Dehradun: At the State Emergency Operation Center of Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA), NDMA and USDMA together organized a table top exercise regarding the comprehensive mock drill to be conducted before the Chardham Yatra. Presiding over the program, Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, Member Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority, said that the mock drill is a way to identify and test the strength of one’s capabilities, preparations and resources and to understand how they can be best utilized during a disaster. Member Secretary of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain said that NDMA and USDMA are committed to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the upcoming Chardham Yatra. Chardham Yatra is an important event not only for Uttarakhand but for the entire country. Lakhs of devotees from India and abroad come for Chardham Yatra. Our effort is that every pilgrim returns home safely after the Chardham Yatra. For this purpose, on the instructions of the Home Ministry, NDMA and USDMA are organizing a mock drill focused on Chardham Yatra on 24 April.
He said that in the month of February, USDMA organized a very good mock drill on forest fire. He congratulated Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman for this and said that this mock drill organized on forest fire is being praised in all the states.
He said that the most important thing to face disasters is to learn from disasters. If we work on the lessons learnt from disasters, even the biggest disasters can be tackled effectively. He said that the level of awareness among the citizens of Uttarakhand is quite high. He also appreciated the efforts being made by the Uttarakhand government and USDMA in making people aware.
