Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Sikkim Launches Friday Safety Five for Disaster Preparedness
Sikkim held a special day about staying safe during disasters.
The event focused on teaching children what to do during emergencies.
Officials said children can share safety lessons with their families and communities.
Schools and childcare centres will now spend five minutes every Friday practicing safety skills.
These activities may include mock drills, spotting hazards and learning evacuation procedures.
Sikkim faces dangers such as earthquakes, landslides, floods, fires and lightning.
Experts also said schools and hospitals should be designed and organized to help people escape safely.
Emergency kits and safety materials were given to schools, childcare centres and youth volunteers.
Sikkim observed State Disaster Risk Reduction Day 2026 under the theme “Prepared Children, Resilient Future.”
The state launched “Friday Safety Five,” requiring schools and childcare centres to conduct five minutes of safety activities every Friday.
Officials cited the 2011 earthquake and 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood as reminders of Sikkim’s disaster vulnerability.
Speakers called for stronger early warnings, safer infrastructure, school disaster plans and regular preparedness drills.
Emergency kits, training materials and fire extinguishers were distributed to youth volunteers, schools and ICDS centres.
- Who
- Sikkim government officials, disaster-management experts, schools, childcare centres and youth volunteers participated.
- What
- Sikkim observed State Disaster Risk Reduction Day 2026 and launched the “Friday Safety Five” preparedness initiative.
- When
- September 18, 2026.
- Where
- Chintan Bhawan in Gangtok, Sikkim.
- Why
- To improve children’s disaster preparedness and strengthen resilience against hazards including earthquakes, landslides, GLOFs, fires and lightning.
- Event
- State Disaster Risk Reduction Day 2026
- Theme
- Prepared Children, Resilient Future
- New initiative
- Friday Safety Five: five minutes of safety activities every Friday
- Activities
- Mock drills, hazard identification, evacuation procedures and basic emergency response
- Major risks cited
- Earthquakes, landslides, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, fires and lightning
- Research initiative
- A longitudinal study on disaster-risk-reduction policy and planning in Sikkim
- Distributed resources
- Emergency kits, training materials and fire extinguishers