Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 13: Governor N N Vohra, today stressed the high importance of putting in place State and District Disaster Management Plans on urgent basis and forging effective partnerships for reducing the earthquake risks and promoting mitigation and preparedness measures in the State.
The Governor, as chief guest, was inaugurating a 3-day workshop on “Urban Earthquake Disaster Risk Reduction” at the Kashmir University here today. This workshop has been organized by the Kashmir University in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences.
The Governor observed that as no reliable scientific tools have so far been developed for accurate forecasting of an earthquake, the best option available is to ensure most effective preparedness to mitigate the consequences of any natural or manmade disaster. In this context, he stressed the vital importance of enlarging awareness about all aspects of disaster preparedness on a continuing basis.
He observed that the entire North West Himalayan Region was seismically vulnerable and J&K was in seismic zones IV and V while Srinagar was itself in Zone V which has witnessed several earthquakes in the past. The 2005 Uri earthquake had resulted in over 76,000 killed and over a lakh injured on both sides of the LoC, besides considerable loss of property. He said that to meet future disasters it is necessary for taking every required step to remain fully prepared. He called for organizing area-wise training workshops by involving students, scouts, guides, NCC cadets, Civil Defence volunteers, engineers and the society at large to cope up with any situation in the future.
The Governor thanked the NDMA for their support and help in imparting training to the personnel who manage the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and Shri Amarnathji Shrine pilgrimages in the various aspects of disaster management. Referring to the installation of three Advanced Warning Systems in the Amarnathji Shrine area by the Meteorological Department during this year’s Yatra, the Governor said that this provided better and more accurate weather reports. He hoped that the Doppler Radar would also be established at Srinagar, which will provide a huge facility for more accurate weather prediction in the Kashmir Valley.
Later, the Governor inaugurated an exhibition of the sophisticated life saving disaster response equipments put up by the 7th National Disaster Response Force under the aegis of NDMA at the University Campus. He took keen interest in the equipment and stressed for adequately training the personnel in using the same to the best advantage.
In his Presidential address, M. Shashidhar Reddy, Vice Chairman, NDMA, dwelt on the various initiatives being taken by the NDMA to enlarge awareness about the preparedness and mitigation vis-à-vis earthquakes.
Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, threw light on the measures being taken and approaches developed in regard to understandings about earthquakes as well as preparedness and mitigation aspects thereof.
Dr. Harsh Gupta and Dr Muzaffar Ahmad, members NDMA also spoke on the occasion.
In his welcome address, Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University, gave details of the topics to be discussed during the technical sessions of the workshop.
Prof. Nilofer Khan, Dean Students Welfare, University of Kashmir, presented a Vote of Thanks.
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