Summary:
Jaipur: A joint exercise, ‘Rahat’, for all stakeholders started at Jaipur on Monday. Such technology needs to be used along with the community when a disaster occurs. Coupled with the hectic monopolisation of urban areas, unplanned expansion of population, large towns and cities of the state are exposed to greater risk from earthquakes. Officials also need to keep in constant touch with not just the representatives of various disaster relief agencies but also with the ground level operatives like the local police, volunteers, panchayat heads etc,” said an official.Emphasising on the use of technology, Lt Gen Cherish Mathson, Army Commander, Sapta Shakti Command added, “We have radars which can see through the walls and even ascertain whether the person trapped inside is alive or not. The exercise had all the stakeholders like armed forces, SDRF, NDMA and others speaking in form of a table top exercise about their preparation and actions in case of an earthquake like disaster in the state as well as military attaches from friendly countries including Japan.A mock drill was also conducted with an earthquake like scenario in which the action of all disaster relief operation was done from the first warning of an earthquake to rescue and casualty evacuation.Helicopters like Chetak and Dhruv ALH were also used during the drill and other equipment for relief operations were also shown.Chief minister Ashok Gehlot witnessed the disaster management exercise in Jaipur along with other senior officials and families of the soldiers.“Setting up command and coordination cells are one of the first important steps in case of a major disaster..