District Development Commissioner (DDC), Budgam, Mohammad Haroon Malik today chaired a meeting of officers to review the disaster management preparedness in the district. The meeting, which was held at Conference Hall, was attended by officers from police and civil departments to review the overall disaster preparedness.
Malik, who is also chairperson of District Disaster Management Authority, directed concerned to identify around 300 volunteers as manpower resource to be utilized as rescue teams, during natural or manmade disasters. DDC also directed Block Development Officers (BDOs) to identify five persons from each Panchayat block as volunteers for disaster management in the district.
He also directed that under the capacity building measures, two day training program would be conducted for the 200 local skilled labors including carpenters, blacksmiths and masons to train them about building codes and retro fitting for the construction of earthquake resistant houses. DDC also directed that refresher disaster course would be also conducted for the volunteers.
Malik urged that Information, Education and Communication (IEC) programs shall be conducted to spread awareness among local students about the immediate response towards different manmade and natural disasters to mitigate loss of life and property.
Threadbare discussion on Rs 1 crore proposed as Disaster Mitigation Fund and preparation of flood mitigation and response plan was also held during the meeting. Officers apprised DDC about the community based disaster management, where they revealed community based activities would be undertaken by involving management committees of local mosques, Gurduwaras and temples.
Malik directed the concerned to make the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), operational and proposed purchasing of land for the same in Humhama. He stressed on the coordination between departments and directed Additional Deputy Commissioner Budgam to publish a booklet of contacts of all officials for which he emphasized on officers to submit the same with the ADC office in a week’s time. He also directed concerned to identify the land for shelters in high land areas and procurement of crane and JCB to be stationed in Budgam.
Malik also stressed on concerned to prepare a list of swimmers and divers for the rescue operation during disaster like floods. He also directed engagement of youth, Asha and Anganwadi workers in the disaster management programs. Meanwhile, DDC also directed the concerned to ensure safety and security of the Sukhnag Water project pipeline, which he said was sources of drinking water to around three lakh residents.
