It was not very long ago that in this column we had spoken about the need for networking to share information and data globally on disaster predictions. This is essential so that the onset of a natural disaster can be predicted to the extent that is possible, given the shortcomings of technology, in order that the effects of the calamity can be mitigated if not totally prevented. We had also called upon the government to go for the latest state of the art equipment, which are no doubt costly, but will save valuable lives and property in the long run.

However, what riles us is the fact that it takes a natural disaster of the proportion of the recent earthquake and the consequent tsunami, for the government to sit-up and take note. Ours is a disaster-prone area that is visited by natural calamities of all descriptions every year. One would have thought that the networking in the age of globalisation should have been already in place.

The decrepit conditions of our equipment at some of the forecasting centers belie the authority's seriousness in tackling natural disasters; therefore, it is heartening to note that the government is going to acquire appropriate equipment to make the relevant agencies more functional.

Disaster management implies several actions that must be taken in tandem. While it is imperative that institutes are set up to study various aspects of our susceptibilities to natural calamities and the ways to mitigate their effects alongside adoption of appropriate technology and global networking, it is also essential that programmes to augment public awareness on the various aspects of pre and post calamity situation are undertaken as also formulation of regulations that must not remain on paper only but must also be implemented.

The Government decision has not come a day too soon. It must be implemented with speed.