7 months ago
Western Command and NDMA Conclude Disaster Management Conclave
The Western Command and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) recently held a big meeting in Chandimandir to talk about how to prepare for disasters better.
They wanted to make sure that the country is ready for natural and man-made disasters by working together and using new technologies.
Important people from the military, government, and experts shared their ideas.
They talked about the big floods in Punjab last year, which caused a lot of damage and showed that better coordination between states is needed.
They also discussed how climate change is making disasters like floods and landslides worse in places like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
The goal is to be more proactive and ready for any future disasters.
The Western Command and NDMA concluded a disaster management conclave in Chandimandir to enhance the country's disaster preparedness.
The event brought together senior military officials, NDMA policymakers, state disaster management representatives, and experts to foster civil-military synergy and integrate advanced technologies.
Key speakers included Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, Rajendra Singh, Anurag Verma, D C Rana, and Snober Jamil, who discussed various aspects of disaster management.
The conclave highlighted the need for stronger inter-state coordination, especially in the wake of Punjab's devastating floods in 2025, which caused significant loss of life and property.
Participants also addressed the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and the impact of climate change on disaster management in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
- Who
- Western Command, NDMA, senior military officials, state disaster management representatives, academic and technical experts
- What
- Western Command Disaster Management Conclave on Disaster Risk Resilience
- Where
- Chandimandir
- When
- January 28, 2026
- Why
- To strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness and shift from reactive response to proactive resilience
Key facts
- Event
- Western Command Disaster Management Conclave
- Location
- Chandimandir
- Date
- January 28, 2026
- Organizers
- Western Command, NDMA
- Key Speakers
- Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, Rajendra Singh, Anurag Verma, D C Rana, Snober Jamil
- Punjab Floods
- 60 deaths, 5 lakh acres inundated, 3.5 lakh acres damaged
- Himachal Pradesh
- 1,700 houses affected by land subsidence, 45 sq km lost to landslides in 2023
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Increased hydrometeorological disasters due to climate change
Quotes
Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd)
Member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
“Such exercises focus on strengthening response coordination, testing emergency plans, and better preparedness for various disasters among agencies that are involved to tackle them.”
indianexpress.com
“When disasters strike, civil and other agencies involved should know what equipment and resources are available so that these can be immediately put to action.”
indianexpress.com
Lt Gen K S Brar (retd)
Retired military official with experience in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations
“Now, there are AI models, how much water can be released from upstream, how far it will flow, you can do a digital simulation. So, all models can be made, and one can have a digital model of what has to be done.”
indianexpress.com
“If you have to save lives, do any kind of mitigation, you have to react very fast.”
indianexpress.com
Rajendra Singh
NDMA member and Head of Department
“When lives, livelihood and critical infrastructure were under serious stress, the Indian Army sprang into action with remarkable speed, professionalism and compassion. Army columns were among the first responders on the ground, rescuing citizens and providing essential relief material, restoring connectivity and instilling confidence in disaster-affected people.”
indianexpress.com
Lt Gen Ajay Chandpuria
General Officer Commanding 11 Corps
“Disasters also have a national security implication, and hence, the armed forces have a mandated role to respond to it as a whole of nation or whole of society approach.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Western Command and NDMA’s disaster mgmt conclave: Speakers stress ‘first 24 hours most critical’, suggest regular mock drills to enhance disaster preparedness
Western Command and NDMA conclude disaster management conclave at Chandimandir
Stronger inter-state coordination urgent need after 2025 floods: Punjab official
