Simra: With the increasing frequency of natural disasters in Himachal, the state Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs) need to be strengthened by improving operational skills, integrating advanced technologies and adopting sustainable cleanup methods, Chief Minister Prabod Saxena said Thursday.Saxena was chairing the meetings attended by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), National Disaster Management Agency (SDMA), SDRF, Indian Weather Service (IMD), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Indian Geological Survey, Public Works and Forest Service. The Secretary General has directed Mandi to promote the process of establishing NDRF headquarters and the establishment of local response centres in Naragarh and Rampur in Shimla districts.Expressing concern over the challenges posed by disasters in the state's mountainous and high-altitude regions, the chief advocated the need for dedicated training modules and schedules to be developed for SDRF teams. The initiative aims to equip teams with the specialized skills needed for search and rescue operations in hard terrain and extreme weather conditions. Training includes comprehensive practical training for operating drones for aerial inspections, identifying survivors in inaccessible areas, assessing damage, and dropping essential items such as medicines and food packets at the exact location.To make disaster response faster and more data-driven, he added, states need to develop and implement model guidelines for using artificial intelligence in decision support systems. The use of artificial intelligence will revolutionize disaster management with predictive analytics, rapid damage assessment, optimizing resource allocation, and early warning systems. He said the main challenge after the flow recovery was to manage large amounts of mud, silt and debris that have been cleaned up from homes and buildings. Standardized protocols for Mac disposal are developed to address this issue in an environmentally and health-friendly way. This protocol focuses on identifying and designating waste sites, soil preservation by bioengineering, and reuse and recycling of debris in protective structures. MSID: 123977941 413 |
