Northeast Desk, 24th May: The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), in partnership with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Namchi, successfully completed the fifth day of a comprehensive training program designed to enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities in the Teesta Basin.
The training session, held on the fifth day, focused on Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercises. Led by Shri Jigmee Bhutia, Deputy Director of SSDMA, and Shri Dinesh Dhakal, Assistant Urban Planner of SSDMA, the session saw active participation from various stakeholders. These included representatives from Panchayat Adarsh Goan, members of the Mandir community, the District Project Officer (DPO) Namchi, Junior Engineer (JE) from the Water Resources Department, SSDMA officials, and local residents.
A key highlight of the day was a practical session on PRA, where local residents collaborated to develop an evacuation plan specifically tailored for Adarsh Goan. This exercise emphasized the importance of community involvement in disaster preparedness and response efforts, ensuring that local knowledge and resources are effectively utilized to enhance safety and resilience.
The training program reflects the commitment of SSDMA and DDMA Namchi to equip communities with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle potential natural disasters, particularly those related to glacier lake outbursts, which pose significant risks in the region.