Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday reviewed the implementation of a comprehensive five-pronged roadmap aimed at strengthening the disaster management framework across Jammu & Kashmir, calling for time-bound action to enhance disaster resilience in all districts of the Union Territory.
Chairing a high-level meeting in Srinagar, Dulloo assessed the progress made by the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRR&R) on key disaster risk reduction initiatives and reviewed the Action Taken Report (ATR) on decisions taken during previous meetings.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department; Principal Secretary, Home; Commissioner Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department; Principal Secretary, DMRR&R Chandraker Bharti; Commandant, SDRF; Divisional Commissioners; Secretary, Rural Development Department; Commissioners of Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations; Director, India Meteorological Department; Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control; and representatives of BRO, NHAI and NHIDCL. Deputy Commissioners participated virtually.
Emphasising the need for a robust disaster management system, Dulloo said Jammu & Kashmir remains vulnerable to multiple natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, cloudbursts, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), avalanches and forest fires.
“Our strategic geographical location demands a proactive, scientific and future-oriented disaster management framework capable of reducing risks before disasters occur,” he said, urging all departments to adopt a whole-of-government approach in implementing the roadmap.
The Chief Secretary observed that investments in disaster risk reduction would help reduce economic losses, protect critical infrastructure and save lives, and stressed the importance of integrating resilience-building measures into the development process.
During the meeting, Principal Secretary DMRR&R Chandraker Bharti informed that substantial progress has been achieved on several priority initiatives. These include the formulation of Standard Operating Procedures under the Disaster Management Act, preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for landslide mitigation in vulnerable districts and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening preparedness across the Union Territory.
Bharti said the department is finalising a Memorandum of Understanding with the Geological Survey of India for establishing a comprehensive landslide forecasting system in Jammu & Kashmir. He also highlighted progress in Digital Terrain Modelling (DTM) and Digital Elevation Modelling (DEM) for highly vulnerable districts, strengthening flood protection measures and submission of mitigation projects by District Disaster Management Authorities.
Officials informed the meeting that the department’s roadmap is built around five strategic pillars: scientific risk assessment, targeted mitigation measures, institutional capacity building, community participation and risk-informed development.
The roadmap envisages the preparation of a GIS-based Multi-Hazard Risk Atlas, strengthening of critical infrastructure, deployment of modern technologies, improved emergency preparedness and promotion of localized early warning systems to minimise disaster risks and enhance response capabilities.
Concluding the meeting, Dulloo said disaster resilience must be viewed as an essential component of sustainable development and called for coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to build a safer, climate-resilient and disaster-ready Jammu & Kashmir.
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