Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, JULY 17
In view of the north east region including Nagaland being considered a high risk area to earthquakes falling under Seismic Zone-V, a one-day sensitization programme was conducted for school children on Friday at the State Academy Hall, Kohima to educate them about earthquake hazards and basic awareness on mitigation and preparedness measures. 40 students each from 15 schools participated in the programme, which was organized jointly by the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Home Department and the North East Institute of Science & Technology (NEIST) Jorhat with a view to inculcate the habit of earthquake safety in young minds.
Chief Secretary, Pankaj Kumar who graced the inaugural function of the day-long awareness programme, underscored the need for the people of the region to be aware that the region lies in a high risk earthquake zone. However, he said they should not be alarmed but learn what they could do and what safety precautions they should follow when such calamities occur.
Observing that students today are smarter than the older generation, the bureaucrat encouraged them to learn constructive things so that they can make people around them aware. He expressed hope that the sensitization programme will help students gain new knowledge on earthquake safety precautions.
Delivering the keynote address, NSDMA secretary T Ao said that earthquakes being a regular occurrence in this part of the country, the sensitization workshop is part of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) sponsored awareness campaign for school children to help equip them better. The official explained that schools are vulnerable to earthquakes as they have a wide mass and heavy concentration of people (students) during the day time. And to prepare the children would be the first step toward their safety.
CSIR (NEIST) Jorhat chief scientist, Dr. R Duarah who was one of the resource persons, spoke on the topic ‘Science of Earthquakes and North East Region Seismicity’. He said that though science is yet to find out how to predict earthquake occurrences definitely, earthquake scenario development is progressing and the people are now finding ways to mitigate damage by recording and monitoring earthquake activities and studying the characteristics of the regions where tremors occur frequently.
Dr. Duarah also highlighted the major earthquakes that hit the north east region since the 8.7 magnitude of 1897 till the most recent times. He pointed out that it was the 7.1 magnitude quake of 1988 that was recorded to have caused considerable damage in Nagaland including the Tuli Paper Mill.
NDMA’s former team coordinator, RS Saxena was also a resource person on the occasion and he explained the essentials of safety to the students.
During the second session, OSD to NSDMA, Johnny Ruangmei gave an overview of disaster management in Nagaland while demonstration was carried out by personnel of Civil Defence & Home Guards.
