Focusing on building a critical infrastructure for a disaster resilient Assam, a contractor conclave was recently organised by Assam State Disaster Management Authority in Guwahati.
Delivering the keynote address, Minakshi Das Nath, Additional Chief Executive Officer of ASDMA, emphasized the increasing pressure on current relief services and the urgent need for more structured disaster relief camps. She highlighted the importance of strengthening disaster-resilient infrastructure in Assam.
She also underscored the state’s active efforts under the Assam Integrated River Basin Management Project (AIRBMP) to enhance flood and disaster management systems and appealed for active participation from all stakeholders in building climate-resilient infrastructure and systems.
With technical assistance from AIRBMP, the state has undertaken institutional reforms and strategic infrastructure investments to reduce flood risks and improve disaster preparedness such as construction of new multi-purpose relief shelters in 11 flood-prone districts. These shelters can house up to 500 people each during floods and emergencies. Upgradation of selected existing school buildings currently used as temporary flood shelters, to make them structurally resilient and functionally effective.
Director General of Civil Defence and Home Guards, Shri Arabinda Kalita, IPS, highlighted the need to strengthen the capacity and training of SDRF personnel and community volunteers in flood and disaster response.
As part of this initiative, ASDMA has partnered with the Central Training Institute (CTI) in Panikhaiti to provide specialized training to Quick Response Teams (QRTs) across the state, thereby strengthening Assam’s overall emergency response capacity.
Furthermore, emergency material banks and district-level Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) have been set up in seven districts, with plans to scale up to cover all districts in the state.
An interactive session with stakeholders, officials from ASDMA witnessed discussions over operational strategies, coordination mechanisms and funding models aimed at improving the state’s resilience to recurrent natural disasters.
