An Air Force chopper rescues a dummy from Dighalipukhuri during a mock drill on disaster management on Wednesday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Oct. 29: Awestruck school children watched as choppers of the Indian Air Force displayed mock rescue operations at Dighalipukhuri here today.

The programme was organised by the Kamrup district administration (metropolitan) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the occasion of National Disaster Reduction Day.

Early in the morning, a mass rally was held and a human chain was formed around Dighalipukhuri. A street play, highlighting the importance of disaster preparedness, was enacted by the Don Bosco Youth and Educational Society and artistes of All India Radio.

Leaflets, stating the dos and don’ts during an earthquake or any other natural disaster were distributed among the public. They also gave information on how to build earthquake-resistant houses in the region.

Northeast is an earthquake-prone region and Guwahati lies in zone V, the highest seismic risk zone.

Deputy commissioner (urban) A.K. Absar Hazarika said they were trying to get the nagarik committees of different wards to develop disaster preparedness programmes. He said many casualties during a natural disaster can be averted if the citizens are aware of the survival tactics.

“The awareness level is abysmally low among the general public,” he added.

The civil defence department had organised a demonstration of safety measures at the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra yesterday.

The district administration has decided to organise groups of volunteers to carry out ward-based earthquake risk management programmes. They will be chosen with the help of organisations such as the NCC, NSS, Scouts and Guides and civil defence.

Deva Barua, a senior citizen, said: “Guwahati city is ill-equipped to handle a crisis as our civil defence personnel is not sufficient. Community participation is vital in disaster preparedness. They can be divided into groups as they are also well aware of the various escape routes.”

Hazarika said: “We will lay special emphasis on making women aware about disaster-preparedness. As women form the most vulnerable section of society, we will try to rope in girl guides and the various women organisations in this endeavour”.

Various programmes were organised on the occasion. They included a drawing competition on Disaster and Safety for school children, a mock drill on rescue and civil defence, lecture on and demonstration of first aid, a public meeting and distribution of prizes. In the evening, a half-an-hour candlelight vigil was held at Dighalipukhuri in memory of the thousands of people who had fallen victims to natural disasters.

A meeting was held on disaster management. It was attended by revenue commissioner M.K. Borooah, minister of state for revenue Pranati Phukan, Hazarika and civil defence warden Rohini Das.