Dehradun: The Uttarakhand State Disaster Authority’s ‘Monsoon-2025: Preparedness workshop’ was held near Dehradun on Saturday, and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended.

The announcement of the “Aapda Sakhi Yojana,” modeled after the Aapda Mitra Yojana, was made by CM Dhami at this time. He said that the implementation of this program would provide training for female volunteers in areas such as psychological support, relief and rescue operations, first aid, and pre-disaster warning. “This scheme will prove to be helpful in the direction of women’s empowerment and will make the active participation of society in disaster management stronger and more effective.”

According to the Chief Minister, this session is a significant step in disaster management and will assist with better handling of upcoming difficulties. According to him, Uttarakhand is a disaster-prone state. “We have to work by taking lessons from the natural disasters that have occurred in the past years.”

According to the Chief Minister, “while it is impossible to prevent natural disasters, swift action, attentiveness, and well-coordinated relief and rescue efforts can minimize the loss of life and property.” Additionally crucial are departmental coordination, sensitivity, and awareness.

According to the Chief Minister, all departments share responsibility for disaster management, and both the general public and all departments must actively participate. Public involvement in disaster management is crucial, he added. “Any government effort will only have a limited impact if society is not informed, educated, and vigilant. Locals are the first to arrive at the scene of a tragedy. As a result, training disaster management committees, women’s and youth organizations, nonprofits, and organizations such as the Red Cross at the rural level is also essential.

According to the Chief Minister, both proactive and reactive approaches must be used to manage catastrophes effectively. For instance, by taking a proactive stance during the Gaurikund cloudburst catastrophe in 2024, thousands of lives were successfully saved. More than 200 lives may have been spared in 2024 alone if the authorities had acted sooner before the landslide in Toli village in the Tehri district. Our first aim is to support those impacted by the calamity.

The Chief Minister said that by taking the prognosis seriously, the disaster’s effects may be lessened”. The state administration is placing a strong focus on using cutting-edge technology and scientific approaches. The state has established a Rapid Response Team and is using satellite monitoring, GIS mapping, and drone surveillance to identify possible catastrophe risk regions.

“Better coordination has been established between the Disaster Management Department, NDRF, SDRF, and the state administration to reduce the damage caused by the disaster.” According to the Chief Minister, he personally spoke with the workers who were stranded in the tunnel during the Silkyara rescue effort, which may have improved their spirits.

For disaster management, the Chief Minister requested that the authorities set up constant contact and coordination with the NDRF, SDRF, and other armed units. He said that the deployment of JCBs, cranes, and other required equipment should be guaranteed by identifying landslides, floods, and other hazardous regions. He provided all the necessary instructions and deployed technical equipment and human resources to continuously monitor the water level in areas situated on the banks of rivers, ensuring an adequate supply of food grains, fuel, drinking water, and life-saving medicines in all the districts going forward. “Along with this, technical inspection of sensitive and old bridges should be done, and storage should be ensured for the Bailey bridge and alternative arrangements as per requirement.”

“This workshop will make the arrangements strong and effective before the upcoming monsoon,” said Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan. Uttarakhand has to deal with a variety of calamities. “The monsoon is expected to come earlier than usual this year, according to the Meteorological Department. We must make solid preparations before the monsoon in order to lessen the disaster’s effects. We must employ financial and technological resources more effectively during catastrophes since they are bringing about revolutionary advances in the area of disaster management.

According to Rajendra Singh, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority, the Indian Meteorological Department has forecast higher-than-normal rainfall for Uttarakhand during the next monsoon season. “From a catastrophe perspective, Uttarakhand has to focus on the period between June 15 and September. When it comes to earthquakes, landslides, floods, and cloudbursts, Uttarakhand is very vulnerable. Improved infrastructure, public knowledge, and forecasts are crucial to preventing catastrophes.

“The Char Dham Yatra is going very smoothly this year,” he stated, praising the Uttarakhand administration. The Char Dham Yatra is well managed.

According to him, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has already given Uttarakhand Rs 40 crore for 190 critical lakes and Rs 140 crore for landslide protection.

He went on to say that Uttarakhand is well-prepared for forest fires this year”. A plan of around Rs 16 crore has been approved to address Uttarakhand’s forest fires.

Funds will also be provided to Uttarakhand in accordance with the seismic demand. The NDMA has established criteria that must be followed at the district level for catastrophes that occur nationwide.