Dehradun: A 40-member delegation of Sri Lankan civil service officers visited the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority on Monday to learn about the work and innovations being undertaken in the state in the field of disaster management. The visit was organised as part of a capacity-building programme conducted under the aegis of the National Centre for Good Governance.
The delegation particularly studied Uttarakhand’s early warning systems, weather-based risk management, landslide mitigation, use of technological resources and community-based disaster management mechanisms. The officers also learned about the efforts being made in Uttarakhand to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
During the visit, Additional Chief Executive Officer Prakash Chandra explained that disaster management in Uttarakhand is not limited merely to post-disaster response. Instead, it is being developed on the basis of risk identification, mitigation, preparedness, training, technological capabilities and inter-departmental coordination.
Additional Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Inspector General of Police Rajkumar Negi briefed the delegation about state and district emergency operation centres, the Incident Response System, multi-source warning mechanisms, and technology-based information and decision-support systems.
Weather expert Dr. Pooja Rana explained the monitoring of weather-related risks and the early warning system. Geologist Dr. Raghuvir Negi of the Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Centre provided information about scientific measures being undertaken to reduce landslide risks. These include identification of vulnerable areas, geological studies, remote sensing technology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), drone surveys and slope monitoring.
The delegation interacted with officials and experts on various aspects of Uttarakhand’s disaster management system and showed particular interest in the state’s technical and institutional arrangements.
International Cooperation Strengthens Disaster Management: Vinod Kumar Suman
Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman, said there is a need for continuous learning, sharing of experiences and adoption of new practices in the field of disaster management. Dialogue and exchange of experiences with officials from different countries provide a broader perspective on preparedness to deal with disaster risks.
He said that while sharing the institutional systems and technological innovations developed in Uttarakhand, understanding effective systems being adopted internationally would also help further strengthen the state’s disaster management capabilities.
