Nagaland prepares for NEPEx 2019
Kazheto Kinimi addressing Capacity Development Programme in Kohima on October 24. (Morung Photo)
NSDMA advisor seeks people support in making Nagaland disaster resilient
Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 24
The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) under home department today conducted Capacity Development programme under the theme “Build to Last: Disaster Resilient infrastructure” here at ATI in view of upcoming Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (NEPEx)- 2019.
NEPEx is a state wide emergency exercise of NSDMA and it will be conducted on November 21 this year.
NSDMA will conduct NEPEx in association with DDMAs and the concerned government departments, civil societies and the communities to generate awareness among the communities and different agencies on how to establish mechanism for effective response to any disaster.
The goal of NEPEx is to make Nagaland a safer and resilient society, to qualify the capacity of the state in responding to an event of any disaster, development and strengthening of awareness preparedness response and recover plan, to create awareness among multi stake holder about disaster and its impact etc.
Nagaland lies under Seismic Zone V and is vulnerable to any natural calamities such as earthquake, landslide, flashflood, thunderstorm, hail storm, forest fire etc.
“Nagaland being vulnerable to many natural calamities, it is imperative to establish a scientific approach in responding and managing disaster. It is crucial for both government and the public to prepare themselves for any disaster which will reduce risk and reduce extensive damage during emergency,” NSDMA stated.
‘Make a Family Disaster Management Plan’
“Disaster Management and response to disaster event is everyone responsibility,” said NSDMA advisor Kazheto Kinimi while addressing the inaugural session.
“NSDMA needs your support and collaboration in making Nagaland resilient,” he said and stressed on the need to make a Family Disaster Management Plan so that every families in Nagaland will be prepared for any disaster events and it can save lives and properties.
Kinimi said that disaster management has become a developmental issue all over the world.
“The extreme weather events have halted developments. In this regard, Mainstreaming of Disaster Risk Reduction strategies into developmental planning of all the departments and stakeholders in imperative,” said Kinimi.
Stating that the International communities have been emphasizing for mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction, he said that in accordance with the Disaster Management Act 2005 and other International framework, NSDMA has been taking up many important works towards making Nagaland more resilient to disasters.
Among others, he highlighted some works undertaken by NSDMA includes; establishment of Disaster Management Institutions in the state and district level and village level (Village Disaster Management Authority), constitution of State Disaster Response Force with support from Home Guards and Civil Defence Department, training of 2473 volunteers as Community First Responders, establishment of extreme weather alert and early warning systems, building synergies between emerging technologies towards disaster risk reduction, Development of plans and policies for disaster management and risk reduction and providing immediate relief and restorations of damage infrastructure by natural disaster etc.
He said that NSDMA in collaboration with all the line departments, Government of Nagaland and other stakeholders have been conducting NEPEx every year to test the capability of the state to respond to any mega event of disaster risk that may affect the state any point of time.
Disaster is no longer ‘If’ but ‘When’
Johnny Raungmei, OSD to NSDMA said that disaster is no longer ‘If’ but ‘When.’
He said that individuals, governments, businesses and decision-makers cannot be a stranger to disaster
He strongly viewed that development activities in Nagaland needs to be redefined, adding that interventions should include a portfolio of investments to avoid, reduce and manage residual risk
“Effective disaster risk management is cardinal to facilitates climate change adaptation and contributes to broader resilience,” Raungmei said.
He said that with a 7% increase in monsoon precipitation over the Eastern Himalayas by the middle of the 21st century, and an increased intensity of extreme rainfall events, it is expected to cause an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as floods & landslides.
He said that changes in the intensity and pattern of the monsoon have already left direct and indirect impacts on the communities in the mountains and adjacent plains, particularly through floods, landslides, and drought.
He said that the extreme weather events caused extensive damages to agricultural crops, properties and other public utility infrastructures, Raungmei said adding that it rendered thousands of people homeless in various part of Nagaland.
Prepare to minimize damage in case of any disaster strikes
Principal secretary & home commissioner Abhijit Sinha urged the AHoDs/HoDs and DDMAs officials and stakeholders to make in-depth study on the recent disasters and identify how best it can prepare to minimize the damage in case of any disaster strikes.
He also stressed on the need to have better coordination among the various departments and stakeholders to reduce the risk and damage for any disaster.
Earlier, NSDMA secretary Lhouchalie Viya chaired the inaugural function.
The resource person of the technical session includes; Dr. Vinod Dutta, Sr. Advisor and visiting faculty Centre for Disaster Management studies, IP University Delhi and Former Secretary defence crisis management group (DM), MoD, Col. Sanjay Srivastava, Convenor, Lighting Resilient India and chairman Climate Resilient Observing System Promotion Council and L. Toshitsunba Aier, IPS, Director General Home Guards & Civil Defence, SDRF Nagaland.
NSDMA launches upgraded official web portal
The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) today launched its upgraded official web portal- nsdma.nagaland.gov.in.
NSDMA advisor Kazheto Kinimi launched the website during “Capacity Development Programme” for the upcoming Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (NEPEx)- 2019.
The website featured interactive citizens corner, live weather updates, medium term rainfall forecast, broadcasting weather forecast for Nagaland, slider displaying latest photos/ events/ announcements, social media inputs, newsrooms, GIS integration etc. Rendemo Shitio, SERO, NSDMA while highlighting the basic feature of the website said that citizens can now have an access to weather information, early warnings and other related datas.
One can also post disaster incident reports through the website.
