Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation Department and Reconstruction of Jehlum - Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) today organized a one day disaster preparedness awareness programme for community members, school and college children at Nehru Park.Principal Secretary/Chief Executive Officer JTFRP, Sandeep K Nayak inaugurated the programme which was witnessed by school children, taxi drivers, members of Shikara Union, large number of tourists and by-standers.Director, Disaster Management J&K Aamir Ali, Director, Meteorological Centre, Srinagar Sonam Lotus, Secretary General J&K State Red Cross Muhammad Shafi Rather, Commandant SDRF Bashir Ahmad Sofi, Director Finance, Zahoor Ahmad, PRO LAWDA Malik Tariq, ZEO Nishat Iftikhar Fazili, President Shikara Union Wali Muhammad Bhat besides media persons were present on the occasion.
Principal Secretary in his address said that Jammu and Kashmir is prone to multiple natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, avalanches, high velocity winds and snow storms etc. “It is paramount that able bodied youth from the community learn basic life saving skills as community is always the first responder in any disaster” he added. He appreciated the role of the youth who saved hundreds of lives during September-2014 devastating floods.
Nayak informed the people that government has launched a scheme called Aapida Mitr in Srinagar District wherein 200 volunteers will be selected from the community and provided rigorous disaster preparedness training particularly related to floods besides being equipped with individual basic rescue equipment kits. He implored the interested youth to approach concerned Tehsildar and Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, to enlist their names for the voluntary service and get advanced training under the scheme.
Principal Secretary who is also Chief Executive Officer of Jehlum-Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) said that government has initiated the process under JRFRP- World Bank Aided Project to provide specialized rescue equipments to SDRF and Fire Services to strengthen their disaster relief operations.Speaking on the occasion, Director, Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation Department Aamir Ali said that department will extend its activities to major towns and rural areas to aware the people about disaster preparedness in case of any eventuality.Director, Meteorological Centre, Srinagar Sonam Lotus, also spoke on the occasion.Earlier, the Master Trainers of NDRF and SDRF demonstrated the skills and some easy tips which prove useful in case of any disaster.