Mizoram minister Lalnilawma meets NDMA leadership; seeks 'disaster' status for African swine fever
Aizawl, July 27
Mizoram Disaster Management & Rehabilitation Minister Lalnilawma on Monday met senior leadership of the National Disaster Management Authority to review the state's disaster risk reduction priorities and discuss measures to strengthen preparedness and resilience, an official release said.
The meeting focused on enhancing disaster preparedness in Mizoram, particularly given the state's vulnerability to earthquakes, landslides, forest fires, and other natural hazards.
Discussions centred on reviewing the progress of proposals under the National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Programme (NERMP) and the National Landslide Risk Mitigation Programme (NLRMP), alongside the status of mitigation projects submitted by the state.
During the meeting, the Minister apprised the NDMA of the significant economic losses caused by the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in the state. He requested consideration of Mizoram's proposal to notify ASF as a natural disaster, which would facilitate appropriate financial assistance.
Additionally, discussions touched upon strengthening the institutional capacity of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), expanding community-based disaster preparedness through the Aapda Mitra scheme, and fostering greater regional coordination among the North-Eastern States.
Emphasising key preventive strategies, the NDMA highlighted the importance of risk-informed land-use planning, resilient infrastructure, the enforcement of strict building bylaws, and heightened community awareness to mitigate disaster risks. The Authority also urged the state government to continue strengthening school safety protocols, including school disaster management plans and routine preparedness drills, as part of its broader resilience-building framework.
The meeting concluded with the NDMA reaffirming its commitment to extending technical guidance and institutional support to the Government of Mizoram for implementing disaster risk reduction initiatives and advancing a resilient state.
Highlighting the engagement in a post on X, the NDMA wrote: "The Hon'ble Minister of State for Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Government of Mizoram, Prof. Lalnilawma, called on the senior leadership of @ndmaindia today. Discussions focused on strengthening disaster management and rehabilitation efforts."
— ANI
Reader Comments
While disaster preparedness is essential, I wonder why ASF isn't already classified as a disaster in India. 🐷 We've seen farmer distress across states due to swine flu and African swine fever. The government needs a more flexible definition that covers biological emergencies too, not just earthquakes and landslides.
This is a holistic approach - covering natural hazards like earthquakes AND manmade/biological crises like ASF. 👏 Mizoram is one of India's most disaster-prone states (landslides in the monsoon are terrible). I'm glad they're also pushing for Aapda Mitra scheme expansion. Community-level preparedness saves lives.
The focus on school safety and building bylaws is crucial! 🏫 In hill states like Mizoram, many houses are built on steep slopes without proper engineering. One heavy rainfall and you risk a landslide. NDMA should push for stricter enforcement - but who will actually implement it on the ground?
Honestly, it's frustrating that ASF has been rampant since 2020 but governments only now seek 'disaster' status. 😤 Thousands of pigs culled, farmers bankrupt - the Centre should have acted sooner. Nevertheless, hope this meeting yields concrete results rather than just being another photo-op.
Interesting perspective from a state-level initiative. I grew up in the Northeast and saw how monsoon floods and quakes impact daily life. The NDMA's push for risk-informed land-use planning is smart - but needs local implementation. If they coordinate with other North-Eastern states, it could be a model for other vulnerable regions.
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