News
Rs. 1 billion spent on disaster responses this year: DMC
As much as Rs. 1 billion was spent on disaster responses this year, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has said.
Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili told the Sunday Times that Rs. 600 million was spent on disaster mitigation activities and Rs. 200 million on disaster responses, as last year’s devastating drought continued this year also, while some parts of the country experienced heavy rains and floods.
The DMC paid up to Rs. 500,000 as compensation for a damaged house and Rs. 100,000 for loss of life.
Meanwhile, the DMC is taking measures to strengthen its disaster mitigation programmes by setting up warning systems and emergency operation centres and conducting evacuation drills in all districts.
Mr. Kodippili said the DMC had also mapped out plans to buy necessary equipment and items to face a disaster, while partnerships with national and international organisations were being mooted to improve technological aspects of disaster mitigation measures.
According to DMC statistics for this year, as of November 30, 1,056 families have been affected by heavy rains and strong winds that prevailed. Eight houses were fully damaged, whilst 147 houses were partially damaged.