Admin asks department to gear up for weather emergencies

Srinagar: Administration has directed the officers to gear up their men and machinery in the wake of expected “adverse weather” in the following week.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, has issued directions to the departments.
According to official documents, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department has been working towards strengthening of embankments and plugging the damage incurred.
“The piling of the bund at Lasjan is going on and has been completed up to the fifth level to protect the caving-in of the embankments followed by strengthening with bags. For this purpose, the services of water master provided by LAWDA are being utilized,” reads an official document of Divisional Commissioner office.
Srinagar district administration has been directed to keep the centres “ready and equipped with all the facilities required for the convenience of displaced population”.
The document says, “Fourteen of 25 spots have been identified by the deputy commissioners for strengthening by the respective Deputy Commissioners for strengthening of the various embankments. Around 1 lakh 76 thousand sand bags have been filled till date to be utilized for strengthening of the weak spots in case of eventuality.”
The government, as per the document, has roped in the services of Health Department to ensure that all the relief camps are fully manned with stocks at the ready.
The authorities have directed the Power Development Department (PDD) and Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to ensure that proper arrangements are put in place.
This includes availability of generators and dewatering pumps in all flood-prone areas.
Calling for close coordination between the line departments, the divisional administration asked the officers to work in synergy to deal with any emergency.
A flood alert was sounded last month when the water level in the Jhelum rose above the danger mark.
This had triggered panic, with masses fearing a repeat of 2014.
Director Meteorological Department, Sonam Lotus, said, “Kashmir division has been receiving above average rainfall for the last one month. However, the valley will receive light to moderate rainfall in the coming days.”
“Monsoon is presently active in Jammu region, which is likely to receive rainfall in the morning hours while Kashmir division will record brief spells of showers.”
Emphasizing on the preparedness of the divisional administration, the weatherman said, “There is no imminent flood threat as such but the preparation should be made beforehand.”