Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority conducts training on Disaster Management and Search and Rescue for Disaster Management officials of Gyalshing and Soreng district.

Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority conducts training on Disaster Management and Search and Rescue for Disaster Management officials of Gyalshing and Soreng district.

The State Government has appointed 1145 Disaster Management officials in three different posts viz Disaster Management Co-ordinator, Disaster Management Supervisor and Disaster Management Assistant. These officials have been posted to all six districts of the state.

To further enhance their knowledge on disaster management, Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) in collaboration with District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) of Soreng and Gyalshing has successfully commenced a seven-day residential training program aimed at enhancing the disaster management capabilities of 352 disaster management officials from Gyalshing and Soreng districts.

The training is being conducted in batches of fifty each with the first batch commencing training from 23rd February 2025.

The training is being conducted at Mountaineering and Adventure Institute of Sikkim (MAIS), Yukosm. The training program is divided into two main components: two days of theory classes and three days of hands-on search and rescue training.

The theory sessions are being imparted by experts from SSDMA and the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), focusing on the fundamentals of disaster management, including risk assessment, response strategies, and coordination with other agencies. They are also being imparted training in psychosocial care.

The hands-on search and rescue training is being conducted in collaboration with the Mountaineering and Adventure Institute Sikkim. The training takes place in specially set-up camps near the river, where participants are learning vital rescue techniques, including river crossing, ropework, and evacuation procedures, all crucial skills for disaster response in the region’s challenging terrain.

The comprehensive training is designed to equip the officials with the knowledge and practical skills required to act as first responders in case of disasters, ensuring quick and effective response at the community level.

Through this initiative, SSDMA aims to further strengthen local communities, ensuring that they are better prepared and resilient in the face of future disasters. Similar training for the remaining four districts is scheduled to begin shortly.