Letters: J&K - Man-made disaster?

This refers to the editorial "Shut down NDMA" (September 10). The worst floods in decades in Jammu & Kashmir have exposed the disaster management capability of the government. Though the Met department predicted heavy showers, the state administration failed to get its act together for any impending calamity. As Jammu & Kashmir continues to be subjected to nature's fury, the lack of an effective disaster management mechanism to meet any such disaster is disturbing. The poor performance of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which is supposed to act on a war footing in such situations, is a sad commentary on how the nation looks up to the organisation during natural disasters.

The Odisha government's proactive handling of cyclone Phailin, where it evacuated people to safer areas and prevented the loss of life and property, should serve as an example for other governments.

R Prabhu Raj Chennai

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