Jammu : Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo Tuesday while chairing the meeting to review the proposed measures and action plans for enhancing disaster preparedness and mitigation across J&K stresses on taking expert guided measures to alleviate their impact here in the UT.The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department; Principal Secretary, DMRR&R; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir; Secretary, Rural Development Department; DG, Codes; and other senior officers. Deputy Commissioners participated through video conferencing.
Addressing the meeting Chief Secretary underscored the importance of disaster mitigation as a vital responsibility for protecting human lives and public assets. He advocated for a proactive approach based on scientific assessments and timely preparations, emphasizing that disasters can occur unexpectedly. To address this, he instructed the formation of a team of domain experts to conduct a comprehensive vulnerability study, which would inform both short and long-term interventions tailored to the specific risks of the region. The Chief Secretary highlighted that evidence-based strategies would enhance the Union Territory’s (UT) capacity to mitigate the effects of natural disasters. To bolster technical readiness, he called for collaboration with leading national organizations such as the Archaeological Survey of India, Central Water Commission, Central Building Research Institute, and Geological Survey of India. The Chief Secretary noted that expert guidance from these agencies would be essential in refining both structural and non-structural mitigation measures, thereby strengthening institutional capacity in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The Additional Chief Secretary from the Public Works Department emphasized the necessity of capacity building for departmental personnel through specialized training to ensure preparedness during emergencies. The Principal Secretary for Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction (DMRR&R) highlighted the benefits of collaborating with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and reported on the progress made in enhancing the UT’s disaster management framework. He stressed the importance of incorporating insights from field experts and frontline agencies into future plans, advocating for a whole-of-government approach for effective implementation. Divisional Commissioners from both Jammu and Kashmir pointed out region-specific vulnerabilities and recommended that these be integrated into the overall disaster management strategy for comprehensive planning. District-level insights were shared by Deputy Commissioners, who emphasized the role of District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) in strengthening grassroots preparedness. The meeting also included a detailed overview of J&K’s vulnerabilities to various disasters, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, cloudbursts, flash floods, and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). The presentation highlighted the necessity for both structural measures, such as resilient infrastructure and safety retrofitting, and non-structural initiatives, including improved governance, awareness campaigns, and regulatory reforms. Discussions also addressed the administrative and legislative actions needed to enhance institutional responses, focusing on advanced early warning systems, the integration of climate change considerations, and the development of risk-transfer mechanisms to safeguard public lives and assets in the long term.
