Gandhinagar, March 6 (NationPress) A nationwide conference on 'Disaster Preparedness in Gujarat' took place in Gandhinagar on Friday, uniting representatives from both Central and state agencies to assess readiness against natural and man-made disasters.

The objective is to enhance coordination mechanisms designed to mitigate risks and bolster emergency responses.

The gathering was organized at the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), presided over by Revenue Department Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Jayanti Ravi.

During her address, Ravi emphasized that modern disaster management encompasses much more than just relief and rehabilitation, highlighting the equal importance of prevention, awareness, and long-term planning.

“Today, disaster management is not solely about relief and rehabilitation; it incorporates prevention, awareness, and thorough planning,”

she remarked.

She noted that Gujarat’s disaster management framework is in alignment with the central government’s strategies and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 10-point agenda concerning Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

According to Ravi, the state's readiness mechanisms are reinforced from urban regions all the way to rural communities.

On the topic of operational readiness, she pointed out that the SEOC collaborates with districts and talukas during crises to ensure a cohesive response.

“Our lessons from previous cyclones and floods, coupled with regular mock drills, have considerably improved preparedness across the state,” she stated, noting that particular focus has been placed on safety drills at oil and gas installations and nuclear facilities.

Dr. Ravi elaborated on various initiatives launched by the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Minister of State for Revenue and Disaster Management Sanjaysinh Mahida.

One of these initiatives is the 'Prepared Community, Safe Village' program, where local citizens at the village and taluka levels are receiving training through BISAG in both online and hybrid formats.

Furthermore, she mentioned that disaster management funds are being allocated to enhance infrastructure, including improving electricity tower connectivity and ensuring a continuous power supply.

The government has also committed to supplying essential equipment kits to over 18,000 gram panchayats throughout the state.

NDMA Secretary Manish Bhardwaj underscored the significance of community involvement in disaster response.

“The most crucial element during disasters is the participation of community volunteers. In any emergency, the initial response always originates from local residents,” he remarked.

Bhardwaj advocated for broader sections of society to receive fundamental emergency training.

“Ordinary citizens, drivers, and merchants should be trained in CPR and first aid so that immediate assistance can be rendered before professional responders arrive,”

he added.

He also stressed the necessity for stringent fire safety regulations in schools and rapid emergency response systems. “In the event of a fire anywhere in the state, the fire brigade's response time should be under five minutes,” he noted.

Moreover, he highlighted the need for modernizing forest departments with advanced technology and equipment to avert incidents like forest fires.

Bhardwaj pointed out that cities across the nation must enhance their capabilities to respond to disasters such as floods and cloudbursts.

“Essential services like electricity, drainage, and transportation should remain uninterrupted during emergencies, which necessitates coordinated efforts across all departments,” he stated.

NDMA Member Dinesh Kumar Aswal remarked that disaster management should be perceived as a continuous process that commences well before a crisis occurs.

“Disaster management is not merely an activity post-disaster; it encompasses preparedness and risk reduction through proactive planning,” he asserted.

He emphasized that states like Gujarat, with prevalent chemical industries, require scientific and data-driven strategies to mitigate the risk of industrial accidents.

“Risk mapping and technology utilization are crucial for departments to pinpoint vulnerabilities and devise effective disaster management plans,” he mentioned.

Aswal also addressed the emerging threats posed by climate change.

“Global warming and irregular rainfall patterns are introducing new challenges like urban flooding and heatwaves, necessitating early warning systems and proactive preparedness,” he indicated.

On the subject of financial backing for these initiatives, he noted that the 16th Finance Commission has allocated substantial funds for disaster management.

“Departments must develop mitigation projects and connect them with the National Disaster Management Portal to optimize the use of these funds,”

he concluded, mentioning that allocations for Gujarat have also seen an increase.

The meeting saw attendance from senior officials along with representatives from the NDRF, SDRF, BSF, IMD, Gujarat Maritime Board, and numerous other departments including animal husbandry, agriculture, fire safety, and health.