Kohima, September 15 (MExN): Kewachu Semy, Faculty Head, Disaster Management Cell, ATI expressed concern over the recent repeated four tremors felt in our state as reported in the local dailies while speaking at the disaster risk management training programme on building codes and design for safe built environment held at ATI, Kohima on September 14.
In a press note here issued by its Associate Professor N Moa Longkumer stated that Kewachu cited the incidents of earthquake which occurred in the past. He mentioned that elderly persons who had witnessed its occurrence said that the impact was “extremely severe that even bamboos tilted and touched the earth but in those days the construction was traditional and light structured and hence the losses in terms of life and property were less”. “But if an earthquake of such magnitude occur in our state, the result will be disastrous as our structures are heavy and unplanned. Therefore, it is the need of the hour to equip ourselves with the knowledge of earthquake resistant construction practices. This training programme is being conducted with a view to create awareness and to mitigate the impact of earthquake disaster in our state,” Kewachu added.
He also stated that till date no one has been able to predict the occurrence of Earthquake accurately which leaves us with no other means but to be prepared everyday. Therefore, the infrastructures need to be built with accurate seismic designs and strengthened to withstand any disasters especially earthquake. “Nagaland need not be the epicenter of a major earthquake but occurrence of one such mega quake in the neighbouring states will be translated into our state which may cause massive destruction”. He also said: “This training programme is a training programme of National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), New Delhi which has been chosen with a view that it will benefit the people of the state.” He said that the engineers can apply acquired knowledge of technical know how as per building codes while the administrators can enforce Building by-law when it is enforced by the State Government.
The further mentioned that the course participants were mostly administrators and engineers which is the best combination for implementing and enforcing the Building Bye-laws and Development Control. The resource persons for the programme are Professor Chandan Ghosh, Head (GeoHazards Division), Dr. Surya Parkash, Associate Professor, Geohazards & Risk Management Division both from NIDM, New Delhi and Dr. Hovithal N. Sothu, Associate Professor, Disaster Management Cell, ATI, Kohima, the press note added.
