Uttarakhand teaches Sri Lankans disaster management as its own folks suffer from disasters
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
While Uttarakhand continues to struggle with disasters, a delegation of 40 officers from Sri Lanka visited the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) in Dehradun to learn about “innovations” in disaster management being executed in Uttarakhand. The Sri Lankan delegation especially observed the early warning system, weather based risk management, landslide mitigation, utilisation of technical resources and the disaster management system operated with the participation of the community. They also sought information about the steps reportedly taken to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in the State.
The USDMA additional CEO (Administration) Prakash Chandra claimed that disaster management is being encouraged not just as a response after the incident but by boosting aspects including risk identification, mitigation, preparation, training, technical capability and departmental coordination. Scientific institutions and the local communities are playing an important role in making this arrangement more effective.
USDMA additional CEO (Execution) and DIG Rajkumar Negi said that the authorities have ensured clear coordination from the receipt of the disaster’s information to the rescue and relief operation. Meteorologist Puja Rana informed about the scientific system being used for weather related risk monitoring and advance warning.
The members of the Sri Lankan delegation discussed various aspects of the disaster management system used in Uttarakhand with officials
Meanwhile, the locals actually being affected by disasters for several years in the State are questioning what it is that the government machinery of Uttarakhand actually taught the Sri Lankans. Disaster affected villagers from Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Pauri and Tehri questioned whether disaster management will remain limited to official documents, workshops and meetings which incur more funds than actually treating the cause of disasters afflicting most mountain regions annually.
