PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) are committed to ensuring the safety of pilgrims in the ensuing Char Dham Yatra.
Stating this, the NDMA member secretary lieutenant general (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain said that the Yatra is important not only for Uttarakhand but for the entire nation. Lakhs of people from across India and abroad visit Uttarakhand to undertake the Char Dham Yatra. The focus of the authorities is to ensure that the pilgrims undertake the Yatra and return safely to their homes. With this aim in mind, the NDMA and USDMA acting on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs will conduct a mock drill focussed on the Yatra scenario on April 24.
Chairing the table-top exercise held for the mock drill here on Tuesday, Hasnain said that it is an opportunity to ascertain the strength of capabilities, preparations and resources. The mock exercise is also necessary to understand how these aspects can be used in a better manner during an actual disaster scenario. He said that the USDMA had conducted a good mock drill on forest fires in February, adding that this exercise had been appreciated by various States. “It is vital to learn from disasters to be able to face such situations effectively. The biggest of disasters can be tackled effectively if we work on the lessons learnt from disasters. The level of awareness is comparatively higher among the people of Uttarakhand, which is a plus point,” he said.Disaster Management and Rehabilitation secretary Vinod Kumar Suman claimed that the USDMA is fully prepared to deal with any disaster situation which may occur during the Char Dham Yatra. Constant coordination is being maintained with all linear departments, he said. As soon as the Yatra begins, nodal officers of the linear departments associated with the Yatra will be deployed in the State Emergency Operation Centre, he said.
