Chief Secretary Kamlesh Kumar Pant emphasized strengthening institutional systems, community participation and technology-driven interventions to build a disaster-resilient Himachal Pradesh. He was speaking at a post-disaster review seminar organized by NDMA and HPSDMA today.
He said the state’s fragile Himalayan terrain makes it highly vulnerable to cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides, and recent monsoon disasters have exposed both strengths and gaps in the response system.
Pant noted that coordinated efforts by government agencies, NDRF, SDRF, armed forces, police, local administration and community volunteers helped reduce casualties, but stressed the need to continuously learn from every disaster to improve preparedness.
He said post-disaster reviews help identify gaps in response, strengthen SOPs and assess institutional capacity. Key challenges highlighted included road and communication disruptions, difficult terrain, weather conditions, logistical constraints and delays in real-time information sharing.
Calling the seminar an important platform, he said it will help document best practices for faster, technology-enabled and better-coordinated disaster response.
Highlighting community participation, he said local communities are the first responders and must be empowered through awareness, training and volunteer networks.
He stressed the importance of the Aapda Rakshak Yojana, under which trained volunteers assist in search and rescue, first aid, evacuation and support to vulnerable groups until professional teams arrive.
Pant also called for robust district-level resource mapping of manpower, machinery, medical facilities, shelters, transport and communication systems, integrated with GIS for efficient response planning.
He appreciated NDMA’s continued support and expressed confidence that the seminar’s recommendations will further strengthen preparedness and coordination in the state.
NDMA Member Krishna S. Vatsa praised Himachal Pradesh’s disaster response during 2023 and 2025 and highlighted the need to further strengthen early response and mitigation systems.
स्कूल निरीक्षण में विद्यार्थियों के हितों पर विशेष जोर: ज्योति राणा
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
