Union Home Ministry on Wednesday reviewed preparedness for various natural disasters with State Governments and deliberated on ways to tackle them, especially the preparedness for the forthcoming south west monsoon.
Inaugurating the annual conference of Relief Commissioners and Secretaries of the Department of Disaster Management of States and Union Territories, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said the disasters or adversities are increasing in number and intensity in the country, ranging from earthquakes, droughts, floods, forest fires among others. There is a need for better preparedness and putting comprehensive, improved risk reduction and mitigation measures in place, he said.
Mehrishi informed the participants that in the last financial year (2015-16), 21 States and one Union Territory reported damage caused by floods, landslides, cloudbursts and other disasters. In these disasters, 1543 human lives were lost, about 16.54 lakh houses and huts damaged and crops over an area of 33.57 lakh hectares affected.
Home Secretary said the Ministry of Home Affairs and agencies such as National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) are sharing long-term measures and training with the States for necessary preparedness. He said the participants should share their experiences in the conference and ensure that an early warning system is put in place.