Shillong, March 20: A state-wide mock drill held in Meghalaya on Thursday brought to light a growing push for the inclusion of disaster management in the educational curriculum. Shan Warjri, Incident Commander of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), emphasized the need for structured disaster preparedness education during an exclusive interview with Hub News.
Warjri highlighted the presence of postgraduate programs in disaster management offered by some private universities and praised their practical engagement. “Some private universities already offer postgraduate programs in disaster management, and interns have collaborated with us. We will encourage the state government to consider incorporating disaster management into the curriculum on a larger scale,” he said.
The mock drill, organized by various District Administrations in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), simulated earthquake scenarios to assess the region’s disaster response capacity. Emergency situations such as landslides, fires, and building collapses were enacted to test the efficiency of rescue teams and services. The participation extended to approximately 2,000 to 3,000 individuals, including personnel from DDMA, SDRF, NDRF, fire and emergency services, community members, and volunteers from organizations like the Indian Red Cross and NSS.
Warjri also shed light on the rigorous follow-up processes post-drill. “Debriefing sessions are held the same day to review key observations—positives, learnings, and challenges. These are compiled into reports that contribute to the improvement of annual District Disaster Management Plans,” he explained.
Meanwhile on building safety, Warjri stressed adherence to bylaws framed by MUDA for urban areas. These regulations mandate safety audits, crucial for minimizing risks during disasters.
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