LIGHTNING RESILIENCE IN INDIA

Lightning and thunderstorms, in recent times, have emerged as one of the most challenging hazards in India. However, despite rapid rise in lightning occurrences, the impacts have been contained, courtesy proactive steps taken by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India.

A Table Top Exercise and Mock Exercise was conducted by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on 30 Apr & 02 May 2024 respectively prior to start of the Char Dham Yatra in Uttrakhand. The ME was conducted for the preparedness on scenarios like Landslides, Inclement Weather, Cloud Bursts, Flash Floods, Crowd Control, Fire and Stranding of Pilgrim etc.

The Table Top Exercise was co-chaired jointly by Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM** (Retd), Member, NDMA and Shri Ranjit Kumar Sinha, Secretary (DM), Govt of Uttrakhand.

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A Table Top Exercise and Mock Exercise was conducted by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on 19 to 25 Jun 2024 prior to start of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra in Jammu & Kashmir. The ME was conducted for both the routes i.e. Southern routes (Pahlgam axis) in Anantnag District and Northern route (Baltal axis) in Ganderbal District for the preparedness to validate the preparedness for Landslides, Flash Floods, Fire, Snowfall etc.

The Table Top Exercise was co-chaired jointly by Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM** (Retd), Member, NDMA and Shri Anil Kaul, Secretary DMRRR, Govt of Jammu and Kashmir.

A Table Top Exercise and Mock Exercise on Floods scenario was conducted by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on 12th to 14 June 2024. During the Mock Exercise, preparedness of the state for secondary hazards like Flash Floods, Landslides and GLOF was also validated.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) India team met Sh. Rajendra Singh, Member and HoD, on 5th June 2024. The representatives of JICA India discussed their ongoing projects on ‘urban flooding’ in Tamil Nadu and ‘Disaster Risk Reduction’ capacities in North Eastern India.

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National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) participated in the Annual Conference of Relief Commissioners/ Secretariates (DM) and SDRF, CD, HG and Fire Services of States/UTs-2024, organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and jointly coordinated by NDMA and NDRF, at Bharat Mandapam on 11th June 2024.

Addressing the Inaugural Session as Chief Guest, Sh. Rajendra Singh, Member & HoD, urged all the stakeholders to come under one roof to learn from each other to bring synergy in disaster management. He added that our motto for the upcoming monsoon season should be ‘achieving zero mortality’ with optimum utilisation of technology. He also urged States/Union Territories to strengthen volunteers’ networks and leverage their strength in disaster management.

Principal Secretary to the PM, Dr P K Mishra graced the Valedictory session of the two-day event as Chief Guest, on 12th June 2024.

Delivering the key address, Dr Mishra emphasised the necessity to create disaster management awareness & resources at the local level. He further focused on building a large volunteer community for quick rescue, first aid and rehabilitation, encouraging research and development using the latest technology.

Senior leadership of NDMA, including Shri Rajendra Singh, Member & HoD, NDMA; Dr Krishna Swaroop Vatsa, Member; Lt. Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) Member; Shri Shafi Ahsan Rizvi, Advisor (Mitigation) chaired several sessions on different disaster-related themes held during the event.

Sh. Rajendra Singh, Member & HoD, NDMA reviewed the updated ‘SACHET Portal' and ‘SACHET App’, at NDMA Bhawan on 13th June 2024.

SACHET is a disaster early warning platform envisioned by the NDMA to provide real-time geo-targeted alerts to citizens. The platform integrates all alert-generating agencies SDMA’s and stakeholders. C-DOT (Research & Development Telecom Technology Centre of the Govt. of India) serves as the Pan-India implementation partner for Phase 1 of the project.

Chief Secretary of Delhi, Shri Naresh Kumar visited the NDMA Bhawan on 19th June 2024 and held a high-level discussion with Member & HoD, NDMA, Shri Rajendra Singh and senior officers of NDMA. Both sides discussed issues related to the management of Urban Flood, Earthquake, and Fire Safety in schools, hospitals & markets in the national capital.

Shri Rajendra Singh, Member and HoD, NDMA, chaired a meeting on the ‘Role of NGOs in Changing Disaster Risk Perspective’, at NDMA Bhawan on 20th June 2024. 19 NGOs working across India participated in the meeting.

Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.), Member NDMA and Shri Shafi Ahsan Rizvi, Advisor NDMA were also present.

Marking the 10th International Yoga Day event, NDMA organized a Yoga session at the NDMA Bhawan, on 21st June 2024.

Member & HoD, Shri Rajendra Singh, Member, Lt. Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.), Advisor (Mitigation), Shri Safi Ahsan Rizvi, officers and staff of NDMA, along with representatives of Fire Services, Aapda Mitra and Civil Defence took part in the yogic exercises taught by were Volunteers of the ‘Isha Foundation’.

Shri Rajendra Singh Member & HoD, NDMA chaired a meeting on Gender Mainstreaming, Disaster Risk Reduction and increasing Disaster Preparedness and Resilience held with representatives of the National Commission for Women (NCW) and UN Women, at NDMA Bhawan on 27th June 2024.

Member Secretary, NCW also extended an invitation to the NDMA to be the technical support during the upcoming consultation on “Building Resilient Communities: Women and Sustainable Ecosystem” scheduled from 30–31 July 2024 in New Delhi.

The government of India has invited entries from the general public to apply for the ‘Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar-2025’.

'Subhas Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award' is an Indian National Award for disaster management awarded to individuals and organisations for their selfless service and excellent work done in the disaster management field. It recognises and honours the invaluable contribution and selfless service rendered by individuals and organisations in India in the field of disaster management.

The award is announced every year on January 23, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 51 lakh and a certificate in the case of an institution, and Rs 5 lakh and a certificate in the case of an individual. The award was instituted on the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to recognise and honour the invaluable contribution and selfless service rendered by individuals and organisations in India in the field of disaster management.

Key highlights:

• Entries open for individuals and institutions.
• Award to be announced on January 23rd, 2025.
• The last date for filling up the application, this year, is 31st August 2024.
• The applications for the award are required to be filled out online on the portal ‘https://awards.gov.in'.

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