‘Don’t let development trigger disasters’: NDMA pushes zero-casualty goal in Uttarakhand

Dehradun: Stressing that development must not come at the cost of safety, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) member Dinesh Kumar Aswal on Tuesday said Uttarakhand must work towards a “zero death” target in disasters by minimising risk at every stage of planning and execution.Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA), Aswal assessed preparedness across all 13 districts and expressed satisfaction with existing capacities, while calling for a stronger focus on disaster risk reduction (DRR). “Development is essential, but it should not become the cause of future disasters,” he said, urging authorities to prioritise pre-disaster preparedness, risk identification and mitigation.He lauded the state and district disaster management plans (SDMP and DDMP), calling them a “milestone in strengthening Uttarakhand’s disaster resilience”. At the same time, he underlined the need to develop a landslide early warning system in the state and assured technical and institutional support from NDMA.Highlighting communication gaps in remote areas, Aswal directed officials to identify mobile network “shadow zones” across districts and submit a detailed report. NDMA, he said, would coordinate with telecom service providers to improve connectivity in these areas.The NDMA member also emphasised community participation, describing it as the “strongest pillar” of disaster management. Reviewing the ‘Yuva Aapda Mitra’ initiative, he called for expanding training to more volunteers. He further instructed officials to carry out detailed GIS mapping of resources, vulnerable locations and villages, and integrate them into district disaster plans.Aswal stressed that disaster management plans must be made mandatory for institutions, including schools, colleges, hospitals, malls and residential complexes. He also directed district magistrates to hold monthly coordination meetings with agencies such as the Army, Air Force, NDRF and paramilitary forces to ensure a swift emergency response.Addressing forest fire risks, he said pine needles (pirul), a major cause of fires in Uttarakhand, could be converted into fuel briquettes. “NDMA is ready to support such initiatives through funding,” he said, urging districts to submit proposals.He also suggested phased relocation of highly vulnerable villages and the development of model disaster-resilient settlements in each district. Calling for stricter enforcement of building bylaws, Aswal emphasised the need for construction practices suited to the fragile Himalayan terrain.Pushing for technological upgrades, he advocated the use of advanced tools such as digital twin technology for disaster prediction and preparedness, and encouraged startups to contribute innovative solutions in the sector.Meanwhile, Vinod Kumar Suman, secretary (disaster management and rehabilitation), sought relaxation in SDRF funding norms to allow dredging work for river channelisation in the state. He also said disaster management plans for line departments have been prepared, while plans for other institutions are being developed at a fast pace.