DC Shopian chairs emergency meet, conducts extensive tour of flood-prone areas

SHOPAIN, JULY 01: District Development Commissioner Shopian, Gazanfar Ali, along with a team of officers undertook an extensive tour of  Turkawangam, Heff, Wandina, Malhura, Zainapora and other villages residing on the banks of river Jhelum to take stock of the situation arisen after incessant rains in the district.
The DDC inspected ongoing flood protection works and directed concerned engineers to speed up the work.
Sub Divisional Magistrate Zainapora, Executive Engineers from R&B, PHE, Flood and Irrigation Department, PDD, Tehsildars of Imamsahib, Turkawangam, Zainapora, and other concerned officers of the district accompanied the DDC.
During the visit, various public deputations met the DDC. He assured prompt redressal of all of their genuine demands and concerns. Earlier, he convened a meeting with regard to disaster management in the Sub Divisional Office Zainapora and asked officers to keep close rapport with the administration as well as the supervisory and field staff in view of prevailing inclement weather.
He also directed the concerned officers to keep available rice, atta, LPG, sugar and other essentials including potable water, and medical facilities to the people.
The DDC directed concerned officers to organise flood disaster mock drills in the area, especially in vulnerable and low lying areas.
On the occasion, the DDC asked the officers to keep an inventory of resources available with a broader spectrum, covering information regarding vulnerable/ low lying areas, evacuation plan, availability of sandbags, machinery equipment like ambulances, JCBs, dewatering pumps, water tankers, besides NGOs working for disaster management, location of control rooms, list of village level committees and identification for shelter locations.
Meanwhile, the DDC held a separate meeting with the representatives of various villages residing on the banks of Jhelum. The DDC passed on spot directions to the concerned to restore power, water, and repair irrigation canals, roads and culverts as soon as possible.