Anantnag: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in collaboration with the District Administration Anantnag, on Wednesday conducted a Table Top Exercise at the JKTDC Club in Pahalgam to review disaster preparedness and emergency response mechanisms ahead of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026.
The exercise was chaired by Major General Sudhir Bahl (Retd.) and formed part of the ongoing preparations for the annual pilgrimage, with a focus on strengthening coordination among various agencies involved in yatra management.
Senior officers from the NDMA, Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR), district administration, defence and security forces, Fire and Emergency Services, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), camp directors, additional camp directors and other concerned departments participated in the exercise.
The objective was to assess operational readiness, improve inter-agency coordination and identify potential gaps in contingency planning related to route management, medical emergencies, weather-related challenges and crowd management.
Addressing the participants, Major General Bahl stressed the importance of integrated planning and real-time coordination among all stakeholders. He reviewed the disaster management plans prepared for the pilgrimage and discussed measures to strengthen emergency response systems.
During the exercise, multiple disaster scenarios were simulated to test the preparedness and response capabilities of participating agencies. Detailed discussions were held on communication protocols, evacuation procedures, coordination mechanisms and deployment of critical resources during emergencies.
Officials said the exercise was aimed at ensuring a coordinated and effective response to any unforeseen situation during the forthcoming pilgrimage.
