KHONSA : Tirap Deputy Commissioner Badonlum Tawsik on Thursday unveiled the District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP) 2025-26, marking a significant step towards strengthening disaster preparedness and streamlining relief measures during the ongoing monsoon season.

The plan was launched during a meeting of the District Executive Committee (DEC) chaired by the deputy commissioner at the DC’s conference hall. The meeting reviewed flood- and monsoon-related damage across the district and discussed measures for restoration, relief and disaster preparedness.

District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Emily Tingkhatra presented a comprehensive assessment of losses to residential houses, public infrastructure and other sectors based on field reports.

Heads of Departments from the Public Works Department, Rural Works Department, Public Health Engineering Department, Water Resources Department, Agriculture, Horticulture, Food and Civil Supplies, Education, Power and other line departments briefed the committee on the extent of damages, restoration measures undertaken and the status of essential public services.

Following detailed deliberations, the DEC approved eligible pending compensation cases for disbursement under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms, subject to the availability of funds and completion of the prescribed formalities.

Addressing the meeting, Tawsik directed all departments to accord top priority to restoring essential services and critical infrastructure. He instructed departments to keep emergency response teams, manpower, machinery and other resources on standby throughout the monsoon to ensure a swift response to any emergency.

The Department of Food and Civil Supplies was directed to maintain adequate stocks of essential commodities to avoid supply disruptions, while the Public Health Engineering Department was asked to ensure the timely restoration and uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water in affected areas.

The deputy commissioner also instructed administrative officers and Heads of Departments to regularly submit updated damage assessment reports, incident reports and geo-tagged photographs for consolidation and submission to the government. Departments were further asked to maintain close coordination with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and promptly report emergencies to the District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC) for timely intervention.

Copies of the DDMP 2025-26 were distributed to members of the committee to serve as a guiding document for disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery, while strengthening inter-departmental coordination and institutional readiness.

Emphasising that preparedness is key to minimising the impact of natural disasters, Tawsik called for continuous monitoring of vulnerable locations, timely dissemination of early warning messages and coordinated action to safeguard lives and property during the monsoon. (DIPR)