PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that an Apda Sakhi Yojana on the lines of the Apda Mitra Yojana will be launched in the State. Speaking at a workshop on monsoon 2025 preparedness organised by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) on Saturday, he said that under this scheme women volunteers will be trained in pre-disaster warning, primary treatment, relief and rescue works, psychological assistance and other aspects. In addition to boosting women empowerment, this scheme will strengthen the active participation of the society in disaster management.
Dhami said, “We have to work on the basis of lessons learnt from natural disasters experienced in the past. Natural disasters cannot be prevented but swift response and alertness along with coordinated rescue and relief works can mitigate loss to the public.”
The CM further said that disaster management is the collective responsibility of all the departments. Along with all the departments, the active participation of the general public is also vital for this. Stressing on the importance of public participation, he said that the effect of all governmental efforts will remain limited unless the society is aware, trained and alert. As locals are the first at the scene during a disaster, it is also necessary to train disaster management committees at the village level, Mahila and Yuva Mangal Dals, voluntary organisations and bodies like Red Cross.
The CM pointed out, “We will have to adopt both proactive and reactive approaches for effectively dealing with disasters. A proactive approach was adopted following a cloudburst during 2024 at Gaurikund and thousands of lives were saved. In the same year, swift action of the administration saved the lives of more than 200 people before a landslide occurred at Toli village in Tehri district. Standing with the affected during disaster situations is a priority of the government,” he said.
Chief secretary Anand Bardhan said that Uttarakhand faces various types of disasters. He stressed on the need for making proper arrangements before the advent of monsoon in order to mitigate the impact of disasters. Stating that the better use of resources and technical resources during disasters is bringing about a revolutionary change in the sphere of disaster management, he stressed on further improving the use of such resources.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) member Rajendra Singh said that the India Meteorological Centre has forecast an early and above normal monsoon in Uttarakhand. Considering this, the period from June 15 to November is a crucial period for the State from the viewpoint of disaster.
