BARPETA, Feb 28 � The top brass of the district administration here has been drawing up a hectic plan to face any possible emergency. Accordingly, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), in association with the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), conducted the biggest-ever disaster management exercise titled the Barpeta Emergency Management Exercise (BEMEx), 2015 from February 23. The exercise ended last evening.
Inaugurating the exercise on February 23, State Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management Dr Bhumidhar said that though the State had been afflicted by recurring floods and erosion for a long time, the Central Government was not keen on solving the problem for good. He rued that erosion, which is responsible for rendering lakhs of people homeless in Assam, has not been declared a national calamity yet. As a result, payment of compensation to the erosion-hit people of the State is not possible.
Officials of different departments, doctors, nurses, police and heads of educational institutions were imparted training at several stages so that they can make preparations to minimise losses in the event of any danger. Importance was laid on maximum safety and minimum loss of life and property in the event of a natural calamity or an accident.
A mock drill was conducted on emergency situations on Friday, the last day of the programme. A fire-like situation was �created� at the Sankardev Sishu Niketan and an �accident� between a truck and a passenger bus was �created� on the Howli-Barpeta Road. Personnel of the NDRF, SDRF, police, fire brigade and doctors participated in the rescue of the stranded children, shifting of the injured to hospitals and extinguishing the �fire� in the Sankardev Sishu Niketan. The �fire� was supposed to break out due to an �earthquake.� The rescue and medical teams helped the victims of the �accident� in a similar fashion.
A review meeting held in the District Library auditorium was attended by the Deputy Secretary of the ASDMA, Nandita Hazarika. Barpeta Deputy Commissioner Varnali Deka thanked the ASDM for organising the event and all the participants of the BEMEx, 2015, for the successful conduct of the mock drill. She also requested the officials to perform their duties ably during the floods every year. Stating that saving lives is a noble job, she requested everyone to be prepared to help those affected by calamities.
Nagma Firdoush, senior expert of the National Disaster Management Authority, lauded the ASDMA and the DDMA for successful completion of the strenuous exercise. She hoped that the people of all classes would benefit from such exercises. Additional Deputy Commissioners Ramendra Nath Sarma and Babul Sahariya, Superintendent of Police Shiladitya Chetia, officers of State Government departments, doctors, nurses and volunteers were also present in the review meeting.
The Project Officer of the DDMA, Jayanta Majumdar offered the vote of thanks. Certificates to participants were also presented in the meeting.
