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Appropriate disaster management system sought

— Photo: T.Singaravelou

well-prepared: Rakesh Behari, Puducherry Chief Secretary (second from left), delivering a lecture on disaster management in Puducherry on Monday.

PUDUCHERRY: Chief Secretary Rakesh Behari on Monday stressed the need for introducing a proper disaster management system for the Union Territory as per the guidelines of the Disaster Management Act 2005.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the orientation programme on disaster risk management for heads of various departments here, Mr. Behari said departments such as Public Works, Town and Country Planning, Slum Clearance Board, Municipalities, Fire Services, Police and other stake-holders including voluntary organisations, residential associations, school and hospital authorities should be sensitised on the ways to prevent human and material loss during the time of natural calamities.

He made special emphasis on the need to sensitise schoolchildren and hospital authorities on disaster management. On preparedness and response planning, he said School Disaster Management

Plans had to be prepared with the involvement of teachers.

He also stressed the need for bringing disaster management as part of the school curriculum as it had been done in other States.

While preparing hospitals on disaster management, emphasis should be on swift response during golden hour and ensuring availability of blood, essential life saving drugs, orthopaedic surgeons and support staff, Mr. Behari said.

The hospitals should also be prepared to dispose of carcasses, he said, adding that it was necessary to equip the private hospitals to face any eventuality. There was also an urgent need to sensitise the chemical factories in the region on disaster management, Mr. Behari said.

As first responders to any disaster situation, the civil defence and fire service personnel should be strengthened and proper training given to handle victims, he said.

The training was held as part of the agreement reached between the Puducherry government and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to reduce disaster risk. The UNDP would assist the administration in technical, human and procurement aspect of disaster management.

Officials of the UNDP said they would also partner with Revenue Department to set up an early warning system for Puducherry.

Others who spoke at the function included Relief cum Rehabilitation Commissioner Naini Jayaseelan and Collector G. Theva Neethi Dhas.

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