Noida Administration has decided to launch a training programme in disaster management in a phased manner. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) sponsored programme aims at preparing a force of trained volunteers for rescue and relief operation in the city.
Noida being part of highly earthquake prone seismic zone IV, the NDRF feels it necessary to impart such training among its residents.
President of Federation of Noida Resident Welfare Association (FONRWA), NP Singh, welcomed the move saying it has been a long-standing demand of the FONRWA.
Pointing out that Noida is highly vulnerable to earthquakes, Dr Kumar Raka, Planning Specialist, Noida Authority, told City Spidey that "possibility of a Chennai like flood situation cannot be ruled out in case of damage to the Yamuna Barrage".
Dr Raka said the aim of the programme is to prepare at least 800 volunteers, five from each sector, who could be pressed into rescue and relief operation in case of any eventuality, even before the NDRF teams could reach Noida.
In the first phase, two NDRF teams are expected to start training sessions on week-ends for a batch of about 50 volunteers from next month.
In the second phase, Noida Authority will carry out a survey of properties, both public and private, in the city to check if these meet safety norms. As many of the high-rise buildings that have come up in Noida over the years are not constructed using earthquake resistance technology the devastation in case of a powerful earthquake is bound to be high.
Based on the survey, a safety audit of humans and properties will be conducted.
