Port Blair, June 30: A one day Validation Workshop for review and finalization of Andaman & Nicobar Disaster Management Plan was conducted on Thursday in the conference hall of Megapode Resort by the Directorate of Disaster Management (DDM), A & N Administration involving all the stakeholders/line departments like Coast Guard, A&NCommand, Education, Health, Police, Fire Service, APWD, DBRAIT, NIOT etc. of this UT.
Addressing the valedictory function as the chief guest, Mr Rajeev Yaduvanshi, Principal Secretary (Disaster Management) highlighted the need for greater cooperation, coordination and participation of various stakeholders of the UT and hoped that the deliberations/outcome of this Workshop will greatly contribute towards finalization of this Plan and greater awareness in the Islands about the Disaster Management. He further emphasized, once the A&N Disaster Management Plan – 2016 is finalized, a road map will be prepared to cope up with any eventuality in future with confidence.
Welcoming the gathering, Mr Gurkirpal Singh, Director (DM) (I/c) explained about the main components of A&N DM Plan i.e. Hazard, Risk, Vulnerability profile of this UT and mitigation, response and preparedness efforts included and emphasized the active participation of all the guests from various Depts. and sought valuable suggestions/inputs for inclusion in the Disaster Management Plan – 2016.
Mr T.K.S. Ajayan, Assistant Director (Ops.) DDM, highlighted the Hazard, Risk & Vulnerability analysis of this UT which have been incorporated in detail in the A&N Disaster Management Plan – 2016. He also explained in detail the system of emergency communications which is to be utilized at present from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) and Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The need for regular updation and upgradation of SEOC & EOCs with latest modern communication equipment was stressed by him.
Mr Deen Mohammed, Safety Officer, Directorate of Disaster Management elaborated on Emergency Communication and Early Warning System of ANI and also on various communication elements that render an institution “well prepared” to manage events during a disaster. He also emphasized on the need to keep disaster kit in each household which should contain important documents and other articles like torch, radio, some drinking water, biscuits etc.
Mr Gyan Singh, Assistant Director (Logistics) described the salient features of the A&NDM Plan as well as the expected outcomes of the plan for managing disasters/crisis in near future in an effective manner. During the session he elaborated about the preparedness, capacity building and various initiatives undertaken by the department like introduction of Incident Response System at UT & District Level, Implementation of National School Safety Programme, Community Based Disaster Risk Management Programme, Disaster Management in Higher Education, Urban Risk Mitigation Programme etc. to strengthen the general awareness in the masses for tackling various disasters.
The post lunch session was organized by grouping the participants and assigned them different chapters of A&N Disaster Management Plan – 2016 for their valuable suggestions/inputs/comments. The suggestions were further discussed in detail and the same will be incorporated in the A&N DM Plan – 2016. Mr Janik Ram, Assistant Director (Admn.), DDM proposed the vote of thanks.
