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Our Correspondent
Imphal, April 21 (EMN): Manipur Relief and Disaster Management minister, Awangbow Newmai flagged off the state-level exercise on earthquake disaster FY-2022-2023 at a function in Imphal on Thursday.
The programme was organised by the department of Relief and Disaster Management/State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) in collaboration with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Addressing the gathering, minister Awangbow Newmai appreciated the steps taken up by the NDMA in extending its responsibility to enlighten and educate the people in relation to disasters.
The minister hoped that the mock exercise conducted by NDMA will create awareness among the state disaster management team. He added that as the programme is a continuous process, all districts will be covered under such programmes in the future.
He further added that the youths of the state can be trained for disaster management.
In his speech, additional chief secretary, MH Khan said that the training with the stakeholders will enhance the quick response and role of the concerned departments in time of any disaster adding that mock exercises help in capacity building of the relief team members.
Sudhir Bahl, major general (retd.), sr. consultant (ME&IRS), NDMA said that disaster management is like preparing for war. ‘We never know when a disaster will happen. Manipur is a state blessed by God in terms of natural beauty and other aspects as well as problems related to disaster like flood, earthquake, landslide, cyclonic storm etc. as well’, he added.
The flagging-off programme was attended by Yanglet Haokip, vice chairman SDMA; NDRF; State SDRF; Fire and Emergency Services; Transport department; Medical department; Electricity department; chemical biological radiologist and nuclear experts among others.
Mock exercises were also conducted at Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts.