Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar, to assess the readiness of various departments in addressing challenges posed by harsh winter conditions across the Kashmir Valley and parts of the Jammu Division. The meeting focused on ensuring uninterrupted delivery of essential services, maintaining vital installations, and mitigating weather-related adversities.
Departments such as R&B, SMC, MED, BRO, and NHAI have deployed hi-tech snow clearance machines, with additional equipment on standby. Key routes, including inter-district highways and roads leading to hospitals, power grids, and emergency services, will be prioritised for clearance to maintain connectivity. Adequate stocks of essential commodities, including ration, petrol, diesel, and LPG, have been secured for months, with distribution plans in place to avoid shortages.
In the healthcare sector, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure hospitals are equipped with adequate medicines, oxygen cylinders, and functional heating systems. Medical personnel are being deployed to snowbound areas, and special transport services will be provided for expecting mothers in remote locations. Maternity centres in accessible areas are being set up to accommodate patients from snow-blocked regions.
The Power Development Department was instructed to prioritise electricity restoration for critical installations, replace damaged transformers promptly, and equip field staff with safety gear. The PHE Department was tasked with deploying water tankers in affected areas, while the Forest Department was directed to ensure an adequate supply of firewood for snowbound regions.
Joint control rooms are being established in all districts to address public grievances and coordinate responses effectively. Vulnerable populations, particularly pregnant women, will be relocated to safe areas ahead of severe weather events. In regions prone to prolonged road blockages, helicopter services will be arranged to ensure accessibility.
The Chief Minister underscored the importance of seamless interdepartmental coordination, urging officials to maintain round-the-clock communication with field teams. Preparedness plans were emphasised as practical and actionable to ensure effective implementation during emergencies.
Omar Abdullah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare and safety of citizens, assuring the public that the administration is fully equipped to tackle winter challenges and ensure the delivery of essential services. The meeting concluded with directives for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of harsh winter conditions, ensuring minimal disruption to public life.