A step towards better disaster management

Mysore, Jun 29 (UNI) The Mysore District Administration is all set to strengthen its disaster management system by setting up 24x7 control rooms, first-of-its-kind in Karnataka, which would be operational from July 1.

Nearly 70 officers from across the district would be deployed to attend the emergencies and minimise destruction caused by disasters, both natural and man-made.

Official sources told UNI that the officers, including Joint Director of Agriculture, Taluk Executive Officers, Mysore Zilla Panchyat Engineers and Revenue Inspectors, would coordinate among themselves in the event of a disaster.

This system was the brain child of Deputy Commissioner P Manivannan. More then 100 state-of-the-art walky talkies were procured for the task and the officers were undergoing training in 'Disaster Risk Management.' With the latest communication systems in hand, the officers would attend to disasters such as earthquakes, accidents and chemical, biological and industrial disasters in the district.

The 'Disaster Management Squad,' primarly comprising officers of the Zilla Panchyat and Revenue and Police Departments, would be headed by the Deputy Commissioner. The Headquaters Assistant would officiate in the absence of the former.

Though there were reports of some districts setting up cells to manage disasters, it was for the first time in the state that a team of officers were desginated for the task, the sources added.

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