Srinagar: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K Pole today chaired a meeting of officers of various departments to review the preparation by respective departments to tackle flood situations and mitigate its effect.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners, Bandipora; ADCs of Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Anantnag and Ganderbal; Director Health Services Kashmir; officers and representatives of GMC Srinagar & MCH Bemina, SMC, LCMA, FCS&CA, Tourism, School Education, ERA, Colleges, Indian Meteorological Department, Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing, Fire & Emergency Service, Police, NDRF 13, SDRF 1ST, 144th CRPF;Chief Engineers I&FC, PWD R&B, KPDCL, PHE, UEED; Regional Secretary Indian Red Cross Kashmir and other officers.
On the occasion, Div Com directed I&FC and Indian Meteorological Department to issue forecasts of rainfall and flood alerts on a timely basis for dissemination to responding departments, officers from civil administration and police, and public through electronic, print and digital media.
He stressed that flood warnings should be provided well in advance so the hazard shall be mitigated.
He also directed officers of IMD for creation and uploading of database on their website – Integrated Operational Forecast System regarding areas prone to flood, contact details of officers of tehsil level, volunteers, man power of concerned agencies and database of machinery & logistics, rescue centres and control rooms for the coordination and prompt action to the tackle and control flood and its impact.
He also directed compilation of a database of maps of Jhelum, its tributaries and catchment areas for monitoring water level and rescue & evacuation process.
He asked to mark the 2014 flood level on bridges and government buildings so people would remain alert every time to respond to flood situations.
He directed district administrations to activate control rooms from April 15 and ensure that those are equipped with man power, resources and other essential services including water, electricity, ration and medicine.
Regarding flood gauging, he directed consolidation of measurements by different departments by the Flood and Irrigation department to keep check on recording of readings.
He stressed on Chief Engineer I&FC for conducting an audit of embankments before April 25 and identification of weak points of river banks and reparation at the earliest. Besides, asked him to keep sufficient quantities of filled and empty EC bags available in the control rooms.
Meanwhile, Div Com directed that the desilting shall be completed by May 15 to reduce the water level of Jhelum and its tributaries.
He also directed for conducting joint mock drills by related departments for a collaborated response and synergy for quick and efficient rescue during floods.
He also directed for formulation of a plan to restore water supply, electricity if those services are damaged in any area besides being asked to ensure supply of drinking water by tankers and keeping DG sets available to run dewatering pumps.
He exhorted concern to ensure water and power supply should be maintained in hospitals and essential service providing offices during floods.
Besides, he asked SMC to distribute 127 mobile dewatering pumps to flood prone areas on priority and requirement basis to save localities from inundation.
Earlier, officers of I&FC and IMD gave presentations regarding the present status of preparation to tackle flood, functioning of agencies and availability of logistics.
Moreover, Div Com directed Dir Health Services to prepare a plan to control and inhibit water borne diseases and post flood infections.
He also reviewed preparation by flood prone districts regarding controlling of flood and establishment of control rooms and rescue centers.
