Disaster response: Much to be done
The damage caused by Sunday evening’s earthquake has been extensive in material terms, and means will have to be found to assist the affected people. Perhaps Central assistance will need to be mobilised along with what the affected states themselves can muster. Mercifully, the loss of life has been restricted, going by the information we have so far. It could have been a lot worse, given the experience of other mountainous regions. With the epicentre in Sikkim, the impact of the earth’s trembling was felt across a wide zone across eastern and northern India, particularly the sub-mountainous parts.
While there is no guard against nature’s fury, and no way to anticipate it, by now we do know enough about what to do when earthquakes and floods strike. The saving of lives and property has much to do with the efficiency of our response mechanism and structures. It is never a question of dedication alone. Quite clearly, the National Disaster Management Authority has much work to do on its own and in coordination with the armed forces, in this case particularly the Army and the Air Force. Over 5,000 soldiers and a number of helicopters have already been deployed for rescue and relief, especially in the sub-Himalayan areas, which have been the hardest hit. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which comes under military command, is the main body to supervise road construction and maintenance in the worst-affected areas. The BRO has an exemplary track record and will now be called upon to clear roadblocks and landslide debris to ease up road transportation for relief work.
While these institutions exist, it’s hard to shrug off the feeling that our response is not geared to click into place automatically and instantly. There should have been, for instance, no cause for the official announcement that the Prime Minister himself has decided to oversee the post-earthquake response of the various agencies at work. In a situation after an earthquake or any other natural disaster, the routine should be set and known to all — just as it is when a crime is committed or a serious traffic accident occurs. This is especially necessary as we live in an earthquake-prone zone and are vulnerable to floods on account of our river systems. The question is not of money alone. The way the systems are designed to work is no less important. If people in far-flung parts of the country like the Northeast have to be given the confidence that the Centre cares and will spare no effort, this can be done in several ways other than the PM taking charge of rescue and relief.
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