GOVERNMENT OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH
                        DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION PUBLIC RELATIONS & PRINTING
                                                                                NAHARLAGUN

No.IPR(PR)86/2000                                                                                     Dated Naharlagun the 12th January, 2005

                                                                Press Release Sl. No. 27.

                                        CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR EARTHQUAKE DRAWN

Naharlagun- The district administration, West Siang under the chairmanship of Shri T. Bam, I/C Deputy Commissioner has chalked out an elaborate Earthquake Contingency Plan for the district on January10 last. The action has been taken following the cautionary note passed by the scientists that killer quake at Sumatra are moving northwards and can potentially trigger a major earthquake in Assam and North East. The Commander 5 Mountain Brigade, Commandant ITBP, Commandant 44 BRTF and heads of department attended the meeting. Speaking on the occasion the, representative from 5 Mountain Brigade
suggested on passing awareness messages to the people on precautionary measures to be taken during earthquake without creating panic and proposed to work out contingency plan to meet up the eventualities in case of the breakdown of communication system and arrange adequate equipments for relief measures. The Commandant 44 BRTF assured to tackle the road disruptions in such calamity with the help of workforce who have knowledge of the terrain and road location. The Commandant ITBP said that the force is the first responder in such a calamity and stressed that coordination meeting at high level is required and emphasized on acquainting the forces with extensive knowledge of the area, adding that a road map indicating various locations of the district should be provided to ITBP. He further stressed on creating awareness from grassroots level and insisted on 'Operating Procedure' The DMO, Dr.Emi Rumi said that entire North East falls on the one-V in the seismic map of India and opined on forming of the district managing committee comprising of all organizations in the district. The DRO, Shri Tsering Naksang suggested short, medium and long term approach towards such calamity and pointed out that the deforestation, construction of houses on roadsides and dwelling houses without proper spacing could be dangerous. Shri Vijay Tamuk, representative from Circle Office, Jumlo Mobuk pointed out the vulnerability of places situated on the left bank of river and urged to revamp communication and medical facilities to counter such calamity. The Deputy Commissioner disclosed that the contingency plan drawn in the year 2001 excluded many important points and emphasized that new ideas are to be incorporated in this contingency plan. He asked all the heads of department to draw up Contingency Plan at their level and stressed that Telecommunication department should improve the system as communication holds key in such a situation. Later the meeting reconstituted the District Relief Committee.

(Ms Purabi Taikam )
Press Research Officer
Information Public Relations & Printing
Government of Arunachal Pradesh