Bihar Sets Benchmark in Disaster Management: Minister Highlights Key Initiatives

Patna: Bihar’s pioneering role in disaster management was the focus of an important meeting chaired by Minister of Disaster Management, Santosh Kumar Suman, at the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) on Monday.

The meeting, held at the Authority’s headquarters, also included Vice President of the Authority, Dr. Uday Kant, and prominent members P.N. Rai, Kaushal Kishore Mishra, Narendra Kumar Singh, and Prakash Kumar.

During the meeting, Suman praised the Authority’s efforts in disaster preparedness, capacity building, and public awareness programs. He emphasized Bihar’s status as a leading state in disaster management, crediting the Authority for its research-based policy approach. “The Bihar State Disaster Management Authority is the think tank of disaster management policies, and it is our responsibility to implement these policies effectively,” he said.

Suman highlighted the innovative steps Bihar has taken, including collaboration with prestigious institutions like IIT Patna and IISc Bangalore. One notable initiative is the “Nitish Pendant,” developed in partnership with IIT Patna, which aims to protect against lightning and other natural disasters. The Minister noted that incidents of lightning have increased in recent years, and such tools play a critical role in disaster prevention.

Praising Bihar’s contributions to disaster management, Suman mentioned the state’s significant role in the rescue efforts during the Balasore train accident. He also recognized the Authority’s work in training programs for community volunteers, masons for earthquake-resistant house construction, and school safety initiatives like Safe Saturday, part of the Chief Minister’s School Safety Program.

Suman further highlighted the importance of the Safe Swimming Program, designed to train local swimmers in rescue operations, and the Jeevika Didi initiative, which educates women involved in Bihar’s Jeevika program about disaster preparedness. He stressed the need for continuous learning and implementation of these initiatives to inspire other states in disaster management.

In his closing remarks, Suman said, “We cannot control natural disasters, but how we prepare, respond, and recover is in our hands. The Authority is doing remarkable work in these areas, and the department will continue to implement its policies effectively.”

The meeting also discussed innovative measures like creating flood protection action plans using digital twin technology in collaboration with IISc Bangalore, pre-disaster preparedness through satellite data with ISRO, and quick disaster response via the BSDRN App. The use of AR and VR technologies to increase public awareness was also highlighted.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Disaster Management Department, including the Joint Secretary, Special Secretary, Under Secretary, and key officials from the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority.