School disaster management plan made mandatory in Mandi

In a significant move to strengthen student safety and institutional preparedness, the Mandi DC and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Apoorv Devgan, has made it mandatory for all government and private schools in the district to prepare and submit a School Disaster Management Plan (SDMP) by the end of the financial year 2025-26.

Issuing orders under relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the DC stressed that student safety was paramount and any negligence in disaster preparedness would be viewed seriously. He directed schools to accord top priority to SDMP preparation to ensure readiness for both natural and man-made disasters.

According to official data, 1,291 schools have already prepared and submitted their SDMPs through the School Safety App. However, despite capacity-building training imparted by the DDMA through the District Institute of Education and Training, Mandi, several institutions are yet to effectively implement their plans. The administration cautioned that such delays could prove dangerous during emergencies.

All schools have been instructed to complete and submit their SDMPs before the close of the current financial year. From the academic session 2026-27 onwards, it will be compulsory for every school to prepare, update and operationalise its disaster management plan within one month of the start of each academic session.

Heads of institutions have been directed to ensure wide dissemination of the SDMP among staff and students. Regular mock drills must be conducted to assess preparedness and clear response mechanisms must be put in place to ensure swift and coordinated action during emergencies. The administration underlined that preparedness should go beyond paperwork and be reflected in practical, on-ground readiness.

The orders further state that in the event of any untoward incident in a school functioning without an approved SDMP, personal responsibility will be fixed not only on the head of the institution but also on the concerned block- and district-level officials, enforcing strict accountability at all levels. The directives have come into immediate effect, with the district administration reiterating that proactive disaster planning is critical to safeguarding students and minimising risks in vulnerable situations.