Chairman DDMA, Rakesh Kumar, IAS, Chairs High-Level Disaster Management Meeting in Kargil
09/08/2025
Kargil, August 09 (KIP)-Chairman, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Rakesh Kumar, IAS, chaired a high-level meeting with officials from various government departments, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Army, stakeholders, and volunteers to review and strengthen the district’s immediate disaster response mechanism.
The meeting was attended by ADC Imteeaz Kacho, senior Army and BRO officers, departmental heads, stakeholders, and dedicated volunteers. The primary focus was on enhancing coordination among departments to ensure quick, efficient, and collective action during emergencies.
In his address, Rakesh Kumar acknowledged the district’s remarkable progress in road connectivity, with every village now linked except Itchu. However, he cautioned that road construction in challenging terrains can impact the natural environment, sometimes leading to disasters. To address such risks, he stressed the urgent need to establish a fully functional Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), enabling swift access to disaster-hit areas by mapping and utilizing the nearest available resources.
He highlighted that Ladakh, being a highly sensitive region prone to earthquakes, landslides, flash floods, and accidents, requires immediate and well-coordinated first responses.
He directed all departments to nominate their best and most capable officers as EOC representatives. He further informed that mock drills would be conducted without prior notice to assess the real-time readiness of all stakeholders. Addressing accident scenarios, he proposed installing recovery nets at strategic bridges, to aid in quick and safe retrieval during emergencies.
Rakesh Kumar also lauded the selfless service of volunteers, remarking that such dedication is rare. He assured them of professional training sessions, to be held at feasible venues, where experts would impart life-saving skills and techniques.
The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to remain vigilant, prepared, and united in safeguarding lives and property.