Sakeena Itoo, Nasir Aslam Wani Review Flood Preparedness in Anantnag, Shopian
ANANTNAG: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakeena Itoo, along with Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, visited Anantnag today to assess the ongoing flood situation firsthand.
During the visit, they inspected the Sangam flood gauge station, reviewed current water levels, and interacted with officials from the Irrigation & Flood Control Department. The officers briefed them on discharge levels, forecast trends, and precautionary measures in place to ensure timely response in case of further water rise.
The Minister emphasized that public health and safety remain the government’s top priority. She directed officials to maintain round-the-clock monitoring of river levels and remain fully prepared with emergency response plans. The Advisor highlighted the importance of inter-departmental coordination and real-time information sharing with district administrations and local communities to handle emergent situations effectively.
Later, the Minister and Advisor chaired a meeting at the Anantnag district headquarters to review flood preparedness in Anantnag and Shopian districts. The meeting was attended by MLAs Altaf Ahmad Wani, Abdul Majid Larmi, Reyaz Ahmad Khan, and Zaffar Ali Khatana; Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Syeed Fakhruddin Hamid; Chief Engineer, FC Kashmir; ADDC, ADC, ACR, ACD Anantnag; Exen PHE Bijbihara; Exen Flood Control Anantnag; AEEs of various wings; and other concerned officers. ADDC Shopian and officials from Shopian district participated virtually.
During the deliberations, the Minister directed continuous monitoring of all rivers and streams, along with an effective communication system between field staff and control rooms. Deputy Commissioners were instructed to issue timely alerts to the public, enabling prompt evacuation of vulnerable areas if needed. She also stressed ensuring adequate stocks of ration, drinking water, and essential supplies, while health authorities were asked to maintain medicine availability and deploy mobile medical teams to high-risk areas.
The meeting also reviewed the functioning of disaster management teams. Both the Minister and Advisor underscored coordinated action among the civil administration, police, and local volunteers to tackle any emergencies. They reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and appealed to the public to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative by following advisories and safety guidelines.
