In order to oversee the functioning of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and the facilities put in place in Pulwama and Anantnag, Secretary Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation, Talat Parvaiz today chaired two meetings at DC Office Complex Pulwama and Dak Bungalow Anantnag.The meetings were attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Pulwama (CEO DDMA), Additional Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Shabir Hussain, ADC Awantipora, ADC Tral, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Horticulture officer, SE Hydraulic, Revenue officials, representatives of Civil Defence and SDRF and other District officers.Speaking on the occasion, Secretary said that community plays a vital role in disaster management and its members are always the first responders. He stressed on need for their capacity building and upgrading their skills by organizing workshops cum training programmes so that the community members and other volunteers can perform their work efficiently by minimizing the risk.He said that disasters pose many challenges to mankind and can be handled only through coordination, cooperation and collaboration among many stakeholders. He emphasized the role of prevention and mitigation in reducing disaster losses. He highlighted the ongoing efforts of Government in disaster risk reduction like preparation of disaster management plan and policy, development of early warning systems, construction of Emergency Operating Centres (EOC) and flood embankments, raising of disaster response forces at district levels and capacity building of communities through continuous training and awareness programme.
He appealed to the stakeholders to prevent “preventable death” caused by disasters and also prepare an action plan for vulnerable communities of societies. As sustainable developments are closely related with better disaster management, he urged all stakeholders to make all development initiatives disaster resilient. He requested the disaster managers to give proper consideration to geo-physical condition of the particular area, while making any action plan for disaster risk reduction.During meeting, Secretary also sought department wise disaster management preparedness plans in the District. He also announced Rs 50 lakh for purchase of disaster related equipment’s and Rs 10 lakh for upgradation of control room in the district which will work round the clock.In Anantnag the ADC informed the meeting that District Administration has identified 16 expected Emergency Operation Taskforces/ Incident Response Teams (IRTs) for key response Operation functions, each Headed by an Officer In-charge and supported by other concerned members/organizations. He further stated that under capacity building being an integral part of Disaster Management. Awareness Programs and Trainings have been imparted to Officials, other Stakeholders and Community Volunteers to perform their functions in a better manner during a Crisis situation or a Disaster.The ADC further stated that for meeting any eventuality of disasters, the resources available in the district include 7959 blankets, 55 solar lanterns, cloths for women, 100 tents, 68 boats, private machinery of114 JCBs, 183 Tippers & 801 Tractors. The manpower available is 215 from Home guard, 538 personal from civil defense, 3660 civil defense volunteers & 535 SDRF persons.