Disaster management workshop in Sirmaur

Nahan, August 22

A two-day training workshop focused on raising awareness about disaster-prone areas and vulnerable buildings began in Sirmaur today. The workshop is being organised under the joint collaboration of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Sirmaur, Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), Shimla.

The workshop is being organised on August 22 and 23 and is chaired by the Chief Executive Officer (DDMA) and Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Sirmaur, Laik Ram Verma. The primary objective of the workshop is to create awareness among the public for minimising the damage caused by the disasters in Sirmaur district. Additionally, the workshop aims at identifying buildings that are highly sensitive and vulnerable to earthquakes and landslides.

Verma stated that with the technical and scientific support of CBRI-Roorkee team, nearly 2,000 houses and buildings in predetermined gram panchayats and other identified areas of Nahan, Paonta Sahib, Shillai, Pachhad, and Rajgarh subdivisions would be assessed in the coming days for earthquake and landslide resistance. The assessment will help in developing an action plan to mitigate the disaster risks faced by these communities.

The workshop will also involve detailed discussions on various aspects of disasters, including earthquakes, landslides, floods, fires and cloudbursts. Approximately, 50 participants from the Public Works Department, District Rural Development Agency, HIMUDA, National Highway Department, and Block Development Officer’s offices are taking part in the training.