The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan, who is also Chairperson District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Kupwara today, convened a meeting of all concerned officers to review the status of rescue and evacuation operation and restoration of essential services in the district amid flash floods.
Speaking at the occasion, the DC stressed upon all the concerned officers to ensure rescue and evacuation operation on priority basis in flood prone areas of the district. She asked them to ensure evacuation operation is finished by 7 ‘O’ clock this evening to ensure that people do not face any inconvenience.
The DC was informed that 285 families have been evacuated from Handwara subdivision so far belonging to Kawari, Tarathpora, Vilgam, Kulangam and other areas to prevent any loss of lives, besides, 47 families have also been evacuated from Kupwara division.
It was also informed that shelter homes have been established for rescue of the evacuated people. The DC directed the concerned to ensure electricity, water, food and other essential services to the shelter homes.
It was given out in the meeting that an NDRF Team will be kept available in Kupwara to deal with any exigency arising due to floods. Reviewing the situation of roads, the DC asked the SE R&B to take necessary and immediate measures for safeguarding of Khumriyal bridge keeping in view the incessant rainfall which could damage the bridge.
He was also directed to make necessary diversion of Shumriyal village, the link road of which has got damaged due to rising water level in Nallah Lolab. Reviewing the PHE sector, the DC directed the concerned engineers to take up the repair work wherever feasible for restoration of water supply schemes.
They were also directed to ensure availability of tankers for supplying water in affected areas. Ayushi also reviewed the status of power supply and directed the concerned officers for restoration works wherever feasible while ensuring safety of employees.
The CMO and CEO were directed to keep close vigil on Health Centres and Schools respectively for any possible damage. SSP Kupwara also spoke in the meeting and assured full support from the Police department to tackle any untoward situation due to heavy rains in the district.
SSP Kupwara, Shobhit Saxena; ADDC Kupwara, Gulzar Ahmad Bhat; ADC Kupwara, Mohammad Rouf; ADC Handwara, Aziz Ahmad Rather, ACR, SE R&B, CMO, CEO, Executive Engineers of different departments and other concerned Officers attended the meeting.