Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 14: The 2-day workshop on finalization of J&K State Disaster Management Plan (JKSDMP) started today at SKICC here. The inaugural session was chaired by Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey.
Financial Commissioner Revenue, Dr Arun Kumar, Member NDMA Dr Muzaffar Ahmad, Consultant, TATA Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai, Dr T Jayaraman, Principal Secretary Planning, B. R Sharma, Administrative Secretaries, Deputy Commissioners and other officers, experts and stake holders were present on the occasion.
A brief overview highlighting the main features of the draft of the J&K State Disaster Management Plan was presented and comments, inputs and suggestions from the participants were solicited for incorporation in the final draft so that an efficient, effective and comprehensive Disaster Management plan is formulated for the state incorporating all aspects.
Emphasis was laid on incorporating in the plan- aspects to strengthen the inter-agency coordination, early warning systems, emergency management exercises including class room type training, real life simulation exercises and capacity building to ensure effective and quick human resource response to any disaster.
During the discussions on the various features of the plan it was highlighted that besides having Disaster Management plan to deal with natural calamities like earthquakes, cloudburst, flash floods, avalanche and landslides, snow blizzards, wind storms, fire and drought, the phenomena of urban flooding like the one recently witnessed in Srinagar city and road safety and traffic management should also find due place in the Plan.
Member NDMA Dr Muzaffar Ahmad said that there is urgent need to revisit the construction plans, incorporating building codes while constructing new structures and retrofitting old ones. He especially talked about need to carry out audit of safety standards of all lifeline buildings of various essential and emergency services in the State.
Another important aspect of disaster management that was discussed was the region specific assessment and formulation of Hazard Risk Vulnerability ATLAS of Jammu and Kashmir.
It was emphasized that the plan should receive utmost priority with strong institutional base for implementation. The discussion and interactions with departments and other stake holders will continue on Tuesday, July 15, also.
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