HP CM calls for preventive disaster management strategies

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today called for revisiting disaster management plans for preventive strategies and effective management to avoid loss due to natural and man-made disasters.
"The state is prone to various natural disasters. As such it is imperative to develop preventive measures like adoption of safer engineering practices, improved performance of safety devices and reduction of human errors by regular checks," he said.
He said this while presiding over the Conference of Chemical (Industrial) Disaster Management organised by FICCI and National Disaster Management Authority, (NDMA) in collaboration with Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
Although chemical (industrial) disasters are low in frequency, it causes significant damage to lives, property and environment, Singh said.

In Himachal there were 362 industries identified as hazardous in the first schedule of Factories Act, 1948 while eight factories have been identified as Major Accident Hazard mainly located in Solan, Sirmour, Kullu, and Una districts, he said.
Deputy commissioners of respective districts where these factories are located are responsible for preparing off-site emergency plans for an effective disaster management strategy to respond to any emergency situation, the Chief Minister said.
On the occasion, he presented the lifetime achievement award for contribution towards Disaster Management to Alop K Mittal and L Mansingh, Former Chairman, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Regulatory Board of India.