A few days ago students from my village higher secondary school went for a trek to Sattari taluka near a waterfall. The trek was planned but unfortunately the heavens opened up causing a panic situation for all. But with the staff around they managed to calm down the students and started crossing the stream to a safer palace to return home. But at the same time they also called up the Forest Department for help and the Fire tender personnel were also deputed to the site. My advice to schools is that whenever they venture out for such trips they need engage the services of Fire personnel or Durgadas Parab and team of Eco-Treks Goa who are experts in choosing the right treks to accompany them . Emergencies on such a trip come without telling and we have to be ready. Places where the mobile range is not available should be avoided.We need to train our younger generations in such situations at schools and for that the Village disaster management committee along with the Fire personnel have to make time to give demos and workshops to students, staff and villagers too.
