Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Rakesh Kumar, IAS, chaired a high-level meeting with officials from various government departments, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Army representatives, stakeholders, and volunteers on August 9 to review and strengthen the district’s disaster response mechanism.

The meeting, attended by ADC Imteeaz Kacho, senior Army and BRO officers, departmental heads, and volunteers, focused on enhancing inter-departmental coordination to ensure swift, efficient, and unified action during emergencies.

Rakesh Kumar acknowledged the district’s progress in road connectivity—now reaching every village except Itchu—but warned that construction in difficult terrains can disrupt the natural environment and trigger disasters. He stressed the urgent need for a fully functional Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), with resource mapping to enable quick access to disaster-hit areas.

Highlighting Ladakh’s vulnerability to earthquakes, landslides, flash floods, and accidents, he directed all departments to nominate their most capable officers as EOC representatives. Mock drills, conducted without prior notice, will soon be introduced to assess real-time preparedness. He also proposed installing recovery nets at key bridges to enable swift accident response.

Rakesh Kumar praised the dedication of local volunteers and assured them of professional training sessions, where experts will impart life-saving skills.

The meeting concluded with a unified commitment to remain alert, prepared, and coordinated in safeguarding lives and property across Kargil district.