From the Editor’s Desk

Failed Disaster Management

Himachal’s disaster management failed miserably in tackling the problems posed by recent heavy snowfall and people were restricted to the four walls of their houses in Shimla. We were hapless after the snowfall even in the midst of claims of preparedness for any disaster. Power supply in Shimla was disrupted and other services crumbled. Neither there was any task force to deal with the situation nor any direction to save the deteriorating conditions. The government machinery and disaster preparedness was not visible anywhere.  Some departments responded to the situation with officials and employees seen in action but there was no concerted effort to carry on the rescue and relief operation to tackle the snow disaster. It was not only restricted to the closure of roads and buses but was a huge challenge to restore normal life. Snow is not only good for hotel industry as it attracts a large number of tourists but it also poses a lot of problems. Urban, tourism and transport managements were disrupted and tourists were exploited after the heavy snowfall. Hotels rooms were costly but there were no facilities while conduct of taxi operators was also rude. We have no right to boast if Manali plunges into darkness following heavy snowfall every time. Nothing has been achieved in the name of disaster management after holding departmental meetings and exercises. Shimla’s situation reveals the level of disaster management preparedness in tribal areas that remain under snow blanket for a longer period. One can imagine the situation in case of a cloudburst or an earthquake if snowfall can throw normal life out of gear in few hours. We could not form a development model in consonance with the nature. Shimla Municipal Corporation and Urban Development should strengthen facilities while making a blue print to make Shimla a smart city. Relevance of foreign tours undertaken abroad to study disaster management has also been exposed in the recent snowfall.

Thought of the Week

Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident. 

-A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

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