Bandipora : With incessant rain and snowfall going on at some hilly areas from the last couple of days resulting in decrease in temperatures, the District Administration Bandipora is on its toes to deal with the situation that may arise out of the ensuing winters.
This was said by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, DrOwais Ahmad who is also the Chairman of District Disaster Committee during a meeting of line departments and SDRF to review the winter and disaster preparedness in the district.
The DC, while underlining the importance of disaster management, called for collective and coordinated efforts of the stakeholder departments to avert/minimise the damages, due to any natural calamity. He directed the officers to devise a fool-proof strategy for the purpose.
Assessing the availability of stocks and material required to deal with the disasters, the DC directed the concerned to prepare a list of required modern equipment and submit the same for grant of funds. He desired that all the stakeholders should be well versed with the disaster plan for its effective execution in the time of need.
The DC on the occasion took stock of department-wise initiatives and works to be undertaken by the District Administration for winter preparedness. He directed the concerned officers to make necessary arrangements well in advance and asked for framing and executing department-wise action plans for the preparedness.
Dr. Owais directed all the departments to ensure that a robust mechanism is put in place to minimize the disruptions of essential services to the general public during winter season.
During the meeting, the DC directed KPDCL to set specific timelines for replacement of transformers in far-flung/ remote areas of the district and also keep a buffer stock of transformers during the winter months.
While reviewing the preparedness of the MED and Beacon, the DC laid emphasis on ensuring uninterrupted road connectivity. He also directed the concerned officers for deployment of snow clearing machinery on essential, main and internal roads as and when required.
The officers of the Mechanical Engineering Department apprised the chair that four more snow clearance machines have been provided to Bandipora for quick and robust clearance of roads during winter.
Dr. Owais directed all the concerned to ensure availability of essentials including medicines, fuel, ration and other essential items.
He also directed the concerned departments for setting up Control Rooms in their offices to redress the winter related complaints of the public on a fast track basis and to ensure a prompt response system.
All departments were directed to ensure the smooth and effective functioning of their respective social media platforms.
Additional District Development Commissioner Ali Afsar Khan, Nodal Officer Coordination (DPO) Mohammad Ashraf Hakak, Joint Director Planning Imtiyaz Ahmad, SDM Sumbal, other officers of the line departments attended the meeting while SDM Gurez participated through virtual mode.
