Disaster management has become imperative as we have seen in the last couple of decades that due to climate change we are facing the wrath of nature. Deforestation, environmental pollution, and the rise in temperature of the earth have made nature revolt ferociously.

The water level is rising and climatic change is making agriculture suffer. Floods, and landslides, are the direct result of man-made deforestation and pollution through plastic waste, etc.

In this context we need to prepare ourselves on disaster management skills and a standard curriculum should be taught at the school level. We need to equip ourselves for the upcoming disaster as no amount of prayers will help. Self-help is the best help. The district administration should sensitise people on do’s and don’ts according to their local assessment and this work should be a continuous process.

We have seen various NGOs come into service during a calamity and most of them are ill-trained and ill-prepared. A structured training programme will go a long way in preventing disaster. Due to lack of training, we have more loss of human lives compared to other Western nations who undertake such training for their citizen and self-help groups. 

Organisation like Sri Satya Sai Seve Organisation undertakes disaster management training free of cost for academic institutions and organisations. Such activities should be encouraged and more stress should be given. These organisations who does service should be utilised by the administration.

Prevention is better than cure, and we need a level of preparedness for our own safety. In the information age, it is very important that we prepare ourselves with the knowledge and techniques for our own survival as well as for society. 

We have destroyed Mother Earth, now it is time for us to prepare ourselves to protect ourselves from what we have sowed. As the saying goes, you reap what you sow. So if we can sensitise ourselves on the modalities of disaster management preparedness at all levels from a child to the elderly, from voluntary organisation to administration it is going to go a long way in leading a civilised life.

More importantly, we need to do our part to protect our environment and start doing green deeds. The first step towards disaster management should be a step towards taking steps to managing climate change. Every journey begins with the first step. Any baby step towards climate action will be a contribution towards the betterment of our next generation.