Jammu Kashmir Rolls Out Rs 3,340 Cr Disaster Preparedness Plan to Strengthen Early Warning Systems | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has significantly intensified its disaster preparedness and mitigation strategy with a Rs 3,340 crore action plan aimed at strengthening early warning systems, reducing vulnerability to natural hazards, and upgrading emergency response infrastructure across all districts.

The direction came during a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo in Jammu, where the government undertook a comprehensive assessment of ongoing disaster management initiatives, institutional reforms, and fund utilisation strategy ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.

The Chief Secretary directed all departments to ensure effective and time-bound utilisation of allocated funds under disaster management, mitigation, and risk reduction programmes. He stressed the need for a structured, evidence-based and multi-sectoral approach across six core pillars—early warning systems, risk reduction, relief and response, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and capacity building.

He also ordered detailed, expert-driven analysis through a constituted committee to develop department-specific mitigation plans, with a focus on identifying high-risk zones and implementing targeted interventions. Deputy Commissioners were instructed to map vulnerable areas in advance, draw lessons from past disasters, and ensure preventive measures are in place before the monsoon sets in.

The meeting was attended by senior officials including Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), Additional Chief Secretary (PWD), Principal Secretary (DMRRR), Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, Director SDRF, CEO ERA, and other senior officers, with Deputy Commissioners joining virtually from all districts.

A major focus of the deliberations was strengthening infrastructure resilience in disaster-prone regions, particularly the Chenab basin, where officials called for advanced studies, improved monitoring, and technology-driven early warning systems. The Finance department emphasized safeguarding critical infrastructure and integrating modern forecasting tools to minimise loss of life and property.

The Public Works Department informed that permanent restoration of damaged infrastructure is underway, along with structural mitigation measures aimed at reducing disruption during extreme weather events. The SDRF director highlighted the need for manpower augmentation, modern equipment, and improved logistical capacity to enhance disaster response efficiency.

The Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction) informed the meeting that comprehensive mitigation guidelines have already been issued, and departments have been directed to align all proposals accordingly to ensure funding support. It also indicated that fresh district-level allocations would soon be released for urgent interventions.

Divisional Commissioner Jammu stressed the importance of training volunteers in remote and inaccessible areas to improve response time, while Divisional Commissioner Kashmir called for strengthening flood zoning, modelling, and early operationalisation of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at Budgam.

The CEO ERA informed that construction of the Budgam EOC is nearing completion, with partial operationalisation expected by April-end and full commissioning targeted for August. She added that procurement of disaster management equipment has already been initiated to ensure readiness.

Deputy Commissioners presented ground-level assessments highlighting the need for consultancy support, equipment, and capacity building, while also reporting preparedness measures undertaken during previous disaster events.

Officials further informed that a Multi-Hazard Vulnerability and Risk Assessment is underway in pilot districts including Ramban, Kishtwar, and Srinagar, alongside the development of a Risk Atlas to map hazard-prone zones across the Union Territory.

The administration has already secured over Rs 330 crore from the High-Level Committee based on IMCT recommendations, while Rs 1,579 crore has been approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs for recovery and reconstruction. Additionally, Rs 1,431 crore under SASCI has been allocated for restoration of damaged infrastructure.

Institutionally, the UT has established a dedicated Directorate of Disaster Management and is working towards creating an Urban Disaster Management Authority. A mitigation fund has been operationalised to support targeted risk reduction projects across vulnerable regions.

In a major capacity-building initiative, the administration has signed an MoU with UNDP and is collaborating with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to develop hyper-local early warning systems. The Incident Response System has been extended up to the tehsil level, supported by regular mock drills and structured training programmes.

Line departments including Housing and Urban Development, Public Works (R and B), and Jal Shakti are integrating disaster-resilient engineering practices such as earthquake-resistant construction, floodplain mapping, slope stabilisation, and installation of advanced flood monitoring systems.

The government has also initiated policy reforms including strengthening building bye-laws, enforcing land-use regulations, floodplain zoning, and mandating disaster risk reduction compliance in all major infrastructure projects, marking a significant shift towards long-term resilience and risk reduction in Jammu and Kashmir’s disaster management framework.