Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 16: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today stressed on adopting community based disaster response and involving local institutions while framing responses to emergencies.
Chairing the 6th meeting of State Disaster Management Authority here today, the Chief Minister directed imparting necessary training among the local volunteers for which she directed involving the managements committees of local mosques, Gurduwars, temples and churches.
Minister for Revenue, Relief, Rehabilitation & Disaster Management, Abdul Rehman Veeri and Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar were present in the meeting.
Mehbooba Mufti directed formulating a prevention and response plan for floods and utilizing all traditional means of watch and ward with effective community participation. She also directed strengthening and raising the height of protection bunds on the Jhelum river.
The Chief Minister also directed an appraisal of medical and trauma facilities in the wake of a disaster. She also directed procurement of high duty dewatering pumps, snow cutters, boats, life jackets, tents, DG sets etc which are used in disaster response management. She also directed a critical appraisal of food go downs and working out a supply chain in case of a massive flood or any other disaster in the State.
Mehbooba Mufti directed placing Rs. one crore each at the disposal of every Deputy Commissioner as a revolving fund for disaster management response at the district level.
The Chief Minister enquired about the pace of dredging in Jhelum and earth cutting in flood channels across the Valley. She was informed that the Jhelum dredging has been carried on a sizeable portion of the river from Srinagar to Baramulla whileas 4.70 lakh cubic metres of dry earth cutting has been achieved across various flood channels in the Valley. Moreover, around 7 lakh trees, which were obstructing the water flow in these channels, were cut besides demolition of 908 structures.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also launched the website of SDMA. She directed constant updating of weather forecasts on the website.
Also present in the meeting were Chief Secretary, B. B. Vyas; administrative secretaries of several departments; Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu and other senior officers of civil administration and Police.
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