Uttarakhand to adopt enhanced disaster response system to improve emergency coordination

Dehradun: Uttarakhand will soon roll out an updated Incident Response System (IRS) to boost disaster management and enable quicker, coordinated emergency action during natural calamities, officials said on Monday. The system, designed to strengthen interdepartmental communication and streamline operations, will be implemented once it receives final approval from the government.
The enhanced IRS will integrate modern best practices with Uttarakhand's specific operational needs to create a more effective disaster response framework. Vinod Kumar Suman, secretary of the disaster management department, said the new system, mandated by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), had been sent to the government for clearance. He told TOI, "The new IRS will help in better coordination and response during a disaster."
The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) said the updated system will provide a detailed breakdown of responsibilities for each key officer involved in disaster response. These include the responsible officer, incident commander, deputy incident commander, safety officer, logistics section chief, and communication unit leader. Each designation will have clearly defined duties to avoid confusion during emergencies.
Officials at the disaster management department said the system would prioritise timely sharing of information and accountability — both crucial to reducing the impact of frequent disasters such as floods, landslides and earthquakes in the state.
The reorganised structure is expected to improve decision-making, speed up resource deployment and enhance coordination across departments. Experts said a well-defined command hierarchy is essential during crises, as unclear responsibilities often cause delays and worsen damage.