Early Times Report REASI, July 6: Additional District Development Commissioner Reasi Krishan Lal today chaired a meeting to review and finalise arrangements for a joint mock drill on the Early Warning System (EWS), flood preparedness and rescue operations, to be conducted in the downstream areas of the Salal Power Station Dam. The joint mock drill will be conducted at Nambala in Reasi on July 7. The meeting was convened to ensure coordination among stakeholder departments for the mock drill, aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness, testing emergency response mechanisms and enhancing coordination among agencies in the event of a dam-related emergency. The ADDC reviewed the action plan and directed all departments concerned to ensure effective coordination, timely communication and adequate deployment of manpower, equipment and other essential resources. The exercise will assess the operational readiness of participating agencies, evaluate the efficiency of the Early Warning System and generate awareness among residents living in vulnerable downstream areas. The ADDC stressed close cooperation among the district administration, Disaster Management Authority, Police, Health, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency Services, NHPC and other line departments for effective execution of the mock drill. He directed officers concerned to make necessary logistical arrangements, identify vulnerable locations, establish communication channels and ensure active participation of local residents. Among those present were Assistant Commissioner (Development) Mukesh Sharma, Executive Engineer JPDCL, officers of the police department and GGM NHPC Jatinder Kumar. |