Glitches & Lacunae in Disaster Management Execution Plan in Assam: CS Jishnu Barua

STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI:

Overview Of DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Disaster Management Implementation in Assam: Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua has expressed concern over the fact that there are still lacunae and glitches in the effective implementation of disaster management plans in the State.

Addressing a function on the occasion of the 10th foundation day of the ASDMA (Assam State Disaster Management Authority) at Janata Bhawan here on Tuesday, Barua said that even though professionalism & scientific approach are now integral parts of disaster management, there are still hurdles which come in the way of logical conclusion of certain disaster management plans in the State.

"Mere studies and survey on disaster management will not be enough. We have identified buildings in the State which are vulnerable to disasters. At the same time, we have to ensure that corrective measures are taken to protect those buildings. We have to remove all glitches and lacunae for complete adherence to the rules of disaster management," said Barua.

Message on Second Wave of COVID-19 Infection

The Chief Secretary in his address also urged the ASDMA to focus on all the disasters including COVID-19 and other man-made disasters, which may affect people in broader sense of the term. He expressed fear that the State might experience the second wave of COVID-19 infection if the people do not adhere to the COVID-appropriate behaviours.

Remembering about the devastation caused by earthquakes in 1897 and 1950 in Assam and the Gujarat earthquake in 2001, Barua highlighted the roles that are played by the ASDMA to minimize the damages. He also praised the ASDMA for its services during floods and other disasters in the State at the grassroots level. Further, Barua stressed the need to strengthen the capacity of ASDMA in order to tackle any kind of disaster-related eventualities.

On the occasion, the ASDMA organised two events. A 'Knowledge Sharing Session' on 'Flood Early Warning System' (FLEWS) was held in the State Secretariat where Barua released the 'River Atlas of Assam', and launched the 'River Atlas Portal' in the presence of senior officials of the State Government, officers from the defence services including the Army and the Air Force, besides the NDRF as well as scientists and experts from many State and Central Government institutions.

The maps of the 'River Atlas' can be digitally viewed through the portal; and one can view the finer details about the rivers along with various other features such as roads, railway lines, bridges, embankments, and other important features. Information available in the 'River Atlas' and the 'River Atlas Portal' will be useful for the work-executing bodies like the Water Resources Department, FREMA, and Brahmaputra Board among others, for carrying out planning activities and for river specific scientific and engineering studies.

Welcoming the guests during the Knowledge Sharing Session, Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ASDMA, gave an overview of the decadal journey of ASDMA.

Principal Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department Avinash P. D. Joshi delivered the keynote address and urged the ASDMA and the other departments of the State Government to emphasis more on preparedness and mitigation measures while improving the effective responses to disasters that may impact the State.

Coinciding with the event, a mock drill on earthquake and fire was also held at the State Secretariat to enlighten the officers and staff of the Secretariat on various aspects of disaster preparedness.

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