Dehradun: In a significant step toward improving disaster response in Uttarakhand, a high-level meeting was held between senior officials of the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) and the Indian Army to strengthen coordination during natural disasters. The meeting focused on enhancing collaboration, ensuring optimal use of available resources, and formulating a joint action plan for faster and more effective relief and rescue operations.
Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said that the Indian Army has always been a dependable partner in responding to disasters in a state as disaster-prone as Uttarakhand. Referring to disasters in Kedar Valley and Dharali, he noted that the Army and the Indian Air Force made commendable contributions under extremely challenging conditions, rescuing and safely evacuating thousands of people.
Brigadier R.S. Thapa, Deputy General Officer Commanding, Uttarakhand Sub Area, said that saving human lives is the Army’s foremost priority during any disaster. He stressed the importance of launching relief and rescue operations during the golden hour, as timely intervention significantly increases the chances of saving lives.
The meeting also discussed uploading details of the Army’s resources and equipment to the India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN) portal, increasing Army participation in district-level Quick Response Teams (QRTs), and utilizing the expertise of ex-servicemen to further strengthen the state’s disaster management framework.
Officials expressed confidence that enhanced coordination between the Indian Army and the USDMA would enable relief and rescue operations to be carried out more swiftly, efficiently, and systematically during future disasters.
