In the wake of the heavy snowfall and rainfall that lashed the district Monday, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary Tuesday convened a series of meetings with concerned departments to review the status of essential supplies and services in the district.The DC also conducted field inspections and visits to various storage facilities, control rooms and offices to take a first hand assessment of the situation.During the meeting with the FCSCA department it was informed that 7000 LPG cylinders were provided to distributors during the day. It was also informed that 200 kilo-litres of petrol and 242 kilo-litres of diesel were delivered to distributors. It was said that sufficient stocks of fuel are available in the district for now.The meeting also reviewed the stock position of food grains in the district. It was informed that 3092 metric tons of rice and 29 metric tons of wheat are available adding that sufficient quantities thereof are available at all ration ghats.In a meeting with the PDD department of the district it was informed that all 66 receiving stations of 33 KVA and 258 out of 260 sub-stations stations of 11 KVA in the district were operational and functional adding that restoration of the remaining two sub-stations was underway and would be completed soon.The DC while appreciating the efforts of the department in ensuring quick restoration in affected areas directed for earliest possible restoration of the two sub-rations where power is still unrestored.
With regard to snow-clearance and dewatering which remained the main areas of focus for the administration, the meetings with the MED and SMC were informed that all 22 snow-cats besides other machines of the first and all 80 permanent dewatering stations and 115 mobile pumps of the second were pressed into service and remained operational continuously since yesterday across the district.It was informed that a total of around 70 machines were pressed into service to clear the roads. The snow-clearance efforts continued in several sessions through the day yesterday and then during the night when teams across the district sprinkled rock salt over bridges and footpaths to prevent slips and skids.It should be noted that resources available with the Fire services department were also pressed into service since yesterday in efforts to drain out accumulated water in water-logged areas across the district.The PHE department in a meeting with it informed that all 9 filtration plants of PHE were functional today. It was informed that while snowfall led to disruption in water supply in several areas of Downtown and the Batmaloo are the services were restored in overnight operations.The meeting was informed that water storage was augmented early morning today. The concerned officers present in the meeting were instructed to address locals issues wherever reported or noticed.Dr Shahid directed all the departments to ensure all areas across the district are cleared of accumulated snow and water-logging and services in affected areas are restored at the earliest.