SRINAGAR: Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo on Wednesday visited South Kashmir districts to review preparedness and response measures following incessant rainfall, directing officials to maintain round-the-clock monitoring in flood-prone areas and ensure uninterrupted essential services.
According to an official statement, the minister’s tour was undertaken on the directions of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. She chaired separate review meetings with deputy commissioners and senior officers in Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag to assess flood preparedness, emergency response mechanisms, restoration of essential services, healthcare facilities, road connectivity, power and water supply, and evacuation and relief arrangements.
In Kulgam, Itoo reviewed the preparedness of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and directed officials to closely monitor water levels in rivers, identify vulnerable spots and strengthen flood protection measures along the Veshow, Vethyatru and other streams. She also called for immediate as well as long-term flood mitigation measures in low-lying areas.
At Shopian, the minister reviewed the availability of essential commodities, medicines, drinking water, electricity and other emergency supplies. She directed departments to remain on high alert and ensure uninterrupted essential services, particularly in vulnerable areas, while urging the public to follow official advisories and avoid unnecessary travel.
In Pulwama, Itoo reviewed disaster preparedness, including the functioning of emergency response systems, deployment of rescue teams, availability of rescue equipment, flood mitigation measures, embankment status, dewatering arrangements and healthcare preparedness.
She directed officials to identify and relocate vulnerable families, particularly nomadic communities and those living in low-lying areas, whenever required. She also asked departments to strengthen vulnerable embankments, maintain adequate stocks of medicines, keep doctors, paramedical staff and ambulances on standby, and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services.
Officials informed the meeting that the District Emergency Operations Centre had been made operational round the clock, while tehsil and zonal-level control rooms had also been activated to ensure prompt response.
In Anantnag, the minister reviewed disaster preparedness and availability of essential supplies, directing the district administration to maintain round-the-clock monitoring of flood-prone areas, keep men and machinery ready for emergencies and ensure timely dissemination of weather advisories.
She instructed officials to shift nomadic families living near riverbanks to safer locations if required and ensure that emergency control rooms remain fully functional. The minister also directed the Jal Shakti Department to restore drinking water pipelines damaged in the Awoora cloudburst and arrange tanker supply where necessary.
She further asked the Chief Medical Officer, Anantnag, to strictly implement duty rosters in hospitals and keep ambulances available in flood-prone areas to respond to emergencies.
