POOR SHOW

Disaster Reduction Day observed

 

COOCH BEHAR, OCT. 29: National Day for Disaster Reduction was observed at Lansdowne Hall in Cooch Behar today. District magistrate of Cooch Behar, Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha inaugurated the programme. Officer-in-charge of disaster management branch Mr Mihir Kumar Ranoo delivered the welcome address. Civil Defence volunteers presented a mock drill in the water of Sagardighi on search and rescue operations during floods.

 

Additional district magistrate Mr Pannalal Mahapatra delivered the keynote address. He explained the national and state policies for disaster management. Among the other speakers there were Mr Sujit Panchanan, Mr S Bhaumik, Mr Tapan Sarkar and Mr Tarun Lahiri.

 

As Cooch Behar is a flood prone district the speakers at the seminar emphasised on rescue and relief operations and handling of post-flood situation. Disaster and overview, vulnerability in West Bengal and Cooch Behar district, waterborne disease management, snake bite and medical camp management, situation of emergency, disaster resistant technology, concept of disaster preparedness, roll of voluntary organisations during disaster and post-disaster situation were also discussed at the seminar.

 

National Day for Disaster Reduction has been observed every year since 1999 as a super cyclone had struck Orissa on 29 October in that year. As the nodal ministry for co-ordinating disaster management in the country, the ministry of Home affairs sponsors the programme.

 

Considering the importance of observance of the day it was expected that the seminar would be a well attended one, but it was a poor show. []