Sajidah Yousuf
Srinagar, Oct 23: The J&K government has directed departments to include the Hazard Vulnerability information clause in tender documents with regard to construction-related activities to reduce the vulnerability and increase in resilience in the built environment.
A circular in this regard has been issued by the Department of Disaster Management Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Jammu and Kashmir, which states that the directions have been passed months after the Government of India had communicated to enhance the resilience of UT of Jammu & Kashmir by including Hazard Vulnerability information in all construction-related activities.
The official document reads that with its unique topography and unique geo-climatic conditions the UT of Jammu & Kashmir is exposed to natural catastrophes traditionally.
“Even today the natural hazards like floods, droughts gale winds and earthquakes are not a rare or unusual phenomenon in the while the vulnerability varies from region to region, a large pan of the UT is exposed to such natural Wards which often turn into disasters causing significant disruption of socio-economic life of communities leading to loss of life and property”, it reads.
The circular reads, “Accordingly, therefore, in the exercise of the powers conferred under Disaster Management Act 2005 it is hereby impressed upon all concerned departments to include the clause in tender documents annexed to this circular prepared by Building Materials, Training and Promotion Council (BMTPC) in order to reduce the vulnerability and increase resilience in the built environment,”
The clause states, “Vulnerability Atlas of India (VAI) is a comprehensive document which provides an existing hazard scenario for the entire county and presents the digitized State/UT-wise hazard maps with respect to earthquakes, winds and floods for district-wise identification of vulnerable areas. It also includes additional digitized maps for thunderstorms, cyclones and landslides”.
The clause added, “It is mandatory for bidders to refer Vulnerability Atlas of India for multi-hazard risk assessment and include the relevant hazard proneness specific to project location Mille planning and designing the project in terms of which include Seismic Zone (II to V) for earthquakes, Wind velocity (Basic Wind Velocity: 55, 50, 47, 44, 39 & 33 m/s)”.
