(Orientation Workshop on Earthquake Safer Land Use Planning)
CHITRAL: An Orientation workshop on “Earthquake Safer Land Use Planning” was organized here in a local hotel. The sensitization workshop was arranged by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the auspices of “Earthquake Risk Reduction and Preparedness Programme” (ERRP). The sensitization workshop focused on raising awareness of the local administration on earthquake preparedness and risk reduction measures by adopting safe land use planning techniques. ERRP in collaboration with National Engineering Services Pakistan Private Limited (NESPAK) is conducting a Seismic Hazard Microzonation in Chitral. The workshop aimed at orienting the local stakeholders i.e. the government line departments, NGOs and members of the community about the study and its importance in informed decision making on earthquake safer land use planning.
The workshop was formally launched by Miftah-ud-Din, Assistant Coordination officer (ACO) Chitral. The workshop attracted participants having diverse backgrounds and expertise from a range of government departments and organizations. Experts from NESPAK and NDMA shared their knowledge and experience regarding earthquake risk assessments and Land use planning. The participants also shared the local experience and their valuable knowledge of the area with the experts in a feedback session. Karimullah welcome the participants of the workshop. Taimoor Khan of NDMA introduced to earthquake preparedness. Amir Sohail of NESPAK briefed the participants regarding introduction to seismic microzation. He also explore about mainstreaming disaster risk management. Sanaullah Khan of NDMA explained about earthquake safer designs & construction. The speakers said that Chitral is in red zone and people of the area should to counsel with seismic expert before construction of any huge building.
Addressing the occasion the ACO emphasized on the importance of preparedness in effective management of disasters. He thanked NDMA for conducting such an important study in the district and reiterated the local government’s resolve for facilitating the conduct of the study and workshops in this regard.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing an “Earthquake Risk Reduction and Preparedness Programme” (ERRP) in the Municipalities of Murree, Chitral, Quetta, Mansehra and Muzaffarabad. The project aims to promote and achieve earthquake resilience in most vulnerable locations by conducting detailed earthquake risk assessment. The risk assessment is followed by action planning for earthquake risk mitigation, awareness raising, capacity building of local administration & members of civil society and by implementing pilot demonstrational activities on safer construction practices. Capacity development of local government authorities and institutions is the main priority under this project. Experts said that thousands of children were died in 2005 earthquake in government schools and hospitals due to substandard quality of work and no proper supervision of construction process. Chitral city is located at the core of a regional anticlinorium’s and in a red zone. All buildings should to be construct on hazard land capacity concept of total hazard. Analyzing of peak Ground Acceleration values must for construction of any building. As well as keeping in view seismic hazard microzonation we can avoid from loss on large scale. They said that awareness can minimize losses in any natural calamity and disaster. Participants also were engaged in group work. A large number of people belongs to all walks of life attended the workshop.
Lawari tunnel will be open 2 hours for traffic daily.
CHITRAL: The only land route connecting Chitral to other sorts of the country Lawari top has been closed for all type of vehicular traffic after receiving snowfall its peak. As a result Chitral disconnected from other parts of the country. Hence excavation of a 8.5 kilometers long tunnel have been completed two years ago but it has been closed due to no reasons. On putting high pressure by people of Chitral National Highway Authority opened the Lawari tunnel for only 2 hours a day. The tunnel will be open at 12.00 to 2.00 PM daily for vehicular traffic. Residents of Chitral have appeal to high ups of ministry of communication and NHA to remain the tunnel open for whole day because there is no work inside the tunnel and no reason for its closure.
G.H. Farooqi PO Box No. 50 GPO Chitral Pakistan Phone No. 03025989602, 0943-302295, 414418
Email: gulhamad@gmail.com, gulhamadfaroqoui@yahoo.com
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