Anantnag: Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Anantnag, Dr Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, on Saturday reviewed disaster preparedness in the district and directed all departments to remain on high operational alert in view of the adverse weather forecast issued by the Meteorological Department.
The high-level meeting, held at Dak Bungalow, Khanabal, was convened to assess departmental preparedness, finalise precautionary measures and strengthen the district’s response mechanism to deal with possible flash floods, landslides and other weather-related emergencies.
According to an official statement, senior officers from the police, SDRF, Jal Shakti, Power Development Department, Public Works Department, Flood Control, Fire and Emergency Services, Health, Education, Municipal Committees and telecom service providers attended the meeting.
Officials were briefed on the District Disaster Management Plan, including the district’s history of floods, cloudbursts and flash floods, followed by a review of vulnerable areas and critical locations.
The Deputy Commissioner directed all line departments to maintain a high state of readiness and ensure public safety with minimal disruption to essential services. He reviewed the availability of rescue equipment, including boats, ropes, evacuation centres, dewatering pumps and emergency vehicles, besides manpower and machinery.
Police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were asked to pre-position rescue teams and quick response units in vulnerable and low-lying areas.
Sub-Divisional Magistrates were directed to activate field teams, strengthen coordination with local officials, including patwaris, police personnel, numberdars and chowkidars, and keep contingency plans ready in the event of communication disruptions.
The Jal Shakti and Flood Control departments were instructed to clear drainage bottlenecks, arrange sandbags and deploy heavy machinery, including dewatering pumps, at critical locations. The Roads and Buildings Department was asked to provide material required to prevent breaches at vulnerable sites.
The Chief Medical Officer was directed to ensure adequate medical preparedness, while the Chief Education Officer was asked to identify educational institutions in flood-prone areas and keep evacuation centres ready.
Telecom service providers were instructed to ensure uninterrupted communication services during any emergency.
The Deputy Commissioner also directed that district and subdivision-level control rooms remain fully functional for real-time coordination and dissemination of information, the statement added.
