Dehradun: To strengthen disaster management preparedness and make the general public aware of disasters, various programs will be organized across Uttarakhand from November 25 to 28. Disaster Management Day will be observed every year on November 28. In this regard, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan has issued detailed guidelines to all departments, divisional commissioners, district magistrates, and related institutions, outlining the framework for the programs. Mock drills, training sessions, awareness campaigns, and reviews of security arrangements will be conducted from the gram panchayat level to the state level.
The Chief Secretary noted that on November 28, 2023, all 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi were safely rescued. The state government executed this rescue operation based on modern technology and strategy in coordination with central government agencies, international organizations, various states, and state departments. In memory of the experiences and success of this operation, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the observance of Disaster Management Day on November 28 every year.
According to Secretary of Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman, preparations are underway as per the directives of the Chief Minister and the Disaster Management Minister, emphasizing effective execution through coordination with all departments.
Review of Security Arrangements in Government Offices
The Chief Minister has directed all government offices, departments, corporations, bodies, and institutions to identify potential disasters and hazards in their buildings. A committee of three to five members headed by the head of the department or office will be constituted in every office. The committee will assess potential hazards such as fire, electrical accidents, earthquakes, landslides, floods, building damage, and falling trees.
The availability of fire-extinguishing equipment in offices, their validity and functionality, water supply, and employees’ familiarity with operating fire extinguishers will also be reviewed.
Mock Drills at 8 to 10 Locations in Every District
Between November 25 and 27, mock drills will be organized at a minimum of eight to ten locations in each district for one day. Hospitals, schools, government offices, power projects, tunnels, major institutions, and crowded places will be marked for this purpose. The main program will be held at each district headquarters on November 28, featuring an exhibition of traditional and modern relief and rescue equipment.
Awareness, training, and mock drill programs will be organized at the tehsil level, involving 50 to 100 members from various organizations, including SDRF, NDRF, police, fire services, disaster volunteers (Aapda Mitra), youth disaster volunteers, disaster sakhis, ex-servicemen, NCC, NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendra, Bharat Scouts and Guides, self-help groups, and the Red Cross.
Special Preparation in Schools and Hospitals
The Education Department has been directed to conduct a one-day mock drill in schools with more than 100 students between November 25 and 27 as per convenience, involving representatives from SDRF, NDRF, police, fire services, the army, and other concerned institutions. On November 28, competitions such as debates, essay writing, poster making, slogan writing, and painting on disaster management will be organized in schools.
The Health Department will review preparedness in all government and private hospitals to handle fires, electrical short circuits, floods, earthquakes, and chemical and biological emergencies. Directives have been issued to ensure safe assembly points, emergency evacuation routes, and first aid arrangements in hospitals.
Awareness Rallies and Training in Villages
Gram panchayat and development block-level meetings of Kshetra Panchayat members will be organized between November 25 and 27 to impart information on disaster risk reduction measures. People will be sensitized through awareness rallies, public outreach campaigns, street plays (nukkad natak), and poster activities. Local volunteers will also be trained in first aid and basic search and rescue.
SDRF, NDRF, fire services, and police departments will collaborate with the district administration to conduct special training programs. The Forest Department has been instructed to conduct safety audits of major establishments and check the functionality of available equipment.
Emphasis on Protection of Livestock, Forest Fires, and Power Projects
To protect livestock during disasters, ensure their safe evacuation, and provide emergency storage for shelters and fodder, the Animal Husbandry Department will organize awareness programs. The Forest Department will impart practical training on forest fire prevention and control to forest personnel, fire watchers (agni prahari), and forest councils (van panchayats).
The Energy Department has been instructed to assess potential hazards in all power plants and ensure safety measures, with mock drills scheduled at every power plant on November 28.
The main state-level program on November 28 will feature discussions on the success of the Silkyara tunnel rescue operation and lessons learned from it. Additionally, an exhibition of traditional and modern relief and rescue equipment used during disasters will be displayed to demonstrate their utility and operation.
