Table-top exercise held on earthquake hazards in Assam

GUWAHATI:  An online Incidence Response System (IRS) Training and Table Top Exercise (TTEx) related to earthquake hazards in Assam was held on Friday at Chief Secretary's and Assam State Disaster Management Authority's (ASDMA) conference halls simultaneously from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

It was organised by ASDMA in association with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and all District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) of the State for mass awareness preparedness and response mechanism for Earthquake hazards.

Lieutenant General (Retired) Syed Ata Hasnain, Member, NDMA in his opening remarks, emphasized on better coordination among IRT team and all other stakeholders in district and State level in handling operations/ response during any disaster.

State Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah in his key note address said that as Assam is exposed and vulnerable to various disasters in time to time, we need to find a solution to mitigate these disasters and create a strong communication base so that we can respond smartly during any disaster if it happens in near future.

In his speech, MS Manivannan, Commissioner & Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, ASDMA said that every year Assam is facing flood and earthquake regularly and so, the IRT team was notified in the State, where the Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam is the responsible officer in State level and in district, the respective deputy commissioners are the responsible officers in district level IRTs. He further added that a State Disaster Management Plan (SDMP) is in place for pro-active response during any disaster. IRTs will function at State and Districts as per response mechanism of State in any eventuality. These teams will respond to all natural and man-made disasters.

Major General V.K. Naik (Retired), Senior Consultant, NDMA presented the Table Top Exercise Plan and flagged various issues for response regarding the response of IRT in State and District level during any disaster.

The programme was also attended by YK Gautam, ADGP and Director, Fire & Emergency Services, who gave a detailed presentation on preparedness of the State in the event of any disaster. A host of other senior officials from Departments of Health &Family Welfare, Finance, PWD, Transport, DIPR, NDMA, NDRF, SDRF, Indian Air Force, CRPF, Indian Army, ASDMA and also all the Deputy Commissioners of 33 districts along with members and officials of DDMAs of the State attended the programme.

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