State Disaster Management Plan of Uttarakhand :

Vision :

The main vision of this document is to initiate coordinated efforts to have an effective disaster management strategy for the State, which will minimize the impact of future disasters. The ultimate vision is to build safer communities through improved disaster risk management

Objective :

In the absence of a defined plan, response to a disaster would be arbitrary leading to over emphasis on some actions and absence of other actions, which may be more critical. Moreover, due to absence of a defined response structure and the duplication of actions by various agencies may lead to complicating the situation there by compounding the adverse disaster effect. The objective is to localize a disaster and to the maximum extent possible contain it to minimize the impact on life, the environment and property.

Following  are main measures mention in the State Disaster Management plan of Uttarakhand :

 1. Preventive Measures :

Early Warning and Dissemination systems :  DMMC will be the main focal point responsible for coordinating early warning, along with the relevant technical agencies and Technical Committees, its dissemination and for ensuring last mile dissemination of same.

State Emergency Operation Centre ( SEOC ) (Department of Disaster Management) : The State Emergency Operation Centre of the DMMC will be in constant coordination with all technical agencies responsible for natural and man-made hazards, and in instances of any imminent disaster, it will take action to inform the responsible officers for onward communication to the sub-levels and communities.

Everyday testing of all the communication equipments in SEOC, which is a major component of the State Emergency Operation Centre.

Mitigation Strategy  : Pre-disaster planning consists of activities such as disaster mitigation and disaster preparedness. Disaster mitigation focuses on the hazard that causes the disaster and tries to reduce its effects. Mitigation is being recognized as an integral component of sustainable development, so that communities are likely to recover more quickly from the Impacts of the disasters.

2. Preparedness Measures :

Community Based Disaster Management : The capacity of a community to withstand disasters is a function of the vital components of community preparedness.

Awareness Generation : It is a well established fact that one of the least expensive yet highly effective preparedness measures is the mass awareness generation. It is the key initiative for disaster preparedness in the generation of mass awareness on disaster. Communities must be fully aware of its vulnerability to natural hazards as also means to reduce their impacts, before it can insist upon and support actions to mitigate the impacts and take individual steps necessary to mitigate the impacts and take the individual steps.

Capacity Building Programme for Disaster Management  : It is necessary to build strong capabilities & expertise for handling various aspects of disasters. The capacity to withstand disasters is a function of possessing the capacity to respond (training, availability of resources, skilled cadres) and setting up of emergency response mechanisms which can mobilize trained resources in a quick, efficient and systematic manner. There is a growing recognition, realization that with advanced and appropriate training, the level of preparedness and response strategy could be effective in minimizing the response time and thus saving lives. By Immediate action at the time of occurrence of any disaster, human loss can be minimized. For the reason, appropriate training is provided to all the stakeholders in disaster management.

Role of Media  : The Present Day media can most effectively be used to disseminate the information during the all stages of disaster. Disaster cannot be managed by one and needs involvement of various bodies working for the society. The media is a strong link between States/Centre /Countries and whole of the world. If the media has to discharge its role it is necessary to work in co-ordination with the Government & Non –Government agencies.

3. Response Mechanism :

The Government’s approach is to ensure that those departments. /agencies, which are responsible for providing a particular emergency response service, will adopt a planned, systematic and coordinated approach to make them most effective, while utilizing the resources most optimally. Responsibility for response in the first instance will rest at the Gram Panchayat, Block or Municipality level.

 Evacuation : Evacuation is the planned relocation of persons from dangerous or potentially dangerous areas to safer areas and eventual return. Evacuated people are taken or directed to a place of relative safety, usually to an identified shelter or an emergency relief centre as per the Village/Block disaster management plans. In a situation of SDMs/Tehsildars will be responsible to ensure the registration of the evacuated people. Emergency relief will be provided to evacuees as needed. They will remain at the centre or in other emergency shelters until the danger is over and it is safe for them to return home. To evacuate the entire family together as a unit as far as possible. The evacuation process includes the returning of evacuees to their homes. In situations when evacuated persons must remain away from home for an extended period, temporary accommodation may be necessary.

4. Financial Arrangements :

Immediate response and recovery will be carried out with Calamity Relief Fund, and Chief Minister’s Relief Funds.  There are necessary Budgetary provisions for short, medium, long term activities. (‘The Calamity Relief Fund’) is constituted by the State of Uttarakhand for the purpose of financing natural calamity relief assistance. The Operation/Maintenance of the Fund shall be done through a Non - lapsable Public Ledger Account (P.L.A.) and shall be available to and 133 operated and utilized as per the decision of the “State Disaster Management Authority”

A formal planning for managing disasters is necessary to ensure reduction in times of occurrence of any disaster or on its aftermath.