Srinagar, Aug 18: In view of recent incidents of cloudbursts and heavy rains, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) on Monday issued a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for schools to ensure the safety of students and staff during inclement weather.
The advisory, signed by the Director of School Education, directs all Chief Education Officers and Heads of Institutions to maintain heightened vigilance, especially in areas identified as vulnerable to natural disasters such as flash floods and cloudbursts. School staff have been asked to remain sensitised and trained in safety protocols related to heavy rainfall and flooding.
According to the SOPs, schools located near water bodies including rivers, streams, and lakes must be placed on high alert. Heads of Institutions have been instructed to take all necessary precautions to safeguard school buildings and infrastructure. This includes setting up systems to continuously monitor weather forecasts and water levels, preparing clear and well-rehearsed evacuation plans with designated safe areas, and maintaining close communication with district authorities and disaster management agencies.
The department has also emphasised accountability, stating that the cooperation of all school staff is crucial to ensure safety. Any failure to comply with the directives will be treated as a serious lapse, and personal responsibility for losses arising from negligence will rest with the concerned Head of Institution.
“The SOPs, as mentioned above, shall be followed in letter and spirit,” the order reads. [KNT]
