Kargil: A high-level review meeting was held today at the Conference Hall in Baroo following the visit of a delegation from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), New Delhi, to assess and enhance disaster preparedness mechanisms in the district.
The NDMA team comprised Lieutenant Colonel Sanjeev Kumar Shahi, Joint Advisor (Operations), and Ranjan Kumar Bora, Senior Consultant, International Cooperation, CBT Division. They were welcomed by Additional Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Kargil, Imteeaz Kacho, along with district officers from key departments.
The meeting brought together senior officials including the Chief Medical Officer, Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Executive Engineers from PHE and I&FC, SDM Shakar-Chiktan, Assistant Director Food & Civil Supplies, Chief Horticulture and Agriculture Officers, Tehsildar Kargil, and other concerned officials.
In a detailed and interactive session, the participants reviewed disaster vulnerabilities specific to Kargil’s challenging terrain and extreme climatic conditions. Discussions centered around enhancing preparedness, strengthening early warning systems, and ensuring coordinated response mechanisms.
HQA/DDMO Kaneez Fatima delivered an in-depth presentation that covered key areas such as the use of the SACHET App for early warning SMS alerts, Hazard Vulnerability Risk Assessment (HVRA), Community-Based Disaster Management (CBDM), the establishment of Village Disaster Management Committees (VDMCs), and night-time mock drills. She also highlighted the importance of public awareness tools such as megaphones, sirens, and Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs).
The NDMA team shared valuable inputs on ongoing disaster management schemes, funding avenues, and standard operating procedures. They also evaluated the current functioning of both the State and District Disaster Management Authorities, reviewing roles, responsibilities, and institutional hierarchies.
A comprehensive assessment of the updated data, SOPs, and the District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP) was also undertaken. Notably, the NDMA officials appreciated Kargil’s successful execution of a night-time mock drill—an important measure in testing real-time readiness.
The visit and meeting marked a significant step toward enhancing coordination, planning, and resilience in disaster response across the district, reflecting the UT Administration’s commitment to safeguarding communities in vulnerable zones like Kargil.
