Pr Secy chairs review meet on ‘Earthquake Risk Reduction & Management’ in Jammu

Jammu: Principal Secretary, Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction, on Saturday chaired a review meeting regarding ‘Earthquake Risk Reduction and Management in Jammu and Kashmir’ here at Civil Secretariat.
Experts and faculty members from various institutes including University of Kashmir, University of Jammu, NIT Srinagar, IIT Jammu, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora and representatives of Administrative Departments like Housing & Urban Development, Health & Medical Education Department, School education, Rural development department, Divisional and District management authorities and SDRF attended the meeting.
The meeting had a comprehensive review of preparedness and mitigation efforts undertaken by different departments, district disaster management authorities and response forces.
Since Jammu and Kashmir is located in a seismically active region and is susceptible to earthquakes. Most parts of the region fall under Seismic Zone V (very high damage risk zone) and Seismic Zone IV (high damage risk zone).
“The government of J&K is committed to mitigate the damage and destruction caused by natural and man-made disasters through sustained and collective efforts by all stakeholders, maintained the Principal Secretary.
The Principal Secretary took comprehensive review of preparedness measures for earthquake risk reduction in J&K being adopted by various departments and Agencies.
During the meeting, experts from different institutions and universities shared their valuable insights into Earthquake hazards and its management in Jammu and Kashmir. Besides, a detailed strategy was discussed and devised for Earthquake risk reduction which included multi stakeholder participation and proactive efforts.
The Principal Secretary asked all emergency support functionaries, line departments, Divisional & District Disaster Management Authorities, SDRF, Fire & Emergency Services and other agencies to adopt a proactive approach regarding preparedness, mitigation, prompt and effective response to deal with any earthquake eventuality.
He asked the officers to focus on developing earthquake management plans in every department, district and organisation besides conduct of capacity building & trainings, regular mock drills in Schools, Colleges, Hospitals, Panchayats, Airports, Government & Semi-Government, agencies and disaster-prone areas. He also directed to ensure training to the front-line workers of all the departments on regular basis with involvement of community, youth, Aapda Mitras in all the Disaster preparedness programs at Ward/ Village/ Panchayat/ Block/ Tehsil level and community level.
The Principal Secretary asked all the departments and DDMA to spread awareness about Earthquake safety, undertake seisimic safety audits of existing infrastructure to ensure Earthquake resistant constructions.