SRINAGAR: In a significant move to enhance disaster preparedness and response, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today chaired a high-level meeting to review the implementation of the Incident Response System (IRS) in Jammu and Kashmir.
The IRS is a structured and standardized framework designed to replace ad-hoc measures with a coordinated, accountable, and efficient disaster response mechanism.
The meeting saw participation from Principal Secretary, DMRR&R; Principal Secretary, PWD; Director General, Fire & Emergency Services; Commissioner Secretaries of FCS&CA and Information; Secretary, Transport; Director, Information; DG, Codes; DG, Budget; and other senior officers, while Deputy Commissioners from across the UT joined virtually.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of district-level resource mapping and directed the Disaster Management Department to provide formats and guidelines to facilitate this process. Highlighting J&K’s vulnerability to natural and human-made disasters, he called for full operational readiness through regular mock drills, periodic assessments, and seamless coordination to ensure timely and effective response.
Principal Secretary, DMRR&R Chandraker Bharti explained that IRS aims to establish a unified chain of command with clearly defined roles for disaster response teams, enhancing accountability and operational efficiency. The system comprises trained composite teams capable of managing all aspects of disaster response to minimize loss of life and property.
Regarding implementation milestones, the meeting noted that a UT-level notification was issued on June 24, 2025, assigning roles and responsibilities to the Incident Response Team. A one-day workshop was conducted on July 18, 2025, in Srinagar to familiarize officers with their IRS roles, alongside the launch of an IRS handbook detailing mechanisms and responsibilities. District-level training sessions are scheduled across Kashmir and Jammu divisions from August 19 to October 6, 2025. Additionally, NDMA guidelines have been circulated to District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) and relevant departments.
Key IRS designations in J&K include the Chief Secretary as Responsible Officer, Administrative Secretary, Power Development Department as Incident Commander, Director General of Police as Operations Section Chief, Administrative Secretary, DMRR&R as Planning Section Chief, and Divisional Commissioners as Logistics Section Chiefs for their respective divisions. Divisional and district-level notifications of IRS structure will follow soon in consultation with DDMAs and NDRF.
The focus remains on sensitizing DDMAs to notify IRS structures at divisional and district levels, frame Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for system activation, convene monthly Incident Response Team meetings, conduct regular mock drills, audit and update resources on the IDRN portal, and ensure mandatory training and role-awareness sessions for all designated officers.
The Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRR&R) reiterated its commitment to building a resilient, disaster-ready Jammu and Kashmir through structured systems, capacity building, and community engagement.
