Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 1 Jun: A delegation of 40 civil service officers from Sri Lanka visited the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) today as part of a capacity-building programme on disaster management being conducted under the aegis of the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG). During the visit, the officers were briefed about the disaster management systems developed in the state, technological innovations, early warning mechanisms and community participation-based initiatives adopted for disaster risk reduction and response. Joint Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Obaidullah Ansari was also present on the occasion.
Additional Chief Executive Officer (Implementation) and DIG Rajkumar Negi informed the delegation that Uttarakhand has established a robust institutional framework to ensure effective and timely relief and rescue operations during disasters. He explained in detail the role of the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) and District Emergency Operations Centres (DEOCs), the warning dissemination system, the process of issuing disaster alerts and the use of information and communication technology in disaster management.
Negi said active participation of local communities is an integral component of disaster risk reduction efforts in the state. He noted that a multi-layered communication mechanism has been developed to ensure that information and warning messages reach the last person in a timely manner.
Speaking on weather forecasting and warning systems, he explained that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) collects data through satellite-based observation systems, Doppler Weather Radars, Automatic Weather Stations, Automatic Rain Gauges and advanced weather modelling technologies. The data is analysed in real time to generate weather forecasts at different levels, which are particularly important for risk management in mountainous regions.
During the programme, Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Centre (ULMMC) Director Dr Shantanu Sarkar shared details of the scientific measures being undertaken in the state to reduce landslide risks and strengthen disaster preparedness.
As Sri Lanka also frequently faces incidents of heavy rainfall and landslides, members of the delegation showed keen interest in Uttarakhand’s disaster management mechanisms and sought detailed information about the technologies and models being implemented in the state.
Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman said such study programmes serve as effective platforms for capacity building in the field of disaster management. He stated that the exchange of experiences and best practices among different countries enhances institutional efficiency and helps develop more coordinated and effective approaches towards disaster risk reduction. He added that the disaster management models and experiences developed in Uttarakhand can be useful for other countries, while global experiences could further strengthen the state’s systems and preparedness.
NCGG Associate Professor Dr AP Singh said the National Centre for Good Governance, established by the Government of India, is a premier institution working in the areas of good governance, policy reforms, training and capacity building. He informed that the institution has so far conducted capacity-building programmes for civil servants from 52 countries and has trained thousands of officers. He further stated that the study visit was organised as part of a specialised training programme on disaster management being conducted under an agreement between the Governments of India and Sri Lanka.
