Shillong, May 12 (PTI): With Meghalaya falling under high seismic zone, a state disaster management plan which focused on preparedness and mitigation during disaster, was today released by Deputy Chief Minister R C Laloo. The plan was derived in consultation with National Disaster Management Authority, various government departments, stakeholders, civil societies, by focusing on preparedness and mitigation disasters, Laloo said during the release of the plan at a one-day incidence response system (IRS) training. Highlighting that preparedness is the only way to combat a natural disaster, he said the state is vulnerable to seismic disturbances as it falls under Zone V of the seismic zones besides other natural disasters like floods, storms, landslides, etc are recurrent phenomena. Laloo who is in charge of Revenue and Disaster Management department, expressed hope that the IRS training will further enhance the ability of the government functionaries in management and execution of different tasks in the event of disasters. He expressed hoped that the State Incidence Response Team will collectively take the responsibility to generate awareness among the public on how to deal in the event of disasters. In his speech, Chief Secretary K S Kropha reminded the meeting of the great devastation from the two major quakes of 1897 and 1950 and other natural disasters which have been witnessed in recent years. "As time goes by, we see high rise buildings towering in every nook and corner of the state and this has put people s lives and properties at a higher risk," he said. As we sit in the highest seismic zone, we need to be prepared to overcome the challenges in the event of disasters, the chief secretary opined even as the state has come up with the building bye saws and the State Disaster Plan to confront with challenges arising from natural disasters. He said that proper and organised mechanism system needs to be put in place so that we are prepared to deal with all kinds of disasters and that preparedness is the need of the hour.