In a key move to bolster disaster preparedness and response in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the implementation of the Incident Response System (IRS), a structured and standardized framework designed to replace ad-hoc disaster response mechanisms with a coordinated, accountable, and efficient model.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary DMRR&R, Principal Secretary PWD, Director General Fire & Emergency Services, Commissioner Secretaries of FCS&CA and Information Department, Secretary Transport, Director Information, DG Codes, DG Budget, and other senior officers. Deputy Commissioners from across the UT participated virtually.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive resource mapping at the district level and directed the Disaster Management Department to circulate appropriate formats and guidelines. He stressed the importance of mock drills, regular assessments, and seamless coordination to ensure a prompt and effective response in times of crisis.
Principal Secretary DMRR&R, Chandraker Bharti, highlighted the goal of the IRS to establish a unified command structure with clearly defined roles to enhance accountability and minimize loss of life and property. He noted that trained composite teams are being developed to manage all aspects of disaster response effectively.
Implementation Milestones:
A UT-level IRS notification was issued on June 24, 2025, defining roles and responsibilities.
A workshop was conducted on July 18 in Srinagar to familiarize officers with the system and launch an IRS handbook detailing team roles and mechanisms.
District-level training sessions are scheduled from August 19 to October 6, 2025, across Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
NDMA guidelines have been circulated to all District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) and relevant departments.
Key IRS Designations in J&K:
Chief Secretary: Responsible Officer
Administrative Secretary, PDD: Incident Commander
DGP: Operations Section Chief
Administrative Secretary, DMRR&R: Planning Section Chief
Divisional Commissioners: Logistics Section Chiefs
The Disaster Management Department was directed to ensure:
Notification of IRS structures at divisional and district levels.
Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for system activation.
Monthly Incident Response Team meetings and mock drills.
Regular auditing of resources on the IDRN portal.
Mandatory training and role-awareness sessions for all officers involved.
The DMRR&R reaffirmed its commitment to building a resilient and disaster-ready Jammu and Kashmir through structured systems, capacity building, and active community involvement.