GUWAHATI, April 27 � The State government has decided to undertake a series of measures for disaster management in the city to cope with any contingency including earthquakes.
Speaking to reporters here today, CEO of Assam State Disaster Management Authority PK Tiwari said that the government has decided to undertake a mapping of the open spaces in Guwahati. He said the mapping will be carried out by expert agencies within three months and advisory will be issued to public so that they can go to such open spaces in case of earthquakes and such disasters.
�From ASDMA, we have decided to prepare a City Disaster Management Plan for Guwahati so that we can tackle such emergencies in a better way. The plan will be made in cooperation with some reputed agency,� he said.
Tiwari said that sub-zone map of Guwahati on earthquake vulnerability has been already prepared to identify vulnerable zones and help in planning disaster management.
�GIS mapping of 18 critical utilities like hospitals and police stations have been done and GIS utility portal will be ready within a month. People can log on to the portal to find out about hospitals or other critical utilities located nearby,� he said.
The ASDMA CEO said that with a view to improve capacity of the PWD to check buildings and high-rises in the city, ASDMA will provide Non-Destructive (ND) testing equipment to it.
Training about safety and precautionary measures among apartment dwellers in the city is also to be intensified.
�Besides, ASDMA will also undertake a study to find out about the implementation of zoning and building bylaws,� he said.
ASDMA will also provide aerial ladders to the Fire Service Stations for use in Guwahati, he added.
Home Commissioner LS Changsan said that directions have been issued to all DCs and SPs to prepare contingency plans for disaster management at the thana level.
