Disaster Management Authority spreads to districts, begins work on improved disaster preparedness

GANGTOK, 30 July: The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) has expanded its wings to all the four districts and has created the District Authority with Civil Defense teams there. This, in an obvious response to the 18 September earthquake of last year and to work towards improved disaster management across the State.
After the formation of Civil Defence teams in all the four districts, the SSDMA is preparing to conduct training and awareness programmes for the Civil Defence personnel next month to further improve disaster preparedness in the state.
The Honorary Executive Vice Chairman of Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, Vinod K. Sharma, has reportedly visited all the four districts and has suggested that various programmes be initiated at the district and sub-division levels and accordingly the SSDMA is coordinating with the district level authorities.
Commissioner of Sikkim Disaster Management Authority, SBS Bhaduria, informs that the SSDMA is planning a two-day workshop in September on disaster management. The yearlong activities for reconstruction and rehabilitation and other activities in the direction of disaster preparedness in the near future will also be highlighted during the workshop, he said.
The Central Government has already sanctioned Rs 1.90 crore for SSDMA this financial year for the strengthening of the Civil Defence Force and other relief and rescue materials including the training for Civil Defence personnel and awareness camps throughout the state.
The Department of Disaster Management is continuously working in the reconstruction process with the help of various organisations and NGOs, said Mr Bhaduria. He further added that though many works have been undertaken, adequate projection of the works are still to be done.
He expressed that cooperation from the state’s public has helped the SSDMA overcome the crisis and supported the reconstruction process. The reconstruction processes have been divided into short term and long term programmes.
Mr Bhaduria informed that the works and activities for post earthquake reconstruction and rebuilding under the Prime Minister’s Special Package of Rs. 1,000 crore is being undertaken in phases as funds are being released in installments and assured that work will be completed in time.
The Authority has taken the first step towards formulation of a comprehensive State Disaster Management Policy for Sikkim, wherein detailed initiatives are being outlined, and a roadmap is being prepared for their implementation and resource allocations. The policy will lay down the blueprint for actions to be taken up in the coming years towards making the people of Sikkim safe from disasters and climate change.