Action plan for disaster management soon

KOCHI: An action plan will be soon formulated to deal with chemical disasters in Ernakulam district, said Kesav Mohan, director, Institute of Land and Disaster Management. He was speaking at a meeting of the top Public Sector Industrial Unit officials and other district officials, at the Ernakulam Collectorate conference hall.In the wake of increasing number of industrial units and factories coming up in Ernakulam district, there is a need for organising constant training and mock drills to avoid any kind of disaster, Mohan pointed out. The institute will organise training sessions for Factories and Boilers Department, Fire and Rescue Services and various police forces in the district. Also the institute will organise practical training programmes for the employees of various important Public Sector Units and industrial establishments in the district. The Institute of Land and Disaster Management is also planning to organise awareness campaigns for general public. The action plan for disaster management would be formulated after considering the suggestions from official level and institution level. We should be prepared to deal with chemical disasters along with natural calamities, he pointed out.Additional District Magistrate E K Sujatha, disaster management wing deputy collector P Indiradevi, District Information Officer P Vinod, assistant professors at the institute Faisal T Aliyar and Amalraj were also present. The director inspected the functioning of the high tech equipment at the Collectorate, used for rescue operations during natural calamities. The Deputy Collector and other officials were also present for the inspection. Disaster management and related activities have gained significance in view of the recent fire at some parts of the state. Top officials have given strict directions to ensure that disaster management facilities are in place. Also there were directions to review the progress of disaster management activities. Earlier, the district administration had given directions to review the functioning of the disaster management cell operating at the Collectorate. The proper functioning of the disaster management team has become more significant in view of the ongoing Mullaperiyar issue. There are reports that if in case a tragedy occurs, it would affect more districts in Kerala including Ernakulam.