Kashmir Chief reviews snow preparedness

 Srinagar, December 07(Scoop News) – Gulmarg recorded a snow depth of 5 inches, Gurez 4”, Sedow 6”, Hirpora 5”. Mechanical Engineering Deptt started snow clearance on Gulmarg-Tangmarg road at 6 am and road is open for traffic. Snow clearance was also done at Sedow and Hirpora which recored a snow depth of almost 6 inches. Sonmarg-Zojila-Gumri road recorded around 6 to 10 inches of snow. Srinagar-Jammu National Highway is open for traffic. Vehicular traffic has been suspended on Bandipora-Gurez road, Kokernag-Simthen road and Kupwara-Tangdhar road. All flights including Hajj flights operated normally.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon reviewed snow preparedness in view of forecast of rain and snow. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Meh’raj Ahmed Kakroo, Director CA&PD Kashmir Abdul Wahid Tak, Chief Engineer EM&RE Mohammed Muzaffar Mattu, Chief Engineer Systems & Operation, Chief Engineer Mechancial Engineering, Shafat Ahmed Chesti, Joint Commissioner, SMC, Fayaz Ahmed Bala, Superintending Engineer PHE Kashmir, Abdul Hameed, Exen Drainage SMC, TK Bhat and Farooq Ahmed, Director Met. Office Srinagar Sonum Lotus, Deputy Director Fire Services Khurshid Ahmed Bazaz and Head Disaster Management Aamir Ali.

          Chief Engineer MED informed that Kashmir Valley has been divided into three Zones for snow clearance purposes and 93 snow clearances are available with the Deptt, including snow ploughs and snow cutters. Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal have been clubbed into Zone-1 and with 36 machines in total. Central Snow control room has been established at Shalteng, Parimpora which has started functioning round the clock. The contact number of the snow control room is 0194-2497458. Anantnag, Pulwama and Shopian have been kept in Zone-2 with 24 machines whileas, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora including Gurez and Tangmarg, Gulmarg are Zone-3 with 33 machines. Snow control rooms have been established by the respective Deputy Commissioners in all the districts. The Mechanical Engineering Deptt has planned to mechanically clear snow from 4926 kms of black topped roads, this year as against 4175 kms cleared last year.

          Div Com directed that snow clearance of roads leading to PHE plants including Rangil, Alastaing, Doodganga and Nishat should be taken up on first priority. He also advised the electric deptt to keep a squad in readiness to repair any transmission lines. Dr. Samoon directed the Chief Engineer EM&RE that in case of any power failure the restoration of supply to hospitals and essential services including dewatering stations should be carried out immediately. Joint Commissioner, SMC was advised to ensure functionality of all dewatering stations in the city especially in the low lying areas and set-up a control room at SMC so that public can request for dewatering in case of water logging. In case of dire need and only after the approval of Div Com the Fire Services can also be deployed for dewatering.

          Director CAPD informed that there is adequate supply of LPG and other essential supplies. There are over 1 lakh cylinders of LPG with HPCL, BPCL and IOCL besides additional supplies on wheels.

          Later, Div Com alongwith the officers inspected the Power Grid Station at Bemina and Snow Control Room at Shalteng and interacted with the officials posted there and asked them to work with zeal and dedication.

http://scoopnews.in/det.aspx?17793