Jammu – November 6: Emphasizing administrative accountability and swift humanitarian assistance, District Magistrate (DM) Jammu, Minga Sherpa, on Wednesday directed officials to ensure the immediate and unhindered disbursement of ex-gratia relief to victims affected by natural disasters. Presiding over a comprehensive review meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), the DM stressed that clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and a well-defined chain of command are vital to safeguarding human life and minimizing property damage during crisis situations.
Re-evaluating the district’s operational preparedness, Minga Sherpa called for reinforcing emergency response mechanisms across all levels. He stressed the necessity of outfitting emergency teams with modern rescue tools, high-grade safety equipment, and resilient communication infrastructure. “A reliable communication system and specialized safety gear are indispensable for agile and effective emergency response,” he affirmed, instructing stakeholder departments to organize routine mock drills to test operational reflexes and inter-agency coordination.
To transition from reactive interventions to proactive disaster mitigation, the District Magistrate mandated thorough hazard-mapping surveys across flood-prone lowlands, unstable hill slopes, and other disaster-vulnerable localities across the district. He directed field revenue authorities to maintain active liaisons with grassroots communities and ensure Civil Defence volunteer contingents remain fully mobilized, equipped, and trained to respond swiftly to contingencies.
The DDMA reviewed district-wide logistical readiness, emergency inventory, rescue boats, de-watering machinery, and power backup systems. Noting critical operational gaps, the DM authorized the fast-track procurement of vital rescue gear and emergency apparatus. Strategic staging locations, advance deployment grids, and emergency shelter facilities were also reviewed to guarantee immediate relief distribution during flash floods, severe weather events, or structural emergencies.
The high-level meeting saw the participation of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Joginder Singh, Additional District Magistrates Ansuya Jamwal and Ishita Rathi, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Narinder Bhutyal, Chief Planning Officer Ajaypal Singh, and Assistant Commissioner General Sania Haq Khan. Senior officials from the Fire and Emergency Services, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Civil Defence, along with Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and Tehsildars, were in attendance.
Published by True Roots Media