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| Snowfall put admin on alert, disaster management agencies ill-equipped | | | Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Jan 27: While the divisional administration has been put on alert in view of inclement weather, the state government has failed to implement the disaster management plan to meet any eventuality that could trigger due to heavy snowfall in the valley.
The meteorological department has predicted heavy snow in Kashmir in the coming days. In view of weather forecast, the avalanche warning has been issued in some parts of the valley, asked people not to venture into slopes of forest and hilly areas that are in avalanche prone. Ironically, the government has failed to equip the agencies that could deal with disasters to mitigate sufferings of people at a time when any natural calamity hit the state. While the first-ever disaster management plan was approved by the cabinet headed by the then chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in July 2015, there has been no implementation of the disaster management plan. The government had said the plan is aimed at reducing the state's vulnerability to hazards and enhance human and institutional capabilities to cope with disasters and natural calamities in a more effective manner.
According to the disaster management plan report, 13 districts in J&K out of 100 districts in India have been identified as 'multi hazard districts' and has called for pro-active, holistic and comprehensive approach towards disaster risk reduction and management.
"No work has been started for its implementation and it has been confined to papers," an official of revenue and rehabilitation department said.
Two battalions of auxiliary forces were converted into State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in 2012. However, the SDRF is still ill-equipped and its forces are not in a position to deal with any emergency at the time of any natural calamity. Its men have also been assigned other duties like security.
"We don't have a proper training centre in Kashmir nor do we have equipment to make rescue operation during any natural calamity," an official of SDRF said.
The plan was formulated by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in the backdrop of 2014 floods following various snow avalanches hit the state. The state's vulnerability to natural disasters indicates that there is a dire need of having well equipped agencies to deal with natural disasters.
A senior official said the administration was well prepared to deal with any eventuality. "The administration has been put on alert to deal with any situation that could trigger due to heavy snowfall," the official said. |
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