Power supply to Poonch likely by tomorrow evening; asks administration to protect vulnerable areas, ensure uninterrupted essential supplies and tackle waterlogging in Srinagar
NEW DELHI, JULY 20: Continuing his close monitoring of the situation arising from the recent heavy rains across Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired another high-level review meeting through video conference from New Delhi to assess restoration works, relief measures and overall preparedness across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting comprehensively reviewed the latest ground situation, including restoration of essential services, road connectivity, availability of food and other essential supplies, healthcare arrangements, relief operations and the preparedness of all departments in view of continuing adverse weather conditions.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister was informed that restoration of power supply in Poonch district is progressing on a war footing and is expected to be completed by tomorrow evening. He directed the Power Development Department to ensure that restoration works are completed within the stipulated timeline and that any remaining issues are addressed without delay.
The status of roads affected due to landslides, flash floods and heavy rainfall also came under review. Stressing the importance of restoring connectivity at the earliest, the Chief Minister instructed the concerned departments to expedite restoration works, particularly on roads critical for movement of people, relief operations and essential services.
Emphasising the need for continued vigilance, the Chief Minister directed the district administrations to maintain focused attention on vulnerable habitations and take all necessary measures to safeguard residents living in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas. He instructed officers to use historical flood data to identify high-risk locations along rivers and streams and ensure timely evacuation wherever the need arises.
The Chief Minister further ordered strict regulation of traffic movement on landslide and shooting-stone-prone stretches to minimise the risk of accidents and ensure public safety.
He also directed the administration to ensure uninterrupted availability of food grains, medicines, drinking water and other essential commodities in affected areas. Stressing the importance of preparedness, he instructed that adequate stocks be maintained and advance distribution of rations be undertaken wherever continued rainfall may disrupt road connectivity.
Expressing concern over the widespread waterlogging witnessed in several parts of Srinagar city following today’s rainfall, the Chief Minister directed the concerned departments, including the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, to adopt a proactive approach in preventing urban flooding. He instructed that men, machinery and dewatering pumps be pre-positioned at identified vulnerable locations to ensure swift drainage of accumulated rainwater and restoration of normal public movement.
Reviewing the situation in Kashmir Division, the Divisional Commissioner informed the meeting that despite heavy rainfall, the overall situation remained under control and essential infrastructure, including roads and drinking water supply, continued to function normally. He said migratory families residing in vulnerable areas had been shifted to safer locations. In view of the forecast of intense rainfall across South Kashmir tomorrow, advance warnings have already been issued and the entire administrative machinery has been mobilised to respond promptly to any eventuality.
Briefing the meeting on Jammu Division, the Divisional Commissioner Jammu stated that major road stretches damaged during yesterday’s rains have been restored, while work is continuing on a war footing to repair power transmission lines and restore drinking water supply, particularly in Poonch district. He informed that additional doctors, including gynaecologists, are being deployed to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services in remote areas. Relief centres providing food, drinking water and medicines are fully operational, while the process for disbursement of the Chief Minister’s ex gratia relief announced earlier today has already commenced. He further informed that allocation of essential supplies, including three months’ food grains, is being processed on priority, petroleum supplies are being closely monitored and restoration of mobile connectivity across affected areas is progressing steadily.
Providing a technical assessment, the Jal Shakti Department informed the meeting that localized damage has been reported to water supply infrastructure and irrigation channels in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Poonch and Rajouri districts. Restoration works are being carried out on a war footing, with adequate manpower, machinery and field response teams deployed across vulnerable locations in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions to restore water supply and irrigation facilities at the earliest.
The Chief Minister also directed all departments to strengthen inter-departmental coordination, closely monitor weather forecasts and remain fully prepared to respond swiftly to any emerging situation. He instructed the Divisional Commissioners to submit detailed situation reports every six hours to the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction to facilitate continuous monitoring and timely decision-making.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister reiterated that the safety and well-being of the people remain the Government’s highest priority. He directed the administration to act proactively, efficiently and with empathy so that no citizen suffers during this critical period, while ensuring speedy restoration of essential services, timely relief to affected families and effective preparedness to deal with any further weather-related challenges.
The meeting was attended by Ministers Sakina Itoo and Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretaries, Commissioner Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, Deputy Commissioners and senior officers from key infrastructure departments and other concerned agencies.
