SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh Government, in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), has outlined a Rs. 890 crore 'Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness Program'.
Spanning five years, it aims to heighten disaster readiness and climate resilience.
"It includes a State Institute for Disaster Management and strengthening of disaster-related authorities", said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Key objectives are fortified infrastructure, effective governance, and proactive climate change measures. It seeks to implement early warning systems for landslides, floods, cloudbursts, GLOFs, and dam safety. It also focuses on eco-DRR, nature-based solutions, and allocates funds for climate change mitigation.
The plan will strengthen Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), and sets up a State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and district-level EOCs. It will have a Special Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Company in Kangra.
It will also addresse forest fires by mitigation strategies and extending fire stations. It enhances existing fire stations for Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) emergencies. It will stabilize vulnerable landslide sites and developing flood forecasting networks.
Though the government has announced the plan in April and it remains to be seen how it is replicated on the ground zero and meets the challenges ahead.
