Quake preparedness inadequate in city R Dutta Choudhury GUWAHATI, Nov 19 Though Assam and other parts of the North East are considered vulnerable to high intensity earthquakes and considering the vulnerability of the region, the Government of India deployed a battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Assam, the preparedness of Assam to deal with any such eventuality is still not adequate. In fact, the neighbouring States have been showing much more concern in preparing to deal with a major natural disaster than Assam.
NDRF sources told The Assam Tribune that there is urgent need for regular coordination between the Government departments concerned and mock exercises should be carried out regularly to fine tune the disaster management response. Sources said that the drawbacks in the disaster management preparedness should be identified so that action can be taken immediately to be ready to face any eventuality.
Sources revealed that the Government of Meghalaya has started preparations to face natural disasters and thorough mock exercises were carried out involving personnel from the NDRF, Police, Health Department, district administration as well as personnel from departments like PWD, Veterinary, etc. The media was also involved in the mock drills and the Government of Meghalaya even identified alternative roads to Shillong in case the main roads are blocked due to landslides in an earthquake. Such mock drills were also carried out in other parts of Meghalaya including Jowai and Tura. The Governments of other NE States including Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram also carried out mock drills in collaboration with the NDRF but the only mock drill carried out in Assam was in Nalbari district way back in 2007 and that too was more of a demonstration.
Sources pointed out that the mock drills are essential for fine tuning the disaster management system and the drawbacks are identified easily after carrying out such exercises. The charter of duties of all the stakeholders including Government departments should be finalised and there should be proper orientation of the stakeholders so that prompt action can be taken in case of a disaster. NDRF officials are also of the view that there is urgent need for carrying out mock exercises in Guwahati city so that everyone can be prepared to take prompt action to mitigate sufferings of the people in case of a major earthquake striking the city and there is immediate need for ensuring proper coordination among the departments concerned.
Commenting on the preparations of the NDRF to deal with any major disaster in Guwahati city, sources said that at least eight teams of the force comprising around 450 personnel can be rushed to the city to assist the administration within very short notice. Sources revealed that the Relief Commissioner or the district administration would have to assess the situation immediately after any major disaster striking the city and decide the gravity of the situation to decide where to send the teams of the NDRF. The aim should always be to ensure rescuing maximum number of people with minimum work, sources pointed out. Sources further said that if the administration decides to open a control room or operation centre to monitor the situation, the NDRF would be keen on deploying its own officer in such a place to maintain liaison with the administration.
Sources revealed that the NDRF now has 14 Labrador dogs to be used as sniffer dogs to locate victims and all the dogs are well trained to carry out the job, while the force recently acquired six search cameras , each costing Rs five lakh to locate victims inside collapsed structures.
