By Dr Arvind Kumar
In the aftermath of Leh tragedy, there is dire need of focusing on strengthening disaster management mechanism in the disaster-prone hilly and mountainous regions. The nature can exhibit its fury in a cloudburst coupled with incessant rains, snowstorms and other forms as well, often taking a heavy toll of precious lives.
Several urban localities in townships in the hilly areas are very congested and thickly populated, infested with old vulnerable buildings. A tremor of some force can cause them to go upside down. This calls for constant vigilance on the part of the local people as well as local administration. There exists a tendency with us to take things easy after the crisis is over. Such approach runs contrary to the concept of managing a natural disaster which by definition is an unexpected occurrence resulting in widespread devastation.
In order to manage the disaster, there is an urgent need of developing convergence at various levels:
Between local populace and local administration;
Between local administration and the Armed Forces;
Between local administration and the State administartion;
Inter-sectoral convergence between the different departments of State administration;
Between local administration and civil societies engaged in relief work and rehabilitation.
