Srinagar, November 13: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, chaired a comprehensive review meeting on Friday concerning winter preparedness across the Valley, emphasizing the critical need for coordinated efforts to ensure essential services remain unimpeded throughout the harsh season.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the meeting focused on proactive measures for snow clearance, power supply, availability of essential commodities, and healthcare accessibility in remote areas.
During the deliberations, Divisional Commissioner Garg meticulously examined the snow clearance action plans of various agencies. He issued directives for prompt snow removal and clear delineation of responsibilities among departments to prevent any confusion or delays. The official stressed the optimal utilization of available machinery and manpower, urging concerned agencies to finalize all pending contracts to bolster the snow clearance infrastructure.
A detailed assessment of electricity demand and supply dynamics was undertaken, with specific attention paid to the availability of buffer stocks of transformers, transformer oil, and DG sets in challenging terrains like Gurez. The status of tree-trimming operations, crucial for maintaining power line integrity, was also reviewed. Officials were informed that the average winter electricity demand in the Valley hovers around 1,700 MW, with an average supply of 1,300 MW, though peak demand can surge to 2,400 MW. The Divisional Commissioner directed authorities to augment power generation capacity where necessary, expedite remaining tree-trimming work, strictly adhere to scheduled power curtailment timings, and ensure the prompt repair of damaged transformers.
The availability of essential commodities in remote and snowbound areas, including Gurez and the Karnah-Machil-Keran belt, was a significant point of discussion. The food and consumer affairs department was instructed to complete the advance stocking of crucial items like LPG cylinders, petroleum products, rice, and wheat within a week to preempt any shortages or public inconvenience during potential road closures.
Addressing concerns regarding accessibility to remote regions, the Divisional Commissioner directed the civil aviation department to operationalize winter air sorties to Bandipora and Kupwara by December 1. This measure aims to facilitate emergency transportation from these isolated areas. Furthermore, the Director of the Airport Authority Srinagar was instructed to ensure timely dissemination of information to passengers and the public regarding any changes in flight schedules due to adverse weather conditions at Srinagar airport.
Healthcare preparedness was also a key agenda item, with a review of heating arrangements in hospitals, the availability of essential medicines, and the deployment of medical staff in far-flung areas. The need for four-wheel-drive (4×4) ambulances was highlighted, and the National Health Mission was directed to provide these vehicles to the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir for distribution among districts. Medical teams in vulnerable areas are to be strategically shifted to temporary shelters where necessary to ensure continuous access to medical care during heavy snowfall and road closures.
The Jal Shakti department was tasked with ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of all water supply schemes, including lift water supply systems, and making adequate arrangements for water tanker deployment where needed. The forest department was also directed to ensure sufficient stocking of firewood at depots across the Valley.
To enhance interdepartmental coordination, all district administrations and departments were instructed to maintain round-the-clock functioning of their respective control rooms, including the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC). Nodal officers are to be appointed, and their contact details shared to facilitate swift assistance, coordination, and information dissemination.
Divisional Commissioner Garg underscored the importance of timely weather-related advisories and directed concerned departments to promptly share weather and avalanche forecasts with the public to mitigate risks. The Srinagar municipal commissioner was also instructed to identify waterlogging hotspots and ensure the deployment of adequate de-watering pumps to address potential issues during the winter months.
Deputy commissioners present at the meeting provided briefings on the winter preparedness measures undertaken in their respective districts and highlighted critical issues requiring intervention. The Divisional Commissioner concluded by urging all departments to maintain close coordination and ensure all necessary arrangements are in place well in advance to minimize public inconvenience and safeguard the well-being of the residents of the Kashmir division during winter.
The Chenab Times News Desk
