Famous geologist Dr. M K Khanna said here that unsafe buildings in our country are more responsible for death than earthquake in our country. We cannot stop the earthquakes in future. But we can definitely limit the death and damage to buildings through earthquake resistant construction. Dr Khanna was addressing a workshop on disaster management organised here by the Science Centre, Gwalior in coordination with National Science and Technological Council, New Delhi.

The Disaster Management Institute of Bhopal and Chief Inspector of factories of Assam had organising a two-day training programme from May 29 at Khanapara Staff Training College and Noonmati Refinery on risk associated with handling and transportation of hazardous chemicals during manufacture and processing, loading, unloading and bulk storage, including awareness about safety culture in community residing nearby the transport corridor, stated a press release.

Tangshan(China): Well before this city was destroyed by an earthquake 32 years ago, the coming disaster was loudly preceded by strange animal behaviour and other bizarre signals that survivors wish they heeded.

The Asian Development Bank has embarked upon an ambitious plan to work out long-term strategy with the help of international experts to control the perennial problem of flood in Assam. The Bank which will fund and execute project, has identified four vulnerable areas of the state for its first-phase of work. These are Palas bari in Kamrup district, Kaziranga, Dibrugarh town and Matmora in worst flood-hit Dhemaji district.

With a parliamentary panel finding misutilisation and diversion of tsunami relief funds, an empowered group of ministers (e-GOM) headed by union home minister Shivraj Patil has undertaken a review of the Rs 10,000 crore rehabilitation scheme. Since 2008-09 is the deadline for implementation of the rehabilitation scheme, the e-GoM issued a directive to the affected states and union territories that the work should be expedited to complete the task within the stipulated time.

The May 12 earthquake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, in China's south-western Sichuan province has taken a confirmed toll of over 19,500 lives. It is feared that the number of dead could be above 50,000. The toll would have been higher but for the quick and efficient response by the government and the diligence shown by the rescue machinery. Amidst the gloom of many people buried under debris, beyond all help, there are moving accounts of children, women, and t he elderly being rescued. Even rare giant pandas have survived in reserves.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has procured machinery worth Rs 950 lakhs to cope up with situations arising out of natural or man-made disasters. The purchase was made after the committee, headed by MCD commissioner, suggested that the procurement of the machinery is necessary to deal with disaster management. The committee also comprised of other senior member of the MCD, including engineering-in-chief, all chief engineers and director vigilance.