One-day workshop on Cold Wave Preparedness organized by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) on 9 January 2026 at the Survey of India Auditorium, Hathibarkala, Dehradun.
Disaster Management is a Collective Responsibility: CM
Hon’ble Chief Minister Inaugurates Cold Wave Preparedness Workshop Organized by USDMA
Disaster Management Handbook and SOPs Released
Dehradun.
Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated a one-day workshop on Cold Wave Preparedness organized by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) on Friday at the Survey of India Auditorium, Hathibarkala, Dehradun.
On this occasion, he released the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to cold wave management, flood management, mock exercises, and air operations support, along with the Disaster Management Department’s New Year Calendar 2026 and the Disaster Management Handbook.
During the programme, the Hon’ble Chief Minister also honoured the Youth Disaster Friends (Yuva Aapda Mitra) and individuals who had rendered exemplary service in relief and rescue operations during disasters in 2025. He also flagged off four vehicles provided by the State Bank of India for disaster management operations.
Approximately 300 participants attended the workshop offline, while around 350 participants joined online.
Disaster Management Requires Collective Participation: CM
The Hon’ble Chief Minister stated that disaster management is not the responsibility of a single department alone, but requires the collective participation of the entire administration, local bodies, voluntary organizations, and the general public. He emphasized that under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Disaster Risk Reduction has become a major national priority. Following this guidance, the Government of Uttarakhand is adopting modern technologies for disaster management.
He informed that the State is strengthening drone surveillance, GIS mapping, satellite monitoring, and early warning systems. Disaster risks are being reduced through initiatives such as installing sensors in high-altitude regions, developing digital monitoring systems, and forming modern Rapid Response Teams.
Avalanche Risk in Himalayan State
The Hon’ble Chief Minister highlighted that in a Himalayan state like Uttarakhand, avalanches pose a serious natural hazard. Several regions are highly sensitive to avalanche risks. Ensuring safe tourism, pilgrimage, and mountaineering activities in these areas remains the government’s highest priority. The government is continuously strengthening early warning systems, maximizing the use of modern technology, deploying trained rescue forces, and enhancing safe tourism protocols.
He added that concrete and practical steps have also been taken to address challenges arising from cold waves and heavy snowfall. All districts have been integrated with the Early Warning System, and district magistrates have been instructed to ensure adequate arrangements of bonfires, night shelters, and blankets.
Health Preparedness During Cold Waves
The Hon’ble Chief Minister directed that the Meteorological Department, Disaster Management Department, and local administration must maintain close coordination and further strengthen early warning systems. Timely alerts and preparedness must be ensured in cold wave and snowfall-prone areas.
He further emphasized that during cold waves, district hospitals, health centers, and mobile medical teams must remain fully operational to address health issues such as hypothermia, cold, flu, and pneumonia, particularly in remote and high-altitude regions, ensuring availability of essential medicines, heating equipment, and first-aid supplies.
Strengthening Community-Based Disaster Management
The Hon’ble Chief Minister stated that the government is working to further strengthen initiatives such as “Yuva Aapda Mitra” and “Aapda Sakhi” to promote community-based disaster management. He expressed hope that the workshop would enhance preparedness and strengthen inter-departmental coordination for tackling potential challenges during the winter season.
Distinguished Dignitaries Present
The programme was attended by Shri Rajendra Singh, Head of Department and Member, NDMA; Shri Vinay Roohaila, Vice Chairman, State Disaster Management Advisory Committee; Shri Anand Bardhan, Chief Secretary; Shri Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary, Disaster Management & Rehabilitation; Shri Anand Swaroop, Secretary; Shri Rajiv Swaroop, IG Garhwal; Shri Rajkumar Negi, DIG & Additional CEO (Implementation); Shri Arpan Yaduvanshi, Commandant, SDRF; Shri Mohammad Obaidullah Ansari, Joint CEO; and several other officials.
Disaster Management in Uttarakhand is a Continuous Learning Process – Rohaila
Shri Vinay Rohaila stated that in a disaster-prone Himalayan state like Uttarakhand, disaster management is not merely a departmental function but a continuous process of learning, preparedness, and effective field execution. He observed that disasters are changing their nature—sometimes cold waves, sometimes floods, sometimes landslides, and sometimes sudden incidents—therefore preparedness must be equally multidimensional and practical.
Judicious Use of Technology is Essential – Chief Secretary
Chief Secretary Shri Anand Bardhan stated that cold waves develop gradually but their impact is widespread and severe, affecting public life, healthcare services, transportation, livestock, livelihoods, and especially vulnerable communities. Cold wave management must therefore be treated as a serious administrative and social responsibility.
He emphasized that effective disaster management today is impossible without the systematic and judicious use of technology. For cold wave disasters, early warning systems, weather-based forecasting, real-time data sharing, alternative communication systems, and rapid field feedback ensure timely and accurate decision-making.
NDMA Stands Firmly with Uttarakhand – Shri Rajendra Singh
Shri Rajendra Singh stated that he understands Uttarakhand’s geographical and social vulnerabilities not only as an NDMA official but also personally, as he belongs to the Chakrata region and is deeply familiar with its harsh climate and challenging living conditions. He assured that NDMA stands firmly with Uttarakhand at every level.
SOPs Will Make Disaster Management More Effective – Suman
Secretary Shri Vinod Kumar Suman stated that the objective of the workshop was to ensure that cold wave management does not remain a theoretical discussion but becomes a practical, implementable, and time-bound strategy. USDMA has prepared SOPs for cold wave management, air operations, flood management, and mock drills to make disaster management systems more structured, clear, and effective.
Release of Disaster Management Handbook and SOPs
The Chief Minister formally released the SOPs for cold wave management, air operations, flood management, and mock drills. These SOPs clearly define roles, responsibilities, and actions of all concerned departments and personnel at every stage of disaster—pre-disaster preparedness, response during disaster, and post-disaster relief, rescue, and rehabilitation.
The Disaster Management Handbook for volunteers undergoing training under the Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme was also released.
Release of New Year Calendar 2026
The Hon’ble Chief Minister also released the New Year Calendar 2026 published under IEC activities of USDMA, incorporating month-wise disaster awareness information to promote public awareness.
Honouring Yuva Aapda Mitra
Under the Prime Minister’s ambitious Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme, outstanding performers were honoured, including:
- Ms. Manisha Pokhariyal – Bharat Scouts & Guides
- Mr. Sudhanshu Bamrada – Bharat Scouts & Guides
- Ms. Nidhi Panwar – NCC
- Mr. Abhinav Bhadola – NSS
- Mr. Anshuman Sajwan – NSS
Honouring Brave NDRF Personnel
NDRF Inspector Laxman Thapliyal and Head Constable Manmohan Singh were honoured for their courageous rescue operation on 16 September 2025, when they saved a person stranded on an electric pole during sudden flooding in the Swarnna River in Premnagar, Dehradun.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister also honoured Shri Deshpal Kashyap, a resident of Premnagar, who clung to the pole for three and a half hours, for his courage and resilience.
State Bank of India Provides Four Vehicles under CSR
During the workshop, the Hon’ble Chief Minister flagged off four vehicles provided by State Bank of India under CSR to USDMA for smooth administrative movement during disasters. These vehicles have been allocated to the districts of Chamoli, Tehri, Dehradun, and Pauri.