Div Com Kashmir Reviews Flood Preparedness, Inspects Emergency Operations at Hari Niwas
SRINAGAR: In view of adverse weather conditions and the rising water level of the Jhelum River, Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Wednesday visited Barzulla and Gandbal to review the protective measures being implemented by the Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) Department to safeguard vulnerable areas against breaches.
During his visit to the automatic water level recorder near the Bone & Joint Hospital, the Div Com instructed officials to close the gap at the site to prevent any potential flooding. The location is critical for the dewatering and drainage system of the hospital. He further directed the SE of I&FC to devise a permanent solution to mitigate risks along the left bank of the flood channel near the hospital.
Addressing the media, Div Com Garg said the water levels at Sangam and Ram Munshi Bagh were showing a rising trend. However, he noted that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a possible receding of water levels later in the day. He emphasized that the I&FC Department has already put a contingency plan in place to respond to any emergency. Regarding the reinforcement measures at the Bone & Joint Hospital, he mentioned that the gap is being filled with sandbags, with work expected to be completed within a few hours.
Providing updates on rescue operations in South Kashmir, the Div Com said that District Disaster Management teams were actively working in low-lying areas, evacuating families to safer locations. Teams from the Kulgam District Administration had been on the ground overnight to ensure the safe evacuation of residents from nine villages. “Wherever inundation has occurred in low-lying areas of Anantnag and Kulgam, the administration is following evacuation protocols,” he added.
In Srinagar, he noted that district administration teams are actively monitoring the situation, with a contingency plan ready to respond immediately to any emergency. “Our emergency control rooms are fully operational, power supply is stable, and telecom services are functional. We expect conditions to improve within a few hours,” he said.
Div Com Garg urged the public to remain alert, follow advisories issued by district administrations, and stay away from water bodies. Magistrates have been deployed to monitor the ground situation and alert residents as needed.
During the visit, he also checked the delivery of critical healthcare services at the hospital, ensuring the availability of medical and paramedical staff as well as essential medicines.
At Gandbal, the Div Com inspected ongoing efforts to reinforce the riverbank near the bridge. He interacted with local residents, assuring them of a permanent solution for bank strengthening and the completion of remaining works.
Later, Div Com Garg visited the UT-level Emergency Operation Centre at Hari Niwas to review the handling of distress calls and the resolution of urgent public issues.
