A billboard put up in the State Capital Kohima to create awareness on disasters such as an earthquake (Photo Concept by Little Fire/Design by Spearhead Design)
Morung Express | March 23 : The recent disaster in Japan is once again a reminder of nature and her unpredictable fury. There is no way to prevent only to be prepared, or be in a constant state of ‘preparedness’. It is said that earthquakes do not kill, buildings do! While Nagas are somewhat complacent by nature, God forbid but if an earthquake of the magnitude that hit Japan ever hits us, our buildings (especially the ones in Kohima) would be perfect recipes for disaster. After the great earthquake in the 1950’s we seem to believe that something terrible cannot come again. The earthquake in the 1950’s was so great that, ‘it tossed the seeds of one paddy field to another’. It was that bad.
How ‘prepared’ are we…in our ‘preparedness’? Will it take an 8.9 reading on the Richter scale for us to wake up?
Today we have seen the tragedy of Japan, a country known for its modernity and technology. This powerful country today is struggling to come to terms with its disaster and the aftereffects of it. Today one of the most advanced countries is on its knees. Zoom back to Nagaland. We are living in a seismic zone, yet we seem to be more or less in a ‘complacent’ state of mind as the Morung Express found out.
As per the 2005 Disaster Management Act, the Nagaland Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was formed. This authority is headed by the DCs at district level, by the CM at the state level and by the PM at the central level. Under this act the ‘State Executive Committee’ for disaster management was also formed which consists of 10 members, the chairman of which is the Chief Secretary. The state has also set up a ‘State Emergency Operation Centres’. The one in the capital is situated inside the old secretariat. However, the centre lies in a disappointing state.
On further inquiries it was learnt that no one has ever seen any activity inside the center except for a jawan or two guarding the premises.
Continued on page 5
“Ever since the board mentioning the centre was put up, we have never seen anyone go or come from there”, said people from the nearby departments (on conditions of anonymity of course). The room lies covered in dust with only a huge TV for video conferencing purposes, which are supposedly connected to all the states and ministries. In fact finding the room itself was another story because there are not many in the old secretariat who has ever heard of the ‘emergency center’!
To these allegations, a reliable source responsible for the center stated that there were nodal officers earlier who were detailed to be on duty round the clock, but all of them have been either transferred or retired. The first phase of state disaster risk management programme got completed in the year 2009 and since then there has been a huge gap. It is only this year that things are moving again.
The source added that there was a State Executive Committee meeting on the 17th March, 2011 where issues relating to disaster management were discussed. Accordingly officers from all major departments would be put on nodal duty in the center. There are also ‘District Emergency Operating Centers’ (DEOC) in Peren, Dimapur and Mokokchung, while other districts have also been given equipments. The center in Mokokchung is situated right inside the residential compound of the DC. However, a short call to the DC confirmed that there is no specific staff to man the centre.
Michael Yaden, Addl Director civil defence, DCG Home Guards, who was the Team Leader for the first phase of GOI UNDP, Disaster Risk Management programme, while speaking to the Morung Express said that there is a need for a hotline/toll free to the emergency centers so that citizens can call and avail of help during emergencies and disasters. Mr. Yaden during his tenure as the Team Leader had conducted a number of drills in schools, offices etc which helped in educating, sensitizing and creating an awareness amongst the public.
“Mock drills are supposed to be conducted by district administration; each district should have district disaster management plans. Each department has a part to play in disaster management, even the public-the first responders” said Mr. Yaden. Speaking further he added that each should know how to help himself and that when called for trainings/drills each should participate seriously. He also added that we Nagas may be bad in paperwork but we are good at helping each other.
An unnamed source, however said that when drills were being conducted sometimes people were not always cooperative and taking their own sweet time walking out. Such casual attitude causes problems because one has to record the time period needed to evacuate the building in question. According to safety manuals, during earthquakes, one is not supposed to run as that may cause a stampede but walk quickly away to an open space. This goes to show that the complacent Naga attitude definitely needs work if our drills are to be conducted/taken seriously.
As far as equipments are concerned, it has been confirmed that they have been procured under centrally sponsored funds especially meant for capacity building and support, however there is no proper/correct inventory. It is only recently that a formal final inventory is going to be prepared. An interesting fact about so called ‘equipments’ is that during the first phase eleven satellite phones were bought/activated and distributed to all the districts, well and good. Unfortunately, these phones are now out of use because the state has not been able to locate funds (everything being centrally funded) for reactivation of the now expired Sim cards.
Perhaps the state would need to procure an ‘early warning signal’ equipment like the ones used in Tamil Nadu called ‘Last Mile Connectivity’, the final act of passing vital information to the public during disasters and in the process save lives. After the tsunami tragedy a few years back, this technology, funded by UNDP was installed in Tamil Nadu. It helps in warning and informing citizens of impending dangers. Though the equipment is not specifically used for earthquakes, it could help in warning citizens of flash floods which could be triggered during major earthquakes especially in the monsoon. In fact flash flood is again another major disaster that is just waiting to happen considering our poor drainage system and also the fact that we are very prone to landslides.
Speaking to the Morung Express, Johnny Ruangmei, State Project Officer for Disaster Management said “We plan to work with local bodies/students etc train and equip them, so that they will be empowered to go and work with their respective wards/colonies”. As per the 2005 act, a search and rescue team was also formed but it was all ad hoc. According to reliable sources plans are now on to form a ‘State Disaster Response Force’ which will be attached to the IRB. Five companies will be formed initially; each company will have 150 men headed by DySPs. These men will be given special and absolute training in ‘search and rescue’; they will be fully equipped to handle any situation. The aim is to have six companies by the year 2015.
Coming to the gigantic topic of buildings, the state has its own building byelaws whereby every building has to comply with certain rules and regulations more so because we live in a highly seismic zone. These laws are supposed to be enforced by the Urban Local Bodies. But the ULBs by themselves cannot enforce these laws without the technical assistance of architects and engineers (the byelaws being extremely technical in nature). The Nagaland Building Byelaws 2001 is currently under amendment to incorporate structural safety measures. The new act will be called ‘Town and Country planning act’ and will include everything from buildings to drainages. The Urban Development is taking the initiative to amend the byelaw.
The problem with Nagaland is that unlike others, we are the land owners, in the sense that the land belongs to the individual who has sole authority in the manner and purpose in which it should be used. Here is where the Naga mentality creeps in again. In an ideal/civilized society each individual would put the interest of the public first rather than his selfish aims. Most of us when building our ‘towering palaces’ do not bother to take in technical advise for safety purposes. Some commercial buildings and even certain schools in and around the capital are perfect examples of how uncivilized and unthinking one can be. “The high literacy rate of the Nagas which is above the national average has not translated into civic sense for us”, says Mr Tarachu, Additional Director Urban Development.
According to a very reliable source, during a high level meeting held in the year 2005, the suggestion was made that school buildings, hospitals, community halls, churches etc could be used for temporary shelters in case of major disasters. To this end all DCs would have to make assessments of ‘lifeline’ buildings in their respective districts-town and village wise. Assessment would thereafter be feasible for retrofitting etc. However most of the officials present in the meeting were skeptical of accurate technical assessment being possible as most constructions in the state are executed without adhering to any technical guidelines.
As far as relief and rehabilitation is concerned, a reliable source said that when Mr. Ponraj was the Home commissioner, a meeting was held to formulate ‘Nagaland State Crisis management Plan’, a rough draft was also drawn up according to which, each department would be given specific roles and responsibilities in the even of a disaster. Till this day, a formal/final plan still has not been drawn up. Will it take an 8.9 reading on the Richter scale for us to wake up?
How ‘prepared’ are we…in our ‘preparedness’? Will it take an 8.9 reading on the Richter scale for us to wake up?
Today we have seen the tragedy of Japan, a country known for its modernity and technology. This powerful country today is struggling to come to terms with its disaster and the aftereffects of it. Today one of the most advanced countries is on its knees. Zoom back to Nagaland. We are living in a seismic zone, yet we seem to be more or less in a ‘complacent’ state of mind as the Morung Express found out.
As per the 2005 Disaster Management Act, the Nagaland Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was formed. This authority is headed by the DCs at district level, by the CM at the state level and by the PM at the central level. Under this act the ‘State Executive Committee’ for disaster management was also formed which consists of 10 members, the chairman of which is the Chief Secretary. The state has also set up a ‘State Emergency Operation Centres’. The one in the capital is situated inside the old secretariat. However, the centre lies in a disappointing state.
On further inquiries it was learnt that no one has ever seen any activity inside the center except for a jawan or two guarding the premises.
Continued on page 5
“Ever since the board mentioning the centre was put up, we have never seen anyone go or come from there”, said people from the nearby departments (on conditions of anonymity of course). The room lies covered in dust with only a huge TV for video conferencing purposes, which are supposedly connected to all the states and ministries. In fact finding the room itself was another story because there are not many in the old secretariat who has ever heard of the ‘emergency center’!
To these allegations, a reliable source responsible for the center stated that there were nodal officers earlier who were detailed to be on duty round the clock, but all of them have been either transferred or retired. The first phase of state disaster risk management programme got completed in the year 2009 and since then there has been a huge gap. It is only this year that things are moving again.
The source added that there was a State Executive Committee meeting on the 17th March, 2011 where issues relating to disaster management were discussed. Accordingly officers from all major departments would be put on nodal duty in the center. There are also ‘District Emergency Operating Centers’ (DEOC) in Peren, Dimapur and Mokokchung, while other districts have also been given equipments. The center in Mokokchung is situated right inside the residential compound of the DC. However, a short call to the DC confirmed that there is no specific staff to man the centre.
Michael Yaden, Addl Director civil defence, DCG Home Guards, who was the Team Leader for the first phase of GOI UNDP, Disaster Risk Management programme, while speaking to the Morung Express said that there is a need for a hotline/toll free to the emergency centers so that citizens can call and avail of help during emergencies and disasters. Mr. Yaden during his tenure as the Team Leader had conducted a number of drills in schools, offices etc which helped in educating, sensitizing and creating an awareness amongst the public.
“Mock drills are supposed to be conducted by district administration; each district should have district disaster management plans. Each department has a part to play in disaster management, even the public-the first responders” said Mr. Yaden. Speaking further he added that each should know how to help himself and that when called for trainings/drills each should participate seriously. He also added that we Nagas may be bad in paperwork but we are good at helping each other.
An unnamed source, however said that when drills were being conducted sometimes people were not always cooperative and taking their own sweet time walking out. Such casual attitude causes problems because one has to record the time period needed to evacuate the building in question. According to safety manuals, during earthquakes, one is not supposed to run as that may cause a stampede but walk quickly away to an open space. This goes to show that the complacent Naga attitude definitely needs work if our drills are to be conducted/taken seriously.
As far as equipments are concerned, it has been confirmed that they have been procured under centrally sponsored funds especially meant for capacity building and support, however there is no proper/correct inventory. It is only recently that a formal final inventory is going to be prepared. An interesting fact about so called ‘equipments’ is that during the first phase eleven satellite phones were bought/activated and distributed to all the districts, well and good. Unfortunately, these phones are now out of use because the state has not been able to locate funds (everything being centrally funded) for reactivation of the now expired Sim cards.
Perhaps the state would need to procure an ‘early warning signal’ equipment like the ones used in Tamil Nadu called ‘Last Mile Connectivity’, the final act of passing vital information to the public during disasters and in the process save lives. After the tsunami tragedy a few years back, this technology, funded by UNDP was installed in Tamil Nadu. It helps in warning and informing citizens of impending dangers. Though the equipment is not specifically used for earthquakes, it could help in warning citizens of flash floods which could be triggered during major earthquakes especially in the monsoon. In fact flash flood is again another major disaster that is just waiting to happen considering our poor drainage system and also the fact that we are very prone to landslides.
Speaking to the Morung Express, Johnny Ruangmei, State Project Officer for Disaster Management said “We plan to work with local bodies/students etc train and equip them, so that they will be empowered to go and work with their respective wards/colonies”. As per the 2005 act, a search and rescue team was also formed but it was all ad hoc. According to reliable sources plans are now on to form a ‘State Disaster Response Force’ which will be attached to the IRB. Five companies will be formed initially; each company will have 150 men headed by DySPs. These men will be given special and absolute training in ‘search and rescue’; they will be fully equipped to handle any situation. The aim is to have six companies by the year 2015.
Coming to the gigantic topic of buildings, the state has its own building byelaws whereby every building has to comply with certain rules and regulations more so because we live in a highly seismic zone. These laws are supposed to be enforced by the Urban Local Bodies. But the ULBs by themselves cannot enforce these laws without the technical assistance of architects and engineers (the byelaws being extremely technical in nature). The Nagaland Building Byelaws 2001 is currently under amendment to incorporate structural safety measures. The new act will be called ‘Town and Country planning act’ and will include everything from buildings to drainages. The Urban Development is taking the initiative to amend the byelaw.
The problem with Nagaland is that unlike others, we are the land owners, in the sense that the land belongs to the individual who has sole authority in the manner and purpose in which it should be used. Here is where the Naga mentality creeps in again. In an ideal/civilized society each individual would put the interest of the public first rather than his selfish aims. Most of us when building our ‘towering palaces’ do not bother to take in technical advise for safety purposes. Some commercial buildings and even certain schools in and around the capital are perfect examples of how uncivilized and unthinking one can be. “The high literacy rate of the Nagas which is above the national average has not translated into civic sense for us”, says Mr Tarachu, Additional Director Urban Development.
According to a very reliable source, during a high level meeting held in the year 2005, the suggestion was made that school buildings, hospitals, community halls, churches etc could be used for temporary shelters in case of major disasters. To this end all DCs would have to make assessments of ‘lifeline’ buildings in their respective districts-town and village wise. Assessment would thereafter be feasible for retrofitting etc. However most of the officials present in the meeting were skeptical of accurate technical assessment being possible as most constructions in the state are executed without adhering to any technical guidelines.
As far as relief and rehabilitation is concerned, a reliable source said that when Mr. Ponraj was the Home commissioner, a meeting was held to formulate ‘Nagaland State Crisis management Plan’, a rough draft was also drawn up according to which, each department would be given specific roles and responsibilities in the even of a disaster. Till this day, a formal/final plan still has not been drawn up. Will it take an 8.9 reading on the Richter scale for us to wake up?
