Newmai News Network
Shillong | September 25
The Meghalaya Commissioner & Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management, T Dkhar has expressed concern that an earthquake like the one which struck the region in 1897 will be catastrophic if it occurs today.
Recalling the Shillong Earthquake of 8.7 magnitude on June 12, 1897 which has devastated the plateau and affected the whole of North East India, Dkhar said, “Although the death toll caused by the earthquake in those days was quite minimal, the rapidly growing human population and development structures in the region continually increases the seismic risk to several folds.”
Dkhar made this statement while speaking during the inaugural day of a three – day training programme on Earthquake Risk Mitigation for Safer Built Environment at Shillong Club, Shillong on Wednesday.
In his inaugural speech, Dkhar said that the State of Meghalaya, which lies in the seismically active Zone V, is prone to floods, fires, landslides, cyclonic storms and lightning strikes besides earthquake.
He then said that with the growing population and urbanization especially in Shillong and some other headquarters in the State having high rise buildings, this kind of programme is necessary to equip engineers, architects, planners, administrators and other stakeholders with the knowledge required for mitigation to prepare a safe environment for the citizens.
“To carry out earthquake risk mitigation programme forwards, there is a need for trained manpower for taking appropriate actions before, during and after disaster in order to reduce the loss of human lives and financial consequences,” he said. He expressed hoped that this forum will immensely benefit the participants and government officials to put into practice of the knowledge they gain from the training.
Dr. Amir Ali Khan of NIDM who is the main resource person in the training programme, will deliberate on several issues relating to earthquake risk mitigation management with special reference to Meghalaya. Other resource persons included Surajit Bordoloi, Dr. A Lyngdoh and Arulia Sangma.
