Owing to its unique topography, Jammu and Kashmir being a multi-hazard prone Himalayan region is vulnerable to natural disasters especially earthquake, floods, landslides, windstorms and soil erosion. It has been a matter of concern that our response to natural disasters in the past has been activated after these hit the region! However, with the passage of time, the government has been taking serious measures to prevent and manage natural disasters.

A silver lining is the Finance Department’s concurrence to the creation of a dedicated Directorate of Disaster Management in Jammu and Kashmir. The decks have been cleared and the proposal is awaiting Cabinet nod which is imminent. The objective of a separate Directorate for Disaster Management is to streamline and strengthen disaster preparedness, response and mitigation strategies across J&K. As per the proposal, the Directorate will prepare disaster management plans, coordinate emergency response activities and disseminate disaster risk reduction strategies. In this scenario, the role of the existing J&K Disaster Management Authority needs to be redefined.

This assumes significance as most parts of J&K fall under the high seismic Zones IV and V making it vulnerable to earthquakes. Besides, the flat topography of Kashmir makes it one of the most flood -prone regions in the Himalayas.

At least on the environmental conservation front, there is coordination between authorities in the J&K’s dual power system.........

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