J-K administration to set up Emergency Operation Centers in 20 districts

According to a government statement, the administration of Jammu and Kashmir has decided to establish state-of-the-art Emergency Operation Centers (EOC) in all 20 districts to minimise the damage caused by natural disasters because the state is located in earthquake zones 1V and V and is highly prone to flood damage.

The construction of the EOC in Budgam district has begun, which will have a comprehensive disaster management plan under the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) 2019, which will be implemented in all districts. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NDMA, Government of India, for the implementation of an Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) to manage disaster calls in Dial Number 112.

According to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir’s Economic Survey 2022-23, District Emergency Operation Centers will be established in all 20 districts of the state to help build the capacity of the Union Territory (UT) and district administration by managing disaster risks, improving preparedness, and achieving resilient recovery.

Almost 1.5 lakh community volunteers will be involved in capacity building in three phases: 15,000 volunteers in the first phase, 35,000 volunteers in the second phase, and 1,000 volunteers in the third phase.

According to the survey study, the focus is on increasing the capacity of all stakeholders to respond to catastrophes in a timely and planned manner in order to reduce loss of life and economic losses in all forms.

The Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation, and Rebuilding is identifying numerous threats to the Jammu and Kashmir UT.