October 13: National Disaster Reduction Day

The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction is annually observed on October 13, to spread the awareness about disaster risk reduction. It encourages the govt. and communities to contribute in building more resilient world together.

Millions of people around the globe have lost their lives, homes, loved ones or access to imperative amenities die to natural disasters, including floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, droughts, cyclones, hurricanes, tornado, landslides and volcanic eruptions. Such disasters cause economical, social, and environmental damages to the nations. The experts acknowledge that effective training, education and information exchange are competent ways to assist people become better equipped in dealing with natural disasters.

The International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction is designated with a view to promote a global culture of natural disaster relief, including disaster management, prevention, mitigation and preparedness.

The disaster reduction management is about strong building codes, proper planning for the land use, early warning systems, environmental measures, evacuation plans and, most importantly, training. It is about spreading knowledge among individuals of their risk to natural hazards and how they can cut back their vulnerability.

Natural disasters are unpredictable and uncontrollable. What we people can do is to extend a hand of help at such hard times. After the occurrence of any sort of disaster, the govt. authorities, community groups, business houses, and individuals should take the necessary actions and ensure the safety of life and property. Everyone must come up together to improve the chain of information and decision-making, so as to build a strong and sturdy society to face the fatal calamity.

As no community is immune from the disastrous threat of natural calamities, every nation keeps a constant watch for Natural Disaster Reduction. Since time immemorial, India is prone to natural disasters. From Himalayas to Kanyakumari, India doesn’t have any region spared from one or the other kind of calamity.

Every state in the nation doing its bit in natural disaster reduction so is the Punjab. It has taken a series of measures to reduce disasters and to help people in case of natural calamities. The Punjab Govt. has unveiled the State Disaster Management Plan, which is a combination of modular participatory approach. Structural and Nonstructural mitigation measures are implemented throughout the state. It includes afforestation, retrofitting, multi-purpose dams, drainage efficiency, watershed management, disposal check, encroachment check, flood plain zoning, early warning and dissemination system.

The world is ageing and this is high time to collaborate, think of ideas for Natural Disaster Reduction globally.