2nd International Conference on Natural Hazards: Risk Analysis & Mitigation – Down to Earth 2025 Kicks Off in Sikkim

Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) and Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) Join Hands to Address Emerging Disaster Risks in the Himalayan Region

KalimNews, Gangtok, November 13, 2025: The inaugural session of the 2nd International Conference on Natural Hazards: Risk Analysis & Mitigation – Down to Earth 2025, organized jointly by the Department of Civil Engineering, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT), and the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), officially commenced on 13th November 2025. The three-day event, which is being held at the SMIT campus, aims to foster international collaboration and advance scientific understanding in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and mitigation strategies for natural hazards.

The opening ceremony featured the lighting of the traditional diya, a symbolic gesture of enlightenment, followed by the presentation of khadas (traditional scarves) to dignitaries. Students from Deorali Senior Secondary School also performed a welcome song focused on disaster risk reduction, setting an inspiring tone for the conference. Professor (Dr.) Savitha G. Kini, Director of SMIT, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the significance of the event, while Dr. Chandrasekhar Bhuiyan, Head of the Civil Engineering Department, provided a comprehensive briefing on the conference's objectives and goals.

The event saw the participation of a diverse group of delegates, including researchers, academicians, and officials from both India and abroad, reaffirming the growing international focus on disaster risk reduction in mountainous regions like Sikkim.

In his address, the Chief Guest, Prof. V.K. Sharma, Vice Chairman of SSDMA, emphasized Sikkim’s unique potential to become a model state for disaster risk reduction, particularly in the context of the Himalayan region. He urged SMIT to consider establishing a Centre for Disaster Management, which would serve as a hub for research, innovation, and capacity-building in the field of disaster management. “Sikkim has the opportunity to lead by example, and it is crucial that we collaborate to build a robust framework to address emerging hazard risks,” said Prof. Sharma.

The Guest of Honour, Mr. Rinzing Chewang Bhutia, IAS, Relief Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department, congratulated SMIT for hosting the conference and highlighted the significant work being carried out by SSDMA. Mr. Bhutia elaborated on SSDMA’s ongoing initiatives, including the appointment of 1,185 Disaster Management Volunteers, mainstreaming DRR practices across various developmental sectors, and strengthening academic collaborations to promote risk-sensitive planning.

Senior officials from SSDMA, including Shri Prabhakar Rai, Director of SSDMA, and Rajiv Roka, Additional Director, were also present at the ceremony, further solidifying the institutional commitment to advancing disaster management strategies.

A key highlight of the event was the meeting held on the sidelines of the conference between Mr. Rinzing Chewang Bhutia, Prof. V.K. Sharma, and Prof. Rajib Shaw from Keio University, Japan. The discussion focused on the Indo-Japan Collaborative Laboratory initiative, a joint effort by the governments of India and Japan to strengthen disaster risk reduction cooperation. The meeting explored potential avenues for future collaborations aimed at addressing disaster vulnerabilities in the region.

The inaugural session was coordinated by Dr. Sajal Sarkar and Mr. Guru Prasad Sharma, Associate Professors at SMIT, who played a vital role in organizing the event.

The conference, which will run until November 15, 2025, aims to foster dialogue on critical issues related to disaster management. Sessions will cover a wide range of topics, including scientific innovations in hazard forecasting, community-based resilience strategies, and the development of policies that integrate disaster risk reduction into developmental planning.

The event has attracted considerable attention from both national and international delegates, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in mitigating the risks posed by natural hazards, especially in disaster-prone regions like Sikkim.