Disaster Management Secy convenes meeting to reinforce preparedness

Gangtok, 28 April [IPR]: The Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department convened a coordination meeting with civil society organisations on disaster preparedness here today.
The meeting, chaired by Secretary, LRDMD cum Relief Commissioner Tsegyal Tashi, stressed the need to form coordination committees at district and state levels with the objective to access the affected areas in an organized way with systematized plan in the event of a calamity.
The department also circulated an advisory of activities to be taken by different groups in the first 72 hours of a disaster.
During the meeting, Secretary Mr. Tashi also informed that despite fresh tremors in the state after the destructive earthquake in Nepal, there were no reports of any house collapse from anywhere in Sikkim. He assured the members of the various organizations attending the meeting to release needed equipment and materials in advance to meet the situation of the event of any disaster occurrence.
He further briefed the gathering on the draft of Sikkim State Disaster Management Plan and also sought feedback and suggestions to finalize the action plan. The discussion mainly focused on mitigating level of disaster with proper coordination, cooperation and effective working mechanism.
The meeting also drew attention to pursue unified approach to support the earthquake victims of Nepal. The meeting also felt that all supporting groups should come under one umbrella to work in joint collaboration in nearby border of Indo-Nepal region.
The meeting was also attended by the representatives from Sikkim Red Cross, Civil Defense Society, Tibetan Youth Club, TAAS, Bar Association, Taxi Drivers Association and other officials.