“The UNISDR delegation will be on a day-long visit to the PMC on Friday. The biggest disaster risk for the city is due to floods and there would be a spot visit by the delegation to the Mutha river,” PCMC additional city engineer Vivek Kharwadkar said. “There will be discussions on all possible disaster threats to the city and we would highlight the administration’s effort in setting up a disaster management cell and other related measures.”

Kharwadkar said the PMC was looking forward to the UNISDR suggestions to improve the disaster management and reduction efforts of the PMC. “The civic administration will seek a tieup or assistance from the delegation.”

PMC environment officer Mangesh Dighe said a presentation to the delegates would focus on the civic body’s efforts to counter the threat from climate change. “The efforts for promoting eco-housing and reducing air and water pollution will be discussed with the expert team. There is a world-wide concern over the disaster from climate change. The UNISDR team will be shown a presentation on the PMC efforts for reduction of disaster from climate change.”

PMC Disaster Management Cell in-charge and deputy municipal commissioner Pravin Ashtikar said the flood control cell of the civic body acted as the Disaster Management Cell. There is no scientific study on possible threats due to natural disaster likely to the city, he said, adding that the UNIDSR assistance would help the PMC to establish its disaster management and reduction in scientific manner.

The UNISDR focuses on building disaster-resilient communities through awareness of the importance of disaster reduction as an integral component of sustainable development to reduce human, social, economic and environmental losses due to natural hazards.