MIRZA, Sept 24 - The second phase of Gaon Panchayat-level Emergency Management Exercise (GPEMEx) was conducted in all the 139 gaon panchyats of Kamrup district on September 15 along with the rest of the districts, said District Project Officer, Kamrup, Rajiv Dutta Choudhury on Wednesday.
Choudhury said that GPEMEx is conducted to create awareness and sensitise the people at the village/grassroot level on various disasters, both natural and manmade, and risk management techniques during those disasters. In the event of occurrence of any disaster, people should not panic or create a chaotic situation, rather be bold enough to face bravely and follow some safety ground rules.
He said that mock exercises were carried out mostly in educational institutions and conducted by the departmental officials. This time the theme was �Zero Casualty� and awareness was generated on proper use of power and electrical appliances, besides on how people should take precaution in flooded areas and look out for snapped electrical wires or uprooted poles and take utmost care in such areas to avoid fatal incidents.
�In the district, a total of 26,000 people were sensitised. The day-long programme included Prabhat Pheri, procession taken out by the students and local citizens by displaying placards and holding of open meeting where students as well as members of the general public took part. Various competitions like quiz, drawing, extempore speech, debate etc. were held among the school students. A mock drill on earthquake safety titled �Drop-Cover-Hold� was also conducted in the educational institutions,� said Choudhury.
He said that the departmental officials, specially from Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) delivered lectures on safety and security from electrical hazards that may follow after any disaster, especially flood and earthquake. The Village Land Management and Conservation Committee (VLMCC) members, PRI members, village people, NGO workers, teachers, Govt. officials and school children evinced keen interest in the programme.
Each one of the participants pledged to help create a safe environment and promote Kamrup as a disaster-resilient district. The programme was jointly hosted by the District Disaster Management Authority, Kamrup, APDCL and supported by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority.
