SHIMLA- 25 September, 2024-The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) would launch the 14th edition of its annual disaster awareness campaign, 'SAMARTH-2024', on 1^st October, 2024. The campaign would run until 31^stOctober, coinciding with the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDR).

This was informed by Director cum Special Secretary (Revenue-Disaster Management) D.C. Rana here today. He said that the event would feature exhibitions at The Ridge in Shimla. Key areas of focus would include landslide mitigation, safe construction techniques, traditional building methods, digital platforms, disaster response equipment and firefighting tools. First aid demonstrations would also be the part of exhibition.

D.C. Rana said that the campaign would include workshops at the state and district levels. Street plays and competitions for school students would also be organised whereas awareness drives would extend to the Panchayat level with special sessions held during the Gram Sabha meetings on 2^nd October.

He said that HPSDMA would honor individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to disaster management. Awards would be given to the best-performing districts and NGOs would also be recognized. Additionally, a competition would be held to create safe construction models, with categories for high school, senior secondary and college students.