NT NETWORK
VASCO
The deputy collector and sub-divisional magistrate, Mormugao, Mahadev Aroundekar has said that students can play a key role in mitigation and responding to landslides, thus saving lives and properties, if it happens in any part of the state.
Aroundekar was speaking as chief guest after inaugurating the ‘Landslide Risk Mitigation’ programme, organised by district collector, South in association with Geological Survey of India and the office of the Mormugao mamlatdar at MPT Institute in Vasco on Tuesday with participation of students from various higher secondary schools in Mormugao taluka.
The function was attended by Mormugao Municipal Council chief officer Deepali Naik, Geological Survey of India director Dr Pankaj Jaiswal, joint mamlatdar of Mormugao Vimod Dalal and others.
Speaking further, Aroundekar stated that “landslides cause huge damage to the human lives and even to properties.” He disclosed that Headland-Sada locality in Mormugao constituency is prone to landslides and therefore, people, especially students, should know how to mitigate and respond to landslides. He also has stressed the need for recovering from such an incident if it happens in any part of the state.
“Landslide is the most dangerous disaster as people suffer damages, lose lives and properties,” Aroundekar said. He cited an example of Uttarakhand state where people witnessed devastating floods and landslides in 2013, that affected 4,200 villages and with the death toll being over 5000.
The state government therefore organised the Landslide Risk Mitigation programme to create awareness on tackling floods and landslides with the help of Geological Survey of India, stated Aroundekar, appealing to the people to take benefit of such types of programmes.
MMC chief officer Naik said that the risk factor is more in case of a landslide. “Presence of mind needed when a landslide occurs. It is the people who can respond immediately in such a situation. Students also can play a key role in saving lives of the people and properties,” Naik stated.
The Geological Survey of India director Dr Jaiswal, while speaking on the occasion, informed that the Geological Survey of India hosted the Landslide Risk Mitigation programme with an aim to make people understand about landslides and other natural disasters. “We got participation of large number of students in the programme as they have a capability to create awareness among the people on landslides and other natural disasters,” Dr Jaiswal stated.
