Army, civil administration to conduct disaster management exercise in Jammu & Kashmir

JAMMU: The Army and civil administration in Banihal belt of Jammu and Kashmir will conduct a disaster management exercise to tackle challenges posed by weather conditions or natural calamity.

Code named 'Hifaazat-e-Awam', the exercise will be conducted by Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, based at Banihal, in coordination with the civil administration from 13-15 January, a senior Army official said.

The exercise will include response of various civil government agencies and army to meet various eventualities during any disaster and natural calamity, he said.

Every year around winters, heavy snowfall, avalanches and landslides cause blockade of highway, resulting in stranding of trucks and passenger vehicles, and shifting and evacuation of people in Banihal section of the highway.

"Such kind of disaster management exercises will enable smooth conduct and execution of joint response and develop faith of local population in civil administration and Army", the official said.

The Rashtriya Rifles Sector Headquarters in Dharmund had yesterday organised a civil-military coordinating conference at Chanderkot to coordinate the response of army and civil agencies during any disaster and natural calamity.

The conference was attended by top officials of army, police, para-military forces and civil administration officials besides IRCON & Navyuga infrastructure companies working in the region and was presided over by the Sector Commander.

The civil administration and police appreciated the efforts of army, especially during Operation Megh Rahat and other rescue efforts during recent road accidents on the National Highway in Banihal section.

They also lauded the Army for providing trained divers during rescue operations in Chenab River.