Srinagar, Dec 30 : Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Tuesday said that all departments are fully prepared to deal with the weather situation expected from this evening.
Speaking to reporters, Garg said that a weather advisory issued by the Meteorological Department has already been shared widely across Kashmir. “We need to be very cautious from today evening till tomorrow,” he said, urging people to remain alert.
Garg said the snowfall season is also bringing positive signs for the region, especially for tourism. “This is a good thing for Kashmir because we are all waiting for the snow season,” he said.
He added that tourist arrivals have already shown a major rise compared to last week’s snowfall. “Tourist footfall is much bigger than last week’s snow season, and it is increasing,” he further said.
On administrative preparedness, the Div Com said that the Integrated Command and Control Centre at the divisional level is working round-the-clock. “Our Integrated Command and Control Centre works 24 hours a day,” he said.
He added that public helpline numbers have been widely circulated and every distress call is answered quickly. “All the calls from the public are responded immediately,” he said.
At the district level, Div Com said, all Deputy Commissioners have set up control rooms that are also operational 24×7.
Garg further said multiple agencies including PWD, Beacon, National Highways, PMGSY, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, and urban local bodies have already activated and pre-positioned snow clearance machinery. “All executing agencies have activated their machinery so that snow clearance can begin immediately if transport is disrupted,” he added.
On essential supplies, the Div Com said that border areas are fully stocked adding that the Food and Civil Supplies Department completed dumping by 30 November in all remote and border belts.
Garg also said that LPG stocks have also been placed at 893 snow-bound stations for the next four months. The Health Department has arranged heating and medicines in all hospitals and health centres, especially in hard-to-reach areas. “Heating and medicines have been made available in difficult areas in all institutions,” he said.
He also said that vulnerable patients and pregnant women have been identified and mapped for safety adding that all Deputy Commissioners have been asked to ensure timely relocation wherever needed.
Responding to a question on prohibitory orders and VPN restrictions, the Div Com said that such decisions are taken by DCs after security assessment at their own level. “DCs carry out security reviews of anti-social elements on their own level,” he said.
He added that districts like Kupwara, Kulgam and others have issued prohibitory orders where required. “Such decisions are taken in the interest of society so that anti-social elements do not misuse the situation,” he added.(KNS)
