After an expansive 10-day study of the disaster that struck Uttarakhand in June and the relief operations that ensued,Sudhir Rathod,Assistant Professor at Centre for Disaster Management,Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA),has prepared a report on disaster management and the lessons learnt. The report that will be submitted to the state government encompasses preparedness measures that should be undertaken at events where a large gathering is expected like the Nashik Mahakumbh Mela in 2015 and the yearly yatras of Pandharpur,Tuljapur,Shirdi and Shegaon that are held in the state. Better preparedness is always the best tool. Cyclone Phailin was handled well by the administration,as sufficient precautionary measures were taken. But,at the same time,several lives were lost in the temple tragedy in Madhya Pradesh,as there was no mechanism to avert a disaster and no proper response system in place to help people, he added. The report stated that,Software should be developed where pilgrims can register their names at multiple entry points and a unique identity number should be issued to them for the yatra. Emergency response teams should be equipped with communication equipment like satellite phones,ham radios,mobile phones,laptops and dongles to function as a mobile control room. Adequate financial powers should also be delegated to such teams to procure essential items in case of emergencies. The report further read,Incident Response System teams should be constituted for each event with trained officers. Reserve ration quota,medicine,necessary search and rescue equipment,and relief material should be stored at strategic locations. Real time coordination with the IMD,nodal officers of the Army,NDRF,Air Force,availability of best communication systems and proper training to doctors and emergency operations centre (EOC) staff is also of prime importance. Rathod said during calamities,when an executive officers is sent to help and coordinate the work on field,their personal mobile numbers shouldnt be published as helpline numbers over mass media,as it would lead to chaos. Policy decisions should be coordinated from district and state EOCs as timely decisions support the machinery on field to work efficiently. Evacuees need moral and psychological support and have to be dealt with very sensitively,the report said. Needs of vulnerable population like pregnant women,elderly and children should be given utmost importance. Language is often a barrier,so interpreters are required during such events, said Rathod. The report also stated,The most important factor in cases of disaster relief is optimum coordination between all the agencies involved in relief work. Inter-Agency Group of NGOs should be formed as a preparedness measure for effective NGO coordination during disaster. There should be a single umbrella under which all resources - human and material - should be merged."
