PRAYAGRAJ, July 30 -- District authorities have been directed to launch an extensive public awareness campaign on safety measures and official weather warnings related to storms, lightning and floods, while encouraging people to download and regularly use the Sachet and Damini mobile applications for timely alerts, as part of efforts to reduce disaster-related casualties to zero. The directions were issued by lieutenant general (retd) Yogendra Dimri, vice-chairman of the Uttar Pradesh state disaster management authority (UPSDMA), while reviewing disaster management activities being undertaken by the district disaster management authority at a meeting held at the NIC auditorium on Wednesday. Lt Gen (retd) Dimri said awareness campaigns should be conducted at the tehsil, block and gram panchayat levels through meetings and other outreach programmes so that people are well informed about precautions to be taken during storms, lightning and floods. He also stressed the need to educate schoolchildren on disaster preparedness and safety measures, saying timely awareness could significantly reduce loss of life. He urged citizens to download the Sachet and Damini applications for accurate weather forecasts and lightning alerts and to strictly follow the advisories and warnings issued through the platforms. Additional district magistrate (finance and revenue) Vinita Singh, the additional district magistrate (supply), the additional municipal commissioner, representatives of the national disaster response force (NDRF) and other departmental officials were present at the meeting.....