SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review ongoing rescue and relief operations, as well as preparedness measures in Jammu and Kashmir following incessant rains and flash floods.
The meeting was attended by top officials of the Union Territory, senior Army commanders, representatives of central agencies, NDRF, CAPFs, BRO, NHAI, and telecom service providers.
Emphasizing the need for swift action, the Lieutenant Governor directed officials to ensure safe evacuation of people residing in low-lying and flood-affected areas. He stressed the importance of restoring essential services such as power, healthcare, drinking water, ration supply, and tele-connectivity on priority.
“Essential services disrupted in flood-hit areas must be restored without delay, and adequate stocks of food, medicines and other supplies must be ensured in all affected districts,” LG Sinha said.
The Lieutenant Governor instructed the Power Development Department (PDD) to coordinate closely with NHPC Limited and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) for early restoration of power infrastructure. Similarly, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has been asked to extend all support to the Public Works Department (PWD) for repairing damaged roads and bridges across the UT.
The Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti, was directed to make alternative arrangements for safe drinking water in water-logged and remote areas until regular supply lines are restored. The Health Department was also instructed to keep hospitals fully prepared to handle any surge in patients, particularly those with water-borne diseases.
The Lieutenant Governor further ordered that non-essential government offices, schools and colleges remain closed until further notice. All districts have been told to maintain 24x7 control rooms to assist flood-affected individuals and families.
Emergency response teams, he said, must be pre-positioned in vulnerable areas and remain equipped for immediate deployment.
“No officer or employee will be allowed to leave station or proceed on leave. The administration must remain on the ground to reach every household in distress,” the LG directed.
Reviewing the ground efforts, LG Sinha lauded the Army, Air Force, NDRF, CAPFs, SDRF, Police, and District Administrations for their swift action in rescuing and relocating people to safer areas, thereby minimizing casualties.
The high-level meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Shri Atal Dulloo; Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, GOC-in-C Northern Command; Shri Santosh Yadav, Chairman NHAI; DGP Shri Nalin Prabhat; Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava, GOC 15 Corps; Shri Shaleen Kabra, ACS Jal Shakti; Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the LG; senior Army and CAPF officials, Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir divisions, and administrative secretaries of all departments.
The Lieutenant Governor assured that he is personally monitoring the situation round-the-clock and remains in close touch with UT and central agencies to ensure timely response and relief measures.
