Islanders' go through mock drills to take on nature's fury

Port Blair, Oct 23 (UNI) Since the December 2004 tsunami, the authorities of the remote islands of Andaman and Nicobar are leaving no stones unturned to train the islanders in disaster management.

The tsunami-hit people of this island chain are also taking keen interest in various camps, where series of mock drills are being conducted on disaster preparedness, which they feel as most important after suffering the brunt of the deadly tsunami.

A similar mock-drill was conducted yesterday in Beodnabad, a remote village of Andamans, which was attended by a large gathering, including government officials, PRI members, NGOs and villagers.

''This drill was conducted by the Patwari level disaster management committee,'' informed Rajiv Shukla, the Assistant commissioner of Headquarters.

The drill started with the enactment of a mock earthquake like situation, with the people running helter skelter in panic, which was later managed by the shelter management committees comprising representatives from various departments taking care of the panic-stricken people.

''The mock-drill also saw the sheet anchor role played by the Pradhans and other PRI members in the management of the situation arising out of disaster,'' the AC said.

The mock drill also sent a strong message against alcoholics in the form of a confession by a liquor addict that he could not save his dear ones during disaster as he was intoxicated, which restricted his mobility.

After tsunami, the local administration is focusing on spreading awareness among all islanders specially villagers regarding disaster preparedness. Such camps were also organised in various schools of these islands too.

Tsunami, followed by a megaquake in December 26, 2004, had killed nearly 3800 people in these remote islands and left another 40,000 homeless.

UNI SKR BA SAM DS1135