The nod by the Finance Department to establish a dedicated Directorate of Disaster Management in J&K marks a crucial step towards institutionalising disaster preparedness in the Union Territory. This long-overdue initiative must be viewed not merely as a bureaucratic expansion but as an essential measure to protect lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods in one of India’s most disaster-prone regions. J&K has suffered recurrent natural and man-made disasters-earthquakes, floods, avalanches, landslides, and even forest fires. The catastrophic floods of 2014 were a grim reminder of the fragility of our existing emergency response system. Srinagar came to a grinding halt, marooned and helpless. No cohesive civil authority could rise to the occasion. Relief and rescue became solely dependent on the army and paramilitary forces. That tragedy should have been the catalyst for establishing a well-coordinated, empowered disaster response body.
The creation of a full-fledged Directorate is a necessity. It should not merely be a symbolic move; it must be equipped with trained manpower, advanced equipment, and clear operational authority. This body should function as a nerve centre-connecting district administrations, the Meteorological Department, the Geological Survey of India, and central agencies such as the NDMA and IMD. The Directorate must have real-time monitoring, communication systems, and the ability to issue timely and precise alerts. SOPs will be well-disseminated and regularly updated. Every district-especially those in high-risk zones like Doda, Ramban, and parts of the Kashmir Valley-should have access to actionable warnings, resource support, and clear command structures during emergencies.
The Government must ensure that this Directorate is not another layer of paperwork but a living, operational body with teeth and reach. With erratic weather patterns intensifying due to climate change, the vulnerability of J&K will only increase. A proactive, professionally managed, and technology-driven Directorate can be the difference between chaos and a coordinated response when disaster strikes. It’s time to act swiftly-before the next warning becomes another tragedy.
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