The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was held today at Oak Hill Christian Academy, organised by DFO Chandel. The programme was graced by Dr. N Munal Meitei, DFO Chandel and H.T Francis, founder Principal of Oak Hill School on the dais.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. N Munal Meitei said this year’s theme, “Fund Resilience, Not Disaster,” highlighting the importance of preventive measures to make post-disaster recovery more effective. He highlighted that natural disasters such as earthquakes, storms, landslides, floods, and wildfires cannot be predicted, making awareness and preparedness crucial. “The knowledge gained by individuals can protect family members and local communities,” he added, noting that the most vulnerable are the disabled, elderly, and children.
Dr. Munal cited statistics showing that 59% of India’s landmass is prone to earthquakes, 12% to floods, and 68% to droughts. He stressed that the National Disaster Management Plan – 2019 aims to safeguard all citizens. Pointing out that Manipur falls in Zone V of the earthquake belt, he urged the public to understand and implement safety measures.
He further noted that while earthquakes are largely unavoidable, most other disasters result from ecological imbalance. The rapid loss of forest cover in Manipur has led to rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, strong winds, and frequent floods.