Dimapur, June 19 (EMN): A recent emergency-response drill that was conducted as part of preparations ahead of the monsoon was “not so impressive,” the district administrator of Dimapur has said.
The line departments need to work harder and improve the response mechanism because nature emergencies can happen unannounced, Deputy Commissioner Kevekha Zehol is reported to have told his officers, updates stated on Wednesday.
The second quarterly meeting of the district disaster management authority (DDMA) of Dimapur was conducted on June 18 in the deputy commissioner’s office in Dimapur. The meeting was presided over by the deputy commissioner, who is also the chairman of the DDMA.
The government’s publicity agency, the department of Information and Public Relations (IPR), offered in its Wednesday bulletin updates about the meeting.
The officials of the agency reviewed and discussed matters concerning ‘monsoon preparedness’ in the district. The authorities proposed a drill, the IPR stated.
According to the IPR, Zehol asked the line departments to “pull up their socks and be ready to work for the services and welfare of the people,” the IPR explained. Nature emergencies happen unannounced, he told them. He was stated to have observed that the first drill that was conducted was “not so impressive.” The officer has urged personnel of the line departments to be fully prepared for emergencies.
‘The IPR did not specify which drill, and where it was conducted, that the officer was referring to.
An officer of the district disaster management at Dimapur, Rendemo Lotha, informed that a company of the 12th battalion of the National Disaster Response Force from Arunachal Pradesh was presently stationed at the central training Institute.
‘Very soon they will be conducting mock drill simulating scenario of river side drowning,’ he said.
The officials also discussed “the need” for undertaking an ‘audit’ of the Power department “as power department becomes very vital during disaster. For instance, power lines need to be disconnected first for safety purposes.
Another matter that the members discussed was “the importance” of installing fire extinguishers in offices, colleges, schools, business establishments, cinema halls etc. Further, they discussed the knowledge of handling equipments, the IPR stated.
Officials from the Fire and Emergency Services felt that high rise buildings of 15 metres and over should have two stairways (left and right) and an emergency exit. The meeting also discussed the need for hydraulic ladders for Dimapur district.
The deputy commissioner was stated to have assured that the points that were discussed ‘had been noted for follow up action,’ the IPR added.
