THIS refers to your thought-provoking article "Preparing for natural disaster" published on September 16. If we need to change anything, it has to start from our home. As we know that our family may not be together when all off a sudden a disaster strikes, it is important to create a plan in advance. One must find reliable information sources, warning and alert systems in advance. Family communication is one of the most important necessities. We may have to evacuate on a very short notice and take essentials with us as we shall not have any time to search for necessary supplies or shop for them. Disaster can happen anywhere and at any time. It is important to know what to do and have a plan before a disaster strikes.
Preparedness measures for disaster can significantly reduce the extent of damages to people's lives, livelihoods and assets. It is therefore necessary that to survive a disaster, every family must take responsibility for its own disaster preparedness. People talk about business continuity plan during a disaster, natural disaster insurance, socio-economic effects of a disaster, the preparedness on the national level, and so on. We all know that it is impossible to avoid disasters, but it is not impossible to plan ahead to minimise the impact that any given disaster might have on us or on our family's health, safety and property. One must remember that the future belongs to those who prepare.
Vinod C. Dixit
B-15 Jyotikalash Society
B/H Sundervan
Satellite
Ahmedabad, India
