Dehradun, Sept. 13 -- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) member and head of department Rajendra Singh on Thursday said here that there is a need for mapping and risk assessment of towns located along rivers in Uttarakhand to identify sensitive areas and put protective measures in place before disasters strike. Reviewing the monsoon-induced damage and ongoing relief operations at the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) in Dehradun, Singh said that disaster management should not be confined to crisis response but should be seen as an opportunity for sustainable and environmentally sensitive reconstruction. "The NDMA is committed to cooperating at every level to make Uttarakhand a disaster-safe state on the theme of Build Back Better," he said. Citing recurring threats of landslides, glacier lake outbursts in the hill state, Singh said scientific mapping of riverbank towns was critical to identifying high-risk areas. He also underlined the importance of framing a comprehensive plan to prevent migration triggered by disasters. "This is not just a question of livelihood, but a strategic necessity given Uttarakhand's border location, its dependence on tourism and the local economy," he said. Singh said systematic assessments after disasters were essential for accurate reconstruction and planning. Referring to the recent Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) visit and the upcoming Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), Singh said that a scientific assessment of damage, impact on livelihoods was vital for central assistance. "A PDNA team will soon visit Uttarakhand, and further financial support from the Centre will be based on the actual damage reported," he added. Singh directed disaster management secretary Vinod Kumar Suman to document challenges faced during operations. "Learnings from such experiences should feed into future policies, training modules, resource planning and technical improvements. Proper documentation will boost administrative efficiency and serve as a model for other states," he said....