KATHUA: Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma today chaired a meeting to review disaster preparedness, SDRF readiness and emergency response arrangements to ensure prompt and coordinated action during emergencies.

The Deputy Commissioner directed all departments to keep manpower, machinery and emergency resources in readiness and called for coordination among SDRF, Police, Civil Defence, Fire & Emergency Services and line departments to ensure swift response and timely restoration of essential services.

He directed all departments to establish 24x7 control rooms, nominate nodal officers and maintain updated inventories of manpower, equipment and emergency resources and called for designating a single point of contact in each department for coordination during emergencies.

The Deputy Commissioner instructed the Revenue Department and other agencies concerned to identify vulnerable locations based on the past five years' disaster experience, prepare location-specific evacuation plans, identify safe shelter locations and arrange essential supplies in advance for vulnerable areas.

To strengthen preparedness, the Deputy Commissioner asked SDRF and line departments to conduct regular mock drills with proper evaluation and stressed wider public sensitisation through awareness campaigns in disaster-prone areas.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the departments concerned to ensure uninterrupted road connectivity, telecom services and communication networks during emergencies. The Power Development Department and Jal Shakti Department were directed to keep restoration teams ready for immediate restoration of services, the Health Department to maintain adequate stocks of medicines and keep emergency medical teams ready and the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department and Animal Husbandry Department to ensure adequate stocks of essential commodities, including food grains and LPG and preparedness for protection of livestock during emergencies.

The meeting was attended by ADC Mahima Madan; Additional SP Sunil Kesar; officers from SDRF; Executive Engineers of PWD, Irrigation, Jal Shakti and PDD; EOs; DIO and other officers concerned.

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In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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