Una, October 1st - The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) is organizing a statewide public awareness campaign, Samarth 2025, until October 31st, 2025. As part of this awareness campaign, special Gram Sabhas will be held on the topic of disaster risk reduction on October 2nd in all the Panchayats of the district. Executive Deputy Commissioner, Una, Mahendra Pal Gurjar, stated that these special Gram Sabhas will specifically discuss topics related to disaster risk reduction.
These will include measures to prevent landslides, promote safe and traditional building construction methods, prevent unsafe cutting of hills, safe disposal of debris, development of proper stormwater drainage systems, prohibition of construction in natural drains/rivers, and securing drainage channels by removing encroachments.

*Panchayats have a special responsibility for disaster risk reduction*
Under this campaign, all Gram Panchayats in the state have been encouraged to include disaster management as a special agenda item in their upcoming meetings. The aim is to strengthen preparedness, awareness, and community action at the local level. According to Section 41 of the Disaster Management Act 2005, Panchayats are responsible for training disaster management officials and staff, maintaining disaster-related resources, and ensuring adherence to prevention and risk reduction standards in construction work.

*Measures for disaster management at the community level*
He explained that the Samarth 2025 campaign inspires people to adopt simple and life-saving measures. These include identifying local hazards and mitigating risks, constructing earthquake-resistant buildings, safety checking and making necessary improvements to older houses, preparing emergency kits (dry food, medicines, water, flashlights, radios, etc.), receiving first aid and search-and-rescue training (DDMA toll-free 1077), being alert to early warnings and acting promptly, learning to use fire extinguishers, avoiding rumors and relying only on official updates, and having a family emergency plan in place.

Volunteer Task Force and Panchayat Emergency Response Centers*
Mahendra Pal Gurjar informed that the HPSDMA has initiated a plan to form a task force of 10-15 trained young volunteers in each Panchayat. These volunteers, under the leadership of the Panchayat Pradhan, will ensure preparedness and response in the event of a disaster. Additionally, a plan has been launched to establish Emergency Response Centers at the Panchayat level, further strengthening local relief and rescue capabilities.