Shillong, oct 30: The District Disaster Management Authority, East Khasi Hills District had observed the National Disaster Reduction Day on the 29th October, 2022 at the Central Training Institute, Mawdiangdiang.
Present on the occasion were Smti. Isawanda Laloo, IAS, Deputy Commissioner and Chairperson (DDMA), East khasi Hills District, Shillong, Ms H.M.L. Kynta, MCS, Additional Deputy Commissioner and CEO ( DDMA), East Khasi Hills District, Shillong, Joint Director Civil Defence and Home Guards, Officers from the DDMA, SDMA, District Administration, Police, Civil Defence and Home Guards, Fire and Emergency Services, Rangbah Shnongs and Appda Mitra Volunteers.
In order to mark the day, the DDMA, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong, had selected three distinguished deep divers and one Village Disaster Management Committee for felicitation for their key contribution and selfless service to disaster response and management in the District.
Hand in hand with the District Response Teams, the 3 deep divers from Khatarshnong Laitkroh C&RD Block and the Village Disaster Management Committee (VDMC) from Mawsynram C&RD Block has shown tremendous courage during disasters and difficult times.
The VDMC of Kenmynsaw along with the villagers of the area were able to rescue people trapped inside the house during the landslide which occurred on the 17-06-2022.
The three deep divers selected for felicitation are an asset to the district and the State as a whole. They were able to retrieve dead bodies from rivers, which was difficult to venture due to the terrain conditions and strong current of water.
The names selected for felicitation are Contribution in the field of Disaster Management Village Disaster Management Committee, Kenmynsaw Village, Mawsynram C&RD Block Rescuing those who were trapped during landslide which occurred on 17-06-2022 at kenmynsaw village.
Mr. Ridenstar Mawpat, of Warbah under KhatarshnongLaitkroh C&RD Block Deep divers who had retrieved dead bodies from the deepest part of Kyllang river located at laitlkyngkot , Nongthymmai Lumthangding who died from drowning .
The distinguished persons had exhibited tremendous courage and skills to recover many unfortunate victims who met a watery death in the State. Mr. Tarsan Khongshei of Mawsohmad under Khatarshnong-Laitkroh C&RD Block, Mr. Tyngngait Khongshei of Mawsohmad under Khatarshnong-Laitkroh C&RD Block During the day.
The DDMA has also distributed the Emergency Responder Kits to 202 Aapda Mitra volunteers who have completed the training organised by DDMA from the month of May-September under the able guidance of experts from Civil Defence and Home Guards, Fire and emergency etc. under the scheme “ Upscaling of Aapda Mitra”.
The NDMA in partnership with the SDMA, Meghalaya is implementing the scheme in East Khasi Hills with an aim scheme to develop the capacity and skills of the community so that they can deal with disasters in a more pragmatic manner. The volunteers trained are from different blocks and localities under Shillong area.
The trained volunteers were provided with protective equipment/emergency responder Kits comprising of life jackets, torch or emergency light, safety gloves, pocket knife, first aid kit, gas lighter, whistle , water bottle, rucksack and mosquito net, T-shirt with NDMA logo, gumboots, safety goggles, safety helmet.
The DDMA has made an effort to translate the Aapda Mitra Handbook into Khasi Language with the assistance of an able translator who is well versed with the concept of disaster management and response.
Each volunteer was also given a handbook to capacitate them and keep themselves updated and informed of the disaster responding skills. The volunteers will be covered under an insurance scheme identified by the Government.
