Dehradun, June 8 -- Uttarakhand's disaster management practices, including the Silkyara tunnel rescue operation and response during the Dharali disaster, were showcased at the second technical meeting of the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group held in Puri, Odisha, from June 3 to 5. The three-day meeting brought together senior officials, technical experts and policymakers from 11 BRICS member and partner countries. Officials said discussions at the meeting focused on disaster risk reduction, resilient infrastructure, community-based early warning systems, forecast-based response mechanisms and sustainable financing for disaster management. Representing Uttarakhand, SDRF commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi and Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Centre (ULMMC) director Shantanu Sarkar made a presentation on the state's disaster preparedness measures, capacity-building initiatives, technological interventions and emergency response mechanisms. According to officials, the presentation highlighted challenges associated with Uttarakhand's fragile Himalayan terrain, including landslides, extreme rainfall, glacial lake risks, road blockages and risks linked to large-scale pilgrimages. The state's multi-agency coordination system, early warning mechanisms and rapid relief and rescue arrangements were also discussed during the event. The Silkyara tunnel rescue operation and disaster management efforts during the Dharali disaster were presented as case studies, officials said. The meeting also discussed Uttarakhand's early warning systems, disaster risk reduction measures and coordination among departments....