Self-preparedness and proper planning are the keys to handle any natural disaster, said Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr M R Ravi.
He was speaking after inaugurating a district-level workshop on cyclone and flood management, as a part of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP), organised by Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority – Revenue Department (Disaster Management), at the district training institute in Kulshekhar, Mangaluru, on Tuesday.
“The government staff should stay alert and coordinate with other departments in handling the disastrous situations objectively. An early warning system should be utilised effectively so as to prevent loss of life and property. It is the responsibility of every person to help others when disaster strikes a community. Meanwhile, positive response of the community too, is important in tackling the situation,” advised Dr Ravi.
Referring to the flood-like situation in Mangaluru recently, M R Ravi said that most of the disasters in the urban areas are manmade. “They are results of faulty planning and encroachments. Violation of regulations in urban planning will affect the whole community. The District Disaster Management Plan is framed for every district by the government. Also, the Central Command Control System is established to control the resources at its disposal,” he explained.
Course coordinator Dr G Vishwanath said that Rs 128-crore grant has been sanctioned for Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts towards disaster management on a stretch of 321 km. The components of disaster management are: early warning system, structural mitigative strategy and capacity building.