the need of modernisation of India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Central Water Commission by setting up world class observation and forecasting systems. Since the responsibility to respond to any disaster is with the states, the disaster management set up of Uttarakhand should be re-looked.
Some experts in the field of disaster management also pointed out that the Landslide Hazard Zonation Mapping prepared by the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Department of Space, Hyderabad in 2001 be taken up on priority and the Management Plan proposed for the Uttarakhand segment of the 2000 km length be taken up accordingly. They further added that whenever a new technology is introduced its results and impacts should also be documented at the earliest and shared widely.
The National Institute of Disaster Management’s report suggests the need to collect terrestrial, meteorological and anthropogenic data with particular focus on landslides, rainfall and other information relevant to the event. It also demanded necessary guidelines and action plans for tourist/pilgrimage places, hotels, lodges and guest houses, given the high concentration of people at such locations. When excessive sand is removed from the river beds, it hampers river flow systems. Intensive mining in the region is turning it even more fragile. Mines are leased out and the contractors generally go beyond their limits. There is no mechanism to control it.
Head of Policy Planning and Environment Division at the National Institute of Disaster Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi Shri Anil K Gupta says that the common models of development as applicable to other regions of the country are irrelevant for Uttarakhand and it requires developing locally sustainable, ecologically compatible models of infrastructural growth. “The most important understanding that emerged from this disaster is to look from a system perspective, i.e. relationship between eco-geo-hydrological components, implications of climate change on people, resources and livelihood, and preparedness to deal with uncertainties and sudden events. The ‘living with risk – but with effective mitigation and adequate preparedness’ holds the mantra,” he added.
Since local people are the first respondents in any disaster situation, Shri Saurabh Gautam, director of Global Rescue Consultants Pvt Ltd, feels that the local people should be imparted with practical training to deal with such disasters. He said the voluntary organisations should also be equipped with proper training as they are the second to response to the calamities. “Adequate capacities should be built across our institutions and communities to reduce the adverse impact of the disasters. We also need to strictly regulate developmental initiatives in close vicinity of the river streams through appropriate legislations,” Shri Gautam added.

-Pramod Kumar

ShareTweetSendShareSend
Previous News

States : Legal Memorandum for Enquiry into Maradu Carnage

Next News

Analysis: Insecure Even After 60 Years

Related News

Israel heightens alert along northern border due to Hezbollah threats

Israel heightens alert along northern border due to Hezbollah threats

France: Yoga teacher Gregorian Bivolaru, who promoted ‘Porno Yoga’ aimed to have sex with 1000 virgins, arrested

France: Yoga teacher Gregorian Bivolaru, who promoted ‘Porno Yoga’ aimed to have sex with 1000 virgins, arrested

Andhra Pradesh: Foreign Evangelist influencing Christians to vote for favorable Government

Andhra Pradesh: Foreign Evangelist influencing Christians to vote for favorable Government

Indian government to acquire 97 Tejas fighters, 156 Prachanda helicopters to ‘bolster’ its firepower

Indian government to acquire 97 Tejas fighters, 156 Prachanda helicopters to ‘bolster’ its firepower

India can take cues from Gujarat disaster management model

India can take cues from Gujarat disaster management model

Uttar Pradesh: Hindu girl eloped with Sameer Qureshi recovered; says “Will marry only if he returns to Sanatan fold”

Uttar Pradesh: Hindu girl eloped with Sameer Qureshi recovered; says “Will marry only if he returns to Sanatan fold”

Load More

Comments

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Organiser. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.

Latest News

Israel heightens alert along northern border due to Hezbollah threats

Israel heightens alert along northern border due to Hezbollah threats

France: Yoga teacher Gregorian Bivolaru, who promoted ‘Porno Yoga’ aimed to have sex with 1000 virgins, arrested

France: Yoga teacher Gregorian Bivolaru, who promoted ‘Porno Yoga’ aimed to have sex with 1000 virgins, arrested

Andhra Pradesh: Foreign Evangelist influencing Christians to vote for favorable Government

Andhra Pradesh: Foreign Evangelist influencing Christians to vote for favorable Government

Indian government to acquire 97 Tejas fighters, 156 Prachanda helicopters to ‘bolster’ its firepower

Indian government to acquire 97 Tejas fighters, 156 Prachanda helicopters to ‘bolster’ its firepower

India can take cues from Gujarat disaster management model

India can take cues from Gujarat disaster management model

Uttar Pradesh: Hindu girl eloped with Sameer Qureshi recovered; says “Will marry only if he returns to Sanatan fold”

Uttar Pradesh: Hindu girl eloped with Sameer Qureshi recovered; says “Will marry only if he returns to Sanatan fold”

Kashi Tamil Sangamam Phase 2 & Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Programme set to ignite historical bonds; registrations begin

Kashi Tamil Sangamam Phase 2 & Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Programme set to ignite historical bonds; registrations begin

Delhi High Court closes hearing on drafting and implementation of Uniform Civil Code

Delhi High Court closes hearing on drafting and implementation of Uniform Civil Code

“Security measures have been taken, and parents need not panic,” CM Siddaramaiah on bomb threat to Bengaluru schools

“Security measures have been taken, and parents need not panic,” CM Siddaramaiah on bomb threat to Bengaluru schools

Uttar Pradesh: Ram Temple Consecration to be celebrated as a grand festival in the State  

Uttar Pradesh: Ram Temple Consecration to be celebrated as a grand festival in the State  

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Cookie Policy
  • Refund and Cancellation
  • Delivery and Shipping

© Bharat Prakashan (Delhi) Limited.
Tech-enabled by Ananthapuri Technologies

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • North America
    • South America
    • Europe
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Defence
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Business
  • RSS in News
  • Entertainment
  • More ..
    • Sci & Tech
    • Vocal4Local
    • Special Report
    • Education
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Politics
    • Law
    • Economy
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
  • Subscribe Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Circulation
  • Careers
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Policies & Terms
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Refund and Cancellation
    • Terms of Use

© Bharat Prakashan (Delhi) Limited.
Tech-enabled by Ananthapuri Technologies