THE ADMINISTRATION is Srinagar seems to have woken up to the threat of natural disasters as a two-day disaster preparedness programme organised by divisional Administration in collaboration with civil defence under the Urban risk project (URBP) was held at Women’s college Srinagar.

“During the training the participants were taught Search and Rescue, First Aid and Fire Fighting by the experts of Civil Defence and Disaster Management,” said the press release.

The valedictory function concluded at Government College for Women MA Road, Srinagar, which was chaired by Additional Commissioner, Kashmir Abdul Majid Mir.

The Chief Guest appreciated that a disaster preparedness training programme had been organised for women. He said that women along with children and old aged persons were more vulnerable to disasters as such the importance of the training.

Brigadier TPS Rawat, Chief Engineer Project Beacon, announced that a first aid training programme has been organised for youth living on the Srinagar-Jammu national Highway which will be held at Banihal and Qazigund on 11th January.

Principal of the College, Prof Mushtaq said that if the community is prepared it will facilitate in saving lives before the rescuers arrive. DIG Mubarak Ganai said that the emphasis of the Government is for Mitigation and Preparedness rather than management and Response.

The trainees included girl students from Karnah, Tangdhar, Machil, Gurez, Shopian, Pulwama and Srinagar. The students evinced keen interest in the training programme and participated in the practical demonstrations. Certificates of participation were distributed amongst the participants.

Later, a mock drill was held in which the students actively participated and were taught to use fire extinguishers and how an injured can be rescued from a damaged building. Under the URR Project, Government has decided to impart awareness programmes for community and students of colleges and Higher Secondary’s. Another programme has been scheduled to be held at Govt Degree College, Bemina on 29th/30th December.

The valedictory function was also attended by Secretary Red Cross Abdul Jabbar Chakat, Joint Director Fire Services, R.T. Dubey, HOD Disaster management IMPA GM Dar, Coordinator NSS, Dr. Nighat Ara, Chief Warden CD Baramulla, Dr. Inayatullah, First Aid Trainer Dr IPS Bali, OSD with Div Com Kashmir Aamir Ali, Civil Defence trainers Abdul Gaffer and Shakeel Ahmed.