J-K CM stresses on adopting community-based disaster response

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today stressed on adopting community-based disaster response and involving local religious institutions while framing responses to emergencies.
Chairing the sixth meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority here, the chief minister directed imparting necessary training among local volunteers, an official spokesman said.
For the training, she directed officials to involve the managements committees of local mosques, gurudwaras, temples and churches, he said.
The chief minister has directed for formulating a prevention and response plan for floods and utilising all traditional means of watch and ward with effective community participation, the spokesman said.
The chief minister also directed strengthening and raising the height of protection embankments on the Jhelum River, he said.

She asked the agencies concerned to carry out an appraisal of the medical and trauma facilities in case of a disaster.

The chief minister also directed procurement of high duty de-watering pumps, snow cutters, boats, life jackets, tents and diesel generator sets which are used in disaster response management, the spokesman said.
She called for a critical appraisal of food godowns and working out a supply chain in case of a natural calamity in the state, he said.
Mufti ordered placing Rs 1 crore each at the disposal of every deputy commissioner as a revolving fund for disaster management response at the district level, the spokesman said.

The chief minister was informed that the disaster management response in the state has duly been institutionalised with the adoption and execution of a disaster management policy. PTI MIJ .