Jammu, Mar 31 (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir administration is utilising ₹3,340 crore to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience across the Union Territory, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo said on Tuesday while chairing a high-level review meeting.
The meeting assessed the roadmap and ongoing initiatives aimed at improving disaster management systems, with emphasis on proactive planning, mitigation and risk reduction across all districts.
Dulloo directed departments to ensure effective utilisation of funds earmarked under various components of disaster management and stressed a structured approach across key areas, including early warning systems, risk reduction, relief and response, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and capacity building.
He called for expert-driven policy formulation and asked officials to undertake detailed analysis through a designated committee to develop actionable recommendations tailored to departmental needs.
Highlighting the approaching monsoon season, the Chief Secretary instructed deputy commissioners to identify vulnerable areas and implement preventive measures based on past experiences. He also emphasised strict enforcement of disaster management laws and formulation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) at the district level.
Senior officials underlined the need to protect critical infrastructure, adopt technology-driven early warning systems, and carry out detailed vulnerability studies, particularly in disaster-prone regions such as the Chenab basin.
Officials informed the meeting that a multi-hazard vulnerability and risk assessment is underway, with pilot districts including Ramban, Kishtwar and Srinagar, and a risk atlas is being developed to identify hazard hotspots.
The administration has secured significant financial assistance, including over ₹330 crore based on an IMCT report and ₹1,579 crore approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs for infrastructure recovery and reconstruction. Projects worth ₹1,431 crore have also been allocated under SASCI for restoration works.
To strengthen institutional capacity, the UT has established a Directorate of Disaster Management and is working towards setting up an Urban Disaster Management Authority. A mitigation fund has also been operationalised.
The government has partnered with UNDP for technical support and is coordinating with the National Disaster Management Authority to develop hyper-local early warning systems. The Incident Response System has been notified up to the tehsil level, supported by regular mock drills and training programmes.
Officials said line departments are incorporating disaster-resilient features in infrastructure planning, including earthquake-resistant construction, floodplain mapping and slope stabilisation, alongside policy measures such as stricter building regulations and land-use norms.
The Chief Secretary reiterated the government’s commitment to building a disaster-resilient Jammu and Kashmir through sustained and evidence-based planning.(NVI)
