DC Anantnag reviews disaster preparedness

Anantnag, Jul 18: In view of the adverse weather forecast issued by the Meteorological Department for next few days, Deputy Commissioner (Chairman District Disaster Management Authority) Anantnag, Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat Saturday chaired a high-level emergency review meeting at Dak Bangalow, Khanabal.
The meeting was convened to assess departmental readiness, finalize precautionary measures, and establish a robust multi-sectoral response plan to mitigate risks arising from erratic weather patterns that may affect the district during the coming days.
CEO PDA, SDMs, SP, SEs of Jal Shakti, PDD and PWD; CPO, CMO, CEO, Tehsildar Anantnag, Exens of PWD, Flood Control and PHE; DD F&ES, DySP SDRF, ARTO, DYSSO, CEO MCA, EOs of MCs, Representatives of BSNL, Jio and Airtel and other concerned officials attended the meeting.
At the outset, a detailed presentation of the District Disaster Management Plan was run to apprise the participants about historical occurances of floods, cloudbursts, flash floods and other disaster like incidents. A thorough discussion on the vulnerable areas and critical locations was held on the occasion.
With the MeT Department warning of potential flash floods, landslides, and rise in river water levels which may lead to inundation and water logging in vulnerable areas, the Deputy Commissioner directed all line departments to transition into a state of high alert and operational readiness to ensure public safety and minimal disruption to essential services.
The extensive review focused on deploying immediate preventive strategies, mapping and activation of resources like boats, ropes, evacuation centres, dewatering pumps and special vehicles, mobilisation of adequate manpower including volunteers and machinery, securing critical infrastructure, and ensuring minimal communication lag during the upcoming inclement weather cycle.
The Police and SDRF were directed to pre-position rescue teams and quick-response forces near historically vulnerable zones and low-lying areas prone to sudden water logging.
Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) were instructed to immediately activate the field teams and establish robust contact networks with field level functionaries especially Patwaris, Police Officials, Numberdars and Chowkidars.
Special emphasis was laid on keeping back up plans ready to cater to any extra ordinary situation like internet and telecom breakdowns. SDMs were further asked to continuously monitor the developments in their jurisdictions and manage local evacuations, wherever necessary.
Hydraulic/Jal Shakti and Flood Control Departments were asked to clear drainage choke points, arrange adequate number of sand bags and station heavy machinery including dewatering pumps, in consultation with F&ES Department, at critical locations especially in main town and high risk areas. Directives were passed to the R&B Department to provide sand bags and other necessary material for preventing breaches at vulnerable points.
The DC directed the CMO to put in place a well planned strategy for providing regular and emergency medical care, if needed, in all blocks during these days. He asked the CEO to identify educational institutions located in submergence prone areas and also keep evacuation centres fully functional.
The telecom service providers were directed to ensure proper connectivity and minimise disruptions for effective communication and prompt mitigation efforts in these situations.
Concluding the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner called for proper functioning of District and Subdivision Level Control Rooms for real time coordination and information dissemination.