Students took out a rally in the city on Monday to mark the International Day for Disaster Reduction. Around 50 students from the Mani High School and the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University here took part along with personnel from the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services. The students were given basic lesson on avoiding disasters. They include steps such as avoiding standing near trees during thunderstorms as they attract lightening, taking steps to prevent forest fires and remaining vigilant during heavy rains when the threat of floods loom large.
The students pledged to plant trees to prevent saplings, clean tanks and canals to prevent floods and undergo frequent training in disaster prevention besides undertaking rainwater harvesting to prevent drought.
Efforts would be taken to form Disaster Management Committees in villages and cities. The students were told to exit buildings immediately during an earthquake.
District Collector Archana Patnaik flagged off the rally.
