Dimapur | April 13 : For decades now the feasibility of predicting earthquakes has been a burning contention among the learned circle of seismology and earth science. Predictions of quakes by amateurs as well as seismologists themselves have surfaced time and again, with the media voraciously lapping up such news, all for the consumption of the anxious public. Researchers come up with their own mathematical calculations, while some argue to have studied the varied natural phenomena like - slight shifts in the Earth’s crust, chemical changes in ground water, seismicity and electromagnetic patterns, gas emissions from the Earth, changes in soil temperature etc, etc – as precursors of a major quake. Some of the studies and observations as noticeable precursors are accepted, if not all, while some get completely quashed during debates in the celebrated circle of seismology. And still the argument continues.
Dimapur District disaster management unit goes on alert
Recently, one such prediction by a Sri Lankan geologist has made the news, particularly in the Indian sub-continent. The geologist, who has claimed to have based his prediction on the study of high magnitude earthquakes over the last hundred years, proclaimed that a quake will occur, possibly, along the Indo-China border between April 14 and 16. The intensity of the expected quake though was not specified. Possible quakes were also predicted to occur in Japan and Indonesia.
The credibility of the predictions, notwithstanding, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) of Dimapur is taking no chances. While the emergency response mechanism may not be that state-of-the art, the DDMA discussed the mobilisation of all available resources, at the same time ensuring the requisite protective measures and manpower are put on alert, if at all it occurs as predicted. The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, Maong Aier
The meeting was attended by representatives from the departments, recognized as essential in the event of a calamity – natural or man-made. The Home Guards & Civil Defence was represented by the district commandant, the departments of Power and PHE by the respective executive engineers, the Chief Medical Officer, the District Information Officer of the National Informatics Centre, the CEO of the Dimapur Municipal Council, while the district administration was led by the DC, the ADC and the EAC (Establishment).
The DC asserted that the DDMA will requisition all available resources/equipments in the district in the event of emergencies, as empowered by the Nagaland Disaster Management Authority to the respective district disaster management units. While urging all the responsible departments in the district to go into a state of readiness, the DDMA appealed upon all the stationed central para-military forces, the Army and the Border Roads Organisation for all possible assistance. It also identified and appealed all the major hospitals and its personnel in the district to be prepared for any eventuality. The members further suggested: “No medical personnel or drivers to take leave.”
The Disaster Management Cell & the District Emergency Operations Centre located at the DC office complex will act as the control room in the event that it occurs and will coordinate all emergency relief efforts. The DDMA said that the control room will go operational beginning April 14.
It also identified certain landmarks in thickly populated areas as vulnerable particularly the old flyover, besides, the LPG bottling plant, IOC oil depot, banking and educational institutions, the railway station and the airport.
Teams were further designated for carrying out protective and emergency operations. The medical team will be headed by the Medical Superintendent and the CMO, important installations and commercial depots was designated to the DMC, fire & emergency services to the civil defence, while the responsibility of looking after power, water and road connectivity was entrusted to the departments of power, PHE and PWD.
Importantly, educational institutions were appealed to remain alert while it insisted on the conduct of emergency mock drills. Further, after all has been said, the DDMA called upon the churches and all believers to pray to the Almighty that such a catastrophe as predicted do not occur.
Dimapur District disaster management unit goes on alert
Recently, one such prediction by a Sri Lankan geologist has made the news, particularly in the Indian sub-continent. The geologist, who has claimed to have based his prediction on the study of high magnitude earthquakes over the last hundred years, proclaimed that a quake will occur, possibly, along the Indo-China border between April 14 and 16. The intensity of the expected quake though was not specified. Possible quakes were also predicted to occur in Japan and Indonesia.
The credibility of the predictions, notwithstanding, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) of Dimapur is taking no chances. While the emergency response mechanism may not be that state-of-the art, the DDMA discussed the mobilisation of all available resources, at the same time ensuring the requisite protective measures and manpower are put on alert, if at all it occurs as predicted. The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, Maong Aier
The meeting was attended by representatives from the departments, recognized as essential in the event of a calamity – natural or man-made. The Home Guards & Civil Defence was represented by the district commandant, the departments of Power and PHE by the respective executive engineers, the Chief Medical Officer, the District Information Officer of the National Informatics Centre, the CEO of the Dimapur Municipal Council, while the district administration was led by the DC, the ADC and the EAC (Establishment).
The DC asserted that the DDMA will requisition all available resources/equipments in the district in the event of emergencies, as empowered by the Nagaland Disaster Management Authority to the respective district disaster management units. While urging all the responsible departments in the district to go into a state of readiness, the DDMA appealed upon all the stationed central para-military forces, the Army and the Border Roads Organisation for all possible assistance. It also identified and appealed all the major hospitals and its personnel in the district to be prepared for any eventuality. The members further suggested: “No medical personnel or drivers to take leave.”
The Disaster Management Cell & the District Emergency Operations Centre located at the DC office complex will act as the control room in the event that it occurs and will coordinate all emergency relief efforts. The DDMA said that the control room will go operational beginning April 14.
It also identified certain landmarks in thickly populated areas as vulnerable particularly the old flyover, besides, the LPG bottling plant, IOC oil depot, banking and educational institutions, the railway station and the airport.
Teams were further designated for carrying out protective and emergency operations. The medical team will be headed by the Medical Superintendent and the CMO, important installations and commercial depots was designated to the DMC, fire & emergency services to the civil defence, while the responsibility of looking after power, water and road connectivity was entrusted to the departments of power, PHE and PWD.
Importantly, educational institutions were appealed to remain alert while it insisted on the conduct of emergency mock drills. Further, after all has been said, the DDMA called upon the churches and all believers to pray to the Almighty that such a catastrophe as predicted do not occur.
