International conference on natural hazards starts in Sikkim
The Statesman | 14 November 2025
The three-day 2nd International Conference on Natural Hazards: Risk Analysis & Mitigation – Down to Earth 2025 — jointly organised by the department of civil engineering, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) and the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) — began on Thursday with a call to make Sikkim a model state for disaster risk reduction (DRR) in the Himalayan region.
The session was attended by delegates, researchers, academicians, and officials from India and abroad, underscoring the growing international interest in addressing disaster vulnerability in mountainous terrains.
Prof. Savitha G Kini, Director of SMIT, addressed the gathering, while Dr Chandrasekhar Bhuiyan, head of the civil engineering department, extended a formal welcome and outlined the objectives of the conference. The event aims to foster dialogue on scientific innovations, community-based resilience, and policy-level strategies to mitigate natural hazards.
In his address as chief guest, Prof VK Sharma, vice-chairman of SSDMA, emphasised Sikkim’s potential to emerge as a leader in DRR and urged SMIT to establish a Centre for Disaster Management to support research, innovation, and capacity-building in the Himalayan belt. He also highlighted the urgency of addressing emerging hazard risks through coordinated institutional action.
Guest of Honour, Rinzing Chewang Bhutia, Relief Commissioner-cum-Secretary, land revenue and disaster management department, congratulated SMIT for hosting the event and elaborated on SSDMA’s ongoing initiatives — including the appointment of 1,185 disaster management volunteers, integration of DRR across developmental sectors, and the strengthening of academic partnerships to promote risk-sensitive planning.
Senior SSDMA officials, including Director Prabhakar Rai and Additional Director Rajiv Roka, were present along with other officers and faculty members.
On the side-lines of the conference, Mr Bhutia co-chaired a meeting with Prof. VK Sharma and Prof. Rajib Shaw of Keio University, Japan, to explore future collaborations under the Indo-Japan Collaborative Laboratory initiative — a joint effort by the central governments and Japan to enhance DRR cooperation.
The inaugural session was convened and coordinated by Dr Sajal Sarkar and Mr Guru Prasad Sharma, Associate Professors at SMIT.