Thrissur: The State government will soon come out with an action plan for disaster management, Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran has said.
He was addressing a State-level workshop for officials of district administrations and heads of various departments held here on Saturday with the objective of coordinating district disaster management plans.
The State-level preparedness plan, which is at the final stage of preparation, will be discussed at a meeting of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, the Minister said.
“Pre-disaster planning is a vital part of preparedness. A disaster management plan focusing on hazard, risk, vulnerability and resource assessment improves the efficacy of rescue operations,” he said.
Effective community involvement and public awareness could largely minimise the impact of disasters, the Minister said. Citing examples of the recent accidents in Thekkady and Kottayam, he said the active participation of local public in rescue operations had reduced the causality rates.
The Minister said that about 10 per cent of the fund for disaster management would be used for providing modern equipment for the Fire and Rescue Services. Ambulances will be distributed to the Health Department for rescue operations in coastal areas.
Training to the key community and social functionaries is an essential element for the successful execution of a disaster management action plan, the Minister said. “Procedures are progressing to start civil defence institutes in Thrissur, Kochi and Kottayam. Eternal vigilance is needed as natural disasters have become common, he said.
Source: The Hindu, dated: 28th march 2010
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