Apply ICT in disaster management: Mithi

Puducherry, Feb 21 (UNI) Puducherry Lt Governor Mukut Mithi today inaugurated a consultation workshop on 'Application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to community-based disaster preparedness', organised by the Pondicherry Multipurpose Social Service Society (PMSSS).

Speaking on the occasion Mr Mithi said the need of the hour was to strategically work towards disaster preparedness involving local communities with emphasis on adopting preventive strategies to reduce potential loss in social, economic and environmental sectors.

Stating that ICT had been recognised as integral to disaster management, early warning system and emergency response to disasters, Mr Mithi said the advent of new technologies over the last two decades gave a great opportunity for the application of these technologies in disaster management.

Though it was evident that recent advancements had increased the potential for application of communication technology in disaster mitigation, most of them just remained in the scientific and technological realms only, he regretted.

He called for translating technological growth into application.

Stating that the integration of advanced technologies with more conventional indigenous technologies could make the disaster preparedness programmes more successful, the Lt Governor said the Cyclone Preparedness Programme in Bangladesh had been acknowledged as one of the most successful in the world.

UNI