Guwahati, May 1 (IANS): Alarmed by last week`s devastating earthquake in Nepal, the Assam government is running against time for GIS mapping of 18 major utility services such as hospitals, school buildings, police stations to assist people during disasters.

Chief executive officer of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, PK Tiwari said that within the next 45-days they would also prepare a GIS (geographic information system) portal, which would have detailed information about the utility services in the state.

"The decision was taken in a meeting, which was called after the Nepal earthquake, to review our preparedness to tackle disasters," he said, adding that they are planning to carry out the GIS mapping either with the use of satellites or drones.

"Since Assam is situated in the seismically active zone V and earthquake is a reality here, we are planning a slew of measures to reduce the impact during such situation."

"The portal will enable people and all agencies associated with the disaster response system to possess a thorough knowledge of the utility services and evacuate people during disasters such as earthquakes, floods or landslides," Tiwari said.

He said the state government is in touch with Shillong-based North East Institute of Science and Technology, an agency supported by the Indian Space Research Organisation, for the purpose.

The north-east, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and some other states in the Himalayan region are situated in the active zone V, which is composed of trap and basaltic rocks. These rocks are prone to earthquakes.

Seven people from Guwahati died in the Nepal earthquake which struck on April 25. They were part of a 26-member pilgrim team to Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu and they died after the hotel they had checked into collapsed.

"Since February, Assam has witnessed several earthquakes measuring over three in Richter Scale," he said.