Char Dham Yatra 2026: NDMA and USDMA Gear Up, Mock Drill Scheduled on April 10
Dehradun: Preparations for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra have been intensified with disaster management agencies going into alert mode. As per the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) have stepped up efforts to ensure effective response to any emergency during the pilgrimage.
In this regard, a statewide mock drill will be conducted on April 10 to assess preparedness and response mechanisms.
An orientation and coordination conference was held at USDMA on Thursday, attended by officials from seven districts associated with the Yatra—Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri, and Dehradun, along with representatives of various departments.
Preparedness to Handle Emergencies to Be Assessed
Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman, stated that the Char Dham Yatra is a significant event for the state. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, all departments have made comprehensive preparations, and the disaster management department is on full alert.
He added that the objective of the mock drill is to evaluate the preparedness, coordination, and resource management capabilities of all stakeholders, ensuring swift and effective response during any emergency.
Mock Drill to Be Conducted Under Incident Response System (IRS)
Senior Consultant, NDMA, Major General Sudhir Bahl (Retd.), informed that the mock drill will be conducted under the Incident Response System (IRS). The exercise will test the roles and responsibilities of various units, including the Incident Response Teams, Operations, Planning, and Logistics sections.
Focus on Risk and Resource Mapping
Major General Bahl emphasized the importance of risk and resource mapping to effectively deal with potential disasters during the Yatra. This includes:
- Identification of vulnerable areas
- Mapping of available resources
- Use of GIS-based mapping systems
These measures will help ensure rapid response during emergencies.
Key Guidelines for Ensuring Pilgrim Safety
Several important directives were issued to enhance the safety of pilgrims:
- Assessment of capacity of hotels and dharamshalas
- Timely dissemination of weather alerts
- Information on landslide-prone and vulnerable areas
- Strengthening communication systems, especially in no-network zones
- Exploring satellite-based communication solutions
Multiple Disaster Scenarios to Be Simulated
The mock drill will simulate various disaster scenarios, including:
- Road and helicopter accidents
- Earthquakes
- Fire incidents in hotels/dharamshalas
- Stampede situations
- Adverse weather and floods
- Lightning strikes
- Landslides, avalanches, and falling rocks
Coordination among agencies such as the Air Force, Army, ITBP, NDRF, paramilitary forces, and local administration will also be tested.
Senior Officials Present at the Meeting
Several senior officials attended the meeting, including DIG Rajkumar Negi, Mahavir Singh Chauhan, Mohd. Obaidullah Ansari, Dr. Bimlesh Joshi, RTO Anita Chamola, and others.
