BSDMA holds Orientation Programme on Disaster Preparedness and Public Awareness

Patna: A one-day orientation programme on “Disaster Management Initiatives in Bihar” was held on Saturday at the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) auditorium. The event, chaired by vice-president Dr Uday Kant, was conducted under the guidance of members P N Rai, Kaushal Kishore Mishra, Narendra Singh and Prakash Kumar. The session brought together officials, including authority secretary Md Waris Khan, special secretary Ashutosh Singh, and disaster management officers and additional collectors from across Bihar’s districts.

The programme aimed to improve pre-disaster preparedness and raise public awareness. Deepak Kumar, BSDMA’s senior research officer, highlighted the importance of vulnerability assessment, lightning protection measures, and awareness strategies. Senior technical advisor B K Sahay outlined the District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP), while OSD Md Moiz Uddin explained the roles of disaster management authorities at the national, state, and district levels.

Senior advisor Dr Jeevan presented safe swimming initiatives, focusing on district participation to reduce drowning incidents. Ravi Anand, a senior research officer, discussed the effective implementation of community volunteer training programmes, while Sandeep Kamal addressed strategies for safeguarding people with disabilities under the Divyang Disaster Safety Adjustment Programme.

The orientation covered various disaster management schemes, including the Chief Minister School Safety Programme, Safe Swimming Programme, Community Volunteer Training, and Mason Training for Earthquake-Resistant Housing. The agenda also included hospital fire safety, global warming, and environmental protection measures. Participants were introduced to awareness initiatives such as street plays, community radio, social media campaigns, and outreach activities in schools, colleges, and universities.

Addressing the gathering, vice-president Dr Uday Kant emphasised the importance of pre-disaster preparedness, urging officials to dedicate themselves to disaster prevention and public awareness.

Member P N Rai stressed the need to enhance sustainability efforts by visiting one school weekly under the safety programme. He suggested practical interventions to prevent drowning cases, including the use of flags, stands and drones for improved safety. Rai advocated for innovative awareness strategies, such as performances in local languages and street plays, to engage communities effectively.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by BSDMA secretary Md Waris Khan. The event underscored Bihar’s commitment to building resilient disaster management systems through capacity building and public engagement.