Div Com asks officers to be alert for any eventuality, more wet weather predicted in Kashmir

Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, on Sunday directed the officers to be alert and gear their men and machinery to meet any situation in the wake of inclement weather conditions across the Valley.
Meanwhile, the Met department has predicted more wet weather in the Kashmir valley though the intensity of rain will be low.
The Divisional Commissioner issued these directions while reviewing the arrangements and preparedness plan made by various departments to deal with any flood-like situation, an official spokesman said here this evening.  The meeting was informed that PHE department has deployed 28 water tankers at relief centres, while the Srinagar Municipal Corporation has installed 23 de-watering pumps apart from 80 de-watering pumps already operational in various areas of the city.
It was given out that 133 boats have already been deployed at various flood-prone areas while as 14 boats and 30 Shikaras have been kept as standby arrangements. Apart from this, 8 rescue boats are in a ready position at Dal Lake and Jhelum besides a contingent of 20 volunteers for rescue efforts when needed, the meeting was told.
The Divisional Commissioner directed Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to make available dewatering pumps at all flood-prone areas. He asked the officers of SMC to make available mobile toilets at campsites early. He impressed upon the concerned department to deploy water tankers at remaining relief centres immediately.
Khan issued directions to the officers of Health Department for stocking of adequate medicines particularly chlorine tablets at each relief centre.
Emphasizing upon the officers for strengthening the embankments of river Jhelum, the Divisional Commissioner asked DC Srinagar to set up a team for monitoring the relief and rescue related arrangements being put in place by the administration.
He also directed to the authorities of Red Cross to keep available drinking water bottles and adequate quantity of other eatables at every relief centre.
Calling for close coordination between line departments, the Divisional Commissioner asked the officers to work in synergy to deal with any situation effectively at the time of any emergency.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah, VC LAWDA, Director Tourism, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control, Chief Engineer Public Health Engineering, Commissioner SMC, Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Joint Director Information Department Kashmir, Deputy Director FCS&CA, Deputy Director Estates, Superintending Engineers of R&B & PDD, Assistant Director Information Department, Assistant Commissioner and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.
Meanwhile, a Met department spokesman said that wet weather will continue during the next five days in the Kashmir valley. There could be Fairly Widespread (FWS) rain during the next 48 hours in the valley followed by Widespread (WS) on July 4 and scattered and isolated during subsequent three days.
He said there could be light rain or thundershowers in Srinagar during the next 24 hours when mercury will remain below normal.