We need to shift our focus towards handling disasters, says expert

Rekha Nambiar, Commandant, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was deployed during the 2015 Chennai floods. Speaking from her experience, Rekha said, “Every dollar saved on mitigation can save you seven dollars in disaster response. Yet, because of a variety of reasons, I found, on the ground, that rather than invest in disaster mitigation, funds are allocated after the disaster has happened. Our focus needs to shift towards prevention and prediction of disasters and work towards making us disaster resilient than just be equipped to survive a disaster.” 

Dr Amir Ali Khan, Associate Professor, Geo-Hazard Risk Management Division, National Institute of Disaster Management, pointed out that it has been well-established that disasters are increasing and will only result in costlier damages. 

“Climate change related disasters are on the rise. What we have learnt in the past is that early warning systems, wherever it was implemented, has worked in saving lives. This is a game changer. Building codes and byelaws too, play a huge role in saving lives. The lack of sensitive land use planning is resulting in more disasters. There has been a link established between development and disaster. Robust response to disasters depends on our level of preparedness,” said the expert. 

Sashi Bhushan Uniyal, Head, Post Disaster Program, TATA Trust, said that we never learn our lessons after a disaster. “For example, in Uttarakhand, which is prone to landslides and earthquakes, there was a major flood in 2013. Three years later, I saw the same buildings dotting the river front,” he added. The sessions threw light on child centred disaster risk reduction and business continuity planning during disasters. 

The other key speakers during the summit included Dr K Satya Gopal IAS, Principal Secretary/Commissioner, Revenue Administration, Disaster, Management & Mitigation, Government of Tamil Nadu, Dr C Sylendra Babu IPS, ADGP, Coastal Security Group, Government of Tamil Nadu, Ms P Amudha IAS, Secretary to Government, Labour & Employment Department, Government of Tamil Nadu; T T Ashok, Past Chairman, CII Southern Region & Managing Director, Taylor Rubber Pvt Ltd, Santoshkumar, Executive Director, National Institute of Disaster Management among others. Kamal Kishore, Member, National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India delivered the Inaugural Address. 

A Chennai declaration on the involvement of industries in disaster mitigation will be adopted on April 12.