States should focus on low cost high impact disaster mitigation plans: PK Mishra

PRINCIPAL Secretary to the Prime Minister, PK Mishra, on Tuesday said that states should focus on low cost but high impact interventions to mitigate disaster risks.

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Addressing the valedictory session of the two-day Annual Conference of Relief Commissioners and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Mishra said the potential of loss in certain disasters is found to be more than estimated which needs re-calibration of mitigation efforts to tackle them.

Observing the nature of disasters is changing, he said that we must accept this reality that hazards are interconnected, impacts are multiplying and risks are evolving faster than we are adapting.

"In view of the emerging challenges of extreme events and uncertainties, states need to recalibrate and re-activate their institutions, processes and systems for equipping themselves to be ready to handle such situation by preventing loss of life and property," he added.

Mishra said that states should focus on low cost but high impact interventions to mitigate disaster risks.

"Preparedness and awareness is crucial for tackling increasing uncertainty on disaster occurrence. The hazard and vulnerability landscape are changing and so should enhance the preparedness level of the states," said Mishra, according to an official statement.