About Us

JKSDMA Overview

Jammu and Kashmir covers the northern most extremity of India and lies between latitudes 32º.17‟ to 36º.58‟ north and longitudes 73º.26‟ to 80º.26‟ east. Jammu and Kashmir has a geographical area of 42,241 sq. km comprising 1.285% of the total area of the Indian territory. it occupies a strategic position in India with borders touching Pakistan in the west, Ladakh in the North and East and the States of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in the south.As per the Census 2011, the it has a total population of 1,22,67,013, comprising of 64,83,906 males and 57,83,107 females. It is divided into 20 Districts, comprising 49 Sub-divisions, 207 Tehsils, 520 Nayabats, 1632 PatwarHalqa1 . There are 6860 revenue villages in the State.

Physically J&K comprises two distinct regions, which correspond with its two Administrative Divisions. J&K has no homogeneity, with regard to its physical features but represents an interesting morphology.

Morphologically J&K is divided into three distinct micro regions which are as follows: - 

  1. The Outer Hill Division 
  2. Jhelum Valley Division 
  3. Indus Valley Division. 

Jammu and Kashmir has a long history of disasters. J&K has witnessed many natural and human induced disasters in the past. Owing to its peculiar topography, rugged terrain, extreme weather conditions and an underdeveloped economy, the UT has suffered a lot on account of natural disasters. Hazards like earthquakes, floods, fires, droughts, avalanches and landslides leading to loss of human lives, as well as public and private property. Enhanced vulnerabilities of the built environment make the State highly prone to natural disasters.

          Owing to its unique geographical and climatic setting, the UT of J&K has witnessed a number of disasters, ranging from incidents of fires to destructive floods and catastrophic earthquakes. In the wake of recurring disasters, the State has always paid heavily in terms of loss of life and property. J&K is prone to multi-hazard both natural and human induced.

Table : Hazard Profile of Jammu and Kashmir

S. No.

Hazard

Areas Covered

 

1.

Earthquakes

Most parts of Kashmir Valley (15.3% of the area of the state), and Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar of Jammu region fall under Seismic Zone V (very high damage risk zone), which houses more than 50% of the population of UT. Rest of the UT and most parts of Jammu Division (84.7% of the total area of the UT)fallundertheSeismicZoneIV(high damage risk zone).

 

2.

Floods

All Low-lying areas of the Kashmir Valley alongwith parts of Jammu region are prone to floods. Upper catchments of all the tributaries of the Jhelum, Indus, Chenab and Tawi riversare prone to flash floods.

 

3.

Avalanches and Snow Blizzards

All higher reaches of Kashmir division and Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Banihal areas of Jammu region face avalanches and snow storms.

 

4.

Landslides

Areas along major highways particularly Ramban, Panthial, Banihal are vulnerable to landslides. Doda, Udhampur, Kathua, Kishtwar, Gulmarg,Dawar, Gurez, Tangdhar and Rajouri are landslide prone.

 

5.

Drought

Most parts of Jammu division are drought prone. 

 

6.

Windstorm

Occasional wind storms in different parts of the State in different seasons destroy roof-tops and crops.

 

7.

Fires/Forest fire

All densely populated habitations across the UT and especially Gurez, Doda, Kishtwar and other inaccessible areas are prone to fire incidents.

In addition, forest fires are witnessed in the UT especially during the dry spells in autumn.

8.

Rail & Road accidents

Hilly roads especially in Doda, Ramban, Udhampur, Rajouri, Reasi, Poonch, Kishtwar, Ramban, Baramulla, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Jammu, Kathua etc. are prone to road accidents.

However, in recent years with addition of more vehiclesontheroads,thereishardlyanyarea which does not witness road accidents.

9.

Cloudbursts

All hilly areas of the UT are prone to cloudbursts.

10.

Human induced disasters

All Districts are vulnerable to human induced disasters.

11.

Others

Several parts of the UT face hazards like thunderstorms, hailstorms, dam bursts, heavy snowing, human epidemics and livestock epidemics, and pest attacks from time to time; some of which occasionally convert into disaster like situations.