MANGALDAI, March 8 - In a meeting organised by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Darrang, at the District Library auditorium here recently, issues related to preparedness for any possible disaster, risk reduction among specially-abled persons and senior citizens � the two most vulnerable sections of the society � were discussed.
Addressing the participants, including the specially-abled persons, their caretakers and senior citizens, chief guest Pankaj Chakravorty, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Darrang, while citing his practical experience of disaster incidents in recent times, including the flood havoc in Kaliabor and cloud burst in Boko, Goalpara, etc., pointed out that there is a vast difference in disaster of earlier days and today. He said, �Now-a-days, disasters erupt without giving any signal unlike those of the past.�
Urging the people to be prepared all the time for any disaster, he said that the North-east is situated in a earthquake-prone zone. �Actually, we all are sitting on a time bomb,� he added.
He asked the officials of the District Disaster Management Authority to create a contingent and practical plan with all the database of the vulnerable sections of the society like specially-abled persons, senior citizens, pregnant women, lactating mothers, etc., and form a disaster reduction rapid action public group called �Bipodar Bondhu� with smart swimmers and socially responsible youths in all the Gaon Panchayats of the district.
He also laid stress on the need of bringing the incidents of road accidents under the purview of the District Disaster Management Authority, considering it to be a man-made disaster.
The meeting was also addressed by District Information and Public Relation Officer Manimala Gogoi and Assistant Commandant, Civil Defence, Darrang, Pankaj Hazarika as resource persons, while Jagadish Bhattacharya, Project Officer, DDMA, explained its objectives.
