Lalit Mohan
A two-day workshop on Disaster Management to mark the 1905 Kangra earthquake anniversary was held at Government Postgraduate College, Dharamsala. The workshop was jointly organised by the Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP) and State Disaster Management Authority and Himachal Pradesh Government.
Experts expressed concerns over the large numbers of illegal constructions coming up in McLeodganj due to the seismic vulnerability of the area.
Prof Ambrish Kumar Mahajan, the organising secretary of the workshop, said the main focus was to bring all scientists and academicians and stakeholders on one platform. Over 500 representatives from PWD, IPH, Health, Town and Country Planning, Smart City officials and Army cantonment Yol, National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), NGOs, Mountaineering Institute and students, delegates from far-flung areas including Pangi and Reckong Peo participated in the workshop, he said.
He said experts from Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology; Indian Institute of Remote Sensing; IIT Mandi; HIMCOSTE, Shimla; National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) delivered their presentations related to Kangra region. The workshop had four technical sessions on the seismic hazard status of Kangra region.
Prof Mahajan gave the detailed account of seismic hazard status of Kangra valley. He stressed on seismic micro-zoning of Kangra to illustrate as to which areas were comparatively more prone to seismic hazard. The vulnerability status of each region was specified in his study. Most of the presentation focused on disaster resilient efforts. There was big concern on haphazard construction from all corners. Experts pointed out that McLedoganj needs to be revisited for its vulnerability status. The building design and how to construct earthquake-resistant building in Himachal Pradesh was also presented. The applications of Information Communications and Technology (ICT) in disaster management were stressed in today’s framework.
The dignitaries and delegates also participated in a procession to remember April 4, 1905, the day the massive earthquake struck Kangra killing 20,000 people. A two-minute silence was also observed. Dr Rajesh, health specialist and NDRF team led by deputy commandant Ravi gave representation on saving lives during any disaster.
CUHP Vice-Chancellor Kuldeep Agnihotri; Kamal Kishore, Member National Disaster Management Authority, New Delhi; Prof Harsh K Gupta, former member NDMA were the guest of honours.
Recommendations made
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