Vulnerability mapping

SHILLONG, MAR 15: The Meghalaya government is in the process of introducing Multi-hazard Vulnerability Mapping.

“The process is still going on,” Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Revenue & Disaster Management RC Laloo informed the Assembly during Question Hour today.

He said that department is consulting with three prestigious institutions – the North East Space Application Centre (NESAC), Umiam Shillong, the North East Institute of Science & Technology (NEIST), Jorhat Assam and Geological Survey of India (GSI), Shillong Chapter.

“These are the institutions which we have been in touch and we have made a request to all the three of them to supply us with different specializations they are doing,” Laloo said.

However he said that it was yet to be finally decided on having a full-fledged report but the department was proceeding with the matter in a phase manner.

With regards to earthquake-hazard risk vulnerability analysis, he said the North Eastern Institute of Science & Technology has been requested to start this survey and the process is still on.

“We have received preliminary reports from the NEIST. We have received two reports already but they are yet to be completed,” he said.

While expressing concern on this issue, UDP legislator Jemino Mawthoh stated that preparation of the vulnerability mapping was extremely important to save the state from more casualties in the event of natural disasters.

He suggested the need to appointment additional officers in all the 39 blocks to improve disaster management in the state.

On this, the deputy chief minister said that the state government is seized with the problem of studying the risks and a technical committee on hazard risk vulnerability assessment has already been constituted in 2013.

“We are on the job and with more suggestions coming in, it is hoped that the department will be able to complete the exercise in time,” Laloo said while assuring to examine the suggestion for appointment of officers at the block level.