DC Srinagar conducts whirlwind tour of City areas

Srinagar, Jun 22: In order to take first hand assessment of the situation arisen due to incessant rainfall in the district, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad Wednesday undertook a whirlwind tour of various areas of the Srinagar City to inspect the measures taken to tackle challenges from the prevailing weather situation to prevent any flood like situation in the district.
The DC who is also the Chairman District Disaster Management Authority visited various areas of the City including Jehangir Chowk, Rambagh, Rawalpora, Nowgam, Lasjan, Padshahi Bagh, Mehjoor Nagar, Kurso Rajbagh, Zero bridge and other adjoining areas to take stock of the preventive measures undertaken to ensure effective flood management system.
While reviewing level of water at Hamdaniya Colony, Rawalpora, the DC directed the Irrigation & Flood Control authorities to take up immediate measures for construction of protection bund along the embankments of irrigation canal to protect the area from water logging by spill over of irrigation canal. He also asked them to remove grass and weeds from the canal to increase its carrying capacity.
At Baginder, Lasjan, DC took stock of the water level and inspected the process of laying sand bags on the embankments along the river Jhelum.
On the occasion, the DC was informed that over 50000 sand bags have been kept reserved to deal any exigent situation in the district. He was also told that these sand bags are being laid at vulnerable spots as a protective measure to deal with any flood like situation.
Later, the DC visited Padshahi Bagh, Mehjoor Nagar, Kursu Raj Bagh areas and had on the spot assessment of the water level increased due to incessant fall from the last couple of days.
Besides, Additional District Development Commissioner, Zahoor Ahmad Mir, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dr Syed Haneef Balkhi and Additional Deputy Commissioner, Faz lul Haseeb, the DC was accompanied by Chief Planning Officer, Senior officers from Irrigation & Flood Control, R&B, SMC, PDD, UEED and other Departments.
Meanwhile, in the early morning today, the DC also chaired an emergency meeting at the DC Office Complex convened to chalk out the strategy and action plan to deal with the situation arising due to rainfall.
On the occasion, the DC passed several directions to the concerned officers for immediate compliance with regard to the measures to be taken for avoiding any flood like situation and reaching out to the public to provide them timely assistance.
The Officers were also directed to put in place all requisite men and machinery at vulnerable spots, besides taking measures for water logging of inundated low lying areas.
The DC asked the concerned to ensure that all dewatering and pumping stations are operational particularly at essential installations including hospitals, Power stations, Ration stores, besides in inner habitations, lanes and bylanes.